IELTS Reading Tips | 9 Tips for Band 9

Summary

In this video, EnglishProTips.com's Eli shares nine essential strategies for acing the IELTS reading test. The tips include structuring your approach, skipping unknown answers, understanding question types, improving speed reading, time management, careful spelling, educated guessing, extensive practice, and extensive reading. Eli emphasizes the importance of practice with past papers and developing a reading habit with graded readers to build stamina and familiarity with English texts, ultimately aiming for a high band score.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The IELTS reading test is timed at one hour and consists of three sections with 40 questions in total.
• 📚 There are no negative marks for incorrect answers, so guessing is encouraged when unsure.
• 🎓 The test is divided into Academic and General versions, with different text types and required scores for the same band.
• 👀 Skimming the questions and text quickly helps to identify key information and the layout of the text for easier answering.
• ✍️ Underlining key words in questions can help clarify what is being asked and distinguish between options.
• 🔍 If a question's answer is unknown, it's often beneficial to skip and return after answering subsequent questions.
• 📈 Understanding the order of answers for different question types can streamline the test-taking process.
• 🏃 Practice speed reading by focusing on question types and avoiding unnecessary re-reading or sub-vocalization.
• ⏱️ Time management is crucial; consider allocating more time to the more difficult sections if needed.
• 🔠 Be cautious of spelling mistakes, especially in the paper-based test, as they can lead to lost marks.
• 🎯 When in doubt, it's better to guess on multiple-choice and true/false questions rather than sentence completions.
• 📚 Extensive reading of various materials can improve overall reading skills and enjoyment, complementing intensive practice with IELTS-style texts.

Q & A

What is the primary objective of the IELTS reading test?

The primary objective of the IELTS reading test is to evaluate a candidate's ability to read and understand written English within a set time limit.

How long do candidates have to complete the IELTS reading test?

Candidates have one hour to complete the IELTS reading test.

How many sections and questions are there in the IELTS reading test?

There are three sections in the IELTS reading test, with a total of 40 questions.

Is there a difference between the Academic and General IELTS reading tests?

Yes, the Academic IELTS reading test features longer and more complex texts on academic topics, while the General IELTS reading test includes texts like articles found in everyday reading.

What is the recommended approach for handling the three sections of the IELTS reading test?

The recommended approach is to first glance at the questions, then skim read the text while highlighting important information, and finally tackle the questions themselves.

What should a candidate do if they don't know the answer to a question during the test?

If a candidate doesn't know the answer, they should skip it and move on to the next question, as the answers often follow the order of the text.

What types of questions in the IELTS reading test generally follow the order of the text?

Question types such as multiple choice, true/false/not given, yes/no/not given, sentence completion, summary completion, match sentence endings, short answers, and labeling questions generally follow the order of the text.

How can candidates improve their speed reading skills for the IELTS reading test?

Candidates can improve their speed reading skills by reading the questions first, not trying to understand everything they read, avoiding sub-vocalizing unless reading for detail, and not re-reading sentences unnecessarily.

Why is it important to practice with timed tests before taking the IELTS reading test?

Practicing with timed tests helps candidates become familiar with the test format, improve their time management, and build stamina for the actual test.

What is the difference between extensive and intensive reading, and why are both important for IELTS preparation?

Extensive reading involves reading a large amount of material for general understanding without consulting a dictionary, while intensive reading focuses on fully understanding shorter texts. Both are important for IELTS preparation because extensive reading helps build overall reading habits and enjoyment, while intensive reading hones the skills needed to answer detailed questions accurately.