Question Type There are more than 10 question types in reading

test module. General and Academic tests share these question

types.
As a matter of fact, question types are very flexible and updated
from time to time. One test paper usually doesn't include all types.
In reading test, you may see some of them, or even find new
question types.

Although we cannot predicate all question types, practice and

familiarize some common ones helps very much to speed up your
reading and answering in test day. When you exercise, pay
attention to these question types:

 Multiple Choice:Letters
 Short Answer:Words
 True/False/Yes/No/Not Given:Words
 Matching Information/Features:Letters
 Paragraph Headings:Numbers
 Sentence Completion:Words and/or Number
 Summary, Note, Table, Flow-chart Completion:Words and/or
Number
 Diagram, Label Completion:Words and/or Number
 Identifying Views or Claims:Words and/or Number
 Classification:Words and/or Number

Lots of practices can help you to familiarize with common

question types. Based on these practices, you can find which
types are easier and which types are not. Try to pay more efforts
on shortcomings, it will improve your IELTS reading test
efficiently. Some common question types are shown here.

Test structure and Time IELTS reading is the biggest one in all
4 modules, lasts 60 minutes. The reading objects are totally 2500
words around. If you cannot finish all answers in one hour, you
have little chance to pass the test.
A normal IELTS reading test paper has three passages and forty
questions. Test takers should read and answer all of them in only
one hour. In most cases, the three passages become increasingly
difficult.

Because the sections aren't equivalent in difficulty, suggest to

start from easiest one. If you're confused with a particular
question, move on to the next and come back later if possible. If
you finish early, review difficult questions.

High score hunters should arrange more time on difficult section

in order to complete all questions with high quality. E.g.

 17 minutes on section 1
 20 minutes on section 2
 23 minutes on section 3

2 Reading Skill and Tip

IELTS reading test is to check English reading skill for either
General or Academic respectively. It doesn't imply any other
special requirement. However, understanding the convention of
checkpoints is a shortcut to get a good score.

The IELTS reading test papers are used to focus on these skills:

 Get the big picture as well as the minor points

 Separate facts from opinions and attitudes
 Detect the overall purpose of the passage
 Follow the main arguments
 Trace specific details and relevant information
 Digest the key points
 Symbolize written information in graphic form
 Know accurate spelling and correct grammar

On summary, the test emphasizes three key abilities you must

have to shoot high score:

 Skimming: reading quickly to get the main idea, or say big

picture
 Scanning: reading quickly to look for a specific piece or
specific words
 Reading for detail: reading every word in detail to really
understand information

At IELTS reading test, test takers have to use all three techniques
at different stages. Start by skimming through the entire text to get
a big picture, then jump to the questions to see what kind of
information is required; finally scan for a specific piece of
information or read a particular section to discover the detail.

Practice IELTS reading materials online is a quick way to sharpen

skills and summarize tips. In fact different people may have
different tips to deal with IELTS reading sections. The 5 minutes
video, which is by 9 band winner of IELTS reading test, presents
13 tips to practice IELTS reading. It's a concise list, short but
practical, an ideal sample of reading test tips. Contrasting with
them, try to summarize your own IELTS reading test tips by
practicing online, which will improve your reading skill in nature.

1. Look for the heading and subtitle;

2. The question section first, then go to text;
3. Check the first 5 questions, then try first paragraph;
4. Reading the whole article before question is a wrong order;
5. Learn all types of questions before taking test;
6. Underline all name or important information;
7. Don't panic if the topic isn't familiar;
8. Spelling in your answer sheet matters;
9. Avoid grammar errors in answers;
10. Develop speed reading skill;
11. Enrich your vocabulary as you can;
12. Practice complicated articles from BBC and Economist;
13. Practice IELTS reading test in exam-like condition.

3 General vs Academic Reading

As we know General and Academic reading tests are same in
view of format, including the test time, passage number, question
type and number. However, the core of the test: reading contents
are different. Test takers must know the difference and prepare
for just own test in right way.

General Reading IELTS General reading is organized as three

sections. Each is more difficult than previous one. There are 40
questions in all, in general, 14 in Section 1, 13 in sections 2 and
3.
IELTS General reading test contains texts from a variety of
materials, such as newspapers, books, and even advertisements.
To reflect the requirements of General Training, the reading
contents focus on daily life and school activity. The usual pattern
is as:

Section 1

 Number of Texts: 2-3 short texts

 Types of Texts: Notices, advertisements, publicity booklets,
timetables, etc.

Section 2
 Number of Texts: 2 texts
 Types of Texts: College catalogues, course descriptions, rules
and regulations, library guides, etc.

Section 3

 Number of Texts: 1 long text

 Types of Texts: Newspapers, magazines, journals, books, etc.

This is General Training Reading Full Sample with 3 sections 60

minutes.

Academic Reading IELTS Academic reading is organized as

three sections. Each is more difficult than previous one. In
general, there is a total of 40 questions, with about 11-15
questions in each section.
IELTS Academic reading tests' contents are at undergraduate or
graduate level, which usually are taken from mainstream books,
newspapers, and magazines, e.g. The Economist.

In common cases, one of the passages is general academic topic,

one passage presents a logical argument, and one passage
involves a diagram, graph, table, or illustration. Test takers don't
need any special knowledge or background to understand the
texts. If the context contains any technical term, a glossary should
be attached. However, no dictionaries or books are allowed to be
in testing room.

This is Academic Reading Full Sample with 3 sections 60

minutes.