The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Reading test is a part of the exam, assessing a candidate's ability to understand and interpret written English. This test differs slightly between the Academic and General Training versions of IELTS, though the skills tested are broadly similar.
Time: 60 minutes
Questions: 40
Passages: 3
1. Format:
Three Sections: Each section contains one long text.
The texts are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. They are appropriate for, and accessible to, test-takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.
2. Content:
Texts are factual, descriptive, and analytical. They may include non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs, or illustrations.
There are also texts dealing with academic topics, but they are written for a general audience and do not require specialized knowledge.
1. Format:
Three Sections: The first section contains two or three short factual texts, the second section contains two short, work-related texts, and the third section contains one longer text.
2. Content:
The first section includes texts relevant to everyday life, such as notices, advertisements, and timetables.
The second section focuses on work-related issues, such as job descriptions, training materials, and staff development.
The third section features a longer, more complex text on a general interest topic.
The IELTS Reading test includes various question types to assess different reading skills:
Multiple Choice: Select the correct answer from several options.
Identifying Information: Indicate whether the statements are true, false, or not given based on the text.
Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims: Indicate whether the claims agree with the views of the writer (yes, no, not given).
Matching Information: Match information to a section of the text.
Matching Headings: Match headings to sections or paragraphs of the text.
Matching Features: Match features to a list of options.
Matching Sentence Endings: Complete sentences with options from a list.
Sentence Completion: Complete sentences with words from the text.
Summary/Note/Table/Flow-chart Completion: Complete a summary or fill in a table or flow-chart based on information from the text.
Diagram Label Completion: Label a diagram with words from the text.
Short-Answer Questions: Answer questions using words from the text.
1. Practice Skimming and Scanning:
Skimming involves quickly reading through a text to get the general idea.
Scanning involves looking for specific information or keywords without reading the entire text.
2. Manage Your Time:
Allocate a specific amount of time to each section and stick to it. Don’t spend too much time on any one question or passage.
3. Read the Instructions Carefully:
Ensure you understand what each question is asking. Pay attention to the word limit for answers.
4. Develop Vocabulary:
A strong vocabulary will help you understand the texts and answer questions more accurately. Read widely to improve your vocabulary.
5. Practice with Sample Tests:
Use IELTS practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions. This will also help you improve your speed and accuracy.
6. Focus on Key Information:
Identify and focus on the main ideas, supporting details, and examples in the text.
7. Review Your Answers:
If you have time at the end, review your answers to check for any mistakes or overlooked details.
The Reading test is scored out of 40. The number of correct answers is converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Each correct answer typically receives one point. There is no penalty for incorrect answers. Below is the band score chart of IELTS Reading test for you: