Headings are the titles or subtitles you see in a reading passage. They’re usually in bold or LARGER text.
These headings are like signposts.
So, how can you use headings to help you?
When you first see a reading passage, don’t start reading right away.
Instead, take a minute to look at all the headings.
This will give you a quick overview of what the whole passage is about.
An example
Imagine you have a reading passage with these headings:
- The Early Days of Coffee
- Coffee Spreads Around the World
- The Rise of Coffee Shops
- Coffee in Modern Times
Just by looking at these headings, you already know that this passage is about the history of coffee.
You can see it starts with early history and ends with modern times. This information is very helpful!
Now, when you start answering questions, you can use these headings to find information faster. For example, if a question asks about the first coffee shops, you know to look under the third heading. If it asks about how coffee became popular in different countries, you’d look under the second heading.
Using headings this way helps you in two important ways; first, it saves you time because you don’t have to read the whole passage to find each answer. Second, it helps you understand the main ideas of the text quickly.
Here’s a tip to practice this skill
Next time you read a newspaper or magazine article, look at the headings first.
Try to guess what the article is about just from the headings. Then read the article to see if you were right. This will help you get better at understanding headings.
Do you have any questions about using headings in IELTS Reading?
Have you ever looked at out other tips in IELTS Reading?
Ask me in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help you more.
Author
IELTS Maverick
Founder of Worddemy and an ex-IELTS student turned IELTS Instructor. After completing Academic English Program from University of Texas, he have successfully navigated the IELTS exam. As a former test-taker, he intimately understands the challenges students face. He brings a unique perspective that combines personal experience with professional expertise. Now, as an IELTS Instructor and Strategist, he leverages this firsthand knowledge to develop effective preparation strategies and materials.
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