IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

Updated on Nov 12, 2024, 07:07

Getting ready for the IELTS Reading? Then, IELTS Reading practice tests are your trusted companions!

Sample papers or mock tests are easy ways to familiarise yourself with the exam pattern. Regular practice with reading passages and sample questions is crucial to boost your confidence. Engaging with a wide variety of text can help to improve your reading speed, comprehension skills and ability to identify key information within a given timeframe.

Get your hands on the most popular reading passages, along with the IELTS Reading practice test and PDFs with Leap!

On this page

1. IELTS Reading Practice Test: Sample Passages with Answers

The IELTS Reading test consists of 3 sections and 40 questions.

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2. List of IELTS Reading Answers 2024-2025 Topics

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers

List of 45+ Sample Reading Answers

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3. Top 3 IELTS Reading Practice Test Books

Books are one of the crucial resources for IELTS exam preparation as they provide structured approach, expert strategies, and valuable practice materials for improving your skills.

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4. IELTS Reading Vocabulary

IELTS Reading vocabulary is crucial to interpret and understand the given passage correctly.

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5. IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

IELTS Reading can only be mastered through consistent practice!

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IELTS Reading Practice Test: Sample Passages with Answers

The IELTS Reading test consists of 3 sections and 40 questions. It assesses your various reading skills through 2 different test formats: Academic and General training. Each section features 1 passage.

The IELTS Reading section fundamentally remains the same. However, the passages and question types for IELTS General and Academic tests are slightly different.

We have provided sample passages for each test type for your reference.

IELTS Academic Reading

In the IELTS Academic Reading test, you'll come across passages taken from various academic sources. These include books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and

online resources.

Here are some popular passages for your practice.

IELTS General Reading

For the IELTS General Reading test, you’ll find passages sourced from texts relevant to everyday life in an English-speaking environment. These include advertisements, notices, job descriptions, contracts, newspapers, magazines and online resources.

Try practising with these frequently used passages!

List of IELTS Reading Answers 2024-2025 Topics

Discover exciting and informative sample IELTS reading answers

47 samples available

The Origins of Laughter Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-13 based on the passage.

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All About the Otter Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Triune Brain Reading Answers

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-13 based on the passage.

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Saving the Soil Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-13 based on the passage.

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A Disaster of Titanic Proportions Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Why Companies Should Welcome Disorder Reading Answers

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-14 based on the passage.

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Book Review Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Tea Times Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 15 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Intelligence and Giftedness Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Animal Minds Parrot Alex Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Crop Growing Skyscrapers Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Secrets of the Swarm Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Walking with Dinosaurs Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Development of Travel Under the Ocean Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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What's so Funny Reading Answers

Read the passage carefully and answer Questions 1-14 based on the passage.

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Saving Bugs to Find New Drugs Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Culture of Chimpanzee Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Answer

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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William Henry Perkin Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Why Zoos Are Good Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Bioluminescence Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Classifying Societies Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Artificial Artists Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Jargon Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Glaciers Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 15 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Stepwells Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Cork Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Urban Farming Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Flying Tortoises Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Megafires of California Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Story of Silk Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Attitudes To Language Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Stonehenge Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Green Roofs Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Climate Change and The Inuit Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The History Of Glass Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Comet Missions Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Research Using Twins Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Raising The Mary Rose Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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The Falkirk Wheel Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Ant Intelligence Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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A Chronicle Of Timekeeping Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Air Traffic Control In The USA Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below.

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Telepathy Reading Answers

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 14 based on the Reading Passage below.

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IELTS Reading Vocabulary

IELTS Reading vocabulary is crucial to interpret and understand the given passage correctly.

It also significantly impacts your lexical resource marking criteria, accounting for 25% of your overall IELTS score.

A robust and diverse vocabulary can improve your ability to summarise key ideas and recognise the writer’s perspective effectively. To help you become familiar with commonly used vocabulary, we’ve compiled a list of both academic and general words below.

