Learn about the IELTS General Training Reading Test. The IELTS GT reading is different to the academic reading in a number of ways but mainly due to the language and difficulty level of the texts. Similar to the academic reading, the general training reading test is 60 minutes in length and has 40 questions.
General Training Reading Sections
There are three sections in the IELTS GT reading. However, sections one and two might have more than one text. The sections get increasingly difficult.
Section 1
: This section is based on one, two or three texts about English life and could be, for example, an advertisement for a hotel, sports center facilities or educational courses. The texts are not long and are factual rather than descriptive.
Section 2
: This section may also consist of more than one text and often relates to work about pay schemes, work conditions or machinery instructions.
Section 3
: The final section is usually one text which is quite long and it is the hardest.
IELTS General Training Reading Band Scores
Below is a list of the scores from band 2 to 9 for the GT reading test. The scores are not the same as the academic reading test. Click on the table to enlarge.
IELTS Reading Question Types for General Training
The types of questions you will be asked in the GT reading test are the same as the academic test. Here is a list:
- matching headings
- true false not given / yes no not given
- matching paragraph information
- summary completion
- sentence completion
- short answer questions
- table / flow chart completion
- diagram labeling
- multiple choice / list selection
- choosing a title
- categorisation
- matching sentence endings
You can click here for: Tips on the Different Types of Reading Questions. You can find free practice lessons for most of these types of questions in the reading section: IELTS Reading Lessons. However, must practice exercises are on the level of section 3. Also learn: How to Improve your IELTS Reading. For one full GT IELTS practice reading tests, please visit the BC IELTS page of practice tests.
GT writing. For information about GT writing, see this page: GT Writing Information
IELTS True False Not Given Questions
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Hi! Can you give me a some idea how to prepare for ielts reading? 8x failed in my exam.
Go through all pages and links: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/. Practice does NOT make perfect. Practice alone is not enough. You need to spend time analysing all your answers after you complete a practice lesson. Analyse your techniques, your approach, the language, the paraphrases etc. The more you analyse and make notes, the more you will improve. Awareness is key.
I have completed all IELTS Cambridge books, but have never seen extent essay in general training. Does extent essay ever come in general training ielts test?
I think you might be getting confused. There is no such thing as “an extent essay”. What you mean is “an Opinion Essay”. An Opinion Essay is one of the most common types of essays which appears in both GT and Academic IELTS. The instructions might be “Do you agree?” or “To what extent do you agree?” It makes no difference how the instructions are written, if it asks for your opinion it is an Opinion Essay. Both of those instructions as well as other instructions, such as “What is your opinion?” or “Do you agree or disagree?” or “Tow what extent do you agree or disagree?” – they are all precisely the same essay, tackled in precisely the same way. You can find a link to the types of IELTS essays on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
Ok thanks 👍🏼
please how do know the reading type when i see a reading question.
Do you mean the reading question type? There are many different types of questions. You’ll find a link to the various question types on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/ along with free practice materials for most question types.
Hi Liz, I have one doubt regarding the paper-based test. Should I write the answers all in capital letters or just in a normal format on the answer sheet? I am really confused.
When you are writing your answers by hand, it is best to use all capital letters to avoid any problems reading your writing. Capitals are easier to read that lower score. This applies to the listening and reading test. But it is advice, not an IELTS rule.
it is January 2023 and you are helping me a los. thx
from Peru
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi, I come from Indonesia.
I feel very gratefull on knowing this page.
And you are such an inspiring human being on sharing eduation like this for FREE?!
Thank You Thank You Thank You…
Wish me luck on my IELTS TEST tomorrow.
I wish you lots of luck in your test 🙂
Wonderful teacher with the source! Am really enjoying your teaching . Please how can I follow you on YouTube
I have an IELTS Liz channel, but I’m not uploading videos at the moment due to health problems. I only upload lessons on this site from time to time, but not on Youtube. Once I’m better, I’ll make more videos 🙂
I pray for your speedy recovery. A very useful service. Thank you Liz.
YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. PRAYING FOR YOUR SPEEDY RECOVERY.
Wish a speedy recovery soon,miss your teachings
Thanks
Hi Liz, I am very big fan of your style of learning I hope you’re quite well thank you for your time 💜
I’m glad you are enjoying the lessons 🙂
Hello Liz
you make learning so easy and interesting .I’ve learnt so much in so little time
thank you
That’s great. Hopefully you will develop quickly 🙂
Amazing!
