Let me explain about IELTS reading with regards to comprehending the passage and how to deal with long passages that are difficult to understand. The advice below is for the academic reading passages and also passage 3 of the GT paper, which is also a long passage.
I don’t have enough time to answer all questions in IELTS Reading
If you struggle with the time limit in IELTS reading, it is possible that you are not using the right strategies and approach. Many people spend too much time reading all the details in the reading passage instead of winning points by getting answers right. You need to have the right aims when you tackle a reading passage.
Do you need to remember and understanding it all?
Remembering:
How do I remember everything I have read?
The answer is – you don’t. IELTS reading is not about remembering what you have read or what each paragraph contains. First reading the question, then locate the area of the passage where the answer is found. Usually it is only a few sentences. You then check the question again to choose your answer. You don’t need to remember all the passage or even a long paragraph.
Comprehension:
How can I understand everything if the passage is long and difficult?
The answer is – you don’t. IELTS reading is not about understanding everything. It is about locating answers and winning points. Usually, as I said above, the answer is located in an area of the passage so all you need to do is understand those few sentences in the passage that relate to the question.
IELTS Reading Tips for Strategy
Skimming and Scanning Skills
Skimming
When you first get your reading passage, you should skim read it. This means you cast your eyes over the passage to get to know the general topic and content as well as to see the general layout of the passage. This should take less than 2 minutes. If you are spending more than 2 mins skim reading, it means you can’t skimming and need to review your understanding of this skill. You are not aiming to understand it, you just want to see what the passage is about before you tackle the questions. It’s like taking a quick peek before you get to the questions.
Scanning
After you skim read the passage, you go straight to the questions. Pay attention to what type of question type it is and remember your techniques and tips for that particular question type. Find a keyword or information in the question to help you locate the answer. You scan the passage by casting your eyes over the words to locate the key information from the question. This should be done with speed to spot a word or piece of information rather than understand each sentence.
Deciding your Answer
Once you locate the place in the passage that contains the answer, you read the sentences before and after to find your answer. This means you only need to understand those few sentences. Then you move to the next question and do the same. You don’t need to understand the whole passage at all.
Time Management & Winning Points
You have only one hour for the whole reading test including putting all the answers into the computer or onto the answer sheet. You manage this time yourself. You can start where you want, jump questions and jump to different passages.
Each answer is worth only one point and your aim is to get as many points as possible. If you spend a lot of time on one answer, think about its value. Each answer is worth the same so choose how long you want to spend on different questions. And remember you can always leave a question unanswered to come back to it later.
Some questions are easier than others. For example, Matching Headings questions are notorious for taking a long time to answer. So, think about how long you want to spend on those questions.
Make sure you know how many points you need for the band score you are aiming at. Click here: IELTS Band Scores
IELTS Reading Steps
- skim the passage (read quickly to get general content and layout)
- read the questions
- identify the type of question
- remember your techniques and tips for that question type
- find a key word or information in the question to help you locate the answer in the passage
- scan the passage by passing your eyes over the paragraphs to find the key word or information from the question
- when you find the location, read the sentences before and after
- always read around the answer to check other information
- try to understand the few sentences around the location of the answer
- when you find the answer, move to the next question
- don’t spend too long trying to find one answer
- remember that each answer is only worth one point
Question Types
Have a clear strategy for each of the different question types. There are about 14 in total (it depends on how you categorise the question names). So, take a look at the list of question types and make sure you know how to deal with them: IELTS Reading Question Types: Tips and Information
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
- How to Improve Your Reading Score
- Yes No Not Given Reading Practice
- Matching Headings Reading Practice
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Hi dear Liz.
Thank you very much for all the guidance you provide.
– What is the best method for improving reading comprehension?
– Besides reading IELTS practice texts, does reading storybooks help? If so, can you recommend some short or long storybooks for improvement?
– If the answer to a question is exactly in a sentence containing a word I don’t understand, and that word directly affects finding the correct answer, what should I do?
IELTS reading is about locating information and choosing answers. It isn’t really about a reading comprehension or reading a story or understand the whole passage. It is analytical reading to gain points. This page contains all my free reading materials. Take your time to review lessons. Your aim is not to complete them, but to analyse questions, passages, language, keywords, paraphrases and techniques for the various question types. These are the reading exam skills you need.
If your level of English is too low for the band score you want, then improving your level of English is crucial. To do this, it will include wide reading which could be novels, but also articles, news, magazines etc covering a vast range of topics. But that is about improving your English and getting used to reading in English. IELTS reading exam skills are different and require knowledge of question types with awareness of paraphrasing, keywords and other skills, such as skimming and scanning.
what no of ielts Cambridge books we should practice for better score dear Liz?
