Basics of Reading of IELTS

Understanding Reading of IELTS

Just read the Question, Just Find the Answer

Overall Reading Test

  1. It provides you 40 objective questions
  2. Test completes in 1 hour and you need to write answer in answer sheet within same 1 hour
  3. You will have three passages to complete in 1 hour (60 minutes). Just divide it as 25, 15, 10 for 1st, 2nd & 3rd passage and last 5 minute for revision and 5 for writing answers.
  4. Different question type is provided to check your reading skills and hence try to focus on understanding based on specific question type.

 

Reading Band Score Based on Right Answers

Reading also provides you objective type of 40 questions where each question gives you 1 mark for right answer.

 

Attempt Question Based on Order

Questions Whose Answers follow Order

– True/False/Not given

– Short Answer Question

– Multiple Choice

– Matching Sentence Ending

– Fill in the Blanks

Question whose Answers Do not Follow Order

-Matching Heading/List of Heading

-Matching Info

-Matching Names/statement of author

Types of Questions and their way to approach

  • Multiple Choice
  1. You are required to select the best suitable answers (either one two or three) from 3, 5 or 7 options. Here you need to Focus on the specific point relating those Questions so focus on
  • Identifying Information

This includes True/False/Not Given OR Yes/No/Not Given.

I suggest student to come into a conclusion of the statement in this type.

-After concluding, compare the conclusion to the text in the paragraph.

-Statement is True when both the information matches in the sentence

-Statement are False when there are contradiction/opposing ideas

-Statement is Not Given when you can’t find the information in the paragraph

 

Example

Let’s look at the passage and questions along with to find the answer.

We first try to find the keyword/Synonyms for each question.

  1. Joint winner / for both Nobel Prize (shared on both occasions/awarded together for both of the prizes)
  2. Interested in Science/Child (devotion, talented, in Science, infant, primary school)
  3. Attend, financial contribution(get admission, got into, support, lend money)

 

Then after, RECITE these 4 information

    • Main Idea
    • Keywords/synonyms
    • Context(Before and After)
    • Special Feature or Attributes

 

While searching for information in paragraph, Develop the habit of speed reading by moving your eyes very fast such that you move into next word before pronunciation comes into your mind.

We will now look question wise,

  1. In first question, Nobel prize joint winner is primarily focused but in passage, it clearly states that in 1903 she shared Nobel prize with her husband but in later part of the sentences it is mentioned that she was the sole winner. So, the answer here is ‘NO’.
  2. In 2nd part, question is trying to relate Marie’s interest for science began from childhood. But in passage, it is mentioned that Marie has astounding memories from her childhood but that doesn’t quite relate to her interest in science from child.

So, the answer here is ‘Not Given’

  1. In 3rd Question, the question is trying to connect between Marie’s ability to join the Sorbonne because of her sister. In passage, Marie helps her sister to study expecting help in return. And later, it states that the promise was fulfilled. So, the statement stands ‘TRUE’.  
  • Matching Heading

Here you should provide a heading to each paragraph from the different options

  • During matching heading, select the keywords and try to relate that idea to the overall idea of the paragraph.
  • Next try to expand the meaning of the heading. If such headings were given, what would be the topics you would include to write essay.
  • Then after, at first read the two sentences at the beginning and try to guess what sort of information writer is trying to provide and try to correlate with the topic.

Secondly, look at the end of the paragraph, try to conclude what sort of information is presented to come into the conclusion.

  • If you can’t still match the heading, then you need to look after the details in middle section of the paragraph
  • Sentence Completion

Here you need to locate the information in the passage through the keywords in the sentences.

  • Matching Information/Features

– Students need to find certain information/features relatable to specified topic in question                                           -You must be able to connect the dot between the two. 

  •     Matching Sentence Endings

 

Test takers should understand the general idea of the sentences and thus find that link in the paragraph

  • Diagram Labelling

– Here you need to observe the diagram and link that information to the passage

-You are tested on your ability to whether you can convert the text into the diagram.

  • Identifying Writer’s View and Claim

–This type of question also checks on your ability to identify certain people’s ideas and opinions.

–This type of questions is asked when there are many researchers or writers trying to convey their views and providing different claims. So, look for specific details regarding the questions and thus find answer.

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