IELTS Academic Reading Vocabulary List

Vocabulary	Meaning	Example
Analyse	To examine something in detail to understand it better	Scientists will analyse the samples to identify the chemicals present.
Antonym	A word that means the opposite of another word	In the English language, 'happy' is the antonym of 'sad.'
Approach	A way of dealing with a situation or problem	The company adopted a new approach to enhance customer service.
Assess	To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something	The committee will assess the applications before making a decision.
Bulletin	A short official statement or announcement	The bulletin announced the cancellation of classes due to severe weather.
Constructive	Serving a useful purpose, tending to build up	The workshop focused on providing constructive criticism to participants.
Converse	To engage in conversation	During lunch, they would often converse about their weekend plans.
Data	Facts and statistics collected for reference or analysis	The data collected from the survey will be analysed next week.
Effortless	Requiring little or no effort, easy	His performance on stage seemed effortless and captivated the audience.
Estimate	An approximate calculation or judgement of the value, number, or quantity	They made an estimate of the project's completion time based on previous experience.
Factor	A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result	Education is a significant factor in determining job opportunities.
Handbill	A small printed advertisement or notice	The handbill promoted a local concert that would be happening next week.
Hypothesis	A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence	The scientist formulated a hypothesis regarding the effects of light on plant growth.
Uncomplicated	Simple and easy to understand or deal with	The recipe was uncomplicated, making it perfect for novice cooks.
Variable	An element or feature that is likely to change or vary	In this experiment, pH level is the variable that will be altered to observe its effects.

IELTS General Reading Vocabulary List

Vocabulary	Meaning	Example
Amazing	Causing great surprise or wonder	The scientist made an amazing discovery that changed history.
Impatient	Having a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked	He became impatient while waiting for his flight.
Impure	Containing something that is not pure or clean	The impure water supply led to health issues in the community.
Incurable	Unable to be cured or remedied	The disease was deemed incurable, leading to widespread concern.
Indispensable	Absolutely necessary; essential	Water is indispensable for all forms of life.
Intelligent	Having or showing the ability to learn and understand	Intelligent students often excel in their studies.
Mischievous	Causing trouble in a playful way	The mischievous child played pranks on his classmates.
Outstanding	Exceptionally good; prominent	She received an award for her outstanding contributions to science.
Reasonable	Fair and sensible, logical	The committee reached a reasonable decision after much debate.
Stringent	Strict, precise, and exacting	The government has set stringent regulations for pollution control.
Tolerant	Willing to accept or endure opinions or behaviour different from one's own	She is very tolerant of different cultural practices.
Unbelievable	Difficult to comprehend or accept as true	The magician's tricks were so good they seemed unbelievable.
Understanding	The ability to comprehend or grasp concepts	A good understanding of mathematics is essential for engineering.
Venture	A risky or daring journey or undertaking	Starting a new business is often considered a venture.

For a more comprehensive list of IELTS Reading vocabulary words, click here.

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

IELTS Reading can only be mastered through consistent practice! Preparing for the test becomes more effective when you engage with a variety of reading materials and familiarise yourself with different question types.

Below are some tried and tested Reading Tips and Tricks for IELTS.

Familiarise yourself with the test pattern: IELTS Academic and IELTS General have two different test patterns. Take time to understand the format, the question types, and the number of questions included.
Improve your Vocabulary: Build your vocabulary by reading newspapers, blogs, magazines, and books. This will help you understand the passages faster, and with time and practice, you will build the ability to guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Work on your reading speed: Reading speed drastically increases as you practise. Reading books, newspapers, and articles is a great way to improve your skimming and scanning skills.
Skim and Scan Effectively: Skim passages to get a general idea and scan for keywords that relate to the questions. This will help you locate answers quickly without reading every word.
Read instructions carefully: Take a minute to read the instructions. The reading section usually has a word limit. For example, you may be asked to write the answer in no more than two words. Crossing this word limit is not usually appreciated.
Don’t Dwell on a Single Question: If you don’t know the answer to a question, take a guess and move on to the next. You can revisit it if you have the time. But try not to leave it blank or spend too long answering it.
Recheck your answers: Make sure you take some time to check your answers. It’s best to check and review your answers as you may quickly find mistakes you have overlooked.
Manage Time: Practise the reading section on a timer. Simulating the exam atmosphere when practising will help you complete the exam better in real time.
Take Mock Tests: Mock tests are a great way to determine your strengths and weaknesses. A good approach would be to take one mock test a week till your exam day.

