Strategy · 10 min read
How to improve your IELTS Reading score, by question type
Reading is the most learnable IELTS section. Most candidates gain a full band by fixing how they handle 3–4 recurring question types — not by reading more articles.
True / False / Not Given
The hardest question type for most candidates. Decide if the statement is contradicted (False), supported (True), or simply not addressed (Not Given). "Not Given" does not mean "I cannot find it" — it means the passage neither confirms nor denies the claim.
- Watch for absolute words: all, only, never, always — these often flip a True statement to False.
- If the statement adds an extra detail (a reason, a comparison, a quantity) the passage does not mention, it is Not Given.
Matching Headings
Read the headings first, then read each paragraph for its main idea — not its examples. The correct heading summarizes the paragraph; wrong headings often paraphrase a single sentence from it.
Summary Completion
Read the summary first to see what content area to skim for. Then locate the relevant paragraph and pick the word that fits the grammatical slot exactly as written in the passage. Do not paraphrase.
Multiple Choice
Cross out wrong answers first. The 4 options usually break down into: 1 correct, 1 plausible distractor, 1 too extreme, 1 contradicted. Eliminating the extreme and the contradicted option leaves you a 50/50 even when you are unsure.
Timing strategy
Spend ~20 minutes per passage. Do not overspend on Passage 1 because it is easier — every question is worth the same mark. If you have not finished Passage 1 at 18 minutes, move on and return at the end.
Vocabulary that actually transfers
The Academic Word List (570 word families) covers most of the academic vocabulary in IELTS Reading. Learning it inside example sentences from real practice (not stand-alone lists) is the highest-ROI vocabulary work you can do.