IELTS Listening Practice: Selecting Names from a List

by 23 Comments

This IELTS listening practice is based on multiple choice when you must choose names from a list. Be prepared to hear many names – try to listen out for the names which answer the question.

Health Care Conference

Multiple Choice Questions 1-3

Who will be lecturing at the conference today?

Choose three letters, A-G.

  • A = Dr Christopher Lord
  • B = Dr David Bishop
  • C = Dr George Ripley
  • D = Dr William Benson
  • E = Dr Roger Dean
  • F = Dr Daisy Mandalay
  • G = Dr Ralph Morris

 

 

Answers

Answers

E  A  B (any order). This question counts for answers 1, 2 and 3. This means three points – one point for each correct answer.

  • E = ‘Dr Roger Dean who will be presenting his speech…’
  • A = ‘Dr Christopher Lord will address everyone…’
  • B = ‘Dr David Bishop, as I mentioned earlier, will take the floor to tell you about…’

Comments: The answer is not C (Dr George Ripley) because he is talking tomorrow not today. The answer is not D (Dr William Benson) because he is running a debate. He is not giving a lecture. The answer is not F (Dr Daisy Mandalay) because she is showing a video not talking. The answer is not G (Dr Ralph Morris) because he is collecting feedback and not speaking.

The key to success in this listening practice is to identify the word “lecture” as the key word in the question. Many names are mentioned but only three people are actually lecturing today.

Transcript

Transcript

Today’s topic under discussion is the health care system both past and present. We have a number of guests for today’s lectures, videos and debates, one of them the notable Dr David Bishop.

The morning will be kicked off by Dr Roger Dean who will be presenting his speech summarising the major changes and challenges of the health care system from the year 2000 to around 2012. Following him, will be Dr William Benson who will oversee the debate on today’s problems for hospitals. After lunch, Dr Daisy Mandalay will be showing a revealing video relating to the current trends in health problems faced by today’s society. Dr Christopher Lord will then address everyone on the problems faced by family doctors and the vital role they play in the health care system. Last, but not least, Dr David Bishop, as I mentioned earlier, will take the floor to tell you about his current research. Dr Ralph Morris will be responsible for collecting your feedback on the various parts of the conference at the end of the day. That will conclude our seminars for the day. Tomorrow’s conference details will be put up on the notice board later this afternoon but you will be all please to know that Dr George Ripley has agreed to lecture you all.

 Vocabulary

Vocabulary

give a lecture / to  lecture Synonyms:

  • give a talk about / on
  • to address people on
  • give a seminar on
  • hold a seminar on
  • to take the floor (to talk)
  • to instruct people on
  • to give a speech about / on
  • to present a speech / talk on about

 

Recommended for IELTS Listening:

Listening for Names Practice & Tips

List of Common English Names – Pronunciation

Multiple Choice Practice for Listening & Reading

All IELTS Listening Lessons, Tips & Free Videos

Main IELTS Pages

Develop your IELTS skills with tips, lessons, free videos and more.

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With:

IELTS Reading: GM Foods Multiple Choice

by 59 Comments

Below is a reading passage on GM foods which require you to answer multiple choice questions. This is a useful exercise to practise reading and build awareness of vocabulary for this topic.

Reading Passage: GM Food

Genetically modified food (GM food) is produced from plants which have had their genes tweaked in the lab. Scientists “cut and paste” a gene from another organism into a plant’s DNA to give it a new characteristic. This can be to increase yield or to allow the plant to exist in a more hostile environment than normal. Pro-GM scientists say this means cheaper more plentiful food but opponents argue we do not know the consequences of meddling with nature.

Farmers have modified their crops for thousands of years by crossing similar species. However, modern GM is controversial. Critics say the modified crops could “escape” and cross with wild plants, with unknown consequences. They also argue that more chemicals are used on some GM fields which may have a negative impact on wildlife. And while no study has found GM food to be harmful to humans, opponents say it is too soon to be sure.

