IELTS READING

IELTS General Reading Test

The General Training Reading test in IELTS consists of three sections, with a total of 40 questions. The test lasts for 60 minutes.

Section 1:

This section contains two or three short factual texts on everyday topics. The texts are usually taken from notices, advertisements, and company handbooks. There are 13 or 14 questions in this section.

Section 2:

This section contains two short factual texts on work-related topics. The texts are usually taken from job descriptions, company policies, and training manuals. There are 13 or 14 questions in this section.

Section 3:

This section contains one longer text on a topic of general interest. The text is usually taken from a newspaper, magazine, or website. There are 13 or 14 questions in this section.

All of the questions in the General Training Reading test are multiple-choice questions. The questions are designed to test your ability to locate, understand, and interpret information in a variety of written texts. You will need to demonstrate your ability to identify main ideas, details, opinions, and attitudes, as well as your ability to follow an argument and draw conclusions.

IELTS Academic Reading Test

The Academic Reading test in IELTS consists of three sections, with a total of 40 questions. The test lasts for 60 minutes.

Section 1:

In Section 1, you will encounter the easiest passage in the test. The text is usually descriptive or factual and covers general topics like science, history, or social issues. It is typically sourced from a magazine or a non-specialist book. Common question types include multiple-choice questions, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, and sentence completion.

Section 2:

Section 2 presents a passage with a higher level of complexity. The content is often technical or analytical, discussing research findings, historical events, or case studies. Some texts may include diagrams, graphs, or tables that require careful interpretation. Typical question types include matching information, summary completion, Yes/No/Not Given, and table or flowchart completion.

Section 3:

In Section 3, you will face the most difficult passage, which is often longer, more complex, and argumentative. This section may discuss scientific concepts, academic theories, or philosophical ideas, featuring advanced vocabulary and intricate sentence structures. The most common question types in this section include matching features, identifying the writer’s opinion, completing a summary with a word list, and multiple-choice questions.