IELTS Reading: Question Types, Score Criteria and Preparation Tips

Q: How can I score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading?

Answer: In order to score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading, candidates are required to answer a minimum of 36 questions out of the total of 40 questions.

Q: Is IELTS reading difficult?

Answer: IELTS reading difficulty level depends on the preparation of an individual. The more you practice, the better you ace the exams.

Q: How many reading passages are there?

Answer: There are a total of three reading passages for the academic paper and three different sections for the general training paper with each section having one or two texts.

Q: Is the reading test the same for everyone?

Answer: No, there are two different tests for IELTS reading; IELTS academic and IELTS general training. Candidates will get to decide which IELTS test they would like to appear for. Make a note that the test candidates are appearing for will impact both their reading and writing papers.

Q: What kind of reading passages are there in the IELTS academic test?

Answer: Each of the passages in the academic reading paper are long. These passages are excerpts from books, magazines, and newspapers. It might contain complicated language, academic vocabulary, and at times diagrams, maps or other kinds of illustrations.

Q: Do I lose a point if my answer is wrong?

Answer: No, there are no point deductions for a wrong answer. Thus, never leave an empty space in the answer sheet, always write something and have a guess for an answer.

Q: How long should I spend on each passage?

Answer: It is recommended that a candidate shouldn t spend more than 20 minutes on each passage. Ensure that you are effectively managing your time while attempting the questions.

Q: Am I allowed to write or take notes on the reading question paper?

Answer: Yes you are allowed to do so. You can make notes, underline words, and write on any part of the question paper. This will help you later to get the impoortant points that can answer the question.

Q: Should I use a pen or a pencil during IELTS Reading?

Answer: For the reading and listening test, you must use a pencil. This is because you can unmark the answer if you have marked it incorrectly. Thus, do remember to carry an eraser with you. However, for writing test, you can use pen.

Q: Ques: What is the difference between the Academic and General Training Reading modules?

Ans: The difference between Academic module and general module is that Academic focuses on academic topics, while the General Training module deals with everyday situations. Both assess the same reading skills, but the vocabulary and complexity of the texts differ.

Bhaskar Das

Sep 12, 2024

Highlights-

IELTS reading practice passages for the general module are taken from books, magazines, newspapers, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines.
Passages for IELTS academic reading are taken from current books, journals, magazines, and newspapers.
IELTS general reading mock test passages focus on scenarios that you may encounter in your daily or professional life, such as general topics of interest or applying for jobs.
IELTS academic reading passages deal with issues you would encounter in an educational or professional context in an English-speaking setting.

IELTS reading test is part of the IELTS test that assesses your reading skills. You need to showcase whether you can interpret and analyze the given passages. IELTS reading has three sections, and you will have 60 minutes to respond to 40 questions. Are the reading tests similar for both IELTS academic and general? The test content is the same for both modules, but the text styles are different. IELTS reading question types for both academic and general contain MCQ, identifying a writer's views/claims, matching headings, matching information, matching features, Matching sentence endings, etc. You will be awarded 1 mark for each correct answer in the IELTS reading exam.

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Table of Contents

Academic Reading vs. General Reading
Reading Band Score
Reading Marking Criteria
Reading Questions Types
Reading Topics
FAQs

IELTS Academic Reading vs. IELTS General Reading

The question types and number of questions remain the same for IELTS academic reading and IELTS general reading. However, there are certain points that are different when compared, these are mentioned below:

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IELTS Reading Practice Paper

To be proficient in the reading section, the IELTS reading practice test is a great way to prepare. The IELTS Reading practice test with answers helps candidates to get a better understanding of the questions. Candidates can consider preparing for their IELTS exam by undertaking the IELTS reading practice test given in the following table.

Check: IELTS General Reading Practice Test

Check: IELTS Reading Test Practice for General

IELTS Reading Band Score

The IELTS reading band score is credited based on the number of correct attempts made by the candidates. This section includes a total of 40 questions. Answering a total of 40 questions correctly can help score band 9. Candidates can use IELTS Reading score calculator to calculate their scores. Provided below is a table that highlights the IELTS reading band score. A separate column for each test type of IELTS Reading score band has been denoted.

