Reading

IELTS Reading tips that actually help

Practical Reading strategies for timing, skimming, scanning, and True/False/Not Given — then drill them on timed practice sets.

guide

Manage time before clever tricks

Academic Reading is three passages in 60 minutes. If one passage eats 30 minutes, you will rush the last. Decide a soft time budget (about 20 minutes per passage) and move on when you hit it — return only if time remains.

Skim the question types first so you know whether you need names, numbers, opinions, or paragraph headings.

Evidence, not guesswork

Answers must be supported by the text. For True/False/Not Given, “Not Given” means the statement is neither confirmed nor contradicted — do not invent a link.

Scan for keywords, then read the surrounding sentence carefully. Synonyms are common; exact word matches are not guaranteed.

  • Underline question keywords before you scan
  • Check one sentence before and after the match
  • Leave hard items and return with remaining time

Turn misses into a drill list

After each IELTSatoz Reading practice, review every wrong answer and note the question type. Next session, start with that type under timed conditions.

Put this into practice on IELTSatoz