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IELTS READING AT A GLANCE All You

Need to Know

IELTS Reading: General Directions:

It is not a good idea to read the complete passage in


the beginning as suggested by some to get an overall idea
about the passage. In my opinion, and supported by many,
candidates can at best find out at first how many paragraphs
and questions the passage contains.

It is also a good idea to have a look at the question types the


passage includes, saving some time extra as some questions
are really helpful to understand the passage.

Spend 20 minutes for each passage or section (in the


case of GT). When you have already spent that, it is wise to
move to the nest passage / section.

Always try to spend a certain amount of time on a type


of question. For example, if there are 5 heading matching
questions and you can aim to spend at best 10 minutes on
these as they will allow you to get an overall picture of the
passage contents. After 10 minutes it is pointless to spend
more time on this as you need to solve other questions too.
As a matter of fact, a question types difficulty does not put
impact on your total band score. Remember that, the
number of correct answers guarantees your desired
band score.

Do not forget to read the direction of each type of


question, it will save you from making many grave mistakes
such as looking for location in a wrong paragraph, writing yes/

no / not given as true / false/ not given and writing answers


not following the number of words guideline mentioned in the
direction.

Always try to find out location by the name of an object


or a person and numbers(if any) mentioned in the
question. While trying to locate something in the text, it is a
good idea to use the point of the pencil or pen as it makes
you more alert and attentive to even synonyms of that
particular word. Remember, candidates tend to lose their
focus while solving subsequent passages under exam stress.

Do not make careless mistakes in transferring answers to the


answer sheet. In many cases, candidates forget to include
a word, write wrong spelling or completely miss out the
serial in the answer sheet.

Do not declare war on a passage or a specific question type,


it never helps you.

Do not think about your end result in the exam hall, it


tends to make you anxious or nervous. Just concentrate on
the question at your hand and answer.

Never hesitate to guess an answer as there is no minus


marking in the reading exam.

Gone are the days when you could find an answer by


reading one or two sentences. Now, it is wise to read a
certain portion, at least the part that involves your questions
overall subject content and then you can decide.

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks


How To Solve IELTS Reading Passage

1. List of Heading
2. Multiple Choice Question
3. Yes, No, Not Given
4. Short Answer Question
5. Factor Matching
6. Classification
7. Summery Completion
8. Information Matching
9. Table Completion
****

Practice Reading Passage

Solution **** Sample Passage

IELTS Reading: The question types and their solution tips


HEADING MATCHING:

Read 2/3 sentences from the paragraph and then check in the
list.

If confused, read some more.

If it is a small paragraph read the full Para.

Check options in the list that contains plural such as


factors affecting NMVs. In that case, the paragraph must
include some or more than one factors that affect NMVs.
Some headings indicate the thirsty sectors- then the
paragraph must suggest two or more sectors.

Be careful of traps in the list. Remember, examples are not


main ideas.

many answers come in synonym forms. So, you may avoid


those that copy words from the passage directly.

LOCATING INFORMATION IN A PARAGRAPH:

It goes without saying that this is the most difficult question


type and requires greater reading ability and speed.

Always look at the number of this questions and the number


of paragraphs. It would be a good idea to solve these
questions at the end if there are a few of them in comparison
to the number of paragraphs. But, if there are as many
questions as paragraphs in the passage then solve them right
in the beginning as it would give you the chance to guess the
location of the other questions.

If there are as many questions as paragraphs in the passage,


consider reading the small paragraphs first, resulting in quick
location of some questions.

MATCHING/ CLASSIFICATION:

There will be some matching criterion and you need to find


them in the passage and read, then come back to decide the
answer.

If you do not find anything in the criterion then read the


questions, at least two to start with, and find location in the
passage.

SENTENCE HALF MATCHING:

Read at least two questions and try to locate in the passage.


After locating, read the portion and then read the answer
options.

Sometimes it helps if you look at the grammar accuracy of the


answer and the question part, in many cases they do not
make any sense and you can ignore them.

Never read the answer options before you read the passage
portion that deals with the questions.

Some questions are really long and the answer options are
too. One approach can be leaving them till the end when you
have solved the other questions and have a fair idea about
where to look for them in the passage.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:

You should read two questions at a time and find locations.

Never read the answer options before reading the text.

If finding the location is difficult then solve at the end.

You can expect to find location in serial.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION:

You should read two questions at a time and find locations.

you can expect to find location in serial.

find location using the name of objects and person the


question.

FACTOR IDENTIFICATION:

read the direction.

look for words in the direction that can help you find location.

sometimes it is difficult to find location as the direction does


not give any solid idea but asks you to get overall idea. In this
case, you may solve it later.

you can expect to get information in the passage in one or


two paragraphs.

YES/ NO=/ NOT GIVEN OR TRUE/ FALSE/NOT GIVEN:

You should read two questions at a time and find locations

Find location using the name of objects and person in the


question.

You can expect to find location in serial.

Be very careful in dealing questions that involve amount,


number and comparison. I mean read the question carefully
and solve it carefully.

If you do not have time to read ,you can answer all questions
as YES/ TRUE, it may give you some marks which is better
than getting nothing.

FILL IN GAPS:

You should read two questions at a time and find locations

Find location using the name of objects and person in the


question.

You can expect to find location in serial (except table


completion and summary with clues)

There are some variations in the question type:

Notes completion: generally the answers are found in 1/2


paragraphs in the text.

Sentence completion: you can expect to find location in


serial.

Table completion: read the column heading carefully, it


helps to understand the question overall.

Diagram completion: locations can easily be found by using


the names of object in the diagram. You can expect to find all
answers in one Para.

Flow chart completion: locations can easily be found by


using the names of object in the diagram. You can expect to
find all answers in one Para. Also, you need to understand the
stages in the flow chart properly.

Summary completion: This question is generally difficult,


particularly those with clues. A serial may not be found in the
text but you will find the answers in close 2/3 Para (if it is
summary with clues)

This is all you need to know about IELTS Reading. Practice Reading
Passages. The more you will practice the better chance to score high.
So apply IELTS Reading Tips, Tricks and Secrets. Definitely you
can score more then you expected in IELTS Reading Test.

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