The Reading module of the IELTS consists of a total of 40 questions. It includes three passages, with a total word count ranging from 2,000 to 2,750 words.
Skimming the Passage
Your first task when you begin reading is to answer the question: “What is the topic of the passage?” This can best be answered by quickly skimming the passage to get the general idea, stopping only to read the first sentence of each paragraph. The first sentence in most paragraphs is usually the main topic sentence, summarizing the paragraph’s content.
After skimming, you will have a general sense of the passage’s content and the topics covered in each paragraph. Understanding this will help you to know where to focus when answering questions.
Searching Scientifically for Answers
Each question provides clues as to where the answer can be found in the passage. Avoid randomly searching through the passage. Instead, search scientifically. Identify the keywords or ideas in the question that will be repeated or referenced in the passage. These keywords are often nouns, verbs, numbers, or phrases in the question that have corresponding words or ideas in the passage. Once you have identified those key terms, skim the passage to locate them. The correct answer will often be close to the identified keywords.
Example 1: Searching for a Place
Question: "What was the reason Emma moved to New York?"
Keyword: New York. Quickly skim the passage to find where "New York" appears. The answer will likely be near that reference.
Note: Sometimes, the exact keywords in the question may not appear in the passage. In such cases, focus on the general meaning of the question.
Example 2: Searching for a Psychological Concept
Question: "What were the psychological effects of the author’s childhood experiences?"
Keywords: "childhood" or "psychology". Look for terms related to childhood experiences, like “early life” or “mental state”. Even if the word "psychology" doesn’t appear, look for related terms such as “emotional development” or “mental health”.
Example 3: Searching for Numbers or Years
Question: "What was the impact of Van Gogh’s work on the 20th century?"
Keyword: 20th century. Numbers or specific years stand out and are easy to spot in a passage. In this case, "20th century" will help you quickly locate the relevant section.
Paraphrasing and Summarizing
When skimming through the passage, keep in mind that the correct answer is usually paraphrased rather than repeated word-for-word. Even if you find a passage that closely resembles the question’s wording, be cautious—it may be a trap.
Example 4: Understanding Paraphrased Information
Question: "What motivated Jane to start painting?"
Passage: "At the age of 30, Jane felt an overwhelming urge to express her feelings through art." The correct answer might paraphrase the idea of "feeling the urge to express herself", even though the exact wording won’t match the question.
Answer Choices: Elimination Strategy
Some answer choices can be eliminated right away. If a passage does not mention a term or concept, eliminate the corresponding answer choice. For example, if an article doesn’t mention an artist, an answer choice referring to that artist can be quickly ruled out.
Example 5: Eliminating Irrelevant Information
Question: "Which of the following best describes the theme of the passage?"
Answer Choices:
- A) A commentary on modern art.
- B) The life and struggles of Vincent van Gogh.
- C) The evolution of abstract expressionism.
- D) The development of Western classical music.
Elimination: Since the passage is about Van Gogh, you can eliminate options C and D right away. Focus on options A and B.
Contextual Clues
Contextual clues can help you understand the intended meaning of a word or phrase in the passage. If you are asked about the implied meaning of a statement, read the surrounding context carefully.
Example 6: Implied Meaning of a Phrase
Question: "What is implied by the phrase 'The novel was a rollercoaster of emotions'?"
Passage: "The novel was a rollercoaster of emotions, swinging from moments of joy to deep sadness." The phrase "rollercoaster of emotions" suggests extreme and fluctuating emotional experiences, so the correct answer would likely refer to emotional highs and lows.
Fact vs. Opinion
When distinguishing between facts and opinions, remember that facts are supported by objective evidence, whereas opinions are subjective and based on personal beliefs or feelings.
Example 7: Fact vs. Opinion
Fact: "Research shows that smoking increases the risk of lung cancer." This statement is supported by scientific evidence.
Opinion: "Many people believe that smoking is a personal choice." This statement reflects an individual’s view rather than objective evidence.
Opposites in Answer Choices
In some questions, the answer choices may contain two statements that are direct opposites. Identifying these opposites can often help you find the correct answer.
Example 8: Opposites
Question: "Which of the following statements best summarizes the relationship between global warming and the economy?"
Answer Choices:
- A) Increasing global temperatures will decrease economic growth.
- B) Rising temperatures will boost economic activity in tropical regions.
Analysis: Notice that options A and B are opposites. Once you determine that one of these two must be correct, focus on which one is better supported by the passage.
Making Predictions
As you read the passage and understand the questions, try to predict what the correct answer might be. Being able to make an accurate prediction can help you avoid getting confused by distractor answers.
Example 9: Making Predictions
Question: "What is the main argument of the passage?"
Prediction: Based on the first few sentences, you might predict that the main argument involves climate change and its impact on agriculture. Scan the answer choices for a match.
Final Answer Selection
Once you've read all the answer choices, double-check to ensure the answer fully addresses the question. Don’t be swayed by choices that seem correct but don’t fully answer the question.
Example 10: Choosing the Best Answer
Question: "Which of the following best summarizes the author’s stance on technology?"
Answer Choices:
- A) Technology has only improved society.
- B) The author believes technology should be used cautiously.
- C) The author is skeptical of technology’s benefits.
- D) Technology is irrelevant to modern life.
Answer: If the passage discusses the benefits and risks of technology, then option B ("The author believes technology should be used cautiously") is the most appropriate choice.
Conclusion
With these effective strategies, you can approach the IELTS Reading section with confidence. Remember to skim, search scientifically, eliminate incorrect answers, and focus on the details of the passage to increase your chances of success. Practice regularly, and you’ll find yourself becoming faster and more accurate as you refine your skills.