IELTS Reading Simplified: Get the Score You Deserve

Updated on Nov 22, 2024, 17:23

The IELTS Academic Reading test is your chance to show how well you can understand academic texts. In just 60 minutes, you’ll read three passages and answer questions that test your ability to find information, understand details, and grasp main ideas.

While both IELTS Academic and General versions have similar formats, Academic passages are more research-based and complex, making this module unique.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to succeed on the Academic Reading test—from understanding question types to tips for faster reading and better comprehension. Let’s get started and make your preparation easier and more effective!

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1. IELTS Academic Reading Pattern

IELTS Reading assesses different reading skills.

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2. IELTS Academic Reading Tasks

We’ve explained all the reading question types you’ll encounter in your IELTS Academic Reading test!

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3. IELTS Academic Reading Band Score

The IELTS Reading Band Score is a key part of your overall IELTS result, graded on a 0-9 scale like the other modules.

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IELTS Academic Reading Pattern

ELTS Reading assesses different reading skills. The questions are the same for both Academic and General Training tests, but the passages are different.

The IELTS Academic Reading test has three parts, and you get around 60 minutes for 40 questions.

Aspect	Description
Duration	60 minutes
Number of Sections	3 sections, with 3 passages
Number of Questions	40
Marking	1 mark for each right answer, no negative marking

IELTS Academic reading is split into three sections, typically featuring one passage each.

The sections get harder as you go, so save time for the tough questions. Try to limit each section to 20 minutes. You might finish the first part faster and have extra time for the others.

A number of questions follow each section. The test features a variety of question types to assess different reading skills:

Multiple Choice Questions
True or False or Not Given
Flow Chart Completion
Matching Headings
Sentence Completion
Summary Completion

Understanding the format and question types is essential for effective preparation. The IELTS Academic Reading test is particularly suited for candidates aiming to study in English-speaking universities or higher education institutions.

Let’s explore the IELTS Academic Reading Test in detail.

IELTS Academic Reading Tasks

We’ve explained all the reading question types you’ll encounter in your IELTS Academic Reading test! Some questions are specific to Academics, while others are common in both.

However, you must keep in mind that though some questions are common for both types of IELTS exam, but the source of passage, complexity and the subject of discussion will differ.

You must familiarise yourself with common terms used in IELTS Reading preparation. Here are some.

Keywords: Focus points/words that help you locate important information within the passage
Skimming: Reading for gist and to understand the main idea
Scanning: reading quickly to locate a specific piece of information
Reading for detail: Reading to understand a logical argument, opinions, attitudes and the writer’s purpose

Note:

Read the instructions carefully before you start.

Stick to the given word limit.

Look at the keywords in the questions to help direct you to the right spot in the article. These words can also be synonyms and paraphrases of the words used in the questions.

Try skimming and scanning and focus on content words like nouns and verbs.

And with that, let’s dive into the question types!

Matching Features

In this task, you'll be presented with statements and a list of features such as dates or locations and characteristics such as height, length, and colour. They may also be potential solutions to a problem statement given in the question.

These statements are extracted directly from the passage. Your aim is to connect the features to the corresponding statements by identifying their relationships within the passage.

How to answer:

Read through the questions and identify keywords
Scan the text and identify the primary subject in each paragraph. Also, try to note the keywords
Look for synonyms if you can’t directly link the keywords to the passages
Then, read through the questions and make connections

Table Completion

In the table completion task, you’ll be given a table with missing information. Your job is to study the table thoroughly and fill in the blanks.

How to answer:

Study and analyse the given table
Identify what the question is about and note down the keywords
Your keyword can be a synonym or a related word
Reread the passage and find the corresponding information

Flow-chart Completion

In flow-chart completion tasks, you must complete the diagram or flow chart by filling in the missing information.

How to answer:

Break the flowchart structure into segments and analyse what it’s trying to say
Read the questions
Skim the passage and look for key phrases from the flowchart
Once you identify the missing information, refer back to the question to check if it’s right

Matching Headings

These questions require you to match a paragraph with a heading that most accurately summarises it. The main intention behind this task is to check how well you can understand and recognise the subject of discussion in each paragraph.

How to answer:

Read through the passage and make a mental note of the ongoing discussion in each paragraph
Read the set of headings carefully, paying special attention to the keywords
You can try using the process of elimination for each question and eliminate headings that absolutely cannot match the given paragraph
Review the headings and paragraphs and confirm your answers

Note Completion

Note completion questions feature passages that are followed by incomplete notes. The challenge here is to extract the missing information from the given passage and complete the note.

How to Answer:

Skim through the questions and note the keywords
You can use the keywords to identify what information is missing in the note
Scan the passage and locate the keywords from the given note
Review your answers by rereading the passage and the corresponding note

Sentence Completion

The sentence completion task is similar to note completion. You will be given a paragraph with incomplete sentences. You must resolve these sentences by identifying the missing information from the passage.

