IELTS Reading Section: The 11 Question Types You Need to Know

Jenn Author

This blog will guide you through the 11 Question Types in the IELTS Reading Section.

Are you feeling nervous about the IELTS Reading section? Not to worry, I'm here to help calm those nerves! To do your best on this part of the exam, getting to know the different types of questions is important. In this post, we'll go through all 11 question types in the IELTS exam and give you some great tips to feel confident and prepared for each one.

The 11 Question Types

1. Multiple Choice:

In Multiple Choice questions, carefully read the question and options, then scan for specific information. Beware of distractors that resemble the correct answer. Often, the correct answer is a synonym. They are in the order they appear in the text.

2. Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given):

These questions assess the accuracy of statements. Read them closely and refer back to the corresponding text section. Look for synonyms for true answers and antonyms for false answers. Keep in mind that "Not Given" indicates that the information is not mentioned, not that it is untrue.

3. Identifying the Writer’s Views (Yes/No/Not Given):

These are like True/False/Not Given but focus on the writer’s or other people’s opinions. If you cannot find the information, then it is not given.

*For both, try turning the statement into a question and looking for the answer in the text.

4. Matching Information/Statement:

For these questions, you need to locate specific information within the lettered paragraphs or sections of a text, and then you must select the letters of the correct paragraphs or sections. These questions test if you can scan for specific information and are not in the same order as the text. Tackle this type last as you may find the answers as you answer the other questions for the same text.

5. Matching Headings:

In match headings questions you need to find the main idea. To save time, look for the topic or last sentence to find the most fitting heading for the paragraph. The answers will not be in the same order as the text. Matching headings tests your ability to recognize the main idea or theme in the paragraphs or sections of a text, and to distinguish main ideas from supporting ones.

6. Matching Features:

In matching features, you need to find specific details in the passage. Scan for relevant information, such as keywords, dates, names, or numbers. Locate the person in the text, read their opinion, and match it with the corresponding statement.

7. Matching Sentence Endings:

In these questions, you will match sentence endings with beginnings. Use clues from the passage to complete the sentences. Eliminate options that don't make grammatical sense.

8. Sentence Completion:

Your classic gapfill. Fill in the gaps to complete sentences taken from the text. Pay attention to word count and spelling. Numbers can be represented as figures or words (e.g., 2 or two).

9. Summary/Table/Flowchart/Notes Completion:

These are gapfills using tables, flowcharts, or notes based on the text. Scan the summary for specific information and identify keywords. Understand the structure to complete the missing details using synonyms. Remember hyphenated words count as single words!

10. Diagram Label Completion:

In diagram label completion questions, you are asked to complete the labels on a diagram based on the information in the passage. Study the diagram and use the context to correctly label it. Accurate spelling is crucial for all your answers, as well as paying attention to the instructions, e.g. ‘NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage’.

11. Short Answer Questions:

Provide short answers or phrases to fill the gaps. Be specific and follow the instructions on how many words or numbers you should use in your answer. Read the question and scan the passage to locate the necessary information.

There you have it-

With a little effort and the right approach, you'll be well prepared to handle all 11 question types you'll encounter in the IELTS Reading section. Just keep practicing and honing your skills, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your target score. If you like, you can also check out what IELTS.IDP.com says about the reading test.

Cheering for you!

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Categories: : IELTS, Reading