Specific strategies for Reading Module question types

The following strategies refer to skills that you need to use while answering certain Reading Module question types.

Completion tasks

While answering these types of questions make sure that you only include those words that are essential to answer the question correctly. The correct answer may contain fewer than the maximum number of words specified in the instructions, but they may not contain more.

Example: Short-answer questions

Answer the following questions. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. How long did the show last? ……………………………..

Correct: 2 hours (This answer uses less than three words.)

Incorrect: The show lasted two hours. (This answer will not get any marks because it uses more than three words.)

In note completion tasks, remember to use the exact word(s) from the given passage. If options are given, you should read them carefully. Since options tend to have the same grammatical structure, in many cases, more than one option could complete the sentence. You should therefore focus more on the meaning than on the grammar. Before answering the questions, read all the options in the box and then choose the one that seems the most appropriate. Once you have finished, make sure that you have not used the same option twice.

Multiple-Choice questions

The first thing you need to do is to eliminate the options that seem wrong logically. Put an X beside them. Once you have eliminated the seemingly wrong options, focus on the others. Make sure that the option that you choose is not only correct according to the passage, but also complete the sentence accurately.

Matching tasks

When matching statements, the first thing you need to do is to identify the keywords in them and then find their synonyms in the passage. When matching pictures to sections of text, try to think of different words you can use to describe the picture and then look for those words in the passage. If you can’t find the exact same words, look for their synonyms.

While reading, make it a habit to note the main idea of each passage next to it. You will find these simple notes handy while matching the headings.

Related posts:

  1. Reading module: overview
  2. Multiple choice questions in the Reading module
  3. Strategies for the reading section
  4. Questions asked in the Listening module
  5. Answering the True / False / Not given questions in the IELTS reading test
  6. IELTS Reading Success Tips
  7. Reading module practice test 1
  8. How to prepare for the reading test?
  9. An overview of the speaking module
  10. IELTS test in the UAE – January 2012 (Academic module)

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