Top 10 tips that will boost your IELTS Reading score dramatically

Do you find it tough to handle your IELTS reading time management? Do you rely on scrolling and skimming and still somehow run out of steam? Do you find it challenging to discover the appropriate solution to certain sorts of questions? Is your back aching by the end of the exam from leaning back and forth from the questions to the paragraph and back again? If your answer is yes, then this is the article for you!

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a worldwide recognized exam of English ability for non-native English speakers. Well over 10,000 organizations throughout the globe rely on the assessment as a measure of English linguistic expertise. The IELTS test has four segments, one of which is reading.

The IELTS Reading section succeeds the Listening segment and is the second part of the IELTS test. The IELTS Reading exam will most likely differ from any English reading assessments you've encountered in school. Essentially, examinees are given lengthy articles to read before being given a range of questions like multiple choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, and short answers.

You will have 60 minutes to read these three lengthy paragraphs and respond to 40 questions. The IELTS Reading portion is complex because you must grasp a massive volume of text and precisely respond to questions as to what you read in a limited period of time. In particular, this is applicable to the Academic Reading section of the test, in which you will be given increasingly harder content to comprehend.

Some candidates believe this section to be the easiest because there is no special preparation required - simply read and answer questions. Others, on the other hand, find reading to be the most difficult part. They feel that in order to comprehend every statement in the text, one must master a vast percentage of unique vocabulary, and thus devote far too much time to reading long scientific texts and learning various types of vocabulary. We believe both sides have fair arguments. In whatsoever, all exam takers will have to grapple with this section, so you have to be prepared.

So, preparing for this reading test might be intimidating and cause you to feel absolutely blank as to where to begin, which is why we've put up a series of practical instructions to get you started. If you're going to take the IELTS exam soon, this will come in handy. The following article contains 10 critical suggestions for acing the Reading Section of your IELTS exam.

These are as follows:

1. Read as much as you can before the test

It is the most basic and yet most valuable guidance that any IELTS coach can give you. While preparing for the test, it is critical to read extensively. This will assist you in boosting your speed reading. Furthermore, reading will allow you to improve your vocab. You will be capable of reading almost anything. However, be certain that you read in English. We encourage you to find things that interest you. This will make it a lot easier for you to read on daily basis. Here is a collection of several Online websites where you can read anything:

• National Geographic is a magazine about the globe around us. Nature, travel, adventure, and scientific news are all covered in this section.
• New Scientist — the name says it all: here you'll discover the most recent news and conversations from every area of science and technology.
• The Economist- is a weekly magazine that publishes events in the fields of economy, politics, international relations, finance, and so on.
• History Today - this British edition allows you to dig into history and examine various events from a different perspective.
• Time - This American journal covers all current events in the United States and throughout the world.
• Cosmopolitan — a beauty and fashion magazine geared at women.
• Wired — a magazine on computer technology and its influence on modern life.

This may sound monotonous at first. As a reason, the simplest method to execute this is to start by reading whatsoever intrigues the prospects. It could be a short paragraph, an advertisement, or even tabloid snippets. And when the first phase is complete, individuals may go on to tougher reading items such as extensive essays, editorials, and short fiction. So read each day and take notes on your terminology. Regular practice will help you improve your timing. Identifying down a strong vocabulary can assist you in becoming accustomed to it.

2. You do not need to be knowledgeable about the reading topics

The Academic Reading segment covers a broad array of topics, but you wouldn't need any foreknowledge to address questions correctly. The reading passage will have all of the answers itself. To answer these questions, do not rely on any prior knowledge you may have on the subject.

3. Read all the instructions thoroughly

Even though it may be your 100th test, constantly read the directions when doing the Reading tasks. Even when the answers are correct, applicants frequently lose the band because they do not implement the prescribed guidelines. It is vital to be composed in the test hall so that you may repeat the question and discover a valid response if you don't comprehend it the first time.

