IELTS reading is one of the four sections of the IELTS test that is designed in a way to assess an aspirant’s ability to understand and interpret written texts in English. In this section, you need to answer 40 questions in 60 minutes, and there 14 IELTS reading question types, which you will explore in this write-up. Thus, if you know them and practice well, you can easily ace the test. Besides, the best way to prepare is by taking the IELTS mock test and getting expert feedback on it. So, let’s get started to explore these types.
Types of IELTS Reading Questions & Tips
While preparing for the IELTS, understanding the types of questions in IELTS reading, becomes crucial. As having the knowledge of them makes your task easier and you can score higher. So let’s learn them in detail.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
This is the most common type of question that you must be familiar with. To answer these IELTS reading types of questions, you need to choose the correct option from the list. Through this type, your ability to detect specific information is evaluated. Moreover, following the tricks below, you can ace this question type:
- Use the elimination method to find the correct one.
- Start with the easiest question first.
- Think about the synonyms as you answer the questions.
- Remember, answers come in order only.
True/False/Not Given
When you work on these types of questions in IELTS, you need to find whether the information given is true, false or not given in the text. Thus, if the data is correct, then you mark the answer as true and vice-versa if the data is incorrect. Besides, if you do not find any information in the text, then the answer will be, not given. Follow these tips to ace the reading question types IELTS:
- Ensure that you do not confuse “No” with “Not Given.”
- Do not apply your knowledge about the topic of the passage.
Matching Headings
In matching heading type of IELTS reading questions, you need to read the paragraphs and select the most suitable topic for each of them. Thus, it is vital to understand the key ideas along with supporting ones and how they differ from the other paras. To ace this type of question, follow the tips:
- Read the topic list before reading the paragraph.
- Keep in mind that the topics will be more than you need, so you do not need to use them all.
- Note the keywords to match the topic with the para.
- Do not miss reading the instructions carefully beforehand.
Matching Paragraph Information
In this IELTS reading types of questions, you are supposed to match the information given in the question with that of the paragraph. Moreover, follow the tips listed below to handle this type easily:
- Pay attention to the keywords in the paragraph content and look for the same in the answer.
- Remember, the answers do not come in order.
- Read the information correctly.
- Paraphrase the information in the question.
Matching Sentence Endings
In this type of question for IELTS, you will be given two sets of sentences. The first one will be incomplete, and you need to match it with the other correct half. However, to ease answering these question types, here are some tricks:
- Focus on grammar, as it will help you to eliminate the options.
- Scan to find the answer’s location.
- Avoid basic mistakes by reading the instructions.
Matching Features
In this type of IELTS reading question, you need to match the specific feature with the information given in the paragraph. Moreover, here are a few tips from the experts to help you ace this question type:
- Try to understand the supporting information in the text.
- Find the synonyms in the answers.
- Practice scanning techniques to solve these questions.
Sentence Completion
In this type of question, you will be given paragraphs along with a list of incomplete sentences. You need to complete them by using the words given. Thus, if you need to ace this type easily, go through the tips mentioned below:
- Use synonyms and paraphrasing techniques
- Scan the specific information
- Choose the right word from the text.
Summary Completion
In this type of IELTS reading questions, you need to complete the summary or the ending from the paragraph. However, this might be tricky, but with the following tips, you can ace it easily:
- Words must be correct grammatically
- Remember the parts of speech: adjectives, verbs and nouns
- Go through the entire summary and ensure that it makes sense.
Table Completion
In this, you will be getting a table with missing information, and you need to complete it with the correct word from the list of options. Moreover, to ease your work, here are some effective tricks:
- Answers might not be in sequence
- Read the column heading in the table
- Skim-read specific areas of text to find details.
Flowchart Completion
In these IELTS reading question types, you will get a flow chart with missing information to complete. However, you may or may not have a word bank. Thus, use these tips to ace this type of question in reading:
- Understand the synonym present in the flow chart
- Do not get confused by layout or image
- Use directions in the chart to ease the completion
Diagram Label Completion
In this, you will see one or more diagrams with missing labels. Thus, you need to complete them using the information available in the paragraph. Moreover, here are a few tips to help you:
- Identify the type of word you need for your answer, such as noun or verb.
- Answers do not come in sequence.
- Have an understanding of the synonyms.
Short Answer Questions
You need to answer these types of questions in IELTS reading using short phrases or answers. However, this is the easiest type as per student, but using these tips will help you even more:
- Look for specific details in the text.
- Understand the basic information.
- Answers mostly follow the order.
List Selection
This type of IELTS Reading Question is a bit more confusing than others as it resembles another type of reading question. It can look like MCQs, but here, you need to choose more than one answer mentioned in the question. Follow the tips listed below to ease this task:
- You need to select the exact number of option.
- Focus on supporting information more than the main one.
- Scan the text for keywords.
Choose a Title
In this, you must find a suitable title based on the information given in the paragraph. Here are the tricks using which you can do this easily:
- Know the difference between a general idea and a specific detail.
- Pay attention to the opening and closing paragraphs
Conclusion
This is all about IELTS reading question types, which can help you score well on the test. However, if you are still confused about something, take an IELTS reading mock test to get along with the test pattern and other things. You can also consult an expert in the field to resolve your doubts.