A group of biotechnology experts say it is time to loosen Europe’s draconian regulations on genetically modified crops. In a report released today they argue that genetically modified crops have been used safely for decades, so no longer need to be automatically treated as unsafe. They also say that genetically modified crops should be reclaimed from multinational companies and treated as a public good.

Questions 1-5

Choose the best answer A-C to complete the sentence.

1. The genetic makeup of GM foods has been………

a) twisted.

b) altered.

c) cut.

2. By genetically engineering plants, they are……………

a) likely to increase in size.

b) able to produce more.

c) not able to exist in difficult conditions.

3. One issue with GM plants is the potential to………

a) breakout causing undetermined consequences.

b) infect wild plants with unknown results.

c) cross pollinate.

4. It is thought, by specialists in biotechnology that policies governing GM crops should be…….

a) tightened.

b) relaxed.

c) reviewed.

5. GM foods ought to be ……….

a) reclaimed for the use of multinational companies.

b) used safely.

c) no longer privatised.

ANSWERS

Click below:

Answers
  1. b
  2. b
  3. c
  4. b
  5. c

All reading exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.   

Liz 

Vocabulary
  • tweak = adjust, modify, regular (the synonyms relate to the context)
  • cross with = reproduce with, cross pollinate
  • meddling with = interfering with
  • loosened = relaxed
  • regulations = rules / policies
  • experts = specialists
  • released = made public / issued / announced
  • draconian = strict / tough / harsh

Passage from: BBC News and New Scientist 14/03/14 

.

GM Foods Topic – It is also possible to get this topic for writing task 2 or speaking part 3 in your IELTS test. Use this article to learn ideas and useful vocabulary.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ALL READING PRACTICE LESSONS & TIPS

FREE SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email.

.

Filed Under: IELTS Reading Tagged With: ,

Multiple Choice Question in IELTS Listening

by 55 Comments

It is possible to have a multiple choice question in section 1 of IELTS listening. In section 1, you need to listen to two speakers and with this type of question you need to choose between various options in each answer. In section 1, the multiple choice questions and answer options are slightly easier. Don’t forget that you will probably hear the information from more than one option in the recording, but only one will be the right answer.

IELTS Listening Practice: Multiple Choice Questions

Questions 1-3: Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

1. Dinner is on

A. Friday at 6pm
B. Friday at 7pm
C. Friday at 7.30pm

2. Beth is

A. vegetarian
B. unable to eat anything made from milk
C. able to cheesecake

3. Beth will need to park

A. in another part of the street
B. next door
C. in a car park down the road

RECORDING:

.

.

Transcript and Answers

Click below to reveal the transcript and answers to this lesson:

Transcript
Hi, Beth. Do you fancy coming round to dinner sometime this week?
That sounds lovely I’m pretty busy at the start of the week but I’m free on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening.
Great. Let’s make it Friday at 7pm then.
Oh sorry, I’ve just remembered that I’ve got a meeting on Friday and won’t finish until at least 6 so there’s no way I’ll make it for 7.
Shall we make it half past 7 then? Would that be better?
Yes. I’m sure I’ll be able to make it for then.
I was thinking of doing a chicken roast with cheesecake to follow. Is that ok or are you vegetarian again?
Well, I did go through a vegetarian period a while ago but I’m not veggie anymore. However I have just discovered that I’m lactose intolerant so I have to avoid any milk products which means I’ll have to pass on the cheesecake I’m afraid.
Oh that’s alright. I’ll just do something else for dessert then.
Great. Sorry to be a bother.
Don’t worry it’s absolutely fine. Oh by the way, you’ll need to park a quite a few doors down because there’s building work going on next door and our part of the road is occupied.
Ok, thanks for letting me know. See you Friday.
Bye
Answers
1. C
2. B
‘… I’m lactose intolerant so I have to avoid any milk products…’
The answer can’t be C because Beth says ‘…I’ll have to pass on the cheesecake..’ and this means she must say no to the cheesecake.
3. A
‘…you’ll need to park a quite a few doors down..’ because ‘…our part of the road is occupied .’ and this means further down in another part of the street.