It is really up to you to follow the directions and stay to the length of words specified. For instance, you may be assigned the goal of completing phrases in 3 phrases or fewer. In this situation, the phrase 'the population of this region' is incorrect; instead, put 'this region’s population’.

4. Focus on the questions first

Please take at least 30–45 seconds to go through all of the questions and answers before proceeding to the next paragraph. It will give you a good indication of the sorts of questions being asked. Read them cautiously and underline any essential terms, such as names, dates, figures, adjectives, and adverbs. Afterward, skim the text for the part containing these key terms. You will next need to thoroughly analyze this part and compare the information in it to the content in the questions. If you can't discover the solution, it's possible that you're reading too quickly. Slow down and reread the passage.

5. Synonyms and paraphrasing are important

In the Reading part, you'll be tested on your word knowledge. The paragraph will explain thoughts similar to those conveyed by the key phrases in the questions, but in a unique manner, using synonyms and paraphrasing. They will not be expressed using the same key terms. Vocabulary knowledge will help you comprehend the topics in the reading section.

Synonyms must always be practiced on a routine basis. There really is no other strategy to improve your synonym expertise but to utilize them on a continuous basis. As a result, when you read a question, prepare to hunt for synonyms or paraphrases in the paragraph.

6. Manage your time

To get the most out of your time, split sections up into smaller parts. You must develop a habit to answer the question within the given timeframe. You should also use techniques to get out of typical and particular situations.

Keep track of the time each moment you take a practice reading exam. It will accustom you to time management. In 60 minutes, you'll have to answer 40 questions. Perform the calculations. If you spend five minutes on each question, you will not complete the test on time and will leave many lingering questions. Ensure you answer all of the questions, even if you have to make assumptions on a few of them.

You should also keep in mind that spending too much attention on a single topic is counterproductive. If you think you can't make a decision right now, simply bypass it and come right back to it after you've completed all the others. Remember that each question is valued at one point, so it's best to devote the same length of time to each one. Remember that you have no additional time to transition the answers to the exam paper.

7. Grammar

Grammar trickery can also exist, hence why you should always read tasks and passages thoroughly. You might well be assigned to write a plural form in the question, but you have singular in the text. Alternatively, you may need to use a different tense form in your answer. Take note of these intricacies.

8. Confusing words

When answering True/False/Not Given questions, you must pay close heed to terms that may confound you. For instance, consider the frequency terms "always/often/sometimes." Remember that they are all unique. If the paragraph contains the word "sometimes" and the question contains the word "always," the answer is most likely "FALSE."

9. Order of questions

When it comes to reading comprehension, the most straightforward aspect is that the sequence of questions usually corresponds to the order of material presented in the text. This indicates you'll find the solution to the first question in the first passage and the answer to the 12/13th question over the last passage. As a result, this gives an edge in locating the answers.

In contrast, if you are unable to identify the answer to the seventh question and you realize that the answer to the sixth question is in passage 3 and the answer to the eighth question is in passage 5, this suggests that the answer to the seventh question is somewhere between passages 3 and 5. Please keep in mind that this is merely a hypothesis to help you understand. Not all IELTS Reading segments are the same. It's possible that you'll find the answer to the first question in the third passage! You just never really know.

10. Find your way to complete the tasks.

It is recommended that you practice all possible reading approaches throughout your preparation and then select the one (or two) that are the most comfortable for you to use.

Use skimming on the exam if you can do it well. However, if you were unable to apply this strategy throughout the preparation, it is pointless to do it on exam day. The very same method should be used while answering reading questions. If it's simpler for you to read the questions initially, than the passages, go ahead and do so. However, if you find it more comfortable to read the entire passage first, go along.

Conclusion

Remember that the only info you need from the passage is what you need to respond to questions. Use the IELTS Reading strategies provided just above to minimize time and focus on the information you require. And consider the questions as a type of study guide for what you really should focus on during the reading. Last but not least, be certainly sure to approach the IELTS Reading section as a whole, and best of luck!