The newest test book is number 19, but the test books published before that are also find to use. Each year IELTS release a collection of tests for you to practice from. The test hasn’t changed during these recent years and only minimally over the last decade.
It was very informative for me.
I wish you the best.
Thank you.
Glad you found it useful 🙂
I have a better visibility about the IELTS after seeing all your tips and strategies.
Now, I feel have enough confident to face the IELTS exam….
Thanks
Rajkumar
I’m glad your confidence is growing. Make sure to also prepare from the IELTS Cambridge test books because they contain real tests published by IELTS.
Thank you so much ma’am 🙏🙏
I was to confused about my passage practice but now I feel cool thank you ma’am
Glad you are feeling more confident.
Liz, what a mentor you are! I consumed almost every material on your site back in 2017 and got an overall 8.0 in my first attempt (Listening 8.5, Reading 7.5, Writing 7.0, Speaking 8.0). Since then, I have been teaching IELTS within my local area using your tips and the results have been awesome. Your site is indeed a perfect resource for students and tutors alike. Well done boss!
So glad to hear you’ve not only done well yourself but that you are also helping others!! Brilliant!!
Totally True , I had the same experience back in 2019 , I prepared with the youtube hannel of Mrs Liz and the gret tips in the articles here , I bought a book containing mock tests , Mrs Liz insights really helped me a lot , I got 7.5 band score in my first attempt , I’m always grateful and thanks for making all these ressources available for free , I’m now preparing now to pass a German language exam and all these tips can be applied also in the reading part also !!
liz you are the best. I never got this much information before.
So glad you are enjoy my lessons 🙂
thank you for free lessons
I just got to know this site. Am excited about it. Is awesome. Thank you for this great teaching. I am hoping to take my first test when am fully prepared with this great lessons. Thank you. I appreciate you.
Good luck!
You are gem Liz I really admire u.
Thank you Liz! You’re extremely helpful!
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Liz. Your lessons are very valuable, however I can’t give true answers to paragraph matching (ABCD,, ).
I need advice
All you need to do is find the paraphrase of the information in one of the paragraphs. Paraphrasing is the key.
My lovely teacher i am learning a lot from you now.So God Bless you ❤️
you are helpful
I usually struggle with long passages especially the third passage in GT due to time. Thanks for the tips I will apply them.
Liz,
You are absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
Sincere Thanks.
Subha
Hello benevolent Liz
Tnx to your sympathy for English students.
I’m an English instructor and using your tips to further both mine and my student’s skills.You are one in a million
Glad my website is useful 🙂
actually it is.. by reading your articals .. a lot of things has been clear to me .. for this thankx a lot mama.. its really great help to find those tips ..
yes it is, Mam !
Mam you are angle for us. God Bless you
thanks liz for the enormous support :}
Hello your channel on you tube is very helpful for allthe students please give me reding skills
hi liz,
first thanks for all your help,
i have one question .. in case of TFNG , HEADING MATCHING types of question what would be better ?
1. read one que. then find answer
or
2. read all que then look for ans?
plz reply my exam in few days after
Both question types have different techniques. For matching headings, you skim read the headings and then focus on one to find the answer. You don’t need to start with the first one. Just start with the one you think will be easiest to find. With matching headings, you do not need to skim read the passage first. For TFNG, you should skim read the passage first, and then read the first question only and try to find the answer. The answers will come in order for TFNG.
That was really helpful 🙂
Hi Liz,
Since we may have more headings than the paragraphs for Matching Headings, is it really advisable to focus on one heading and find its answer? Considering that the heading we’re trying to match may not even be in the passage resulting in time being wasted.
Thanks
It’s certainly possible to choose a heading and see if you can find it. The aim isn’t to spend lots of time looking. The aim is to scan the article for similar information and then decide if it matches. Also, before you do that, you would check if any other headings might be a match too. Sometimes there are similarities between headings so looking out for that helps. This way would also depend on how many headings you’ve been given and how many extra you have. If you only have one extra, this option might work. But it’s also possible to just read a paragraph and try to find the heading. This way you go through the passage paragraph by paragraph. There are no right or wrong ways to approach a passage. This is about what you feel most comfortable with.
I would like to thank,s you in order to attain several information regarding ielts
Hi Liz, Your reading suggestions are not just helping improve English but also someone’s married life. You know why ? We must not try to understand everything : – )
Plz excuse for informal writing. I just wanted to share a small joke in return of your service.