.

Recommended

FREE SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email.

.

Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With: ,

IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Practice & Essential Tips

by 359 Comments

This lesson focuses on IELTS listening multiple choice questions and offers tips, practice and useful vocabulary to help you achieve your best. Multiple choice questions are the most difficult of all the questions in IELTS listening and you need to develop the right techniques to deal with them in order to do well.

On this page, you will find:

  1. Multiple Choice Tips
  2. Multiple Choice Practice Lessons
    1. Practice 1: Long List Selection
    2. Practice 2: Picture Selection
    3. Practice 3: Common IELTS MC questions.

1) IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Tips

Preparing the Questions:

  1. check for a title
  2. you might be asked to respond to a question or complete a sentence
  3. find keywords in the question
    1. the keywords will help you understand which answers are right and which are wrong
    2. paraphrase the keywords
    3. if it is a list selection multiple choice, underline the number of answers you need to find – for example, choose three letters.

Preparing the Multiple Answers Options

  1. Read through the answer options
    1. highlight similar options so you don’t get confused
    2. note the differences between those options
    3. think of paraphrases for keywords
  2. All answer options will probably be mentioned in the recording – but only one will be the right answer.
  3. The questions come in order but the answer options will not come in order in the recording, for example you might hear language about option B before you hear option A.
  4. Don’t think that the first answer you hear is the correct one – keep listening. 
  5. Watch out for answers that are given and then taken away again by the speaker. This means the speaking say “green” but later says “sorry, I meant blue”.
  6. Listen for the word “but” or “however” this can mean a negative is coming which means it might not be the right answer.
  7. If you think an answer is correct, put a tick but keep listening to make sure it is right.
  8. You can write on your question paper for the paper test so use ticks and crosses for right and wrong answers.
  9. Don’t forget, you can only listen once to the recording in your test. You can’t pause the recording.
  10. You must develop speed reading skills to be able to read all answers and spot keywords before the recording starts. This skill comes with practice.

Types of Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Listening

There are four types of multiple choice questions that have appeared in the IELTS Listening Test over the years.  Below you can see examples of them:

IELTS Multiple Choice Listening Question- Answering a Question Three Options

IELTS Multiple Choice Listening Question - finish the sentence

Multiple Choice IELTS Listening Question - Long List

Picture Multiple Choice Sample Question IELTS Listening

In your test, you will not see the words “Type 1” – this label is just for your reference on my website. As you can see above, there are Multiple Choice Questions that ask you to: 1) answer a question  2) complete a sentence  3) select from a long list  4) choose a picture (this is the least common and rarely appears but is still worth preparing for). For each type, your answer will be a letter. I have practice lessons so you can get used to these kinds of questions. See below.

3) Practice Lessons for Multiple Choice IELTS Listening

Below you will find three types of Multiple Choice Listening Practice Lessons. Take your time to do the exercises and also make sure you spend time after to review the transcripts so that you can analyse language, keywords and review your strategies. Enjoy!

Multiple Choice Listening Practice 1

Listening Topic: Health Care Conference

Questions 1-3: Who will be lecturing at the conference today?

Choose three options from the following list (A-G) as your answers

  • A = Dr Christopher Lord
  • B = Dr David Bishop
  • C = Dr George Ripley
  • D = Dr William Benson
  • E = Dr Roger Dean
  • F = Dr Daisy Mandalay
  • G = Dr Ralph Morris

Recording: 

.

ANSWERS & TRANSCRIPT

. It’s always best to check your answers reading the transcript and listening again to the recording. This is a great way to develop your listening awareness. After that, check the answer key.

Transcript

Transcript

Today’s topic under discussion is the health care system both past and present. We have a number of guests for today’s lectures, videos and debates, one of them the notable Dr David Bishop.

