IELTS Academic Reading: Syllabus, Question Types, Books, Tips and Practice Test

Collegedunia Team

Aug 29, 2024

IELTS academic reading consists of 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. The Academic Reading test evaluates a variety of reading abilities, including a candidate’s capacity to follow an argument and identify the viewpoint, attitude, or intent of a writer. These IELTS academic reading can include short-answer questions, matching headings, features, and sentence endings, as well as multiple-choice, identifying information or a writer's perspective, sentence, summary, note, table, and flow-chart completions. 3 lengthy texts from current books, journals, periodicals, and newspapers make up the IELTS Academic Reading test. IELTS academic reading band is calculated on a range of 0 - 9.

IELTS Academic Reading Syllabus Overview 

IELTS reading evaluates ability to comprehend primary ideas, specifics, viewpoints, and implicit meanings when reading. Skimming, scanning, and detailed reading are all included in the test of your reading comprehension abilities. The total text length of the passages ranges from 2,170 to 2,750. The passages are written for a non-specialist audience and are mostly academic ones with a general interest. The texts have four types ranging from discursive and analytical to descriptive and factual. Few passages of IELTS academic reading may contain diagrams, tables, or charts. It may happen that the passage contains some technical terms. In that case, a glossary will be provided. and Each question carries one IELTS academic reading band score. IELTS academic reading tests the candidate’s ability to focus on an argument, identity a writer’s viewpoint, purpose, and opinion.

IELTS Academic Reading Question Types

There are 11 IELTS academic reading question types. Candidates will find every type of question during their IELTS academic reading practice. Every question tests the specific skills of the candidates. The Cambridge reading test for Academic contains numerous sample questions that help test-takers during IELTS preparation. The following are the different IELTS academic reading question types:

Multiple Choice Questions 

Multiple choice questions of IELTS academic reading require candidates to select the correct answer from choices of A, B, C, D, and more. Candidates may be required to complete a sentence by choosing the right answer. This question type tests the candidate’s ability to understand some specific points or overall understanding of all the main points. Test-takers will find numerous MCQs in IELTS academic reading samples.

Sample Question:

ielts mcq

Identifying Information 

In this question type of IELTS academic reading test, candidates are provided with a question ‘Do the following statements agree with the information in the text?’. They need to answer by selecting true/false/not given. This question tests the ability to identify specific information in the passage. Daily practicing of these question types will result in a high IELTS academic reading score.

Sample Question:

identify information

Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims 

In this question type, candidates will be asked to answer the question ‘Do the following statements agree with the views/claims of the writer?’. They need to answer the question by choosing yes/no/not given. These questions are mainly found in discursive or argumentative texts. It tests the candidate’s ability to identify opinions and ideas.

Sample Question:

Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims

Matching Information

Candidates will find this question type during the IELTS academic reading practice test. Here, test-takers need to find the correct information and place it in the right fit. They may be required to find a description, an example, a reason, a comparison, a summary, or an explanation. This question type tests the candidate’s ability to locate specific information.

Sample Question:

Matching information

Matching Headings 

In this question type of IELTS academic reading, candidates need to choose a heading from the list of headings. They then have to link it to the related paragraph. The candidates need to understand all the paragraphs to be able to answer this question. It tests the candidate’s ability to understand the main theme or idea.

Sample Question:

matching headings

Matching Features

Here, candidates need to look for specific information about given features and match it. During IELTS academic reading practice, candidates will come across information where three people have purchased three different things from three different places. They are now required to match the information with the features. It tests the candidate’s ability to find connections between facts.

Sample Question:

Matching Features

Matching Sentence Endings 

This is one of the easiest question types of the IELTS academic reading test. A part of the sentence will be provided and the candidate needs to search for the other end from the passage and fill it. Candidates can practice these questions type from the passages given in IELTS reading materials academic. This question type tests the candidate’s ability to connect main idea with a sentence.

Sample Question:

Matching Sentence Endings

Sentence Completion 

In this question type, incomplete sentences are provided. Candidates need to find the right words from the passage and fill in the blanks. Candidates will be instructed on the number of words they need to write. If they write more than the instructed number of words, they will lose their reading academic IELTS band score. This question type examines the candidate’s ability to figure out specific words or details in the passage.