Correct Answers	IELTS Academic band score	Correct Answers	IELTS General Training Band score
40-39	9	40	9
38-37	8.5	39	8.5
36-35	8	37-38	8
34-33	7.5	36	7.5
32-30	7	34-35	7
29-27	6.5	32-33	6.5
26-23	6	30-31	6
22-19	5.5	27-29	5.5
18-15	5	23-26	5
14-13	4.5	19-22	4.5
12-10	4	15-18	4
9-8	3.5	12-14	3.5
7-6	3	9-11	3
5-4	2.5	6-8	2.5

IELTS Reading Marking Criteria

Candidates' IELTS reading scores are determined using a band scale ranging from 0 to 9, with points awarded for each correct answer provided. An IELTS Band Score of 9 indicates that all 40 questions were answered correctly, whereas a low score suggests a lower level of proficiency. The IELTS reading assessment assigns one mark per question. Generally, the IELTS academic reading test is considered more challenging than the IELTS general training reading test. By meeting the IELTS reading marking criteria, candidates can achieve a higher band score.

Task Achievement (Task 1)	To present accurate information To provide an overview To highlight key features or stages Supporting detail with appropriate data
Task Response (Task 2)	To address the task accurately To provide relevant points that support the answer To present an opinion when necessary To provide a conclusion
Coherence and Cohesion	To organise information into paragraphs To present a central idea in each paragraph To apply range of linking devices
Lexical Resources	Use collocations Avoid errors and spelling mistakes Use good vocabulary and paraphrase
Grammar Range and Accuracy	Use a wide range of sentence structures Proper use grammar tenses Proper use of punctuation Avoid errors

IELTS Reading Academic Samples

Vocabulary for IELTS Reading can be enhanced with the help of IELTS reading books. Practicing some of the common topics can contribute to a high overall IELTS average score. Here are the list of IELTS samples with answers to increase IELTS Reading score.

Check IELTS Reading Samples for Academic

Check: IELTS Practice Tests for Academic

IELTS Reading Questions Types (General and Academic)

IELTS Reading score contribute to the overall IELTS results. The table below portrays question types in IELTS reading test:

Task Type	Task Description	Skills Assessed
Matching Headings Question	To choose a heading from the list that matches a paragraph or a section in the passage.	To understand the aim of the section, to identify between supporting points and the main idea.
True, False, Not Given/ Yes, No, Not Given	To decide whether the writer’s opinion or the information is in the question statements or not.	To identify and understand the information for true, false, not given questions and to understand the opinion of the writer for yes, no, not given questions.
Matching Paragraph Information Questions	To match the information given in question with the information given in the passage.	To scan and find out specific information.
Summary Completion Questions	To complete the summary by filling the blanks with the words taken from the passage.	To select appropriate words and understand supporting ideas.
Sentence Completion Questions	To complete the sentence with the words taken from the passage.	To select appropriate words and understand supporting ideas.
Multiple Choice Questions	To choose the correct answer from three or four possible options.	To scan and understand specific information in the passage.
List Selection	Choose the correct option from a list of words. It is different from multiple choice because all questions are related to only one long list of possible answers.	To scan and understand specific information in the passage.
Choosing a Title	To choose the correct title from a given list.	To identify the main aim of the passage and to distinguish between details.
Classification Questions	To decide which information belongs to which specific category from the given list.	To locate and categorize the information in the passage.
Matching Sentence Endings	To complete the sentence by matching its start and ending given from the list.	To locate and understand the information.
Table Completion	To complete a table by using the words from the passage.	To choose and locate appropriate words and information from the passage.
Flow-Chart Completion Questions	To complete the flowchart by using the words from the passage.	To choose and locate appropriate words and information from the passage.
Diagram Completion Questions	To label a diagram.	To locate and relate any information regarding the diagram.
Short Answer Questions	To answer questions by taking details from the passage.	To locate and understand the detailing of the information.

IELTS Reading Topics

IELTS reading topics are unpredictable in nature.IELTS Reading includes a pool of topics. To prepare for IELTS reading topics you can include reading books, magazines, newspapers and journals in your daily life.

IELTS Academic Reading Topics

The IELTS Academic Reading test is 60 minutes long. There will be 3 sections and each section will have a long text which will be up to 150-750 words. The texts which are given in the IELTS Academic Reading exam are taken from journals, newspapers, magazines. These topic reading IELTS will be of general interest and are given for non-specialist audiences.

