IELTS Reading

Three long passages from books, journals and newspapers. Academic and General Training use different texts but the same question types.

Format
60 minutes · 3 passages · 40 questions
Scoring
1 mark per correct answer. Academic: roughly 30/40 ≈ band 7, 23/40 ≈ band 6.

True / False / Not Given

Decide whether each statement agrees with the information in the passage.

Show format & tips

Format

  • TRUE — the passage says the same thing
  • FALSE — the passage says the opposite
  • NOT GIVEN — the passage does not say
  • Yes / No / Not Given is the same task about the writer's opinions

Question types

True / False / Not GivenYes / No / Not Given

Tips

  • Answer from the passage only, never from what you know about the topic.
  • Watch qualifiers: all / some / usually / never change the meaning completely.
  • If you cannot find the idea at all, it is probably NOT GIVEN.
  • The statements follow the order of the passage.

Matching headings

Choose the heading that sums up the main idea of each paragraph.

Show format & tips

Format

  • More headings than paragraphs
  • Each heading can be used only once
  • Usually the first task of a passage

Question types

Matching headings

Tips

  • Read the first and last sentences of the paragraph — the main idea is usually there.
  • Choose the heading for the WHOLE paragraph, not for one detail in it.
  • Distractor headings repeat words from the paragraph but not its main idea.

Matching information & features

Find which paragraph contains a piece of information, or match statements to people or categories.

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Format

  • Answers do NOT follow the order of the passage
  • A paragraph or person may be used more than once

Question types

Matching informationMatching featuresMatching sentence endings

Tips

  • Scan for names, dates and numbers first — they are easy to find.
  • The question paraphrases the passage: look for the same idea in different words.
  • Do this task after the others: by then you know the passage well.

Summary, note & sentence completion

Fill the gaps with words from the passage.

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Format

  • Copy words exactly from the passage
  • Respect the word limit
  • Answers usually follow the order of the passage

Question types

Summary completionSentence completionNote / table completionShort answer

Tips

  • Decide the grammar of the gap first: noun, verb, adjective, singular or plural.
  • Find the part of the passage the summary covers, then read it carefully.
  • Spelling counts — copy the word letter by letter.

Multiple choice

Choose the right answer about details, the writer's purpose or the main idea.

Show format & tips

Format

  • Three or four options
  • Sometimes "Choose TWO letters"
  • Questions follow the order of the passage

Question types

Multiple choice (one answer)Multiple choice (two answers)

Tips

  • Find the answer in the passage before you read the options.
  • Wrong options often use words from the passage but say something different.
  • An option that is true but does not answer the question is still wrong.