The morning will be kicked off by Dr Roger Dean who will be presenting his speech summarising the major changes and challenges of the health care system from the year 2000 to around 2012. Following him, will be Dr William Benson who will oversee the debate on today’s problems for hospitals. After lunch, Dr Daisy Mandalay will be showing a revealing video relating to the current trends in health problems faced by today’s society. Dr Christopher Lord will then address everyone on the problems faced by family doctors and the vital role they play in the health care system. Last, but not least, Dr David Bishop, as I mentioned earlier, will take the floor to tell you about his current research. Dr Ralph Morris will be responsible for collecting your feedback on the various parts of the conference at the end of the day. That will conclude our seminars for the day. Tomorrow’s conference details will be put up on the notice board later this afternoon but you will be all please to know that Dr George Ripley has agreed to lecture you all.

Answers

Answers

E  A  B (any order ). This question counts for answers to questions 1, 2 and 3. This means three points – one point for each correct answer. Because they are three questions from the same list, your answers (letters) can b written in any order.

  1. E
    • ‘Dr Roger Dean who will be presenting his speech…’
  2. A
    • ‘Dr Christopher Lord will address everyone…’
  3. B
    • ‘Dr David Bishop, as I mentioned earlier, will take the floor to tell you about…’

Comments: The answer is not C (Dr George Ripley) because he is talking tomorrow not today. The answer is not D (Dr William Benson) because he is running a debate. He is not giving a lecture. The answer is not F (Dr Daisy Mandalay) because she is showing a video not talking. The answer is not G (Dr Ralph Morris) because he is collecting feedback and not speaking.

The key to success in this listening practice is to identify the word “lecture” as the key word in the question. Many names are mentioned but only three people are actually lecturing today.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

give a lecture / to  lecture Synonyms:

  • give a talk about / on
  • to address people on
  • give a seminar on
  • hold a seminar on
  • to take the floor (to talk)
  • to instruct people on
  • to give a speech about / on
  • to present a speech / talk on about

.

**********************

Listening Multiple Choice for IELTS Practice 2

This is an example of a picture multiple choice. You must choose the correct picture as your answer based on the description in the recording. As always, your answer will be a letter.

Listening Topic: Mammoths

Question 1: Which type of mammoth is this lecture going to focus on?

Choose the correct letter A-C

Recording: 

.

ANSWER & TRANSCRIPT

Click below to reveal vocabulary, transcript and answer:

Vocabulary
mammoth = prehistoric animal now extinct similar in shape to an elephant
physiology = make-up / structure
prominent = major / outstanding
parts of an elephant and mammoth = tusks, trunk, large ears
huge / colossal = enormous / extremely large
Transcript
There is evidence of much change and development in the mammoth. We can see the Ambelodon 20 million years ago, the Stegodon 12 million years ago and finally the Stegotetrabelodon which existed somewhere between 7.5 to 4.5 million years ago. There seem to have been a number of changes in the physiology of the mammoth, the most prominent were in the height, the size of the ears and the shape of the head and tusks. Today, I’m going to be focusing, on the one most of us associate with the ‘so-called’ classic shape and size of a mammoth and which is most known for its huge curving tusks and colossal size.
Answer
B
‘Today, I’m going to be focusing on….. which is most known for its huge curving tusks and colossal size.’. This lesson is the perfect example of how you need to be patient and not get lost in long, technical words, because at the end of the day, the keywords were at the end and the rest was irrelevant information to the answer.

.

*******************

Multiple Choice Questions Listening Practice 3

Listening Topic: Dashford Study Center

Questions 1-4: Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

  1. Membership at the study center is 20 pounds

A. for everyone.
B. for everyone except the elderly and students.
C. for everyone each year.

2. Members are able to take out

A. an unlimited amount of books.
B. a maximum of 3 books.
C. 3 books for 3 days.

3. Booking is unnecessary for

A. the yoga, dance and gentle exercise classes.
B. general fitness classes.
C. the walking class.

4. Arts and crafts classes are taught by

A. volunteers.
B. teachers.
C. teachers and volunteers.

RECORDING:

.

