IELTS Reading is a crucial part of the IELTS exam. Mastering effective examination techniques and practice methods is key to scoring high. Cyclopes is here to help you understand IELTS Reading's score weightage, question types, and to provide practice and answering techniques for optimal exam preparation.
Source: Freepik
IELTS Reading Score Weightage
IELTS Reading is divided into two types of tests: the IELTS Academic test and the IELTS General Training test. Those aspiring to study in the UK should prepare for the Academic test and pay attention to practicing with "IELTS Academic Reading practice test - paper," not the "IELTS General Training Reading practice test - paper."
The IELTS Reading test lasts 1 hour, with a total of 40 questions. Each question carries 1 mark, and the total score will be converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. The score for the IELTS Reading section accounts for 25% of the total IELTS score, similar to the other three sections.
Source: Freepik
IELTS Reading Question Types
The Academic test for IELTS Reading includes 10 types of questions that test various reading comprehension skills, including:
1. Multiple Choice
Choose one (or more) correct answers from multiple options, either corresponding to a question or statements matching the content.
2. Completion
Fill in the missing words or phrases in a sentence, a passage, or a table.
3. Sentence Completion
Complete one or more unfinished sentences based on the information in the reading material.
4. Completing Notes, Summaries, Tables, or Flow-charts
Fill in the missing parts of notes, summaries, tables, or flow-charts based on the content of the article.
5. Labelling Diagrams
Label diagrams or illustrations based on descriptions in the reading material.
6. Choosing Headings
Select the most appropriate headings for each paragraph or section of the article.
7. Locating Information
Find specific information in the article without needing to infer or interpret the information.
8. Identifying Views/Claims/Details
Identify the author's views, claims, or specific details in the article, which may require some reasoning.
9. Short Answer Questions
Provide brief answers to questions based on the content of the article.
10. Matching
Match options in the question with information, facts, or views in the article.
Familiarizing yourself with the types of questions in IELTS Reading and mastering the techniques for each type is crucial for quickly grasping the requirements during the exam. It's important to practice extensively before the test.
Source: Freepik
IELTS Reading Answering Techniques
To achieve good results in the IELTS Reading test, candidates can use the following techniques during the exam:
Read the Questions First: For all reading comprehension tests, reading the questions first is essential. This approach allows candidates to quickly grasp the subject matter of the article and the necessary information for answering the questions, making it more efficient than starting with the article itself.
Skimming: Candidates should skim the article to quickly locate essential information, then slow down to read the details more carefully, saving time.
Identifying Keywords: Before skimming, extract important keywords from the questions to increase accuracy in answering.
Understanding the Author's Attitude: Some questions test the ability to grasp the author's thoughts or motives hidden in the writing. So, when time allows, while quickly searching for answers to factual questions, also grasp the overall argument and underlying assumptions of the article.
IELTS Reading Practice Methods
Effective practice is also crucial for improving scores in IELTS Reading:
Practice Past Papers: Practicing past IELTS papers or mock tests helps familiarize with various question types, tests whether answering strategies are effective, and gets used to completing the paper under time pressure, aiding efficiency in the actual exam.