Ready to ace the IELTS Reading section? Boost your IELTS preparation with our expert guidance and resources tailored to your needs! Whether you're looking for personalised study plans or comprehensive mock tests, find the support you need to excel.

Also Read: IELTS Academic Reading Score Guide 2024: Expert Tips & Sample Questions

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FAQs

Q. What are some reliable IELTS reading practice test resources?

A. Some of the most reliable resources for IELTS reading practice tests are as follows.

IELTS Reading books and textbooks
IELTS Reading practice tests and sample questions
Video tutorials and instructional websites
Study apps and mobile platforms
Online courses and coaching classes

Q. Are there free IELTS Reading practice tests available?

A. Yes, there are plenty of free resources available for IELTS reading. However, you must be careful about where you get the resources, as they may not all be credible. It’s best to refer to the official website for the most credible information. You can also find verified sample passages and mock tests on our website.

Q. Which are the best IELTS Books for preparation?

A. There are numerous IELTS books available in the market. Here are some books you must add to your list.

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
Barron’s IELTS Superpack
Simone Braverman’s Target Band 7
IELTS Practice Tests Plus 2 with Key and CD Pack

You can also rely on IELTS Reading practice tests to get familiar with the pattern and syllabus.

Q. What is the format of the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

A. IELTS Reading consists of three sections. Each section consists of one or more passages followed by questions. You will come across different question types, including matching headings, MCQs, sentence completion, flow chart completion and more. You get a total of 60 minutes to complete the IELTS Reading test. IELTS Reading Practice tests are a great way to familiarise yourself with the format of IELTS Reading.

Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

A. The total duration of the IELTS Reading test is 60 minutes. You must split this time between the 3 sections to manage your time efficiently. A good strategy is to allot 20 minutes for each section. If you can complete it earlier, you can review your answers. Time management is crucial to completing the Reading section.

Q. Is there a difference between the IELTS General Training and the IELTS Academic Reading test?

A. Yes. The IELTS General test is for immigration purposes, while the IELTS Academic test is mainly for university admissions. The tests have the same four modules and similar formats, but the Reading and Writing sections slightly differ. The IELTS General Reading section contains more generic passages, while IELTS Academic Reading passages are slightly more complex. The question types also differ from each other.

Q. What type of passages are featured in the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

A. The IELTS Reading test includes various articles, advertisements, extracts from books, research papers, and more. These passages cover various topics and may incorporate diagrams, charts, or graphs to evaluate your ability to interpret visual data. The IELTS Academic reading section features more academic excerpts.

Q. Can I use a pen or highlighter during the IELTS Reading Practice test?

A. A highlighter is not allowed inside the exam hall. You should use a pencil to fill in your answers on the sheet. You can use a pencil to mark the keywords on your passage. However, since this is not officially declared from IELTS, we suggest you make mental notes of keywords rather than marking them directly on the sheet. It is also best to enquire this information beforehand at the test centre.

Q. How to best answer True or False questions in the IELTS Reading test?

A. It’s important to focus on the precise wording within the passage. If a statement is true, there should be clear evidence supporting it in the text. If a statement is false or not given, look for discrepancies or the absence of information in the passage. Paying close attention to language nuances and context is key to answering these questions correctly.

