Common IELTS Reading Question Types Explained
When you are taking the IELTS exam, you would need to know the various types of questions under the Reading section in order to score better marks. There are very many students in Nepal who are not able to get past Band 6 or 6.5 merely because they have not learned how to approach each type.
We will put all the popular types of IELTS Reading questions, give examples, and give some useful tips to solve them in this blog. You are planning to take the exam and reach Band 7+ or just doing this exam the first time, this guide will help you plan your approach and practice efficiently.
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The importance of knowing the type of questions.
IELTS Reading section consists of 40 questions that need to be answered within 60 minutes and they are based on various tests, including skimming, scanning, realizing inferences, and paraphrasing.
This means that the advance knowledge of the question types will enable you to:
Time management.
Avoid careless mistakes
Apply the appropriate approach to each question.
Increase your total band score.
Target Keywords: types of questions in IELTS Reading, IELTS Reading strategies, how to improve IELTS Reading score.
Multiple Choice questions (MCQs).
What it entails: You will have a question or a statement and will have to select the right answer out of 3-4 choices.
Tips:
Read the question to come up with the precise question being asked.
Look through the passage scanning with keyword rather than reading all the words.
Be aware of the distractors, answers that seem accurate but are a bit off.
Example:
Which is the best summary statement of the key idea of paragraph 2?
This sort of test checks your understanding, skimming and the capacity to find key points.
True / False / Not Given
What it is: To identify the correspondence between a statement and the information presented in the passage.
Tips:
True: statement corresponds with the text.
False: statement is opposing the text.
Not Given: the data is not in the text.
Example:
According to the author, the most pressing environmental problem is climate change.
This category is a problematic one, yet practicing will enable you to advance to the Band 7 plus.
Internal Link: Read my tips about How to Solve True/False/Not Given in IELTS Reading to learn step by step tips.
Matching Headings
What it involves: Support paragraphs or sections of the text by matching them with headings.
Tips:
Read through every paragraph to locate the central point.
Disregard petty things that can divert your attention.
Eliminate blatantly incorrect headings to reduce options.
Example:
Paragraph 3 – select the heading which most effectively explains what the author is arguing about renewable energy.
Anchor Tip: This exercise is suited to the student who wants to upgrade his or her IELTS Reading score to 6 to 7.5.
Matching Information
What it entails: Find the correct paragraph match facts, examples or reasons.
Tips:
Search keywords in question.
Find synonyms, IELTS tends to paraphrase the text.
Look at numbers, dates and proper nouns.
Example:
What paragraph includes the information concerning the dropping population of bees?
Matching Sentence Endings
What it involves: Fill in a sentence with an ending that is correct.
Tips:
Somebody read the first half of the sentence.
Search to fill in the meaning in the passage.
Do not give answers which are only partially in correspondence with the sentence.
Example:
The new transportation system was expected to….
Alternatives: a) decongest the roadways, b) raise the fare, c) elimination of buses.
Sentence Completion
What it is: Fill in the blanks in words of the passage.
Tips:
Adhere to the word limit (normally 1-3 words).
Search with synonyms and not with exact matches.
The solution can be found quite often in the vicinity of the corresponding paragraph.
Example:
The major objective of the research was to investigate the effects of pollution on the health in a manner that will be to research the effect of pollution on human health.
Summary, Note, Table, Flowchart Completion.
What it entails: Fill in comprehensive missing words in a summary, table, or flowchart of the passage.
Tips:
Search using scanning abilities to fast-track answers.
Always follow word limits.
Single/ plural Checks.
Example:
Fill in the missing population numbers in the table on endangered species.
Short Answer Questions
What it is: Respond to questions in 1-3 words regarding the text.
Tips:
Finding the key words peruse the passage.
Precise words, or acceptable synonyms of the text.
Always do what you are told to do such as use three words at most.
Example:
What is the main source of the renewable energy listed in paragraph 4?
Other Tricks to increase your mark in reading.
Skimming and Scanning: Find information and main ideas fast.
Vocabulary Building: It is better to know the synonyms so that you can identify answers more quickly.
Time Management: Do not take over 1-2 minutes to answer one question.
Frequent Practice: Apply IELTS Reading practice questions.
Pro Tip: In Kathmandu, a lot of students can better with the help of formal IELTS courses. Search the most popular IELTS Classes in Kathmandu to practice, take tests, and get the professional help.
Conclusion
The most important aspect of common IELTS Reading question types is to understand how to get Band 7+. All the types of questions are assessing various skills, and the correct strategies could help save time and become more accurate.
Practice regularly
Identify weak areas
Learn from expert guidance
Learning to do these types of questions will put you one step higher to the band that you are targeting.
In case you need expert advice in Kathmandu then refer to our elaborate guide on the Best IELTS Classes in Kathmandu as a way of beginning your IELTS journey with a lot of confidence.
