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Common question types
Always read the instructions carefully.
Words must be spelt correctly.
You copy the word(s) exactly as they are in the passage. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD.
What kind of questions can I expect in IELTS reading?
Paragraph headings
You are given a list of different headings, and you put the correct heading with each paragraph.
Techniques to use:
Looking at keywords in topic sentences and seeing if there are any synonyms in the headings.
Which paragraph contains certain information
It is similar to paragraph headings, but instead of being a summary/ heading of the paragraph, you need to say where certain information is.
Techniques to use:
Scanning the paragraph to check if the information is there.
True/ False/ Not given
You need to find the facts in the passage and determine whether it is
True - 100% agrees with what is said in the question
False - There is a different meaning given in the question than in the passage.
Not given - it cannot be found or there is not enough information to say it is true or false.
Techniques to use
Scanning the relevant paragraph
Reading very carefully and looking at words that can change the meaning of a sentence. These words can be adverbs of frequency, modal verbs, and quantifiers.
Adverbs of frequency - the question might say always, but in the passage it says only 10% of the time.
Modal verbs - the question might use will, but in the passage it says 'can/ may/ might'
Quantifiers - the question might say all/ most/ many, but in the passage it is only a few/ some/ several
Yes/ No/ Not given
You need to find the opinion in the passage and determine whether it is
Yes- 100% agrees with what is said in the question
No - There is a different meaning given in the question than in the passage.
Not given - it cannot be found or there is not enough information to say it is yes or no.
Techniques to use
Scanning the relevant paragraph
Reading very carefully and looking at words that can change the meaning of a sentence. These words can be adverbs of frequency, modal verbs, and quantifiers.
Adverbs of frequency - the question might say always, but in the passage it says only 10% of the time.
Modal verbs - the question might use will, but in the passage it says 'can/ may/ might'
Quantifiers - the question might say all/ most/ many, but in the passage it is only a few/ some/ several
Multiple choice
You are given a question and different possible answers. You need to choose the correct option.
Techniques to use:
Scanning the relevant paragraphs.
Reading the different options carefully. Sometimes, there is just a small difference between some options.
Gap fill/ short answer questions
You need to find the information from the passage to fill a gap in a sentence or to answer a question.
You never need to change the words from the passage. You should copy them exactly as they are.
Techniques to use:
Determine what kind of answer you need - noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
Scanning the relevant paragraphs.
Read carefully for the answer.
Make sure you copy over the right number of words. Read the instructions carefully.
Gap fill with multiple choice
Choose the best synonym from the options for the word you find in the passage.
Labelling task
They give you a diagram/picture of something which was described in the passage.
You need to label parts of the diagram/picture.
Techniques to use:
Determine what kind of answer you need - noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
Scanning the relevant paragraphs.
Read carefully for the answer,
Make sure you copy over the right number of words. Read the instructions carefully.
Who said it
You are given some information or a quote and you need to find which person said it in the passage.
Usually the different people are given to you as options, and you need to select the correct letter next to their name.
Techniques to use:
Scanning the relevant paragraphs.
Reading carefully for the answer. More than ne person's name could be near the answer.