I just watched your video and found it very interesting. I have already given many reading practice tests and scored around 32 and 33 sometimes. I liked the tips you have mentioned and am already following many of them. Yes the questions are always in a sequence and yes its all about meaning and not matching. I am about to start watching more and more of your videos and going to learn a lot from you. Thank you
I’m so glad my video lessons was useful. Here is a link to the Reading Section of this site with lots of practice lessons: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Thanks for the excellent way you explained true/false/ not given questions. You are a great teacher and with just this lesson alone I decided to subscribe to your channel and started following you on social media. Once again thank you for this free lesson.
You’re welcome.
Can you suggest best book for IELTS General reading practice.Dont ignore my message…Waiting for your reply
Just get the IELTS Cambridge test books which contain real IELTS tests you can practise at home. As for building skills, the question types in GT and 100% the same as for the Academic reading test. So, you can still build awareness and technique using my reading lessons on this website.
Thank you very much for such a clear explanation on True/False/ Not Given. Most helpful.
You’re welcome 🙂
hey there.where can i find the playlist for reading section
I’m not sure what you mean by “playlist”, but you can find the reading section with all my lessons and tips on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Wow, I love the way you explained it. Very understandable. Very clear love it. Thank you.
Hello Liz,
Your website is great and is helping me a lot. I have recently shared some of your links with a friend who’s preparing for Ielts as well. And he is glad!
I’m hopeful that your health improves speedily. You’re in my prayers.
Blessings!
Thanks for your wishes for my health. Hope your friend benefits from my lessons 🙂 Good luck in your test !!
HI Liz
Greetings of the day .. The tips what are you sugessting is simply good . I have a question regarding in General Reading which section is eaiser to get more points. Could you please help me on this
The passages get progressively more difficult. Passage 1 is the easiest.
I sincerely wish you a quick recovery. God is your strenght.
This homework Answer is False
Really you are different from Other
Hi ma’am,
I love the way you teach ! 🙂
Just want to know to, about how develope strategies for reading section (GT). I urge you to please help me I have done dozens of practice test but still not getting the command over reading section and my score revolves around 29-31, in the same way I gave an attempt of IELTS in jan I got 6 bands in reading and till now I am unable to develope sufficient self-confidence for another attempt, because I want to achieve 8,7,7,7, and I want to make sure that my second attempt is last one.
Please help !
P.s – And yes there is alot problem in section 3, 🙁
See my tips on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/. Your score will be limited by the level of your English. If you are struggling with understand the English and vocabulary, you will need find an English language teacher to help you.
My question is regarding-
Gt reading cambridge book 10 test B-
Passage- As proof of your citizenship and identity, you must enclose either your passport or your birth certificate. All documents must be original; these will be returned with your passport.
Q. Photocopies of documents are acceptable in some circumstances.
A. False
Kindly explain why it is not given and it is false?
I am really confused, do we have to imagine on it that they will return originals, so photocopies are acepted but where they mentioned about *some circumstamces*?
Kindly reply asap.
Thank you.
The question states “Photocopies of documents are acceptable ..”. The passage shows this is incorrect. The passage states exactly the opposite: “All documents must be original” – this means no photocopies will be accepted because only originals will do. Remember, IELTS reading is not about matching words – it is about meaning, it is about context. Hope this helps 🙂
HI LIZ, YOUR LESSONS ARE SO HELPFUL FOR ME, THANK YOU. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE ARE ANY PROBABILITIES OF UPLOADING ANY MORE VIDEOS ON T/F/NG.
I’m not making videos at the moment due to heath problems. May be next year 🙂 I also plan to make Advanced Reading lessons which people can purchase.
Sorry for hearing that. May u be better soon. Good luck!
Feel Better Liz, much love
Good job mam… I appreciate u🙂🙂
Hi Liz,
You are doing a fantastic job. My exam is booked on 22nd June 2019. I just learnt another technique on Reading exam that the question in a given passage comes in order. Thanks for this piece of information. It’s worth more than a MILLION.
On the homework on reading, the answer is FALSE. Hope i am correct????
Regards,
Joshua Oladimeji
Not all types of questions have answers that come in order. Some types of questions do and some do not. You need to learn which ones by reading the page above carefully. Your answer is correct 🙂
Please help, I dont know where I am going wrong. After 3 attempts, I am still not getting 6 in GT reading. I find difficulty in Matching headings, T/F/NG, GAPS, AND WHEN I GO TO SECTION 3 i always see 10min remaining. AND section 3 IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT. What advise you will give me to overcome my situation
Why don’t you try doing section 3 first? You need to fine methods that work for you by testing it out at home.
“No destination too far” means “all destinations are possible”??????
I thought, “taxi dont go too far”. So i chose “FALSE” 🙁
The full sentence would be: No destination is too far for us to go.