It is undeniable that, “the Reading module is one of the most sections in the IELTS test”. Most test takers usually face hurdles while attempting the reading module. Moreover, it includes paraphrases, synonyms, vocabulary etc. The total test time given to finish 40 questions in the reading module. It is one hour and claimants are not allowed to take any additional time apart from the allotted time. Here are some IELTS reading tips that you can implement during your preparation period and while taking the test to improve your score in reading module which automatically improves overall IELTS score.
Some IELTS Reading Tips to increase your score:
Get Familiar with the Question types
The test takers should attempt 14 different kinds of questions in the reading module. However, it is essential to get familiar with each type of question and their approach. Students have to follow strategies to attack these questions. Furthermore, this helps to avoid wasting time in search of answers for diverse questions through separate analysis.
Read more books and Newspapers to improve vocabulary
Vocabulary plays a vital role to achieve success in the reading module. This is why test takers are often suggested to improve their with English vocabulary. Since vocabulary helps a lot in clearing the reading module without putting much effort into it. Instead of worrying, students can follow a simple technique to overcome the hard time of being unable to answer the questions. When you don’t understand a word, start looking at the words and sentences around it for hints. Indeed, you can find some words in the reading test which are actually difficult for IELTS teachers. So, better not waste your time in running behind a word, if you don’t understand a Word leave it and move further in the exam. Try to read novels and newspapers to improve your vocabulary and spellings.
Understand the framing of the passage
As soon as you begin the test try to analyse passage structure since the passage comprises key terms, count of paragraphs, phrases, identical words etc. Doing this can help you understand the essence of the passage and fastens your level of finding answers.
Skimming
Skimming is one such technique which can be found in strategies list of every IELTS tutor since there are many practical evidence to justify the statement followed. This technique is all about figuring out the main segments of the passage such as headlines, names and titles etc. You should try to predict the writer’s idea at your first contact with the passage in order to save your time from passing throughout the passage to find answers. You must make the beginning and near part of the conclusion as the main focal points in order to get a complete scheme of the passage.
Scanning
This is also considered as the prominent technique followed by test takers to surpass the Reading section in IELTS. Scanning method will let the test takers to collect the necessary information quickly as you don’t read everything in the passage when scanning. This is a great method to understand the overall essence of the passage and decide yourself to figure out whether the information in that respective passage will help you or not. Better understand what information you need to spot in the passage, It might be a name of a person, it might be a relation between two persons, it might be a year, it might a location etc, it can be anything, scanning can help you find the exact answer quickly.
Know the Difference between question types
It’s a known fact that the reading module is the differentiating factor between IELTS academic and IELTS general training tests. Although the types of questions vary between them, the IELTS reading tips to follow will remain the same. Both IELTS academic test and IELTS general training tests have three sections and each section has a long text. So know the variance among the question types between both the versions.
Do not implement logic in answering questions
Avoid the enactment of logic or analytics during the test in answering questions, because they might kill your time and makes you unable to answer all the questions you have aimed to. So all you have to do is just search for the answers from the passage given using scanning technique.
Read the instructions before every task
Corroborate that you’ve read the instructions prior attempting the task. Moreover, tasks are identical excluding some that deserves special attention. Moreover, it includes True/False/Not Given, Matching tasks, Gap filling tasks, eminent, etc. In detail, while true/false/not given task, if the test takers choose True which means the entire sentence is true. Sometimes it gets a little tricky questions in which not all of the mentioned specifics are true. While others are false and the answer will be False in this case. Similarly, during matching task, do not cross out the options which you’ve already used.
Be mindful of time
The two things you get in the test room are booklet and answer sheet. Most students will ruin their time by writing down the answers in the booklet. Hence it is highly advisable to transfer your answers directly into the booklet as soon as you receive them to save your time for the succeeding tasks which demands more of your test time.
