The IELTS reading section is the second test task you will be asked to undertake, after your listening section. In under 60 minutes, you will be asked to go through three passages and mark your answers to certain tasks asked. The total number of tasks will be 40. Though seemingly straightforward, it is certainly a difficult task for many candidates to conquer throughout the globe.
Where does this difficulty arise from?
Well, to be precise, most candidates come across problems when it comes to reading three long passages and derive meaning out of it. The whole idea behind the passage and finding out the meaning behind important keywords is something people find it difficult to deal with. Reading larger texts in a shorter span of time and answering tasks based on the same is ofcourse a little difficult sometimes, especially when you are undertaking the academic exam.
One thing aspirants need to understand is that the reading section aims at highlighting your capabilities of understanding and comprehending what is written in the question and further answer questions based on your understanding. So, even if you do not fully understand the meaning of a certain word mentioned in the reading section, it is going to be alright. You can still achieve a great band score if you are focussing on the overall meaning, instead of being stuck at a particular word.
The following ten tips will ensure you are excelling at the reading section, whether academic or general.
1. Skimming through the text
There is no absolute requirement that you are required to read every single word with great precision and detail. You can read faster by skipping out a few words. The easiest way to do this is to look at the word and ignore it and continue reading the next word.
You can ignore certain words like “a” “an” “the” and other prepositions and sometimes even words that are repeating in the passage.
Quickly glancing through those words will save a lot of time for you and will increase your reading speed as well. Skimming through the text like, scanning for only keywords and important sentences is important as far as the IELTS reading section is concerned.
Your primary concern should be to look for answers and keywords
2. You do not have to read everything
If you are not able to comprehend certain words, or texts that are difficult to understand, you do not have to worry. Do not pay heed to it!
The understanding of the text is only limited to you finding the answers in the right place. Once you have figured out that the answer to question 1 will be present in either paragraph one or paragraph two, you are good to go.
There is absolutely no need to be terrified if you come across words that are difficult for you to know the meaning of.
3. Try to scan through the text
Scanning through the text is important when it comes to solving the reading section in time. Scanning is pretty similar to skimming. You just simply look for the right things in the right place. You look for them where you think they will belong. It is better to use your judgement here.
It works in the same manner as you would look for the price of an item in a retail store. You would flip the item over and look for it on the tag mentioned on the item.
While scanning a text in your IELTS reading section, you are required to do something pretty similar. Instead of flipping the question paper, skim over the text and scan for your answer. You can scan for the answer in a particular direction, i.e from left to right or right to left or top to bottom and bottom to top.
Locating the right answer with the help of keywords and other important information is the key to answering correctly.
It is not as difficult as it sounds here. With a little bit of practice, you will get there!
4. Keywords
Every single question in your IELTS reading section will be accompanied by keywords that you will be required to locate. In order to spot the correct answers to the task, you need to know what are some of the most important keywords. Keywords that hold great importance in the reading section for IELTS are: Names, Places, Dates, Numbers. However, not all keywords are formatted like this. There are others that are subtly placed in the passage.
Underline them as soon as you see them. Mark them down as soon as you spot them and then proceed with writing down your answers.
5. Learn the art of paraphrasing
When trying to answer the questions, ensure you are paraphrasing the answers in your own words and not directly copying the answer as it is from the question itself.
The answers, as we have said earlier, are always present in the text. You simply have to find them and rewrite them in your own language.
Learning how to find the answers is one thing, but learning how to write them down in your answer sheet is a completely different scenario. Try to use the skill wisely. Practice paraphrasing on a daily basis with random texts and sentences. You will get there!
6. Avoid making spelling errors
The number one mistakes candidates make and lose their desired band score is making spelling errors. No matter how nicely presented your answer is and how accurately right it is, if there is a spelling error, it is going to be marked as the wrong answer.
Try and avoid making spelling errors. If you are not sure about a spelling, try and use a different word or a synonym in place of it.
7. Follow the word limit
Do not go overboard with your words. Once you have located the answer in the right place, try and paraphrase it without exceeding the word limit. Usually, you can answer one particular question in about a sentence or two. This means you get to use roughly 20-40 words for each sentence.
The word limit will also be given in the question.
Try and stick to that. Write precisely. Do not hover around the answer, just come straight to the point.
8. Manage your time well
What most candidates are not able to do, no matter how well they have prepared and how well their command over the language and vocabulary has become: No being able to manage time well enough.
People can sometimes spend extra time reading the questions, filling out the details in their answer sheets, writing slowly, comprehending the questions and the vocabulary, getting stuck on an unfamiliar word or a certain fact.
You do not have to do that.
Manage your time well.
It should take roughly 1-1.5 (max) minutes for every single task.
9. Answer all questions asked
The reading section comprises the following types of tasks:
- Multiple choice questions
- True/false/not given questions
- Gap filling questions
- Matching questions
- Sentence completion task
- Classification task
- Short answer questions
- Charts, diagrams, table questions
Make sure you are answering every single question. There is no negative marking for any wrong answer.
10. Read all instructions carefully
Paying attention to the task mentioned is the one thing you need to focus on to get a higher band score. Whenever you start, make sure you are through with the instructions and the examples and then start attempting the tasks.
Certain tasks do look the same and if you read carefully, pay articulate attention and practice enough, you will be able to identify and differentiate between different tasks easily.
Here is how you can pay better attention to some of the most common tasks:
True/false/not given task questions
If you are inclining towards your answer to be true, make sure the whole sentence is actually true. There might be some tricky questions wherein all the featured details are not completely true. Some details might be true while others might not be. Therefore, in such cases your answer should be false.
Matching task
Do not simply cross out an option if it has comfortably matched with another option. Though seemingly easy, it might not always be the correct way to answer such questions. It could lead to major mistakes, leading you to get a lower band score. Reconsider every single option correctly before you lock in your answer finally. There is always an opportunity to correct your mistakes before your final submission. Only match the options that are a perfect match for each other, not because you think they should go together.
Gap filling task
Ensure you fill in the right options at all times and not go overboard with the word limit.
Follow our YouTube channel “Unlock IELTS with Richa” for more such great tips and tricks to crack your upcoming IELTS exam in an easy way. All the best!
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