How IELTS Reading is built
The Reading test has 40 questions and lasts 60 minutes, with no extra time to transfer answers on paper. You read three sections.
- Academic: three long passages from books, journals and magazines, written for a general but educated reader. Topics range from archaeology to urban planning.
- General Training: shorter everyday texts (notices, adverts), then workplace texts (job descriptions, policies), then one longer general passage.
Band 7 in Academic Reading needs roughly 30 correct answers out of 40. General Training needs more correct answers for the same band, because the early texts are easier. Choose your track carefully and practise only that version's Reading.
The question types you will meet
Each type needs its own method. IELTS Learning's 52 practice sets cover all of them, with explanations for every answer.
- TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN (and YES / NO / NOT GIVEN for opinions)
- Matching Headings to paragraphs
- Matching Information (which paragraph contains a detail)
- Matching features, such as researchers to findings
- Summary, note, table or flow-chart completion, sometimes with a word box
- Sentence completion and short answers
- Multiple choice
Note that some types follow the order of the passage and some do not. Matching Headings and Matching Information jump around, which is why they eat time.
The two traps that cost the most marks
NOT GIVEN
This is the most common source of lost marks. FALSE means the passage says the opposite. NOT GIVEN means the passage simply does not say. Students who read carefully and think logically often over-reason: "Surely the writer would agree..." If it is not stated, it is NOT GIVEN. Do not use your general knowledge.
Matching Headings
The trap here is matching a heading to a single word you spotted in the paragraph. Headings describe the main idea, usually found in the first one or two sentences, but sometimes developed later. Read the whole paragraph quickly, decide what it is mostly about in five words of your own, then choose.
A timing strategy that works
Aim for roughly 17 to 18 minutes on each of the first two sections, leaving more for the hardest passage at the end. Within each passage:
- Skim the passage for one to two minutes to see its structure.
- Read the questions and underline key words, especially names, dates and numbers.
- Do the in-order question types first, then the matching ones.
- If a question takes more than about 90 seconds, flag it and move on.
On computer-delivered IELTS, use the highlighter and the flag-for-review tool. Our practice screens have both, so the habit is built before test day.
Reading practice for Lucknow students: building the habit
Many students here grew up reading Hindi and Urdu newspapers alongside English textbooks, and university courses often rely on notes rather than long English articles. That is not a weakness, but it does mean your speed with dense English prose may need building.
- Use your metro or e-rickshaw ride to read one short English article on your phone each day, on science, history or the environment, not only news.
- Do one timed passage on weekdays and a full Reading section on weekends.
- After each set, open the Mistake Notebook and label every error: vocabulary, NOT GIVEN logic, missed paraphrase, or time.
Students at the University of Lucknow, Integral or the engineering colleges along the Sitapur and Kanpur roads often find a 30-minute slot between classes is ideal for one passage.
Charged sets for band 7 and above
Once you are scoring consistently around 30 out of 40, regular sets stop stretching you. Charged Reading sets are harder, with denser passages and closer paraphrasing, built for students aiming at band 7+. Treat them as training weights: your scores will dip, and that is the point. Alternate one Charged set with two standard sets each week, so you keep your confidence while stretching your speed and accuracy on the hardest paraphrasing.
Practising effectively
IELTS Reading practice is only useful if you review it. Read the explanations for every question, including correct guesses. Add new academic words to the vocabulary flashcards, and keep Daily Vocabulary going for five new words a day.
Free sample Reading sets are available without a card, so you can try them now before deciding on Full Access at ₹999 for 2 months.