This approach is all about looking beyond the immediate sentence to gather more information.
Here’s an approach that might just revolutionize your IELTS Reading technique:
First, when you locate the relevant part of the text, don’t just focus on the sentence that seems to contain the answer. Take a moment to read a bit before and after it.
Next, look for words or phrases in the surrounding sentences that might provide additional information or clarify the meaning of the key sentence.
Finally, use this broader understanding to evaluate whether the statement is True, False, or if there’s not enough information to decide (Not Given).
Practical Examples
Let’s see how this might work in practice with three different scenarios:
Science Article Scenario:
Statement: “Solar panels are the most efficient source of renewable energy.” Key sentence in passage: “Solar panels have become increasingly popular in recent years.”
At first glance, this might seem like a Not Given. However, if you read the next sentence, you might find: “However, wind turbines still outperform solar panels in terms of energy output per unit of land used.”
This additional context tells us that the statement is actually False, as wind turbines are described as more efficient.
Historical Text Scenario:
Statement: “The Great Wall of China was built primarily for defense.” Key sentence in passage: “The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles across the country.”
This sentence alone doesn’t address the purpose of the wall. But if you read the preceding sentence, you might find: “Ancient Chinese emperors commissioned massive construction projects to protect their territories.”
This context supports the idea that defense was indeed the primary purpose, making the statement True.
Environmental Article Scenario:
Statement: “Plastic pollution in oceans will be eliminated by 2050.” Key sentence in passage: “Efforts to reduce plastic waste have increased significantly in recent years.”
If the surrounding sentences discuss various initiatives to combat plastic pollution but don’t mention any specific timeline or prediction about eliminating the problem entirely, this would be a Not Given statement.
Technology Article Scenario:
Statement: “Artificial Intelligence will completely replace human workers in all industries.” Key sentence: “AI is revolutionizing many sectors of the economy.”
The following sentences might say, “However, experts predict that AI will create new job opportunities while automating certain tasks. Human creativity and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable in many fields.” This context suggests the statement is False, as AI is not expected to replace all human workers.
Economics Text Scenario:
Statement: “Cryptocurrency will replace traditional banking systems.”
Key sentence: “Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have gained popularity as alternative forms of currency.”
The following sentences might discuss both the advantages and limitations of cryptocurrencies, stating, “While cryptocurrencies offer certain benefits, traditional banking systems continue to play a crucial role in global finance and are adapting to incorporate blockchain technology.” This context suggests the statement is False, as cryptocurrencies are not described as fully replacing traditional banking.
Sociology Study Scenario: Statement: “Social media use leads to increased loneliness in young adults.” Key sentence: “Young adults are the highest users of social media platforms.” Context: The preceding paragraph might discuss a study that found correlations between heavy social media use and reported feelings of isolation. However, if it also mentions that causation hasn’t been established and other factors could be involved, this would be a Not Given statement.
Climate Change Article Scenario:
Statement: “Reducing meat consumption is the most effective way for individuals to combat climate change.”
Key sentence: “Dietary choices can have a significant impact on an individual’s carbon footprint.”
The surrounding sentences might compare various lifestyle changes, stating, “While reducing meat consumption can lower emissions, other actions such as using public transportation, improving home energy efficiency, and reducing air travel can have equal or greater impacts.” This context suggests the statement is False, as meat reduction is not singled out as the most effective method.
Educational Policy Scenario:
Statement: “Standardized testing improves overall student performance.”
Key sentence: “Many school systems rely heavily on standardized tests to assess student achievement.”
The following sentences might present conflicting research findings, with some studies showing improved performance in certain areas, while others highlight negative impacts such as increased stress and narrowed curricula. Without a clear consensus, this would be a Not Given statement.
Space Exploration Article Scenario:
Statement: “Humans will establish a permanent colony on Mars by 2040.”
Key sentence: “NASA and private companies are actively developing technologies for Mars missions.”
The surrounding paragraphs might discuss various challenges, such as radiation exposure, psychological effects of long-term isolation, and the need for sustainable life support systems. If no specific timeline for permanent colonization is mentioned, this would be a Not Given statement.
You might find it helpful to read articles and consciously look for how surrounding sentences provide context for each other.
The more you train your brain to connect ideas across sentences, the better you’ll become at using this strategy in the IELTS Reading test.
You might want to learn more about Using Context Clues To Improve IELTS Reading Comprehension
I’m really interested to hear about your experiences with IELTS Reading True/False/Not Given questions.
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