IELTS — Reading
IELTS Reading — Master Guide
21 chapters covering every IELTS Reading question type · Multiple choice · True/False/Not Given · Yes/No/Not Given · Matching headings, information, features, and sentence endings · Sentence, summary, note, table, flow-chart, and diagram completion · Short answer questions · Skimming, scanning, paraphrase recognition, inference, time management, and vocabulary in context
Test Overview
| Test | Passages | Words / passage | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | 3 | 700–1000 | 40 total (13–14 each) | 60 min |
| General Training | 3 | 200–800 | 40 total | 60 min |
Score Band Reference
| Raw Score (Academic) | Band | Raw Score (GT) | Band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 / 40 | ≈ 7.0 | 34 / 40 | ≈ 7.0 |
| 35 / 40 | ≈ 8.0 | 38 / 40 | ≈ 8.5 |
| 39 / 40 | ≈ 9.0 | 40 / 40 | 9.0 |
Progress
| Group | Chapters | Done / Total |
|---|---|---|
| Question-type chapters | 01–15 | 15 / 15 |
| Skill drill chapters | 16–21 | 6 / 6 |
| Overall | 01–21 | 21 / 21 |
Chapter Map
01
Multiple Choice
Stem analysis · distractor families · locating the answer window
✅ Done
02
True / False / Not Given
The "writer's claim" rule · opposite vs. unmentioned
✅ Done
03
Yes / No / Not Given
Opinion language · "the writer believes" framing
✅ Done
04
Matching Headings
Topic-sentence test · eliminating detail-level headings
✅ Done
05
Matching Information to Paragraphs
Scanning for unique markers (names, numbers, dates)
✅ Done
06
Matching Features (people → ideas)
Person tags · paraphrased claims
✅ Done
07
Matching Sentence Endings
Grammar fit + meaning fit · halving the option pool
✅ Done
08
Sentence Completion
Word-limit discipline · lifting exact passage wording
✅ Done
09
Summary Completion (with word bank)
Part-of-speech matching · theme tracking
✅ Done
10
Summary Completion (no word bank)
Paraphrase decoding · collocation prediction
✅ Done
11
Note Completion
Bullet hierarchy · abbreviation expansion
✅ Done
12
Table Completion
Row/column tracking · cell-level scanning
✅ Done
13
Flow-chart Completion
Sequence markers · cause-effect verbs
✅ Done
14
Diagram Label Completion
Spatial vocabulary · technical noun phrases
✅ Done
15
Short Answer Questions
"Three-word maximum" trap · question-word mapping
✅ Done
16
Skimming for Gist
90-second skim protocol · mental map building
✅ Done
17
Scanning for Keywords
Lateral eye movement · numeric / proper-noun shortcuts
✅ Done
18
Paraphrase & Synonym Recognition
Common academic synonym families
✅ Done
19
Inference vs. Explicit Information
Where "Not Given" hides
✅ Done
20
Time Management Drill
18-minute-per-passage protocol · rescue tactics
✅ Done
21
Vocabulary in Context
Guessing meaning from context · root/affix decoding
✅ Done
How to Use This Guide
- Work through question-type chapters (01–15) in order — each builds on the previous skimming and locating habits.
- For each chapter: read the Knowledge Points, study the Step-by-Step Strategy, attempt the Practice Passage before reading model answers.
- Note the exact passage line and paraphrase that bridges it to the question — that is what the examiner tests.
- After chapters 01–15, work through skill drill chapters (16–21) under timed conditions.
- Run the Self-Check at the end of each chapter — if you cannot answer all three prompts from memory, re-read the relevant section.