Everything you should know about IELTS Reading

IELTS READING

ONE HOUR
THREE SECTIONS (Each section has from 10 to 17 questions)
TOTAL 40 QUESTIONS
All three sections contain a total of 2,150 to 2,750 words

IELTS Academic Reading

Other than a written narrative IELTS reading can have graphical narratives.
Contents are random academic topics for non-specific candidates taken from books, journals, newspapers, magazines, and websites.
If the text contains some specialized or technical language the glossary will be given at the end of the text.

IELTS General Reading

It deals with two to three short texts which we encounter while living in an English-speaking environment dealing with everyday topics such as timetables, announcements, booklets, newspapers, advertisements.
This section incorporates two texts about employment. Example: Job descriptions, Job applications, Work contracts, Labor and working conditions, training courses.
One text will be on a general topic of interest from most probably from a book, newspaper, magazine, or online resource.
The topic discusses the random topics that a person may encounter in a country where the native language is English.

IELTS READING MARKING SCHEME

IELTS reading contains 40 questions each carrying one mark that means a total of 40 points. In the IELTS reading section based on the points, you obtain your score can range from 0-9. However, the score in IELTS general reading and IELTS academic reading is calculated differently.

In IELTS reading it is very necessary to READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

For Example

In the direction, if it is given to writing no more than two words and if you are writing an answer as the train ticket in place of train ticket points will not be given. Hence it is very necessary to read the instructions thoroughly.

For a question that requires you to write True/False/Not given instead of true you choose to write yes and instead of false you write no then also points will be deducted because the instruction requires you to write True, False, and Not given. Any answer other than that will not be considered.
The options true and false are known to us but not given will not be familiar. The option not given can be used when the information given to us is not discussed anywhere in the reading passage.
Short forms are not accepted.

For Example: Instead of true we cannot write T. Similarly neither for false we can write F nor for not given we can write NG.

If you are required to choose the correct option from A, B, C, D, etc. There is no need to elaborate on the answer any further.
By using synonyms and by paraphrasing the sentences from the reading passage the questions and options will not be the exact words.Therefore it is very important to understand the meaning of the information given.
It is extremelyimportant to analyze the question
In IELTS reading it is very important to begin by reading the questions.
As IELTS is time-bound it is better if you get familiar with the questions first. This will help us to find a keyword and then we can look for that particular keyword in the long passage to save time. Keep in mind that similar words can also be in the passage for the exact keywords.
Eliminate and move on.
When several options are given it will be confusing on choosing the correct answer therefore it is easier to strike the least expected answer and move on to the best suitable option.

MOST ASKED DOUBTS ABOUT IELTS READING

Do I have to do answer the passages in order?

In the IELTS reading subtest, you will have three passages to answer but it is not necessary to do the passages in order. The answer sheet will only be collected after 40 mins. Within that time you have to complete all questions. The only thing to keep in check is to write the answers against the correct question number.

In IELTS reading how much time should be taken for doing one question?

There is a total of 40 questions to complete in 60 mins. There will be three passages to read so it is advised not to spend more than 20 minutes in one passage. Approximately 1 minute can be taken for one question.

Does the difficulty in IELTS reading increase as we move to the next section?

For some candidates fill in the blanks will be easy and there is a possibility that it can appear in the last section of the IELTS reading then for that particular candidate the last section will be easy. Hence the difficulty is based on the perspective of the examinee.

Is spelling evaluated in IELTS reading?

Yes, IELTS is a language proficiency test so marks will be reduced for spelling mistakes. Abbreviations are also not allowed.

While writing the answers should they be in capital letters?

Writing in capital letters is not mandatory but it is preferred as it provides more clarity. Letters in cursive writing can sometimes be confusing.

Is it necessary to use a pencil to write answers?

The benefit of writing with a pencil is that it is easy to rub if a mistake occurs in the answer sheet and hence less messy. This is the reason they use a pencil and makes sure you carry your eraser and sharpener along for a neat presentation.

Can I write in the question booklet?

Yes, you can write in the question booklet but it will be collected along with the answer sheet.

Is time given to transfer the answers in IELTS reading?

Unlike the IELTS listening test in reading time will not be given to transfer answers to the answer sheet.

Can I write synonyms?

If in the instructions it is asked to write words from the given passage then instead of the exact word, if you use synonyms points will not be given.

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Everything you should know about IELTS Reading

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