TRANSCRIPT & ANSWERS

Below you can click to reveal the transcript and answers for this lesson.

Transcript

The study center in Dashford was opened to give free educational and recreational services to the community of Dashford. Membership is free for over 65’s as well as for students, as long as they have a student ID. For everyone else it is an annual membership of 20 pounds.

Members are able to enjoy full access to our extensive library. The library comprises of a comprehensive collection of classic literature, resource books, children’s books, history books and popular literature. As members, you are able to borrow up to 3 books at a time for up to 4 days.

Our recreational services extend for both members and non-members. We offer social and leisure activities for all age groups. Our yoga, dance and gentle exercise classes are extremely popular and booking ahead is required to ensure your place on one of these courses. However, our walking group, who meet once a week, offer unlimited places but you do have to have a good level of general fitness. We also have IT classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. But for those of you who are more creative, there are arts and crafts classes which are run by a qualified teacher with volunteer support. Before checking everything why don’t you take a look around and see what you might be interested in.

Answers
  1. B
    • Common trap – Always be careful of words that you hear in the recording and see in the answer options – always look out for extra words such as “everyone else“.
  2. B
    • A maximum of 3 = up to 3. This is a direct paraphrase.
  3. C
    • unlimited places = no need to book
      The trap in this question is that the word ‘booking’ was used with the information about yoga, dance and exercise – IELTS often give the same word with the wrong answer.
  4. B
    • The classes are run by teachers = the classes are taught by teachers. The volunteers only support, they do not teach.

.

***********************

IELTS Multiple Choice Listening Video

A useful video to review Multiple Choice Techniques.

RECOMMENDED FOR LISTENING

Click below:

FREE SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email.

.

Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With: ,

Multiple Choice in IELTS Listening

by 45 Comments

It is possible to get a multiple choice question in all sections of IELTS listening. The exercise below is based on section 2, which means it’s one speaker talking on a social topic. Make sure you read through each question and check the options possible before you start listening.

Multiple Choice Questions for IELTS Listening

Dashford Study Center

Questions 1-4: Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

1. Membership at the study center is 20 pounds

A. for everyone.
B. for everyone except the elderly and students.
C. for everyone each year.

2. Members are able to take out

A. an unlimited amount of books.
B. a maximum of 3 books.
C. 3 books for 3 days.

3. Booking is unnecessary for

A. the yoga, dance and gentle exercise classes.
B. general fitness classes.
C. the walking class.

4. Arts and crafts classes are taught by

A. volunteers.
B. teachers.
C. teachers and volunteers.

Transcript & Answers

Below you can click to reveal the transcript and answers for this lesson.

Transcript

The study center in Dashford was opened to give free educational and recreational services to the community of Dashford. Membership is free for over 65’s as well as for students, as long as they have a student ID. For everyone else it is an annual membership of 20 pounds.

Members are able to enjoy full access to our extensive library. The library comprises of a comprehensive collection of classic literature, resource books, children’s books, history books and popular literature. As members, you are able to borrow up to 3 books at a time for up to 4 days.

Our recreational services extend for both members and non-members. We offer social and leisure activities for all age groups. Our yoga, dance and gentle exercise classes are extremely popular and booking ahead is required to ensure your place on one of these courses. However, our walking group, who meet once a week, offer unlimited places but you do have to have a good level of general fitness. We also have IT classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. But for those of you who are more creative, there are arts and crafts classes which are run by a qualified teacher with volunteer support. Before checking everything why don’t you take a look around and see what you might be interested in.

