The IELTS reading exam consists of three passages, for which candidates must answer 40 questions within a 60-minute time frame. These passages are typically taken from a variety of sources such as books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, and cover topics that highlight descriptive facts, main ideas, logical arguments, writers’ opinions, purposes, and attitudes. Both the IELTS general reading and IELTS academic reading tests are scored on a scale from 1 to 9. Achieving a band score of 7 or higher in this section is often necessary for candidates seeking admission to top universities.
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To be proficient in the reading section, the IELTS reading practice test is a great way to prepare. Candidates can consider preparing for their IELTS exam by undertaking the IELTS reading practice test given in the following table.
Check: IELTS General Reading Practice Test
Check: IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test
The IELTS reading band score is credited based on the number of correct attempts made by the candidates. This section includes a total of 40 questions. Answering a total of 40 questions correctly can help score band 9. Provided below is a table that highlights the IELTS reading band score. A separate column for each test type has been denoted.
| Correct Answers | IELTS Academic band score | Correct Answers | IELTS General Training Band score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-39 | 9 | 40 | 9 |
| 38-37 | 8.5 | 39 | 8.5 |
| 36-35 | 8 | 37-38 | 8 |
| 34-33 | 7.5 | 36 | 7.5 |
| 32-30 | 7 | 34-35 | 7 |
| 29-27 | 6.5 | 32-33 | 6.5 |
| 26-23 | 6 | 30-31 | 6 |
| 22-19 | 5.5 | 27-29 | 5.5 |
| 18-15 | 5 | 23-26 | 5 |
| 14-13 | 4.5 | 19-22 | 4.5 |
| 12-10 | 4 | 15-18 | 4 |
| 9-8 | 3.5 | 12-14 | 3.5 |
| 7-6 | 3 | 9-11 | 3 |
| 5-4 | 2.5 | 6-8 | 2.5 |
Candidates' IELTS reading scores are determined using a band scale ranging from 0 to 9, with points awarded for each correct answer provided. An IELTS Band Score of 9 indicates that all 40 questions were answered correctly, whereas a low score suggests a lower level of proficiency. The IELTS reading assessment assigns one mark per question. Generally, the IELTS academic reading test is considered more challenging than the IELTS general training reading test. By meeting the IELTS reading marking criteria, candidates can achieve a higher band score.
| Task Achievement (Task 1) | To present accurate information To provide an overview To highlight key features or stages Supporting detail with appropriate data |
| Task Response (Task 2) | To address the task accurately To provide relevant points that support the answer To present an opinion when necessary To provide a conclusion |
| Coherence and Cohesion | To organise information into paragraphs To present a central idea in each paragraph To apply range of linking devices |
| Lexical Resources | Use collocations Avoid errors and spelling mistakes Use good vocabulary and paraphrase |
| Grammar Range and Accuracy | Use a wide range of sentence structures Proper use grammar tenses Proper use of punctuation Avoid errors |
Check IELTS Reading Samples
The table below portrays question types in IELTS reading test:
| Task Type | Task Description | Skills Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Matching Headings Question | To choose a heading from the list that matches a paragraph or a section in the passage. | To understand the aim of the section, to identify between supporting points and the main idea. |
| True, False, Not Given/ Yes, No, Not Given | To decide whether the writer’s opinion or the information is in the question statements or not. | To identify and understand the information for true, false, not given questions and to understand the opinion of the writer for yes, no, not given questions. |
| Matching Paragraph Information Questions | To match the information given in question with the information given in the passage. | To scan and find out specific information. |
| Summary Completion Questions | To complete the summary by filling the blanks with the words taken from the passage. | To select appropriate words and understand supporting ideas. |
| Sentence Completion Questions | To complete the sentence with the words taken from the passage. | To select appropriate words and understand supporting ideas. |
| Multiple Choice Questions | To choose the correct answer from three or four possible options. | To scan and understand specific information in the passage. |
| List Selection | Choose the correct option from a list of words. It is different from multiple choice because all questions are related to only one long list of possible answers. | To scan and understand specific information in the passage. |
| Choosing a Title | To choose the correct title from a given list. | To identify the main aim of the passage and to distinguish between details. |
| Classification Questions | To decide which information belongs to which specific category from the given list. | To locate and categorize the information in the passage. |
| Matching Sentence Endings | To complete the sentence by matching its start and ending given from the list. | To locate and understand the information. |
| Table Completion | To complete a table by using the words from the passage. | To choose and locate appropriate words and information from the passage. |
| Flow-Chart Completion Questions | To complete the flowchart by using the words from the passage. | To choose and locate appropriate words and information from the passage. |
| Diagram Completion Questions | To label a diagram. | To locate and relate any information regarding the diagram. |
| Short Answer Questions | To answer questions by taking details from the passage. | To locate and understand the detailing of the information. |
IELTS reading topics are unpredictable in nature.IELTS Reading includes a pool of topics. To prepare for IELTS reading topics you can include reading books, magazines, newspapers and journals in your daily life.
The IELTS Academic Reading test is 60 minutes long. There will be 3 sections and each section will have a long text which will be up to 150-750 words.
The texts which are given in the exam are taken from journals, newspapers, magazines. These topic reading IELTS will be of general interest and are given for non-specialist audiences.
