IELTS Reading Strategies Overview

Introduction

• IELTS reading can be simple.
• Key frustration: multiple types of reading questions.
• This guide covers the 12 main types of IELTS reading questions.
• Strategies provided to tackle each question type effectively.

General Strategies

• Understand the question types.
• Key problems faced by students will be addressed.
• Step-by-step strategies for success.
• Focus on reading instructions carefully.

Types of Questions and Strategies

1. Sentence Completion

• Definition: Complete sentences with words from the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Not reading instructions (number of words)
  • Poor spelling
• Advice:
  • Read instructions carefully.
  • Read incomplete sentences first.
  • Predict answers before reading text.
  • Scan for location first, then read carefully to confirm answers.

2. Summary Completion

• Definition: Complete a summary with words from the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Not reading instructions
  • Poor grammar understanding
• Advice:
  • Read summary first before text.
  • Consider grammatical roles of missing words (noun, verb, adjective).
  • Scan for location, read carefully to confirm understanding.

3. Multiple Choice Questions

• Definition: Choose the correct answer from options provided.
• Key Problems:
  • Confusion between options
• Advice:
  • Read questions and options carefully.
  • Skim the text for general meaning.
  • Locate specific sections for detailed reading.

4. Short Answer Questions

• Definition: Answer direct questions based on the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Rushing through questions
  • Not understanding terms in text
• Advice:
  • Focus on understanding questions first.
  • Underline keywords and find synonyms.

5. Labeling a Diagram

• Definition: Complete labels for parts of a diagram based on the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Inability to cope with unfamiliar content
• Advice:
  • Read instructions carefully.
  • Familiarize with the diagram before locating answers.

6. True/False/Not Given Questions

• Definition: Determine if statements are true, false, or not given based on the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Misinformation and misunderstanding of concepts
  • Focusing too much on keywords
• Advice:
  • Read each statement carefully without focusing on keywords.
  • Understand the overall meaning of statements.

7. Yes/No/Not Given Questions

• Definition: Similar to true/false but focuses on the writer's opinions.
• Key Problems:
  • Confusion between facts and opinions
• Advice:
  • Focus on the writer's opinion rather than just facts.

8. Matching Sentence Endings

• Definition: Match beginning parts of sentences to their endings.
• Key Problems:
  • Relying on logic instead of text
• Advice:
  • Read first parts of sentences, make predictions, then check endings.

9. Matching Names

• Definition: Match names to statements based on the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Writing names too quickly without detailed reading
• Advice:
  • Scan text for names, focus on those mentioned once for easier answers.

10. Matching Information to Paragraphs

• Definition: Identify which paragraphs contain specific information.
• Key Problems:
  • Overwhelming amount of information
• Advice:
  • Do these questions last after familiarizing with the text.

11. Table/Flowchart Completion

• Definition: Complete tables or flowcharts based on the text.
• Key Problems:
  • Not reading instructions carefully
• Advice:
  • Read instructions, locate the correct section, check spelling.

12. Matching Headings

• Definition: Match paragraphs to headings.
• Key Problems:
  • Lack of understanding of text meaning
• Advice:
  • Read paragraphs first, derive your own headings, then match to options.

Conclusion

• Understanding personal weaknesses is key to improving reading skills.
• The strategies shared are foundational for achieving high scores in IELTS reading.