How to Answer:

Skim through the passage and familiarise yourself with the general tone and subject of the paragraph
Look for keywords that will help you identify the missing information
Go through the passage and locate the keywords. You should also look for synonyms or paraphrased information
Review and finalise your answers

Summary Completion

In summary completion, you’ll be presented with an incomplete passage summary. Your aim is to complete this summary with the missing information.

There are two types of tasks under summary completion.

1. Summary Completion (Selecting from a list of words or phrases)

Under this question type, you will receive a summary paragraph with missing information. You will also be given a set of possible answers. You must select the right word from the given words or phrases.

How to Answer:

Go through the summary, focusing on the missing information
Identify keywords that can help you find answers
Use a method of elimination while going through the list of words/phrases
Review and finalise your answers

2. Summary Completion (Selecting words from the text)

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information.

This task typically only appears in the IELTS Academic Reading test.

How to answer:

Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing
Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words
Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary
Finalise your answers

3. Identifying information (True, False, Not Given)

In this question type, you’re presented with a set of statements. Your aim is to identify the nature of the given statement.

The statement is

True: If it is supported by the information given in the passage
False: if the passage has contradictory information
Not given: If there is insufficient information to confirm or deny the statement

How to answer:

Read the given statements carefully, and mentally note the keywords.
Using the keywords, find references in the passage that can help you decide whether the given statement is true or false.
If you cannot find sufficient information, it is most likely ‘Not Given’.

4. Matching Sentence Endings

In this question type, you will be given incomplete sentences, and you will have to complete the end of the sentence by selecting suitable words or phrases from the given list.

How to answer:

Skim through the incomplete sentences to get an idea of the context
Recognise keywords in each sentence
Scan your list of options and look for the keywords
Verify the context and check if the word flows with the rest of the sentence
Finalise your answers

5. Multiple Choice Questions

MCQs are straightforward; you will be given a question followed by one or more correct answers. You must select the option that best matches the information given in the passage. There are two types of MCQ questions that are asked in IELTS Readings.

a. Multiple Choice Questions (More than one answer)

Under this question type, you must select two or more possible answers that accurately match the passage.

How to answer:

Skim through the questions and identify the keywords
Use the elimination method and recognise options that include inaccurate or false information as per the given passage
Verify the final answers with the passage

b. Multiple Choice Questions (One answer)

This is the typical MCQ type. You just need to select one answer out of the 4 options given to you.

How to answer:

Skim through the questions and identify the keywords
Use the elimination method and recognise options that include inaccurate or false information as per the given passage
Match each option with the passage and choose an answer most accurately supported by the information in the passage.
Cross-check your answers and finalise them.

6. Matching Information

Matching information is very similar to the Matching Features task type. In this task, you will be given statements that match the passage's correct paragraph. The statements can be descriptions, summaries, facts or explanations of different paragraphs.

How to answer:

Read the given set of statements and identify the keywords
Skim through the passage to get an idea of the subject that is being discussed in each paragraph
Locate the keywords in the passage to find references
Verify the context and finalise your answers

7. Short-answer Questions

In this task, you will be given a set of questions with missing information, typically sentences with blank spaces. You must complete each statement with one word or phrase (as instructed).

How to answer:

Read the questions first to understand what information you need to look for in the passage
Skim the passage and look for keywords
You may have to look for synonyms or paraphrases to locate the answer
Verify your answers and finalise them

Also, look at Practice questions for each task.

Also, look at: Practice questions for each task.

IELTS Academic Reading Band Score

The IELTS Reading Band Score is a key part of your overall IELTS result, graded on a 0-9 scale like the other modules.

The test includes 40 questions, with each correct answer earning 1 point. There is no negative marking, and your Raw Score is the total number of correct answers. This raw score is then converted to the IELTS band scale.

The Academic and General Training Reading sections are scored on the same scale, but the Academic section requires more correct answers for higher bands due to its increased complexity.

Here is the IELTS academic reading score chart for your reference.

IELTS Academic Raw Score	IELTS Band Score
6	3
10	4
15	5
23	6
30	7
35	8
39	9

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FAQs

Q. What is IELTS academic reading marking criteria?

Ans. The IELTS Academic reading test contains three sections with one or more passages and 40 questions. Each question awards you with one mark.

Number of Sections	3
Number of Questions	40
Band Scale	0 - 9
Marking	1 mark for each correct answer

Q. Can I use a pen or pencil to highlight text in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. Yes, you can take notes and highlight keywords on your question booklet. IELTS examiners do not have access to your question booklet. However, do note that it is not advisable to highlight or take notes on the answer sheet. Additionally, you must also keep in mind that only pens or HB pencils are allowed in IELTS paper-based tests. The test centre usually provides one if you forget to carry a pencil.

