Complete guide to the IELTS Reading Exam - the skills you need

Multiple Choice Questions

Are you preparing for the IELTS exam and feeling unsure about the reading section? Whether you're aiming for the Academic or General Training version, mastering the IELTS Reading test is crucial for achieving your target band score.

This complete guide will break down the format, explain all the IELTS Reading question types, and share top strategies to help you succeed.

What is the IELTS Reading Test?

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to read quickly, understand meaning, and locate key information. You'll face 3 passages and 40 questions in 60 minutes—no extra time to transfer answers.

🔍 Academic IELTS Reading

• Focuses on academic and formal texts (e.g., journal articles, research summaries).

• Topics include science, history, education, and social issues.

• The passages increase in complexity from Passage 1 to Passage 3.

📰 General Training IELTS Reading

• Uses real-world texts like advertisements, letters, and job descriptions.

• Tests your ability to understand information relevant to daily life and the workplace.

• Also has 3 sections, but Section 1 is the easiest, and Section 3 is the most challenging.

IELTS Reading Test Format

• Time: 60 minutes

• Passages: 3 (in both Academic & General Training)

• Questions: 40 in total

• Question Types: Multiple choice, matching headings, sentence completion, true/false/not given, diagram labelling, and more.

Top IELTS Reading Skills You Need

1. Skimming & Scanning

• Skimming: Quickly get the main idea of a passage.

• Scanning: Look for specific facts or numbers.

Skimming = Reading quickly for the main idea

When skimming, you’re not reading every word. Focus on: Titles Topic sentences (usually the first sentence of each paragraph) Keywords repeated across the passage

Example (Skimming):

You see a passage titled “The History of the Silk Road.”

Skimming the first sentences of each paragraph, you learn: Para 1: What the Silk Road is Para 2: Its importance in trade Para 3: Its decline. Without reading every word, you now understand the main ideas.

Scanning = Looking for specific information

You use scanning when you already know what you’re looking for, like a date, name, or number.

Example (Scanning):

The question is: “When did the Silk Road begin to decline?” You look through the passage quickly for dates or phrases like 'began to decline', then read that part more carefully.

2. Read Questions First

• Save time by knowing what information you’re hunting for before reading the passage.

3. Predict Answers

• Make an educated guess based on the question before searching the text.

4. Highlight Keywords

• Use a pencil to underline important names, dates, or topic phrases.

5. Time Management

• Don’t spend more than 20 minutes per passage.

• Move on if stuck—return later if time allows.

6. Understand Synonyms

• IELTS rarely repeats the exact wording—train your brain to spot rephrased ideas.

7. Stay Calm & Focused

• Stay positive even if you miss a question.

• Keep your eyes moving and avoid overthinking.

8. Follow the Order

• Most questions follow the order of the text—answer as you go.

9. Word Limits Matter

• Always read the instructions. If it says “no more than two words,” do not write three.

10. Review If Time Permits

• Check your answers for mistakes and double-check spelling and word limits.

IELTS Reading Question Types & How to Answer Them

1. Multiple Choice Questions

🛠 Strategy:

• Skim the text to understand the general idea.

• Read the question carefully and underline keywords.

• Eliminate clearly wrong answers.

• Watch for synonyms and paraphrased wording.

• Don’t spend too long on one question.

Question: According to the passage, why was the Silk Road important?

A) It connected ancient cities

B) It allowed the spread of spices only

C) It led to modern tourism

D) It was controlled by one empire

How to approach:

• Skim to get the topic of the paragraph.

• Scan for the word “important” or phrases like “was vital because...”

• Watch out for distractors (e.g., "spices" may be mentioned, but the passage may also mention silk, paper, and ideas, so B is wrong).

2. True / False / Not Given

🛠 Strategy:

• Identify the exact meaning of each statement.

• Don’t assume based on your knowledge—use only the passage.

• “Not Given” means the passage does not contain enough information.

• Be careful with negatives (e.g., not, never, rarely).

Statement: The Silk Road stopped functioning after the Roman Empire collapsed.

What to do:

• Find the part of the text that talks about the end of the Silk Road.

• Check:

  • Is this exact idea stated? → True

  • Is the opposite stated? → False

  • Is there no mention of the Roman Empire? → Not Given

👉 Students often mix up False and Not Given because they guess. Emphasize: Only base your answer on the text.

3. Matching Headings

🛠 Strategy:

• Skim each paragraph and create your own short title.

• Read all the headings before matching.

• Focus on the main idea, not just keywords.

• Synonyms are common—don’t look for identical words.

Match this heading to a paragraph: “The Economic Impact of the Silk Road.”

What to look for:

• Read the first sentence of each paragraph.

• Does the paragraph mainly talk about trade, commerce, or money?

• Synonyms like “prosperity,” “merchants,” or “goods” indicate an economic focus.

4. Sentence Completion

🛠 Strategy:

• Look for context clues around the gap.

• Pay attention to grammar, verb tense, and word limit.

• Choose words directly from the passage.

• Avoid adding extra words.

Question: The Silk Road allowed merchants to transport _______ and _______ across continents.

Tip:

• Find a sentence in the passage that matches this structure.

• Check how many words are allowed (e.g., no more than two words).

• The passage might say: “Merchants transported silk and spices across continents.”

• ✅ Answer: silk and spices

5. Diagram / Map / Plan Labelling

🛠 Strategy:

• Understand the layout and elements of the diagram first.

• Scan the passage for details that match the visual.

• Match carefully—use process of elimination.

• Watch for location-related prepositions (e.g., beside, near, above).

Practice Makes Perfect

The IELTS Reading test is not just about understanding English—it's about understanding how the test works. The more you practice IELTS Reading exercises, the more confident and faster you’ll become.

Final Tips to Ace the IELTS Reading Section

• Practice each question type individually before combining them.

• Use official IELTS practice tests for realistic prep.

• Build a reading habit: read news articles, blogs, or academic texts daily.

• Track your timing and aim to finish each passage in 20 minutes.

  
  

Ready to Master the IELTS Reading Test?

With the right strategies, strong reading habits, and plenty of practice, you can boost your IELTS Reading score significantly. Stay calm, trust your preparation, and remember—every question has an answer in the text.

Good luck! 🎓