IELTS READING

Student name: Engr. Arjay Louie S. Romero

 IELTS READING AT A GLANCE

➢ The IELTS Reading exam lasts 60

minutes. It comprises three parts,
with 40 questions in total. You are
given no extra time to transfer your
answer to the answer sheet.

➢ The texts become progressively more

difficult.

➢ In the Academic Module Section 1, 2

and 3 have texts of an academic
nature, such as an article on history
or an examination of scientific
research.
General strategy for the reading test

➢ The first thing you have to realize is that you

will not have the luxury to either

➢ 1) slowly read and absorb all questions

before you start reading the passage, or

➢ 2) to slowly read and absorb the entire

passage before you start reading the
questions.

➢ The time constraints simply do not give you

that luxury of time. Even assuming that you
are able to read all the questions, by the time
you read the passage there is a good chance
that you would have forgotten the details of
that question. The converse is true if you
read the passage first; by the time you start
reading the questions, it is highly likely that
you would have forgotten the details of the
passage.

➢ Therefore, the best way to answer the IELTS

reading test is to continually jump back and
forth from the particular question to the
passage.
 THE SKILLS THAT YOU NEED

➢ Skimming

Your first task when you begin reading is to

answer the question “What is the topic of
the selection?” This can best be answered
by quickly skimming the passage for the
general idea, stopping to read only the first
sentence of each paragraph. A paragraph’s
first sentence is usually the main topic
sentence, and it gives you a summary of the
content of the paragraph.

➢ Scanning

Reading quickly to find specific details

within the passage.
➢ Eliminate choices

Some choices can quickly be eliminated. “Andy

Warhol lived there.” Is Andy Warhol even
mentioned in the article? If not, quickly
eliminate it.

➢ Contextual Clues

Look for contextual clues. An answer can be

right but not correct. The contextual clues will
help you find the answer that is most right and
is correct. Understand the context in which a
phrase is stated.

➢ Fact / Opinion

When asked about which statement is a fact or

opinion, remember that answer choices that are
facts will typically have no ambiguous words.
For example, how long is a long time? What
defines an ordinary person? These ambiguous
words of “long” and “ordinary” should not be in a
factual statement. However, if all of the choices
have ambiguous words, go to the context of the
passage. Often a factual statement may be set
out as a research finding. Example: “The
scientist found that the eye reacts quickly to
change in light.”
➢ Opposites

Answer choices that are direct opposites are

usually correct. The paragraph will often contain
established relationships. The question may ask
you to draw conclusions for this and will give two
similar answer choices that are opposites.

➢ Paragraph focus

Focus upon the first sentence of each

paragraph, which is the most important. The
main topic of the paragraph is usually there.

➢ Time Management

In technical passages, do not get lost on the

technical terms. Skip them and move on. You
want a general understanding of what is going
on, not a mastery of the passage.

➢ No blank boxes

Answer all the questions, even if you’re not sure

in your answer. You don't get penalty for wrong
answers, so try your luck and write the most
probable answer.
 TRY THIS ONE

What is the subject? What is the author’s purpose?

How does the author feel about the subject? What
are the key points made by the author?

Gothic architecture is a style of building design, first

pioneered in Western Europe in the Middle Ages. It
began in France in the 12th century. The Gothic style
grew out of Romanesque architecture. Gothic lasted
until the 16th century. By that time the Renaissance
style of architect had become popular. The
important features of Gothic architecture are the
pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying
buttress.

Gothic architecture is best known as the style of

many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches
of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles,
palaces, town halls, universities, and also some
houses.

Many church buildings still remain from this period.

Even the smallest Gothic churches are often very
beautiful, while many of the larger churches and
cathedrals are thought to be priceless works of art.
Many are listed as World Heritage Sites.