IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

1. Multiple Choice

3 Types
o 1 possible answer
o Multiple answers for 1 mark only.
o Multiple answers and 1 mark for each

What you need to do:

o Identify facts or opinions in the text
o Complete a sentence from 4 choices
o Locate items in a list of answers based on given question

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully
o Go through questions one by one and underline key words and phrases. From these
predict synonyms and parallel expressions.
o Use questions to generate a gist of text.
o If drawings are given use these to further generate gist.
o Locate where to find answers in text (will follow order of text)
o Convert sentence stem to question and try answer yourself. Then match to appropriate
choice.
o Avoid word-spotting and distractors.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with other
tasks).

Example – Text - Task

2. Sentence completion questions


2 types
o With a selection of possible answers
o Without a choice of possible answers (no more than THREE words – words from
the passage)

What you need to do:

o Complete the end of a sentence

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IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully (more than 3 words – definitely incorrect!)
o Quickly read through all the sentences halves and identify and underline key
words and phrases.
o Predict synonyms and parallel expressions
o Use the grammatical clues available
o Read your completed sentences. Make sure they are grammatically correct and
logical.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks).

Example – Task - Text

3. Notes/table/form/summary/flow chart/diagram completion

questions

2 types:
o With a choice of possible answers (words/phrases given different to text)
o Without a choice (no more than 3 words)

You may need to:

o Put in a word or phrase in the middle of a sentence

o Put in a word in the middle and another word at the end of a sentence

o Put in words or phrases that are not in sentences
o Put in a letter that represents a word or phrase

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully (more than 3 words – definitely incorrect!)
o Use headings & sub-headings to get gist of topic.
o Locate part of text it relates to.
o Use the grammatical clues available and ensure you complete sentences grammatically
correct.
o Try to answer before looking at given choices. Use process of elimination.
o If it is a summary. Read it to get gist of text. Also, sometimes the missing words will be
obvious.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with other
tasks).Example – Task - Text

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IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

4. Classification questions

What you need to do:
o classify information given in the reading text, often in relation to the opinion/claims of the
writer, or in relation to a time period or place.
o identify a letter which represents one of the classifications for each item in a list of
statements.

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully.
o Identify the number of classifications and the letters you must use.
o Read the classifications carefully and using key words and phrases to predict
synonyms and parallel expressions.
o Go through them in order, but realize the order of information may not be the same as
in the text.
o Use a process of elimination and guess if you have to. Leave no blanks.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks).

Example – Text - Task

5. Matching

What you need to do:
o Match opinions (there are assigned letters and are usually more than sources) to
sources (given numbers). Not in same order as text.

How to do it:
o Read instructions carefully
o Locate sources in text and make them easy to find
o Read list of opinions and then read sources or read sources then opinions for
matching.
o Predict synonyms and parallel expressions.
o Look for reporting verbs (said, claimed) and structures (according to)
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks).

Example – Text - Task

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IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

6. Choosing headings


2 types
o Headings for paragraphs or sections
o Heading for entire text

How to do it:

o Read the instructions carefully.

o Convert the headings into questions. Does the paragraph answer that question?
o Read paragraph by paragraph to see which best matches the heading.
o Take notes. Avoid it becoming a memory test.
o As you do it, it is OK to have 1 or more headings for a paragraph. As you read more
you can eliminate.
o If it is a heading for entire text, you need to read whole text. Skim read. Focus on topic
sentences.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks).

Example – Text - Task

7. Scanning and identifying location of information


What you need to do:
o Scan read to locate information in particular paragraphs which you need to match to a
statement

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully.
o Read the statements to get gist of text.
o Go through statements one by one and underline key words and phrases. From these
predict synonyms and parallel expressions.
o Read through text to locate the information.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks)

Example – Text - Task

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IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

8. Labelling a diagram which has numbered parts


What you need to do:

o Label a diagram with words from text or given labels (follows order of text)

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully.
o Look carefully at diagram and labels – take notes.
o Attempt guesses (it can be logical or obvious)
o Scan text to locate information.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks).

Example – Text - Task

9. Short answer questions


​ 2 Types
o Questions
o Lists

What you need to do:

o Skim and scan reading
o You can use your own words (usually no more than 3) for answers (must be grammatically
correct)

How to do it:
o Read the instructions carefully.
o Go through questions one by one and underline key words and phrases. From these
predict synonyms and parallel expressions.
o Highlight questions words like where and who. These tell you should find places and
people.
o Locate relevant part of text.
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with
other tasks)

Example – Text - Task

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IELTS READING TEST - TASK TYPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

10. Yes, No, Not Given or True, False, Not Given


What you need to do:
o Identify what the writer of the text’s claims or opinions are or identify information presented
in the text from a list of statements which follow order of text.
o For Opinions/Claims the writer’s views may not be directly stated, so you may have to
work out what is implied.
o Decide:
● Opinions – Do they reflect the writer’s opinion:
▪ Yes – if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
▪ No – if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
▪ Not Given – if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about
this
● Facts:
▪ True – if the statement agrees with the information
▪ False - if the statement contradicts with the information
▪ Not Given – if there is no information on this

How to do it:
o Read instructions carefully
o Read through statements to give you a general idea
o Read statements individually & underline key words. . From these predict synonyms and
parallel expressions.
o Find relevant part of text
o Convert the statements to questions
o Avoid distractions (word-spotting - or no opinion or claim given about something
mentioned)
o Focus on matching meaning from text to statements; not just matching words.
o Use keywords or phrases as boundaries (underline or mark these) to establish and confirm
if no information is given
o Take notes as you do it to avoid it becoming a memory test (this will help you with other
tasks).

Example – Task - Text