Q. Is there a break between sections in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. No, there are no breaks in the IELTS Reading section. The entire section lasts 60 minutes, which must be completed in one go. There are three sections in the IELTS Reading test, and Ideally, you should spend 20 minutes on each section to successfully complete all 40 questions. However, if you manage to complete it faster, you can use the remaining time to review all your answers.

Q. What is the difference between IELTS Academic Reading and IELTS General Reading?

Ans. The main difference between IELTS Academic and General reading is the passages. The format, the number of questions, and the test duration remain the same. Both tests comprise three sections, usually three or more (for General test) passages. The major difference is in how the passages are sourced. While the Academic test features passages from academic textbooks, magazines, and newspapers, the IELTS General Test features excerpts from company handbooks, instruction manuals, newspapers, advertisements and more.

Q. Can I carry extra time from one section to another in the IELTS?

Ans. No. Each section is allotted a specific duration, and you must stick to it. In case you complete the IELTS Reading section way ahead of time, you can simply use the remaining time to review your answers and finalise them. Reviewing answers will help you identify any mistakes you may have made in a hurry.

Q. Is writing answers in capital letters in the IELTS Reading test acceptable?

Ans. Yes. You can write the IELTS exam in upper, lower, or a combination of both (using upper case at the beginning of proper nouns). This general rule for all exam modules applies to the IELTS Reading test. We recommend paying attention to your handwriting; make sure you write legibly and easily understandable.

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

Ans. For True, False and Not Given questions, it’s important to pay attention to the specific information given and keywords used. These questions are designed to look confusing. The logic behind answering this question type is, however, very simple. If the information in the passage evidently supports the given statement, you mark it True. If the passage contradicts the statement, your answer is False. If there is not enough information, you mark it as Not Given.

Q. How can I get 8.5 in the IELTS Academic reading test?

Ans. Here are some IELTS academic reading tips to help you achieve a band score of 8.5.

Read regularly! You can read anything you want: fiction, magazines, newspapers.
Practice reading faster
Develop your skimming and scanning skills; this will improve your reading speed
Familiarise yourself with the pattern of the test
Improve your vocabulary
Take mock tests regularly

Q. Can I use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. No. You cannot use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test. As a part of the preparation, it is important to build your vocabulary so it’s easier for you to understand the meaning of various words in the passages. However, you must note that the IELTS usually provides the meanings of technical words in the passage.

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

Ans. Reading various kinds of text regularly will improve your reading speed. The two most important skills that are often mentioned in IELTS Reading preparation 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. With these two techniques, you can easily improve your reading speed.

Q. What are some question types in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Ans. The IELTS question types include

Multiple Choice Questions
True or False or Not Given
Flow Chart Completion
Matching Headings
Sentence Completion
Summary Completion

Q. Is there a negative marking in IELTS Academic Reading?

Ans. No. There is no negative marking in the IELTS Reading test. For every right answer, you get a score of 1. By adding all your correct answers, you can get your raw score.

This raw score is converted into the IELTS 0-9 band scale. The conversion table for the IELTS academic reading score is shown below.

IELTS Academic Raw Score	IELTS General Raw Score	IELTS Band Score
15	15	5
23	23	6
34	30	7
38	35	8

Q. How can I get IELTS reading material for the academic test?

Ans. To get IELTS academic reading material, you can utilise official IELTS websites, purchase practice books, or find free IELTS academic reading practice tests online. You may also find useful materials at libraries and study centres.

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IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

IELTS Reading Simplified: Get the Score You Deserve

IELTS Academic Reading Pattern

IELTS Academic Reading Tasks

Matching Features

Table Completion

Flow-chart Completion

Matching Headings

Note Completion

Sentence Completion

Summary Completion

1. Summary Completion (Selecting from a list of words or phrases)

2. Summary Completion (Selecting words from the text)

3. Identifying information (True, False, Not Given)

4. Matching Sentence Endings

5. Multiple Choice Questions

6. Matching Information

7. Short-answer Questions

IELTS Academic Reading Band Score

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IELTS Important Information

IELTS Accepting Countries

IELTS Accepting Universities

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

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FAQs

Q. What is IELTS academic reading marking criteria?

Q. Can I use a pen or pencil to highlight text in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Q. Is there a break between sections in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Q. What is the difference between IELTS Academic Reading and IELTS General Reading?

Q. Can I carry extra time from one section to another in the IELTS?

Q. Is writing answers in capital letters in the IELTS Reading test acceptable?

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

Q. How can I get 8.5 in the IELTS Academic reading test?

Q. Can I use a dictionary during the IELTS Reading test?

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

Q. What are some question types in the IELTS Academic Reading test?

Q. Is there a negative marking in IELTS Academic Reading?

Q. How can I get IELTS reading material for the academic test?

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