IELTS Reading

IELTS reading practice helps you improve speed, accuracy and understanding. The IELTS reading test includes three passages and a variety of question types. This page provides IELTS reading tests, strategies and preparation materials.

IELTS Reading Test Format

The IELTS reading test contains three passages with increasing difficulty. You must answer all questions within the time limit.

• three reading passages
• 40 questions
• 60 minutes total time
• different question types

IELTS Academic Reading

IELTS Academic reading includes longer texts taken from books, journals and academic sources.

• complex vocabulary
• academic topics
• detailed information
• argument-based texts

Practice academic reading here: IELTS Academic Reading | IELTS Academic | Academic Practice Tests

IELTS General Reading

IELTS General reading includes everyday texts and workplace documents.

• notices and advertisements
• instructions
• workplace texts
• general interest articles

Practice general reading here: IELTS General Reading | IELTS General | General Practice Tests

IELTS Reading Question Types

• multiple choice
• true false not given
• matching headings
• sentence completion
• summary completion
• short answer questions
• matching information
• diagram labeling

See all question types: IELTS Reading Question Types

IELTS Reading Skills

Skimming

• read quickly for main idea
• identify structure
• locate paragraphs

Scanning

• search for keywords
• find specific information
• locate answers quickly

Understanding Vocabulary

• identify synonyms
• understand paraphrasing
• use context

IELTS Reading Tips

• read questions first
• underline keywords
• look for synonyms
• do not read every word
• manage time carefully
• answer all questions

More tips: IELTS Tips | IELTS Strategy | Time Management

Improve Your IELTS Reading Score

• practice regularly
• build vocabulary
• train speed reading
• review mistakes
• practice different question types