Answers
1. B
Common trap – IELTS often give the same words in the multiple choice options and the audio in order to trap you. This question is testing if you know the difference between the words ‘everyone’ and ‘everyone else’. You can also see that IELTS has paraphrased ‘over 65’s’ for ‘the elderly’.
2. B
A maximum of 3 = up to 3. This is a direct paraphrase.
3. C
unlimited places = no need to book
The trap in this question is that the word ‘booking’ was used with the information about yoga, dance and exercise – IELTS often give the same word with the wrong answer.
4. B
This is a test of your vocabulary. The classes are run by teachers = the classes are taught by teachers. The volunteers only support, they do not teach.

Recommended

  • More Multiple Choice Practice, click here
  • Picture Multiple Choice, click here
Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With: ,

IELTS Multiple Choice Reading Practice

by 90 Comments

This multiple choice reading practice has lots of academic language similar to the academic paper in IELTS reading.

First Test to Predict Alzheimer’s

The world’s first blood test to predict Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms occur has been developed. The test identifies 10 chemicals in the blood associated with the disease two to three years before symptoms start, but it might be able to predict Alzheimer’s decades earlier.

Globally, 35 million people are living with Alzheimer’s. It is characterised by a toxic build up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, which destroys the neurons. Several blood tests can diagnose the disease, but until now, none have had the sensitivity to predict its onset.

But with no treatments available, would anyone want to take these tests? Mapstone says “In my experience, the majority of people are very interested to know whether they will get Alzheimer’s. They believe that knowledge is power – particularly when it comes to your own health. We may not have any therapy yet but there are things we can do – we can get our financial and legal affairs in order, plan for future care, and inform family members.”

Passage from New Scientist, 09/03/14

Questions 1 – 3: Choose the correct letter A-C

  1. The test can predict Alzheimer’s…….

a) two or three years before signs of the illness begin.

b) two or three years from the start of the symptoms.

c) a decade before.

 2. This test is the first blood test which can …….

a) indicate possible treatments of Alzheimer’s.

b) estimate the start of the disease.

c) offer insight into the disease.

3. Mapstone believes that ….

a) this test will help people understand Alzheimer’s.

b) people want to know about their health.

c) people want power.

Answers

Click below to reveal the answers.

Answers

1 = a   Before symptoms start = before signs of the illness begin (2nd sentence)

2 = b   Estimate the start = predict its onset (2nd paragraph, last sentence)

3 = b

Vocab Builder

  • symptoms = signs of an illness
  • characterise = describe the nature of
  • predict = foresee / forecast / foretell
  • occur = happen / came about
  • associated with = connected to
  • characterise = typify / exemplify
  • symptoms = signs (of an illness)
  • onset = start / inception
  • get financial affairs in order = sort out one’s finances

All reading exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.   

Liz

.

FREE SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email.

.

Filed Under: IELTS Reading Tagged With: ,

IELTS Listening: List Selection

by 118 Comments

IELTS listening practice for list selection which is a type of multiple choice.

A Museum Visit

Questions 1-3: Choose three letters, A-G.

What three things are not allowed to be brought into the museum?

A. camera
B. bags
C. food and drink
D. phone
E. pens
F. notebooks
G. coats

 

Answers

Click below to reveal answers:

Answers

A, C, D (any order). You must have all 3 correct for one point.

  1. A = ‘… won’t be able to take your camera into the museum…’
    2. D = ‘…that goes for phones too’. This means that the same rule for cameras also applies to phones, both are forbidden.
    3. C = ‘If you’re in need of refreshments, you’ll have to make your way to our cafe as you can’t bring your own inside’. Refreshments = food and drink (paraphrase)

The answer can’t be B because you are able to choose if you want to leave your bag in the locker room or not. This means it is not forbidden.