The IELTS General Reading Test is 60 minutes long. Candidates will be given a particular topic to read and answer. In the General training also there will be 3 sections and different topics will be given for each section.
| IELTS General Reading Topics | Sample Topics |
|---|---|
| Space science | An Asteroid |
| News | Latest management model adopted by LCP technologies |
| Pedagogy | How to advertise a product |
| Child growth and learning | Learning By Examples |
| Movies | The History of Cinema |
| Digitalization | - |
| Employment | - |
| Places of tourist attraction | History of Shimla in India |
| Employee benefits | Hiking on snow in Australia paternity leave |
| Organizational management | Types of vacation activities |
| Strategic management | - |
| Leadership qualities | - |
| Employee management | - |
| Communication improvement in an organization | - |
| Feedback policy in workplace | - |
| Domestic and international travel | Hiking on snow in Australia Bart train schedules |
| Travel restrictions | A cave and hiking in the cave with essentials |
| Working hours | Safety instructions for workers on a construction site |
| Workplace growth | - |
| Employee-employer relation | Workspace Survival |
| Organizational decency | - |
| Managerial theory | How The Other Half Thinks: Adventures In Mathematical Reasoning |
| Clarity in HR policies | Social Survival |
| Recruitment | - |
| Job-status in different country | - |
| Job satisfaction | Office air quality |
| Work-life balance | Stress of Workplace |
| Business deals | Eco-Resort Management |
| Social issues | Dirty River But Clean Water |
| Economic status of the company | Job opportunities in the diving industry |
| Economy of the state or country | - |
| Crisis management | - |
| Risk management plan | Applying for a work exchange program |
| Issues in leadership | Literate Women Make Better Mothers? |
The question types and number of questions remain the same for IELTS academic reading and IELTS general reading. However, there are certain points that are different when compared, these are mentioned below:
| Academic Reading | General Training Reading |
|---|---|
| Includes three sections. | Section 1 comprises two or three factual texts related to happenings from everyday life. |
| One long text is mentioned with questions below it. | Section 2 presents factual text related to work. |
| Texts are excerpts from books, journals, newspapers and magazines. These texts highlight academic topics of general interest. | Section 3 in general training has one complex text that highlights general topics. |
| IELTS Academic Reading is considered by candidates for academic purposes. | General training reading is considered by candidates for nimmigration and job related purposes. |
| There is a difference between scoring patterns. For eg. 30 in general training reading is considered 23 in IELTS academic reading. | Major difference is there in the scoring pattern. For eg. 23 in academic reading means a score of 30 out of 40 in IELTS general training reading. |
The preparation for IELTS requires candidates to practise and account for IELTS preparation. Candidates can prepare a definitive schedule and ensure a IELTS preparation time. A candidate that requires to account for an appropriate level of preparation requires to undertake IELTS reading materials and IELTS reading passages. Undertaking practice with the help of IELTS reading material and IELTS reading test online can help candidates develop proficiency in language aspects. You must read newspapers daily and learn the meanings of new words. For this, candidates need to prepare a defined schedule that portrays appropriate IELTS preparation time. The next step to secure a high IELTS reading score is applying the knowledge you acquire every day. Take IELTS practice speaking and IELTS practice reading tests online. Below mentioned are some of the IELTS reading preparation tips:
Candidates have to attempt passages from a wide array of IELTS reading topics. Candidates are assessed on a few points:
Few essential IELTS reading tips will help the aspirants to understand the techniques required for better scores. Top few tips for IELTS reading are as follows:
Candidates can develop their understanding of the IELTS exam pattern by following several books. Below mentioned are some books and websites that can help candidates to prepare for the IELTS reading test. These books can also account for IELTS reading practice.
Below are some websites that can be considered by candidates for IELTS reading preparation:
Below mentioned are some books that can be considered by candidates to prepare for IELTS reading tests:
Ques. How can I score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading?
Answer: In order to score a band of 8.5 in IELTS reading, candidates are required to answer a minimum of 36 questions out of the total of 40 questions.
Ques. Is IELTS reading difficult?
Answer: IELTS reading difficulty level depends on the preparation of an individual. The more you practice, the better you ace the exams.
Ques. How many reading passages are there?
Answer: There are a total of three reading passages for the academic paper and three different sections for the general training paper with each section having one or two texts.
Ques. Is the reading test the same for everyone?
Answer: No, there are two different tests for IELTS reading; IELTS academic and IELTS general training. Candidates will get to decide which IELTS test they would like to appear for. Make a note that the test candidates are appearing for will impact both their reading and writing papers.
Ques. What kind of reading passages are there in the IELTS academic test?
Answer: Each of the passages in the academic reading paper are long. These passages are excerpts from books, magazines, and newspapers. It might contain complicated language, academic vocabulary, and at times diagrams, maps or other kinds of illustrations.
Ques. Do I lose a point if my answer is wrong?
Answer: No, there are no point deductions for a wrong answer. Thus, never leave an empty space in the answer sheet, always write something and have a guess for an answer.
Ques. How long should I spend on each passage?
Answer: It is recommended that a candidate shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes on each passage. Ensure that you are effectively managing your time while attempting the questions.
Ques. Am I allowed to write on the reading question paper?
Answer: Yes you are allowed to do so. You can make notes, underline words, and write on any part of the question paper.
Ques. Is it necessary to use capital letters?
Answer: No, it is not necessarily needed to write using capital letters. You may or may not use them.
Ques. Should I use a pen or a pencil?
Answer: For the reading and listening test, you must use a pencil. Thus, do remember to carry an eraser with you. However, for writing test, you can use pen.
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