Are you preparing for the IELTS exam?
By implementing these tips, you will confidently approach the IELTS Reading test and find it much easier to navigate. In this article, we are going to discuss Five master plans of IELTS reading tips that will significantly contribute to improving your score.
What is the IELTS reading test?
One of the most significant sections of the IELTS test is the reading section. The IELTS Reading exam evaluates various reading skills through different question types on multiple topics.
The academic and general IELTS reading sections require 60 minutes to evaluate your reading skills. Each section consists of 40 questions; the 60-minute timeframe includes the time allotted to fill in the answer sheet.
What are the common types of IELTS reading exams?
Before you start your IELTS exam preparation journey and learn different strategies and tips, it is vital to proactively shift your mindset, stay focused, and develop a thorough understanding of the test. Now, let's delve into the most prevalent types of reading questions you might encounter during your exam:
- You will run into sentence completion questions.
- Actual, false, not given questions will be part of the test.
- Summary, note, table, and flow-chart completion questions will also be present.
- MCQ-type questions are part of the test.
- Short-answer questions will assess your understanding.
- Matching sentence endings questions will be part of the exam.
- You will come across diagram label completion questions.
- Matching information questions will be part of the test.
- Matching headings questions will also be part of the examination.
You need strong comprehension skills and effective time management to excel in the IELTS reading exam. You can substantially enhance your score by implementing the appropriate strategies and techniques.
These 6 IELTS reading master plans assist you in reaching your desired score and boosting your confidence on the day of the test.
Ensure careful reading of the instructions
If you fail to follow the instructions precisely, particularly in terms of answering format, an answer could be deemed incorrect, even if the information provided is accurate.
The most common error is writing an incorrect number of words. The instructions may specify specific ways to answer, such as:
- Use only one word
- Limit your response to no more than two words
- Include no more than three words or a number
The evaluators strictly enforce these guidelines. For instance, if you ask for a one-word answer such as “mountain” and you will write “a mountain”, you will not receive any points for it.
Employ Skimming and Scanning Techniques:
Our second IELTS Reading strategy focuses on two essential skills that are crucial for achieving a high score. Employ skimming and scanning techniques to quickly grasp the main idea of the passage and locate the specific information. Mastering these skills will enhance your reading speed and enable you to locate answers swiftly.
- Skimming involves rapidly reading a text to grasp its overall meaning. Instead of reading every word or looking over the text in depth, the goal is to obtain a general understanding of the gist of the content.
- On the other hand, scanning entails the smooth reading of a text to locate specific information such as keywords, names, numbers, dates, or synonyms. By employing this technique, you can efficiently identify relevant sections that will assist you in finding the answer.
Understand Different Question Types:
It is advisable to read the questions before reading the text. So, you can identify important words, names, numbers, and dates mentioned in the questions as you later read the text.
This approach assists in locating relevant information more easily when searching for the answers. Furthermore, it enhances your comprehension of the text, as the questions provide clues that can aid in understanding it.
Introduce yourself to the various question types in the IELTS Reading section, such as multiple-choice, matching headings, and sentence completion. This knowledge will enable you to approach each question strategically and avoid irrelevant confusion during the exam.
Master in Time Management:
Managing your time during the IELTS Reading section is most important, as you have limited time to answer multiple questions. Each passage allots a specific time frame, and you have a limited duration of 60 minutes to address 40 questions. It is always recommended not to assign more than 20 minutes per section in the Reading test.
However, if you find the first passage relatively easy, you may finish it before the designated time and should avoid getting stuck on any particular question. Instead, I recommended you move forward and come back to it later if you have time remaining.
This approach ensures that you make the most of your available time and maximize your chances of answering all the questions within the given timeframe.
Develop your Vocabulary Skills:
One of the most crucial IELTS Reading master tips is improving vocabulary skills. Primarily, the reading test assesses your vocabulary knowledge, which ultimately influences your score. It helps you to comprehend complex passages and answer vocabulary-based questions accurately.
However, it's not just an extensive range of words you should be familiar with but also their synonyms, or wording, that share similar meanings. Although many questions may seem easy at first glance, you may face difficulties searching for answers because the text uses synonyms or rephrases the information.
Practice Active Reading:
It is most important to engage your text actively rather than passively scanning. Highlight information, take notes, and review each paragraph in your own words. This technique improves comprehension and helps you to retain for answering questions later. This tip is particularly beneficial for students who are taking the paper-based test.
When you come across significant phrases in the text that help to understand the passage or review the context of the reading, underline them. Circle keywords and make a margin to highlight the valuable pieces.
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