Transcript
There are a few things which you will need to know before you come to the museum. You won’t be able to take your camera into the museum as photos are forbidden which means that that goes for phones too. If you want pictures of the exhibitions can you’ll have to buy the museum guide book which has information as well as pictures of most of our famous exhibits. If you have a bag and you don’t want to carry it round with you, then you can store it in the locker room on the ground floor near the entrance. You’re welcome to walk around with your notebooks to sketch or make notes on our displays. If you’re in need of refreshments, you’ll have to make your way to our cafe as you can’t bring your own inside. Well, that’s the list of does and don’ts. Hope you enjoy your visit.

 

IELTS Multiple Choice Tips

This video offers more listening practice and tips for this type of listening in IELTS.

…………………….

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

 

Filed Under: IELTS Listening Tagged With: , ,

IELTS Reading: Multiple Choice Practice & Essential Tips

by 45 Comments

Practice lessons and tips for IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Questions. These types of questions appear often in the IELTS reading test. They require you to locate information in a reading passage and decide on the best answer option from a given list. They are easier than they seem.

Multiple Choice Tips for IELTS Reading

IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Question Types

There are different kinds of multiple choice questions.

A. Multiple Choice Question: a question to answer

What is the most important task ahead?

  • A    organising information
  • B    informing people of decisions
  • C   collecting data

As you see, you are given a question with three possible answers. There are nearly always three options. You must locate the information given in the question, in the passage and then choose the right options as an answer. Each option is a letter. Your answer must be a letter, for example A. If you write words as your answer, it will be marked wrong.

B. Multiple Choice Question: a sentence to complete

Procrastination is problematic because

  • A    it is a time waster.
  • B    it damages people’s health.
  • C    other people are affected by it.

Each of the answer options offers a possible ending to the sentence. You must locate the sentence in the passage and select the right ending. Again, your answer must be a letter or your answer will be marked wrong. Your answer cannot be a word or words.

Essential Tips for Multiple Choice Questions

  1. The answers will come in order in the passage. This means that the answer to question 1 will come first and then the answer to question 2 will come after that.
  2. You might find language or information relating to all answer options. This is why most people get confused about multiple choice questions. Many people think they will only see information about one option.
  3. Even if most or all options are mentioned, only one option will be the right one. There is only ever one possible answer.
  4. To choose the right answer means you really need to read for meaning rather than just matching words.
  5. The answer options, if they are present in the passage, will not be in order necessarily.
  6. Analyse the questions and answer options.
    • Make sure you understand the meaning fully before you look for the answer in the passage.
    • Not analysing the question and answer options is the main reason people choose the wrong answer and also the main reason they waste time.
    • Analysing the question and answer options is a time saver.
    • Correct answer in IELTS reading are not about matching words, but about deeper meaning.
  7. Prepare possible paraphrases and synonyms in the questions and answer options before you check the passage.
  8. Spot keywords in the question and answers.
  9. Take time to notice the difference between the answer options.
  10. Scan the passage for the paraphrases, synonyms, keywords and similar information.
  11. Once you locate the information in the passage, return to the questions and check all the answer options again.
    1. Focus on the difference in meaning between the options.
    2. You might also notice similarities between options – that is one way you end up choosing the wrong question. Some answer options might be similar with only small differences. So, pay attention to it all.
  12. Then return to the passage to make your choice.
  13. Read the surrounding sentences before deciding the answer
    • there might be more information in the passage that you need to know about.
  14. And remember, your answer must be a letter.

IELTS Reading Multiple Choice Practice Lessons

Below are two reading passages for you to practice Multiple Choice for IELTS Reading. The levels of these passages vary to help you gain familiarity and confidence. Both GT and academic candidates can benefit from these exercises.

Multiple Choice Practice Lesson 1

An easy introduction to MC questions for you.

All About Rice

The first rice may have been grown in East and South Asia as long as 15,000 years ago, when people began to settle in river deltas and domesticated wild rice. Today it is grown practically everywhere, except Antarctica! Rice is grown on flooded land and on dry land, in tropical rain forests of Africa and in arid deserts of the Middle East, on coastal plains and on the Himalayan mountains.
In the year 2003, the world produced about 589 million tonnes of paddy rice. Most of that (about 534 million tones) was grown in Asia. In 2002, it is estimated that rice fields covered almost 1.5 million square km of land. Again, most of those fields are in Asia – around 1.3 million square km.

