Understand the different types of IELTS Reading test questions

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Reading test assesses your ability to comprehend written passages in English. To excel in this test, it is crucial to understand the various types of questions. These questions are specifically designed to evaluate your skills in reading for gist, locating information, understanding logical arguments, and identifying the writer's opinions and attitudes. By familiarising yourself with the different types of IELTS Reading test questions, you can develop effective strategies and enhance your overall performance in this section of the test.

A brief about the IELTS Reading test

The IELTS Academic Reading test comprises three extended texts that have a wide range of styles, from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These texts are sourced from credible materials such as books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. While they are intended for a general audience, they are particularly suitable for individuals aiming to enrol in university programs or pursue professional registration. The authenticity and relevance of the chosen texts ensure that test-takers are exposed to real-world academic content during the examination.

Diagram label completion

In the diagram label completion question type, your task is to fill in the missing labels on a diagram based on the information provided in the accompanying text. The instructions will explicitly state the maximum number of words or numbers allowed in your answers, such as 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage,' 'ONE WORD ONLY,' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.' It is crucial to follow these guidelines, as exceeding the specified word limit will result in a deduction of marks.

Numbers can be presented either in numerical or written form, and hyphenated words are counted as single words. While the answers may not appear in the same sequence as they do in the passage, they typically originate from a specific section rather than the entire text.

This question type commonly features diagrams representing various entities, including machines, building components, or any other pictorial representation. It is frequently paired with texts that describe processes or provide detailed descriptions. By completing the labels on the diagram, you demonstrate your ability to comprehend intricate descriptions and effectively connect them to the information conveyed through the visual representation.

Analysing a writer's views or claims

In the writer's view or claim identification question type, you will be presented with a series of statements and asked to determine whether they align with the views or claims of the writer. You are given three options to choose from: 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Not given.'

It is crucial to grasp the distinction between 'No' and 'Not given.' Selecting 'No' indicates that the writer's views or claims directly contradict the statement. In other words, the writer explicitly expresses a perspective or makes a claim that opposes the one presented in the question. On the other hand, choosing 'Not given' indicates that the statement neither confirms nor contradicts the writer's viewpoint or claim.

Exercise caution while making your decision, ensuring that your own knowledge of the topic does not influence your response.

This question type evaluates your ability to identify opinions or ideas, and as a result, it is frequently employed with discursive or argumentative texts.

Information identification

When you need to find information, you'll get some statements and be asked if they match what's in the text. To answer, you have to write "True" if the statements agree, "False" if they don't, or "Not given" if there's not enough information to decide.

It is crucial to distinguish between "False" and "Not given." If a statement is marked as "False," it indicates that the passage presents information that contradicts the statement in question. On the other hand, if a statement is marked as "Not given," it implies that the passage does not confirm or refute the statement.

Understanding this distinction is essential for accurate responses during the assessment.

Feature matching

In the feature-matching task, your objective is to associate a set of statements or information pieces with a corresponding list of options. The options are presented as a collection of text features, each identified by letters. For instance, you may be asked to match various research findings with a list of researchers, or characteristics with different age groups, events with historical periods, and so on. Some options may not be used, while others may be used multiple times. The instructions will clarify whether you can reuse the options.

The feature-matching task evaluates your ability to identify relationships and connections between facts presented in the text, as well as your proficiency in recognising opinions and theories. It can be used with both factual information and opinion-based discursive texts. To approach this task, you will need to use skimming and scanning techniques to locate the relevant information quickly, followed by detailed reading to match the appropriate feature accurately.

Heading matching

In the heading matching question type, you will encounter a list of headings that represent the central ideas of paragraphs or sections within the text. Your task is to match each heading with the appropriate paragraph or section. It is important to note that there will typically be more headings than paragraphs or sections, meaning that some headings will remain unused. Additionally, certain paragraphs or sections may not be relevant to the task at hand. This question type is employed with texts that feature well-defined themes in their paragraphs or sections.

Matching headings assesses your ability to identify and comprehend the main ideas or themes conveyed in individual paragraphs or sections of a text. It challenges you to differentiate between primary ideas and supporting details. By successfully completing this task, you demonstrate your aptitude for recognising and distinguishing key concepts within a given text.