IELTS Academic Reading Topics	Sample Topics
Language	Endangered languages ,Pronunciation and physiognomy
Technology	Can we prevent the poles from melting?
Crime	Illegal Downloads
Games	The Beautiful game
Dominant features of western countries	Tackling Obesity In The Western World
Robots	The robots are coming , The Brain And Intelligence
Skyscrapers	Crop-growing skyscrapers
Hardware	the history of glass
Neuroscience	Neuroaesthetics
Famous personality	Groucho Marx Arthur Sheekman
Television addiction in students	Is Technology Harming Our Children’s Health?
Advantages and disadvantages of technology for students	An Aviation Wonder And it’s Creator
Environment of different countries	Nature on display in American zoos
Impacts of environment on human health	Nature’s Most Violent Wind
Children’s language	Children’s literature
Skin unmasking	The Psychology in Happiness
Specialties of different countries	America’s oldest art?
Impacts of China on youth of the world	The Developing World
Story	The World is Our Oyster
Amateurs and their lifestyle	“Freebie” Marketing
Modern tools to detect crimes	Unexpected Benefits to Human Brain
Art	is photography art
Waste management	Is it time to halt the rising tide of plastic packaging?
Immigrant problems	Emigration to the US
Mental health	The birth of our modern minds
Villains and lessons taught by them	Life lessons from villains, crooks and gangsters
Marine life	The Economic Importance Of Coral Reefs , The Deep Sea
Inventions	Caveat scriptor , The Falkirk Wheel
Theorems	The Climate Changers
Radiology	How bugs hitch-hike across the galaxy
Sports	The Game of Tennis
Current happenings of any country	Propaganda – The good, the bad and the ugly The Politics of Pessimism
Issues observed in student life	Locked Doors, Open Access

IELTS General Reading Topics

The IELTS General Reading Test is 60 minutes long. Candidates will be given a particular topic to read and answer. In the IELTS General Reading test also there will be 3 sections and different topics will be given for each section.

IELTS General Reading Topics	Sample Topics
Space science	An Asteroid
News	Latest management model adopted by LCP technologies
Pedagogy	How to advertise a product
Child growth and learning	Learning By Examples
Movies	The History of Cinema
Places of tourist attraction	History of Shimla in India
Employee benefits	Hiking on snow in Australia paternity leave
Organizational management	Types of vacation activities
Domestic and international travel	Hiking on snow in Australia Bart train schedules
Travel restrictions	A cave and hiking in the cave with essentials
Working hours	Safety instructions for workers on a construction site
Employee-employer relation	Workspace Survival
Managerial theory	How The Other Half Thinks: Adventures In Mathematical Reasoning
Clarity in HR policies	Social Survival
Job satisfaction	Office air quality
Work-life balance	Stress of Workplace
Business deals	Eco-Resort Management
Social issues	Dirty River But Clean Water
Economic status of the company	Job opportunities in the diving industry
Risk management plan	Applying for a work exchange program
Issues in leadership	Literate Women Make Better Mothers?

IELTS Reading Preparation

The preparation for IELTS requires candidates to practise and account for IELTS preparation. Candidates can prepare a definitive schedule and ensure a IELTS preparation time. A candidate that requires to account for an appropriate level of preparation requires to undertake IELTS reading materials and IELTS reading passages. Undertaking practice with the help of IELTS reading material and IELTS reading test online can help candidates develop proficiency in language aspects. You must read newspapers daily and learn the meanings of new words. For this, candidates need to prepare a defined schedule that portrays appropriate IELTS preparation time. The next step to secure a high IELTS reading score is applying the knowledge you acquire every day. Take IELTS practice speaking and IELTS practice reading tests online. Below mentioned are some of the IELTS reading preparation tips:

Test your skill with a diagnostic test before starting your preparation.
Candidates can frame suitable study time followed by a proper schedule.
Prepare from IELTS general training books such as Cambridge IELTS general training book, Barron’s, and many more.
Account for a number of IELTS reading practice tests to check your time management skills.
Improve and speed up your reading skills.
Focus on vocabulary development.
Devote a timeline of 6-8 weeks for IELTS preparation time.

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

Candidates have to attempt passages from a wide array of IELTS reading topics. Few essential IELTS reading tips will help the aspirants to understand the techniques required for better scores. Here are IELTS Reading tips and tricks are as follows:

Before attempting to answer the questions, thoroughly read and comprehend the instructions.
Spend some time and make a note of any significant terms or phrases that you come across in the text because you never know when you'll need them for multiple-choice questions.
Plan ahead what you will read first and what you will skim through to make the most of the time allotted for each segment.
Keep an eye out for terms like "not," "except," and other such words that might help you spot the wrong responses to multiple-choice questions.
Don't overlook minute elements that will aid you in performing well on the test.
Make sure to tackle every question by marking the answers directly on the exam paper.
At the conclusion, go over your responses to make sure no questions were left out or were submitted in the wrong manner.
Try to anticipate what might happen next after reading each paragraph since this can help you feel more eager to read subsequent passages.

IELTS Reading Materials

Candidates can develop their understanding of the IELTS exam pattern by following several books. Below mentioned are some books and websites that can help candidates to prepare for the IELTS reading test. These books can also account for IELTS reading practice.