Questions 1 – 2:  Choose the correct letter (A-C) for your answer.

1. Where is rice grown?

A   everywhere
B   almost everywhere
C   mainly on flood lands and coastal plains

2. In 2002, rice fields covered about ……………

A   1.5 million square miles of land.
B   1.3 million square km of land in China.
C   1.5 million square km of land in the world.

ANSWERS

Click below:

ANSWERS
  1. B
    • This is testing both your vocabulary and general understanding of the passage. In the passage, it says ‘rice is grown everywhere except Antarctica’. This means it is grown everywhere except one place. This means it isn’t actually grown everywhere because there is one place where it isn’t grown. So, the answer can’t be A, even though there are matching words between question and passage. this is how many people choose the wrong answer because they match words and forget to match meaning instead.
    • If you aren’t sure of an answer, guess. Never leave an answer box empty.
  2. C
    • This question is a typical example of how confusing options can be if you don’t spot the keywords. Is the answer option about square miles or square km – that is a difference you needed to spot. And is the passage giving information about land used in China or in the world. All these can be subtle differences and easy to miss. I hope you got this question right.

.

******************

Multiple Choice Reading Practice 2

GM Foods

Genetically modified food is produced from plants which have had their genes tweaked in the lab. Scientists “cut and paste” a gene from another organism into a plant’s DNA to give it a new characteristic. This can be to increase yield or to allow the plant to exist in a more hostile environment than normal. Pro-GM scientists say this means cheaper more plentiful food but opponents argue we do not know the consequences of meddling with nature.

Farmers have modified their crops for thousands of years by crossing similar species. However, modern GM is controversial. Critics say the modified crops could “escape” and cross with wild plants, with unknown consequences. They also argue that more chemicals are used on some GM fields which may have a negative impact on wildlife. And while no study has found GM food to be harmful to humans, opponents say it is too soon to be sure.

A group of biotechnology experts say it is time to loosen Europe’s draconian regulations on genetically modified crops. In a report released today they argue that genetically modified crops have been used safely for decades, so no longer need to be automatically treated as unsafe. They also say that genetically modified crops should be reclaimed from multinational companies and treated as a public good.

Questions 1-5: Choose the best answer from A-C.

1. The genetic makeup of GM foods has been………

  • A   twisted.
  • B    altered.
  • C   cut.

2. By genetically engineering plants, they are……………

  • A   likely to increase in size.
  • B   able to produce more.
  • C   not able to exist in difficult conditions.

3. One issue with GM plants is the potential to………

  • A   breakout causing undetermined consequences.
  • B   infect wild plants with unknown results.
  • C   cross pollinate.

4. It is thought, by specialists in biotechnology that policies governing GM crops should be…….

  • A   tightened.
  • B   relaxed.
  • C   reviewed.

5. GM foods ought to be ……….

  • A   reclaimed for the use of multinational companies.
  • B    used safely.
  • C   no longer privatised.

ANSWERS

Click below to reveal answers:

Answers
  1. B
  2. B
  3. C
  4. B
  5. C
Vocabulary
  • tweak = adjust, modify, regular (the synonyms relate to the context)
  • cross with = reproduce with, cross pollinate
  • meddling with = interfering with
  • loosened = relaxed
  • regulations = rules / policies
  • experts = specialists
  • released = made public / issued / announced
  • draconian = strict / tough / harsh

Passage adapted from: BBC News and New Scientist

.

ADVICE: GM food topic can appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 and also Speaking Part 3. Always use my reading passages to review language and ideas for other parts of the IELTS Test.

.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

FREE SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to get new lessons & tips by email.

.

Filed Under: IELTS Reading Tagged With: ,
error: Content is protected !!