Brilliant !!! You made me laugh 🙂 I hadn’t thought of applying these tips to everyday life, including relationships – but you are absolutely right 🙂 🙂 I shall endeavour to do the same 🙂
Dear Liz,
Heartful thanks for your great efforts and service. A teacher consumes a lot of their energy to transform their knowledge into teaching just like a candle which melts to lighten up the world.
your words are so useful for a student like me who lives in a very remote area.
Thank you so much.
Shashi
Roger that
Dear Liz , I want to know how to answer all the questions in reading tests in time. I just can’t finish them in time 🙁
The page above has explained this.
Ma’am,still I feel problem with solving TFNG and yes no not given questions
See the main reading page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Hi Liz!
Could you give some tips in answering multple choice and matching headings. I’m having a hard time on that part thanks 😊
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Hi Liz ,
I would to know if IELTS Academic is considered for immigration to Australia
Thanks in advance
You need to check the requirements for immigration directly with them. I am not familiar with Australian immigration rules.
Hi Liz ,
I really appreciate you for your free help for getting good band scores . All of your content is very helpful and easy to understand. God bless you
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Liz .
I just want to thank …. your website is really too helpfull.
Hi Liz,
Unfortunately I get 4.5 in reading, and 5.0 in listening (GT). I need 6.0 at least, please can you help me to get this score.
thanks a lot
You need to improve your level of English to increase your score.
I appreciate your help. Best regards
Hey liz,
I want to take your guidance for ielts . Can you please tell what is your fees structure and how i can pay?
My website is free. Visit the main pages and you will find over 300 pages of free tips and practice lessons.
Hi Liz,
May i understand what do you mean by techniques for each question type. can u brief with an example plz??
Watch the video on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/ and you will see techniques for the TFNG questions. Each type of question has techniques.
Hi Liz!
My name Komron, and I am from Uzbekistan.
Let me ask you one crucial question to you. As you know people either learn American or British English. Is it alright to write on the answer sheet with American spelling words rather than British. For instance: color – colour or programme -program
King regards
For reading, always cope the words exactly as written in the passage. For listening or writing, you can use either US or UK spelling.
Hi Liz,
Can you let me know if the time to transfer answers to the answer sheet is inclusive in the 1 hour given for Reading section?
There is no extra time for transferring answers in IELTS Reading. You have one hour to do everything in reading. Only in listening is there one extra hour. Please see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/
Mam do we need to write all of the answers in capital letters ?
You can choose – capitals or lower case in listening and reading.
For example answer is ‘a car’ , can I write ‘A CAR’ ?
Of course, it’s fine. You can use all capital letters as you want in reading.
Mam kindly clear it
What is the difference between of GT & Academic test in Reading?
As i am confused regarding your passages are for GT or AT or both are same in the exams?
Please see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-general-training-reading-information/. All information and tips are found on the main pages of this site accessed through the red bar.
hello Elizabeth ,, thanks for this is useful blog i want ask you about different between
scanning and skimming in IELTS reading .
best regards ,,,
You can find some information about skimming and scanning on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/
I had gotten L: 5.5, R: 5.5, S: 6.5 and W: 5 three years ago. Nowadays, due to my practice in Reading and Listening I think my score is around 5.5 yet. when I am doing sample tests I usually find the location of answer correctly but sometime select wrong answer and I think one of my fault is because of not concentrate in reading. Another problem about my practice is refer to my speed in reading texts. Do you have any solution for my these problems. In addition, how much should I training to achieve 6.5 score? Is It very difficult for me to get this score as I describe my condition.
Thank you for Your help and suitable site and English subjects that share with others.
heloo.. please tell me the tips to solve the multiple choice questions in reading..
I’d advice you to read more book which you are interested .
I have a problem with speaking and listening, how can i resolve my problem, can you give me some advice
i m still confused in false or notgiven .can u please help me to solve this problems
See this lesson: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-true-false-not-given-essential-tips/
Thanks for ur suggestion liz. Can you please give me some tips for matching headings for paragraphs? I always make mistake.
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-matching-headings/
How many questions should I correct to score 8 in reading?
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-band-scores/
what does paraphasing means?
It means writing the same meaning using different language.
My Score in Other sections is high and i need a high score also in Reading but only i got low score how i can increase it.
Thank you.
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/
i am worrying about reading i got 4.5 in reading while practicing
what should i do mam?
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-tips-how-can-i-improve-my-score/
I practice at home even than my score is not improving
You also need to improve your English in order to get a higher score.
Hi mam, I want to know that when we have to answer in ” TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER” what does it exactly mean??
Does it mean 2words + 1 number or it means 1word+1number.. Please clear my doubt.
