The IELTS reading test is a standardized test of English language proficiency used by universities and other organizations where English is not the primary language of instruction.
The IELTS reading test has two formats: IELTS academic reading and IELTS general training (GT) Reading. The Academic Reading Test assesses content comprehension, whereas the General Training Reading Test measures functional skills in everyday life.
In this section, we will explain how the IELTS reading test works, what it covers, tips for success, time limits, and more!
How can I prepare for IELTS reading?
Read a lot in English
The IELTS reading test is designed to measure your ability to read and understand academic texts that are written at an advanced level, so try not to focus on difficult words or sentences too much.
Instead of guessing what the word (or sentence) might be, look for context clues from surrounding text or use reference sources like dictionaries and glossaries if you are unsure about how a word is spelled or its meaning.
Reading helps build vocabulary skills because it introduces new concepts and vocabulary related to specific subjects which can then be studied more closely later! Additionally, practice IELTS reading with sample IELTS questions.
How can I get 8.5 in IELTS reading?
To get a high score IELTS reading test score, it is important to be able to answer the IELTS academic questions in a limited time. The IELTS general training reading test will only take 60 minutes and can include up to 40 items.
Time limits
You have 45 seconds per item on the IELTS Academic Reading Test or 30 seconds per item on the General Training Reading Test for all parts of both tests.
Tips
Read every word carefully and thoroughly before moving onto the next sentence; use your skimming and scanning skills as you read through each question type. Make sure that answers are written neatly, according to the instructions for each section.
How can I study for IELTS by myself?
The IELTS reading test is a challenging and demanding experience. One of the best ways to prepare for it if you are going at it alone is by doing online IELTS practice tests that will simulate the IELTS Academic Reading Test or IELTS General Training Reading Test.
These simulations mimic real-world IELTS exams as closely as possible, so they provide an authentic environment in which to practice your IELTS skills without wasting time on trial questions from outdated resources.
There are many high-quality free IELTS reading test practice resources online.
What are the best IELTS Reading test practice tips?
- You can find authentic IELTS reading practice tests online as well as interactive quizzes or other free tools that mimic the exams to help you prepare.
- Practice time management: use an IELTS academic reading quiz should go through the content (text) as fast as possible while still managing to answer all the questions.
IELTS General Training Reading Test
IELTS reading practice is a vital part of IELTS preparation.
The IELTS general training reading test will often include passages containing factual information, opinion, and argumentation. It’s important to be able to identify the type of text to fully understand it.
Each section includes three texts followed by 14–20 comprehension questions based on those texts.
What types of texts are in the general reading test for IELTS?
The IELTS general training reading exam will often include a mixture of text types such as description, exposition (explanations), and reportage (personal accounts).
In particular, it is important to read IELTS texts and get familiarized with different styles of texts so that you can answer all the questions correctly.
How many weeks do I need to improve my IELTS reading score from 5.5 to 7.0?
An IELTS reading score of between five and six is at the lower end of this band with a note that you should consider taking the IELTS test again.
An IELTS reading score between seven and eight indicates that you are close to reaching your target level in IELTS Reading Test. To be confident of achieving a desirable IELTS score
IELTS scores depend on your English proficiency level which can be classified as Language Knowledge: Threshold (Elementary), Developing and Conventional (High) levels of English proficiency, and Approaching Fluency where native speakers can converse without difficulties.
To advance from a developing level to an approach fluency level takes approximately around 15-16 weeks, but each learner's needs will differ, so they need to assess their strengths and weaknesses starting with what language skills they already have.
A learner should study what is most relevant for their needs as this will give them a reasonable assessment of the duration required by looking at the hours required, different topics, and difficulty rating.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
The Academic Reading test is 60 minutes long. Texts for the Academic Reading test are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types:
- multiple choice
- identifying information
- identifying writer’s views/claims
- matching information
- matching headings
- matching features
- matching sentence endings
- sentence completion
- summary completion
- note completion
- table completion
- flow-chart completion
- diagram label completion
- short-answer questions
IELTS Reading Topics
Here is a summary of different reading topics which have appeared in IELTS tests around the world this year so far:
- Space exploration &338; solar system
- Optimists & pessimists
- Geodiversity
- Perfume: its history
- Interpreting dreams
- Linguistics: (no other details provided)
- Design: analysis of errors in the structural design of a bridge
- materials: benfits of using animal-based materials to replace aluminium
- Research: rooftop gardens (green roofs) in the UK
- Traffic: traffic jams & traffic congestion, causes of problems associated with traffic
- Language: how we use language in communication,
- Tourist destinations: discussion of facilities & amenties commonly found in popular tourist destinations
- Nature: explanatory passage about ants in Australia