Sample Question:

Sentence Completion

Summary Completion 

Test-takers will be provided with a summary of the section of the passage. They are required to complete it by taking words from the passage. The summary is majorly a single part of the passage rather than the whole. The information may appear in the form of a summary, or notes, or table, or flowchart. Summarizing examines the candidate’s ability to identify the main ideas of a section of a text. Candidates need to practice from different IELTS reading topics for getting a better understanding of this question type.

Sample Question:

Summary Completion

Diagram Label Completion 

In this question type, candidates are required to complete a label in a diagram that is related to a description in the text. They will be instructed about the count of words they need to provide. These types of questions are mainly found in descriptive texts. It tests the candidate’s ability to know the detailed description and connect it to the information presented as a diagram.

Sample Question:

Diagram Label Completion

Short-Answer Questions 

In this question type, candidates need to answer questions that are related to the information in the text. This question type is mainly present in the factual passages. Candidates are required to write their answers in numbers of words on the answer sheet. This IELTS academic reading question type examines the candidate’s ability in  IELTS Academic Reading exam to figure out specific important information.

Sample Question:

Short-Answer Questions

IELTS Academic Reading Band 

IELTS academic reading score is calculated by converting the raw score to a scaled score. The raw score is the total number of correct answers out of 40. The IELTS Academic Reading score chart ranges from 0 - 9. The conversion of reading academic IELTS band is done with the help of a table as given below:

Raw Score Scaled Score
39-40 9
37-38 8.5
35-36 7
33-34 7.5
30-32 7
27-29 6.5
23-26 6
19-22 5.5
15-18 5
13-14 4.5
10-12 4
8-9 3.5
6-7 3
4-5 2.5

IELTS Academic Reading Book

IELTS academic reading preparation requires candidates to prepare from books. reading passage for IELTS Academic PDF helps candidates to enhance their vocabulary.  Below are a few of the IELTS preparation books:

IELTS Academic Reading Tips and Tricks 

Candidates mst have a clear understanding between the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Reading. IELTS Academic Reading passage need time to go through. Here are the lists of IELTS academic reading tips are listed below:

  • Before reading the passage, read the questions.
  • Examine the passage quickly.
  • Pay close attention to the opening and closing
  • Choose important words
  • Respond to all queries
  • Verify your responses.
  • Then check IELTS Academic Reading excercises
  • Take full length reading practice tests

IELTS academic reading consists of three large passages. The IELTS academic reading test consists of 40 questions in total. The quotations are from publications including books, newspapers, journals, and magazines. It evaluates the test-taker's ability to comprehend the key concepts, topics, viewpoints, specifics, and suggested meanings. Each and every IELTS academic reading sample exam demonstrates that the passages are comparable to material for undergraduate or graduate study. 

FAQs

Ques. What is the format of the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS Academic Reading test consists of three passages or texts, each followed by a series of questions. The texts are taken from various academic sources.

Ques. How many questions are there in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. There are 40 questions in total, with roughly 13-14 questions for each of the three passages.

Ques. How much time do I have for the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. You have 60 minutes to complete the entire Reading section, so it's advisable to spend about 20 minutes on each passage and its accompanying questions.

Ques. Are the questions in the IELTS Academic Reading test multiple-choice or short answer?

Ans. The questions can be of various types, including multiple-choice, matching, sentence completion, and True/False/Not Given.

Ques. Is there a separate answer sheet for the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you will be provided with a separate answer sheet. You must transfer your answers to this sheet within the 60-minute time frame.

Ques. Can I use a pen or pencil to mark my answers on the answer sheet?

Ans. You must use a pencil to mark your answers on the answer sheet, as it allows for easier correction in case of mistakes.

Ques. Is there a penalty for incorrect answers in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers. It is better to guess if you are unsure of an answer rather than leaving it blank.

Ques. How is the IELTS Academic Reading test scored?

Ans. Each correct answer is awarded one point, and your total score is converted to a band score ranging from 0 to 9.

Ques. Can I take notes or highlight text during the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you can make notes and highlight text on the question paper during the test to help you better comprehend the passages.

Ques. Are dictionaries allowed in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. No, you are not allowed to use dictionaries or any other reference materials during the test. You must rely solely on your language and comprehension skills.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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