IELTS ACADEMIC · READING GUIDE
IELTS Academic Reading: find evidence before choosing an answer
A practical method for the three-passage paper: understand the task, locate the relevant lines, and check that your answer says exactly what the passage supports.
KNOW THE TASK
What the test asks you to do
The Academic Reading paper has three sections, 40 questions and 60 minutes. Texts are written for a non-specialist audience and can include argument, diagrams and technical words with brief definitions.
Check the official IELTS format: IELTS Academic Reading test formatA METHOD YOU CAN REPEAT
Work through the task with evidence
- 01
Read the instruction first
Mark the answer limit and the task type. A correct idea can still lose a mark if it breaks a word limit or uses the wrong form.
- 02
Search for the idea, not an identical word
Underline a distinctive name, date or concept in the question. Scan the passage for its paraphrase, then read the sentence before and after it.
- 03
Separate contradiction from missing information
For True/False/Not Given, find a sentence that proves or contradicts the statement. If the passage does neither, choose Not Given.
- 04
Keep an evidence log
After practice, write the line that supports each answer and name why a tempting alternative was wrong. Revisit that error type before the next timed set.
ORIGINAL PRACTICE EXAMPLE
See the reasoning
Original example passage: “The library added evening opening hours in March. Printed book loans rose during the following quarter, while digital borrowing remained steady.” Statement: “Digital borrowing increased after the opening hours changed.”
“Remained steady” directly contradicts “increased”. This is False rather than Not Given because the passage explicitly discusses digital borrowing.
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Try this in one focused session
- 1
Choose one question type and read its instruction carefully.
- 2
Complete ten questions against a single passage with a visible timer.
- 3
For every wrong or guessed answer, record the exact supporting line and the word or idea that misled you.
Review your progress: You are ready to increase the pace when you can explain the evidence for most answers without relying on the answer key alone.
Study Reading in your plan