IELTS Reading Websites

Below are some websites that can be considered by candidates for IELTS reading preparation websites:

IELTS Liz
IELTS Buddy
IELTS Mentor
IELTS Test Preparation Course (Magoosh)
British Council
IELTS Band 7+ Complete Prep Course (Udemy)

IELTS Reading Books

Below mentioned are some of the IELTS preparation books that can be considered by candidates to prepare for IELTS reading tests:

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS- Check PDF (INR 1,170)
Cambridge IELTS’ Book 14 for Academic with Answers – Check PDF (INR 2,820)
Official IELTS Practice Materials – Check PDF (INR 1,240)
Barron’s IELTS Superpack – Check PDF (INR 3,129)
Target Band 7 – Check PDF (INR 2081)

IELTS reading consists of 40 questions. IELTS reading passages check the reading skill of the candidates. Free online IELTS reading practice tests help candidates in scoring well.

FAQ

Ques. How can I score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading?

Answer: In order to score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading, candidates are required to answer a minimum of 36 questions out of the total of 40 questions.

Ques. Is IELTS reading difficult?

Answer: IELTS reading difficulty level depends on the preparation of an individual. The more you practice, the better you ace the exams.

Ques. How many reading passages are there?

Answer: There are a total of three reading passages for the academic paper and three different sections for the general training paper with each section having one or two texts.

Ques. Is the reading test the same for everyone?

Answer: No, there are two different tests for IELTS reading; IELTS academic and IELTS general training. Candidates will get to decide which IELTS test they would like to appear for. Make a note that the test candidates are appearing for will impact both their reading and writing papers.

Ques. What kind of reading passages are there in the IELTS academic test?

Answer: Each of the passages in the academic reading paper are long. These passages are excerpts from books, magazines, and newspapers. It might contain complicated language, academic vocabulary, and at times diagrams, maps or other kinds of illustrations.

Ques. Do I lose a point if my answer is wrong?

Answer: No, there are no point deductions for a wrong answer. Thus, never leave an empty space in the answer sheet, always write something and have a guess for an answer.

Ques. How long should I spend on each passage?

Answer: It is recommended that a candidate shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes on each passage. Ensure that you are effectively managing your time while attempting the questions.

Ques. Am I allowed to write or take notes on the reading question paper?

Answer: Yes you are allowed to do so. You can make notes, underline words, and write on any part of the question paper. This will help you later to get the impoortant points that can answer the question.

Ques. Should I use a pen or a pencil during IELTS Reading?

Answer: For the reading and listening test, you must use a pencil. This is because you can unmark the answer if you have marked it incorrectly. Thus, do remember to carry an eraser with you. However, for writing test, you can use pen.

Ques: What is the difference between the Academic and General Training Reading modules?

Ans: The difference between Academic module and general module is that Academic focuses on academic topics, while the General Training module deals with everyday situations. Both assess the same reading skills, but the vocabulary and complexity of the texts differ.

Ques: What to expect in the IELTS reading passages?

You can expect three long (600-800 words) factual texts from various sources like academic journals, newspapers, magazines, or advertisements (General Training only). Each passage will have questions related to the which needs to be answered.

Ques: What types of questions are asked in IELTS Reading?

Ans: There are various question types, including Matching headings, True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, Multiple choice, Filling in the blanks, Short answer questions

Ques: How many questions are there in IELTS Reading?

Ans: There are 40 questions in total in the IELTS Reading section which are spread across the three passages. You need to answer all the questions within the specified time.

Ques: Can I write or takes notes on the reading passage?

Ans: Yes, you can write notes, underline, and highlight parts of the passage to help you answer the questions. These notes can help yo determine the important points.

Ques: How are the Reading scores calculated?

Ans: The IELTS reading questions carries 1 marks each. The raw score is converted to a band score (1-9) based on a marking scheme. Each question has a certain weight, and your final score reflects your overall performance.

Ques: How important is spelling in the test?

Ans: Spelling and grammar are an important part of the IELTS Reading test. While minor spelling errors may be overlooked, consistent or significant mistakes can affect your score.

Ques: How much time should I spend on each passage and question?

Ans: You should try to spend roughly 20 minutes on each passage, leaving some time to review your answers. If you are unaware of any answer, you must move on and come back if time allows.

Ques: What if I don't know the answer?

Ans: If you are unsure, try to eliminate the obviously incorrect answers and choose the best option from the remaining. There is no negetive marking in IELTS Reading section and hence guessing strategically is better than leaving an answer blank.