Q. What are some IELTS reading tips and tricks for band 9?

A. Here are some of the IELTS reading tips for getting a band 9 score:

Practice regularly
Take time to familiarise yourself with the test pattern
Work on your skimming and scanning skills
Build your vocabulary
Read various types of texts

Q. Does IELTS Reading contain just Multiple Choice Questions?

A. No. The IELTS Reading section contains various question types, and Multiple Choice Questions are one of them. Some of the question types included are:

True/False/Not Given
Matching Headings
Sentence Completion
Summary Completion
Flowchart Completion

Q. How do you improve your reading speed for the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

A. The best way to improve your reading skills is to practice reading various kinds of text regularly. Two other important skills you must develop are skimming and scanning. Scanning through the text helps you selectively read and note important information, while skimming allows you to read faster without understanding it in too much detail. These two skills are vital for the reading section.

Q. What is the best way to answer Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Reading?

A. MCQs are typically the easiest to answer. It can be tricky if you’re not paying attention. One of the methods to arrive at the right answer is through the method of elimination. The first thing you should do is to eliminate options that seem incorrect. Match the final options with the keywords given in the question.

Q. What are some IELTS academic reading tips for improving band scores?

A. Some of the reading tips to improve your band score in IELTS academic are as follows:

Practice skimming and scanning to locate key information quickly.
Familiarise yourself with different question types and develop specific strategies.
Enhance your vocabulary to comprehend academic texts better.
Manage your time effectively, spending no more than 20 minutes per passage.
Practice past papers under timed conditions to improve confidence, speed, and accuracy.

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IELTS Academic Reading Score Guide 2024

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IELTS Exam	IELTS Exam Date	IELTS Exam Fee
IELTS Modules	IELTS Listening Practice Test	IELTS Speaking Practice Test
IELTS Reading Practice Test	IELTS Writing Practice Test	IELTS Test Centres
IELTS Results	Types of IELTS	IELTS Pattern
IELTS Exam Eligibilty	IELTS Slot Booking	IELTS Band Score
IELTS Registration	IELTS Books	IELTS Preparation
IELTS Practice Test

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology	The University Of British Columbia	Harvard University
University Of Toronto	Conestoga College	University Of East London
Stanford University	University Of Alberta	Coventry University
New York University

IELTS Speaking Practice Test	IELTS Writing Practice Test	IELTS Reading Practice Test
IELTS Listening Practice Test	IELTS Speaking Cue Card	IELTS Speaking Part 1
IELTS Writing Task 1	IELTS Writing Task 2	Task 1 Pie Chart
Task 1 Table Chart	Task 1 Map	Task 1 Bar Graph
Task 1 Line Graph	Task 1 Diagram

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad	IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore	IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai
IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar	IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana	IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai
IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad	IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi	IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh
IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

IELTS Reading Practice Test: Sample Passages with Answers

IELTS Academic Reading

IELTS General Reading

List of IELTS Reading Answers 2024-2025 Topics

Top 3 IELTS Reading Practice Test Books

IELTS Reading Vocabulary

IELTS Academic Reading Vocabulary List

IELTS General Reading Vocabulary List

IELTS Reading Tips and Tricks

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IELTS Accepting Countries

IELTS Accepting Universities

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FAQs

Q. What are some reliable IELTS reading practice test resources?

Q. Are there free IELTS Reading practice tests available?

Q. Which are the best IELTS Books for preparation?

Q. What is the format of the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

Q. What is the duration of the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

Q. Is there a difference between the IELTS General Training and the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Q. What type of passages are featured in the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

Q. Can I use a pen or highlighter during the IELTS Reading Practice test?

Q. How to best answer True or False questions in the IELTS Reading test?

Q. What are some IELTS reading tips and tricks for band 9?

Q. Does IELTS Reading contain just Multiple Choice Questions?

Q. How do you improve your reading speed for the IELTS Reading Practice Test?

Q. What is the best way to answer Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Reading?

Q. What are some IELTS academic reading tips for improving band scores?

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