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IELTS Reading

60 minutes · 3 passages · 40 questions · no extra transfer time

Three long passages taken from books, journals and newspapers. Answers are typed or selected on screen, and the clock includes everything — there is no transfer time.

Question types

True / False / Not Given

FALSE contradicts the passage; NOT GIVEN simply isn't there. Don't use your own knowledge.

Matching headings

Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph, then pick the heading that covers the whole paragraph.

Matching information

Paragraphs can be used more than once, so scan for detail, not topic.

Sentence & summary completion

Copy words exactly from the passage; spelling mistakes lose the mark.

Multiple choice

Eliminate options that are true but don't answer the question.

Strategies that work

  1. 01

    Skim, then scan

    Spend two minutes skimming for the structure, then scan for names, dates and key words when answering.

  2. 02

    Answers follow the text order

    For most question types, answer 3 comes after answer 2 in the passage. Use that to narrow your search.

  3. 03

    Twenty minutes a passage

    Passage 3 is the hardest. Don't let passage 1 steal its time.

  4. 04

    Use the highlighter

    On the computer test you can highlight text and add notes. Mark where each answer came from so you can check quickly.

Lessons

  1. 1

    Skimming and scanning in 5 minutes

    Foundation

    15 min
  2. 2

    TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN?

    Foundation

    25 min
  3. 3

    Matching headings without panic

    Band 6+

    25 min
  4. 4

    Paraphrase spotting

    Band 6+

    20 min
  5. 5

    Timing a full Academic paper

    Band 7+

    60 min