Thank you Liz mam
Watch this video: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening-25-essential-top-tips/
How to score good in all modules even after good practice ..
Hi, Liz,
Hope you are well. your tips help me a lot.
well, I have a question, which type of question I have to answer first in a passage? and is there any hierarchy of difficulty in passage order?
Thanks
Shamim
For the academic test, the passages are the same difficulty level. For the GT reading test, the first one is the easiest and they get more difficult in turn.
Dear Liz
Unfortunately, IELTS Test usually begins with speaking, and you realize well, dear, that speaking is much more difficult than reading. Why do not the examiners start by the easiest skills in English, namely; reading and writing? Since the initial performance will have deep effect on the spirit.
The speaking test is given sometimes before listening, reading and writing, or it is given after. It depends which date you are given.
Liz
Thanks a lot…. Your tips is excellent. Hats off to you and hundred times thanks to you for this lessons….:)
When the instructions says “no more than 3 words”, should mu answer always be in 3 words? Would less than 3 words be wrong?
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,please help me to improve my band score in reading from 6.5-7.5.i am just stuck at 6.5.For me matching headings and T/F/NG are the most difficult tasks.i alwasy make mistakes in this type of questions.Also i can’t finish it on time,how to manage time in IELTS reading?please help.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
There is an art to reading. I’ve also had some trouble with T/F/NG and Y/N/NG and have arrived at the following. True/False is factual statements made in the passage. Yes/No is that from the author/writer of the article/passage. I hope this helps. I would also hate it when the first T/F or Y/N is really a NG.
Hello, Liz. My question is that can I get a point despite I have given wrong answer in both listening and reading in addition to correct one?For instance, correct answer is frame. I wrote frame and wheeles. Thanks for your answer in advance.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Mam people say that we get same papar on the sane date…even if we are general student or acedemic student….. Papar is same for both on same date…. Is it true….if it is true acedemic students get band according to general marking or not
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hlo mam! British council has sent me a preparation book but i have difficulty in solving reading passage 2 that is ‘complete each sentence with the correct ending’. I want to send u the pic of that questions so that u can help me. Plz help me my exam date is 14th jan’16. Plz help me mam. I feel reading is most difficult in all modules. This is my first tym for ielts exam. Plz help me…. 🙁
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Dear Liz,
Hi. As we know IELTS reading test has three sections and in each section there are two or three or even four types of question. I want to ask how we should answer questions for each passage? Do we have to answer questions one by one, or it is better to handle first or even first two questions of each types of question in each passage together?
Thank you.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
what i want to say i love you and i love your smile as you look so friendly …and i enjoy to learn fromyou. you are special teacher that i have never seen ….ur lessons are very helpful ….keep smile all the time you are the best .
so true
Hey liz,
I am very weak in reading section for maching headings and main ideas,so please give me some tips regarding this.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Thanks Liz,for your invaluable informations,I am on your website daily practicing for my IELTS exam this Coming December.Please keep up the good work.
i love u liz
Dear Liz,
I quite appreciate you for your time in analyzing the various tips to a successful IELTS test. I’ve actually sat for the exam once and ended up with a band 6 though I wasn’t privileged to view your site for proper preparation. My major problem was in Listening and Reading especially the last 20 questions. For the Listening, I got confused with the sound of the various speakers and for the Reading, I was dazed with a long passage and difficulty in identifying the answers in the passage even when I tried to read the entire passage. Need your counsel.
Kind Regards.
Liz Harry.
For reading, you should not be reading the entire passage in order to understand it for any question other than matching headings. Skim reading takes no more than 2 mins and is not aimed at understanding. Your goal is to analyse the questions as much as you can and then locate answers using key words. For listening, you need to get the IELTS Cambridge test books and other practice test books to improve section 3. You will get more comfortable with it as you practice more. Make sure your practice is aimed at specific sections and you are not just doing full test after full test.
All the best
Liz
Which type of question I should answer first.
You answer question 1 first and then question 2. See a full reading practice test to learn how to tackle the test: https://ieltsliz.com/useful-websites-and-resources-for-ielts/
All the best
Liz
Just tell me the reason that why GT candidates are not achieving their desired bands or they have their own examiners who mark them strictly. I want to tell you that I know about GT marking in reading that it is different from AC but that’s another issue my problem is that they correct 34 to 37 in approximately 10 to 15 our institute practice tests but in real council exam they can’t even achieve 6 bands in reading the same is the case for all modules in GT.
You would need to review the type of test you gave your students as their practice test in your school. Was the practice test from one of the IELTS Cambridge books from 1 to 10? Which book?
