Circle any key words.Read the advice for the Listening test on the previous pages as most of it pertains to the Reading test.
For many people, the Academic Reading test is difficult because it has more question types than the Listening test, and the questions themselves contain more words. Since readers can reread material, the test is much longer – at least 3700 words (instructions + questions + passages). Its language and concepts are also more sophisticated than those in the Listening test.
Usually, an IELTS Six finishes the Reading test in around 58 minutes, and has two minutes to check. He or she will guess about seven questions. A Seven or an Eight has seven minutes left to check, with only two or three guesses.
Topics in the Academic Reading test are mostly scientific. While much information is factual, at least one passage (usually Passage 3) contains the views of the writer or of other people.
The majority of Reading answers require a transfer of detail, but there are always inference questions too. Just as there are cues to listen for in the Listening test, there are signposts to look for in the Reading (usually adverbs like ‘however’ or ‘unfortunately’). Skimming, scanning, and reading closely are all tested. Despite what some people believe, there are no tricks in IELTS – no questions aimed deliberately at tripping you up. Once you understand the system, you will see that everything is straightforward.
It may seem unlikely, but the reading passages in real IELTS exams are both interesting and pleasurable to read.
Familiarise yourself with all the question types: those that apply to both Listening and Reading (pp 10-12) and those for Reading alone (pp 12-15).
Before reading a passage, skim the questions for that passage, but don’t read any stems.
Circle any key words.
Predict any answers.
Use the titles (set in grey in this book) to activate your knowledge of the topic.
Read with your eyes, not your finger, but do circle key words or underline evidence. (If you can’t underline evidence, an answer is probably Not Given.)
As there won’t be time to read an entire test slowly and carefully, choose when to skim (read quickly), to scan (look mainly for names or dates), or to read closely (slowly and carefully). All gap-fill questions need close reading.
Keep an eye on the time. If you have trouble finding an answer, move on. Return to it at the very end, or guess it.
Stick to the advice about spending 20 minutes per passage, or spend less time on Passage 1 and more on Passage 3.
Confirm your predictions.
Think logically.
Look for synonyms or paraphrases.
Check reference. Reference means one word refers back (or sometimes forward) to a longer idea. Most of these words, called referents, are pronouns.
Here are two sentences containing two referents: ‘Most people believe spending time with family is important. It strengthens bonds, and helps them relax.’
‘It’ refers back to ‘spending time with family’; ‘them’ refers to ‘most people’.
Understand connotation – whether a concept or a writer’s opinion is positive or negative.
Understand inference.
Note a shift in focus. Often a question focuses on one idea first with another second, while the information in the passage puts the second idea first.
Beware of exaggeration. If there is the word ‘always’ or ‘never’ in a question (particularly T/F/NG), make 100% sure you can find evidence for it in the passage, and vice versa.
Beware of distractors.
Follow all the rest of the advice for the Listening test on page 18-19.
Don’t panic.
Copy all answers correctly from the passages.
Answer every question, even if you have to guess.