IELTS Reading

Reading Test Format & Make-up

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.

Scoring System

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 16 distinct question types in the IELTS Reading Test which fall into 9 main categories. A single reading test will usually feature 7 - 8 different question types.

The question formats include Multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, Matching Qs (headings, features, information, sentence endings), Completion Qs (table, sentence, summary), Title/heading selection, List of options, Labeling (diagram, process, flow chart), Locating information and Short-answer questions.

✅

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer from several options

🔍

True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given

Identify if statements are true, false, or not given

🔚

Matching Sentence Endings

Match sentences to correct endings

📄

Sentence/Summary Completion

Complete sentences or summaries with words from the text

📋

Heading selection

Select headings for paragraphs or section

📝

List of Options

Select multiple correct answers from a list

🗺️

Flow Chart/Diagram Labeling

Label flow charts or diagrams with information from the text

🔗

Locating Information

Find location of infomation in paragraphs

❓

Short Answer

Answer questions with words from the text

What are the Reading sub-skills?

There are 20 distinct reading sub-skills that can be assessed in the IELTS test.

Some examples of reading sub-skills are: identifying main ideas, skimming for overall meaning, scanning for specific information, distinguishing fact from opinion, matching ideas with reworded meanings, interpreting structured information and tracking multiple pieces of information across a passage.

Here is an example of a Yes/No/Not given question that tests the sub-skill 'distinguishing fact from opinion'.

Answers and explanation:

1. YES — The text states as a fact that a survey found noise levels had risen by 12%.

2. YES — Dr Steiner argues (opinion) that the increase is higher and that official stations underestimate levels.

3. NO — Prof Malik doesn’t say noise has not increased; he says concern is exaggerated and people are more sensitive to noise levels (opinion). That contradicts the question statement.

To answer correctly, you must recognise the difference between factual statements and personal opinion.

Distinguishing fact from opinion and the other Reading sub-skills are comprehensively covered in the InsideIELTS Test Preparation Program.