Discover the Common Question Types You Can Expect in the IELTS Reading Test

The IELTS reading assessment is designed to test a range of reading abilities and skills through a series of question types. Some of the most frequently encountered question formats in the IELTS reading test include:

1. Multiple Choice: In this type of question, you are presented with a list of options from which you need to select the correct answer.

2. True/False/Not Given: In this type of question, you need to determine whether a statement is true, false or not stated in the text.

3. Matching: Here, you are required to match information from the text to a list of options.

4. Sentence Completion: This type of question requires you to complete a sentence using information from the text.

5. Summary Completion: In this question format, you need to summarize the main idea or important information from a section of the text.

6. Short-Answer: Here, you need to answer a specific question using information from the text.

7. Note-taking: This type of question requires you to take notes while reading the text and then use them to answer the questions.

8. Labelling a Diagram or Plan: This type of question requires you to label a diagram or plan using information from the text.

9. Table/Flow Chart/ Summary Completion: In these questions, you need to complete a table, flow chart or summary using information from the text.

10. Classification: This type of question requires you to classify information from the text into different categories.

It's essential to keep in mind that the IELTS reading test has different question formats for both the Academic and General Training tests, with questions designed to be of appropriate difficulty level for each test type.

How to answer each of them

Multiple Choice:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Read the options carefully and eliminate any that are clearly wrong.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Choose the option that best fits the information in the text.

• If there is no clear answer, choose the option that is most likely to be correct.

True/False/Not Given:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Read the statement and decide whether it is true or false.

• If the statement is true, choose "True".

• If the statement is false, choose "False".

• If the statement is not mentioned in the text, choose "Not Given".

• Be careful of statements that are partly true or partly false.

Matching:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Read the options carefully and eliminate any that are clearly wrong.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Choose the option that best fits the information in the text.

• If there is no clear answer, choose the option that is most likely to be correct.

Sentence Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Complete the sentence using the information from the text.

• Check your answer for grammar and spelling errors.

Summary Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Read the text carefully and take notes on the main ideas and important information.

• Write a summary of the text in your own words.

• Check your summary for accuracy and completeness.

Short-Answer:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Write a short answer using information from the text.

• Check your answer for accuracy and completeness.

Note-taking:

• Read the text carefully and take notes on the main ideas and important information.

• Use your notes to answer the questions.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Labelling a Diagram or Plan:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Label the diagram or plan using the information from the text.

• Check your labels

Table Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Complete the table using the information from the text.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Flow-chart Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Complete the flow-chart using the information from the text.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Diagram Label Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Label the diagram using the information from the text.

• Check your labels for accuracy and completeness.

Classification:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Classify the information in the text according to the given categories.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Identifying Information:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Identify the specific information in the text that answers the question.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Identifying Writer's Views/ Claims:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Identify the writer's views or claims in the text.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Quotation Completion:

• Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

• Skim the text quickly to get an idea of the general content.

• Scan the text for the key words or synonyms.

• Reread the section of the text where the answer is likely to be found.

• Complete the quotation using the information from the text.

• Check your answers for accuracy and completeness.

Please note that the above steps are general guidelines and the actual steps may vary depending on the specific task and the text. Additionally, practicing sample questions and taking mock tests can help you become more familiar with the format and types of questions on the IELTS Reading test.