Matching information

In the information matching question type, your task is to locate specific information within lettered paragraphs or sections of a text and select the corresponding letters. Here are some examples of what you may be asked to find:

• Specific detail

• Example

• Reason

• Description

• Comparison

• Summary

• Explanation

While it is not always necessary to find information in every paragraph or section of the text, there might be cases where you need to identify multiple pieces of information within a single paragraph or section. In such situations, you will be informed if you can use a letter more than once.

This question type, which can be applied to any text, evaluates a broad range of reading skills, including the ability to locate specific details and recognise summaries or definitions. By successfully completing this task, you demonstrate your proficiency in scanning for targeted information within a given text.

Sentence ending matching

In the sentence ending matching question type, you are presented with the first half of a sentence derived from the reading text, and you are required to select the most appropriate way to complete it from a list of provided options. The number of options will exceed the number of questions. Your task is to choose the correct option that effectively concludes the sentence. The questions follow the same order as the information presented in the passage, meaning that the answer to the first question will be located before the answer to the second question, and so on.

Matching sentence endings evaluates your ability to comprehend the main ideas conveyed within a sentence. By successfully completing this task, you demonstrate your aptitude for understanding and connecting the key concepts and information contained within a given text.

Multiple choice questions

Multiple-choice questions come in three different types:

• Choose the best answer from four choices (A, B, C, or D)

• Choose the best two answers from five choices (A, B, C, D, or E)

• Choose the best three answers from seven choices (A, B, C, D, E, F, or G)

Each multiple-choice question may involve completing a sentence. You will be provided with the first part of a sentence and then must select the most suitable option to complete it from the given choices. Alternatively, you might have to complete questions where you have to choose the option that best answers the question.

The questions are presented in the same order as the information provided in the reading text. Therefore, the answer to the first multiple-choice question can be found in the text before the answer to the second multiple-choice question, and so forth.

Sentence completion

The sentence completion question type requires you to fill in the missing parts of sentences extracted from the reading text. The instructions will explicitly state the limit on the number of words or numbers to use in your answer. For instance, it may specify 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage,' 'ONE WORD ONLY,' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.' Exceeding the specified word count will result in a deduction of marks. Numbers can be represented using either figures or words, while hyphenated words count as single words.

The questions follow the same order as the information presented in the passage. This means that the answer to the first question in the group will be located before the answer to the second question, and so forth.

Sentence completion assesses your ability to locate specific details or information within the text. By successfully completing this task, you prove your proficiency in identifying and providing precise information required to complete the given sentences.

Short-answer questions

In the short-answer question type, you will be asked to provide concise answers to specific questions. These questions typically pertain to factual information and details found within the text.

When responding to these questions, you are required to use words or numbers directly from the text. The instructions will clearly state the word or number limit for your answers. For instance, it may specify 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage,' 'ONE WORD ONLY,' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.' Exceeding the specified word count will result in a deduction of marks.

Numbers can be represented using either figures or words, while hyphenated words count as single words. The questions follow the same order as the information presented in the text.

Short-answer questions evaluate your ability to locate and comprehend precise information within the text. By successfully answering these questions, you demonstrate your proficiency in identifying and understanding specific details presented in the given text.

Summary, note, table, flow-Chart completion

In the summary, note, table, and flow-chart completion question type, you will encounter a given summary that requires completion using information derived from the text. The summary provided will typically focus on a specific section of the passage rather than including the entire text.The information provided for completion can take various forms, including:

• Several connected sentences of text forming a summary

• Several notes to be filled in

• A partially empty or incomplete table

• A sequence of events depicted through boxes or steps connected by arrows, with some of them being empty or partially empty (flow-chart)

The answers may not necessarily follow the same order as in the original text. However, they will generally originate from a specific section rather than including the entire text.There are two variations of this task type. You may be asked to:

1. Select words directly from the text.

2. Choose appropriate answers from a provided list.

When selecting words from the passage, the instructions will explicitly state the word or number limit for your answers. For instance, it may specify 'NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage,' 'ONE WORD ONLY,' or 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.' Exceeding the specified word count will result in a deduction of marks.Numbers can be represented using either figures or words, and hyphenated words are considered single words. In cases where a list of answers is provided, they typically consist of single words.

It will evaluate your ability to comprehend both specific details and the main ideas within a section of the text. In variations involving a summary or notes, you will need to identify the appropriate type of words required to fill a given gap (such as determining whether a noun, verb or other parts of speech is needed).

To know more about the IELTS test, you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centres. They will answer all your questions and will assist you with the test process.

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