The IELTS Reading test has 40 questions in 60 minutes, across three passages (Academic) or several shorter texts (General Training). The questions come in about eleven different types, and each one tests a slightly different skill. Knowing the types, and the trap in each, is one of the fastest ways to raise your Reading score.
All IELTS Reading question types#
| Question type | What it tests | Order follows passage? | Guide and practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Finding specific facts | Yes | Strategy + practice |
| Yes / No / Not Given | The writer’s opinions | Yes | Same method as TFNG |
| Matching headings | Main idea of each paragraph | No | Strategy + practice |
| Multiple choice | Detail and overall meaning | Yes | Strategy + practice |
| Table / note / flow-chart completion | Finding specific words | Usually | Strategy + practice |
| Summary completion | Understanding a section | Usually | Strategy + practice |
| Short answer questions | Facts: who, what, when | Yes | Strategy + practice |
| Sentence completion | Details, grammar | Yes | Use the table completion method |
| Matching information | Which paragraph contains a detail | No | Scan for details, not main ideas |
| Matching features | Linking people or dates to statements | No | Underline names in the passage first |
| Diagram label completion | Parts of a process or object | Usually | Follow the diagram’s direction |
Five rules for every question type#
- Read the instructions and the word limit every time. NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS means three words scores zero.
- Expect paraphrase. The passage rarely uses the same words as the question; learn common synonyms with our synonyms and antonyms guide.
- Use the order of answers. Most question types follow the passage order; matching headings, matching information and matching features don’t.
- Don’t use your own knowledge. The answer must come from the passage.
- Never leave a blank. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
Managing your time#
You have about 20 minutes per passage, with no extra time to transfer answers in the paper test. Spend 2–3 minutes skimming the passage, do the question types you find easiest first, and don’t spend more than a minute or two on any single question. See our time management strategy for a full plan.
More reading strategies#
- Keyword underlining strategy
- The keyword transformation technique
- True/False/Not Given: the paraphrase recognition method
- True/False/Not Given: the context clue strategy
- Using context clues to understand difficult words
- 15 simple IELTS Reading tips
When you’re ready, take a full timed reading practice test and convert your score with the band score calculator.
FAQ#
Which IELTS Reading question type is the hardest?#
Most candidates find True/False/Not Given and matching headings the hardest: TFNG because of the difference between FALSE and NOT GIVEN, and headings because of the distractors.
Are the question types the same in Academic and General Training?#
Yes. The same types appear in both; only the texts are different. General Training texts are more everyday (notices, adverts, work documents) in the first sections.
Do spelling mistakes lose marks?#
Yes. In completion and short answer questions, a misspelled answer is marked wrong. Copy words carefully from the passage.