I am actually unclear which skill you are referring to. All students take the same speaking test that has the same scoring and the same examiners. The examiners don’t even know who is doing GT and who is doing academic because it is irrelevant for speaking. For writing, scoring might be different with practice tests done at your school unless they are marked by an ex-examiner. Only ex-examiners can mark accurately.
Take time to think about where the problems lie.
All the best
Liz
Please I wanna find a native speaker to practice simulate ielts speaking test and raise my English speaking level
I try to add some on Facebook but no one accept my friendship request
Please if you can suggest someone to me I’ll be grateful to U. If not please tell me how to find someone and how to make friendship with English people
I wish I could give you advice but I don’t generally deal with English language, just IELTS skills. Facebook groups for English are useful – don’t aim for facebook friends, find the groups instead. Just type in English chat or something like that and join a group.
Liz
Namaste!!
I am very much grateful to you. I found a lot of tips regaring every tests. i want to ask you a sample answer for writing 1 and 2 so that i can use the same vocabulary in every answers.
Thankyou!!
You can find model answers on the main pages for writing task 1 and writing task 2.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz,I am Sumedh and I am from India.I gone through your articles and videos and found it really helpful.Can you please post the videos specially for Reading as my reading is poor.
Thanks,
Sumedh.
I’ll post more videos over time.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz, After see your website looks like very helpful, Actually i am based in DILI Timor Leste, i have take Several times of IELTS but i always Failed in Listening, is there any technique that may help me . need your Advise
NOE
The main techniques involve getting to know each type of question in listening so that you have a clear strategy. Being able to hear paraphrases and listening out for the answer being altered – so always keep listening even if you think you heard the answer. Also being good a spotting key words in questions and options for multiple choice. Did you take a look at the listening section on this blog? Watch the 25 tips video and then look through the MCQ video as well. I’ll put up more tips over time.
All the best
Liz
Dear Liz,
My name’s Duc from Vietnam. I have always visited your website. Your skill video lessons and tips are extremely useful and helpful.
Thank you very much, Liz!
I’m glad you’re finding my blog useful 🙂
Dear Liz,
Thanks for everything ! I am your regular follower and I would like to ask you for the tips regarding the sentence filling type. I am really weak and depressed with sentence filling because, while practicing, I always get less than 50 %. Could you please help me ? I have my exam on 1st August. Thanks !
The key is identifying different types of key words. Make a note of which words in the sentence you are likely to hear – these are words that can’t be paraphrased. Make a note of key words that show the types of answer – a noun, verb, adjective etc. Then look at words which can be paraphrased – common verbs, common nouns. It sounds like a lot to do in a short time but with practice these things become second nature. Sentence completion questions come in order so notice the order of information when you are preparing and move quickly to the next question. Also be realistic, you are more likely to get 8 out of 10 in section 2 than in section 4.
I hope that helps
Liz
Thank you liz ! One more question- is this tip applicable for both reading and listening section?Actually, I was talking about the reading test. And thank you so very much for your fast response. You are the best IELTS teacher among those I have found in web. Love you and your every lesson. Thank you again.
Yes, it’s the same techniques for both reading and listening. Words that can’t be paraphrased easily or you know you will hear, can help you identify the sentence(s) which contains the answer. Paraphrasing skills help you understand the answer. Knowing if you need a noun, verb or adj or name will help you find the correct answer. So, you need all three skills.
All the best
Liz
your site is much usefull for the Exam…Thanks lot for it..
I have poor reading skill..How do i develop it..
Dear Liz,
Thanks very much for your invaluable, interesting and free tips and explanations regarding IELTS.
However, I believe that if you could posts videos or short courses on reading tips, especially the ” which paragraph contains information”, it would be grateful, as this might be the most challenging exercise I’ve ever seen.
Please continue your very informative style of teaching which I think makes your blog the most successful ones among all the other IELTS sites, and this opinion has come after a thorough comparison of a couple of other web pages dealing with IELTS.
Kind regards,
Faraidoon
I plan to make a range of videos but it takes a lot of time to make just one. Over time more videos will come and certainly more reading videos.
All the best
Liz
Hi Liz,
Do you run IELTS preparation classes? I live in London and my main problem is the reading. I’m looking for Reading classes.
Kind regards,
Hamed
Unfortunately, I don’t have private lessons. I have just opened my store: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore but the only lesson available so far is on writing task 2.
All the best
Liz
Dear Liz,
Are there any practice test which delas with diagram labeling, maps, etc? I find it difficult for these type of questions.
Thanks
You can get practice using the IELTS Cambridge books or other practice test books.
All the best
Liz