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LESSON CODE: IE2401_02

Introduction to the Reading Test

(50 mins)

Reading Test Format and Question types

Example Reading Test questions

Reading Test question practice

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Reading Test Format and Question types

The Reading Test is the second test that you will complete on test day. The test lasts for 1 hour. You write your answers directly on the answer sheet.

The Reading Test is made up of 40 questions in three sections, each with a reading passage and 13 or 14 questions relating to the passage.

The texts are taken from journals, magazines, newspapers and books. You are advised to spend approximately 20 minutes on each section. There are 14 main types of question and the questions increase in difficulty as the test progresses. All questions in the Reading Test are worth 1 mark.

Review your READING TEST SKILLS with the IE Virtual Examiner.

The questions will usually be formatted in one of the following ways:

1) Diagram labeling

2) Flow chart completion

3) Table completion

4) Summary completion

5) Sentence completion

6) True/False (or Yes/No) / Not given

7) Matching information

8) Multiple choice

9) List selection

10) Choosing a title

11) Categorising information

12) Matching sentence endings

13) Matching paragraph headings

14) Short answer questions

Below you can see examples of the different styles of question you will encounter in the Reading Test.

As with the Listening Test, it is very important that you carefully follow the instructions for each set of questions. If the format of your answer differs from instructed, even if the correct information is included, your answer will be marked WRONG.

Example Reading Questions

Watch the Reading question tutorial videos below:

1) Diagram Labeling