IELTS READING

Format

You have 60 minutes to read three passages and answer 40 questions. There is no extra time to transfer your answers, so you must write them directly on the answer sheet as you work through the test.

Test Structure

The Reading Test has 3 passages of increasing difficulty. Each passage is followed by 13 - 14 questions testing different reading skills.

Assessment Criteria

The Reading Test is scored using a system that may slightly vary with each IELTS test. Band cut-offs are set after global results are analysed. Approximate scores are:

Question Types

There are 14 types of reading questions. All questions are worth 1 mark and there will usually be three to four different question types within each section:

📋

Matching Headings

Match headings to paragraphs or section

🔗

Matching Paragraph Information

Match information to specific paragraphs

🎯

Matching Features

Match statements to people, theories, or events

🔚

Matching Sentence Endings

Complete sentences by choosing correct endings

🔍

True False Not Given or Yes No Not Given

Identify if statements are true, false, or not given

✅

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer from several options

📝

List of Options

Select multiple correct answers from a list

🏷️

Choose a Title

Select the most appropriate title for the passage

❓

Short Answers

Answer questions with words from the text

📄

Sentence/Summary Completion

Complete sentences or summaries with words from the text

📊

Table Completion

Fill in missing information in tables

🗺️

Flow Chart/Diagram Completion

Complete flow charts or diagrams with information from the text

It's very important that you carefully read the instructions for each question type and follow the word limits exactly. Always check how many words you can use in your answer.