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IELTS Module 3 of 6

IELTS Module 3: Reading

Passage Strategy • Question Types • Time Management

Estimated completion time: 90–120 minutes

Module 3 of 6

Lesson completion checklist: 0%

Objectives

  • Understand IELTS Reading structure: 3 passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes.
  • Apply skimming and scanning to find ideas and evidence quickly.
  • Use keyword mapping and paraphrase recognition to match questions accurately.
  • Handle key question types with a repeatable strategy.
  • Avoid common timing and accuracy mistakes that reduce band score.

Lesson Article

IELTS Reading gives you 60 minutes total for all 3 passages and 40 questions, so time control is as important as comprehension. A smart approach is to skim each passage first for topic flow, then scan for evidence when answering each question. Most wrong answers happen because students match exact words instead of matching meaning (paraphrase).

Before answering, mark keywords in the question (names, dates, technical terms, opinion words). Then locate the matching part of the passage and confirm grammar/meaning before selecting an answer. For difficult questions, eliminate clearly wrong options and move on to protect timing.

Key Strategy

  • Skim first: headings + topic sentence focus.
  • Scan next: use keywords and synonyms.
  • Confirm with text evidence, not memory.

Common Mistakes

  • Spending too long on one difficult question.
  • Ignoring paraphrases and looking for exact words only.
  • Not checking grammar/word form in completion questions.

Question Types

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that best matches the writer’s meaning.

Tip: Eliminate two weak options first. Trap: Exact-word distractors.

True / False / Not Given

Judge statement relationship to the text carefully.

Tip: Verify line-by-line evidence. Trap: Confusing False with Not Given.

Matching Headings

Pick the best heading for each paragraph’s main idea.

Tip: Focus on central message. Trap: Choosing detail-heavy headings.

Sentence Completion

Complete blanks using passage meaning and grammar.

Tip: Predict word type first. Trap: Wrong form/plural/spelling.

Summary Completion

Complete summary by following passage idea order.

Tip: Track paraphrase chains. Trap: Random keyword matching.

🎧 IELTS Listening: Complete Guide for Beginners

The IELTS Listening test is one of the first skills you’ll encounter on test day, and it plays a major role in your overall band score. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the IELTS Listening section — how it works, what to expect, how it’s scored, and strategies that will help you succeed.

What Is the IELTS Listening Test?

The Listening section measures your ability to:

  • Understand spoken English
  • Follow main ideas and detailed information
  • Recognize opinions, attitudes, and purposes of speakers
  • Interpret real-life situations and academic topics

The test lasts about 30 minutes and includes four recordings that get progressively more challenging.

How the Listening Test Is Structured

You will listen to four audio recordings and answer a total of 40 questions.

Recording 1

A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context (e.g., booking or travel arrangements).

Recording 2

A monologue set in an everyday social context (e.g., a speech about a local event or practical information).

Recording 3

A conversation in an educational or training context (e.g., a discussion between students or tutor).

Recording 4

A monologue on an academic subject (e.g., lecture or talk). The recordings are played once only, so listening attentively is key.

How the Questions Work

Question types include multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart completion, sentence completion, and short-answer questions. These assess both global understanding and detailed listening.

Scoring and Band Conversion

Each correct answer earns one mark. Your score out of 40 is converted into an IELTS band score (e.g., 6.5, 7.0). There is no penalty for wrong answers — make an educated guess if unsure.

Essential Tips for Success

  • Read Questions First: Quickly scan the questions before each recording and predict possible answers.
  • Focus on Keywords: Listen for dates, names, numbers, and places.
  • Write While Listening: Take quick notes — you’ll only hear the audio once.
  • Don’t Waste Time: If you miss an answer, keep going to avoid losing further marks.
  • Check Spelling & Grammar: Incorrect spelling can lower your score.
  • Use Transfer Time Wisely (Paper IELTS): Use the extra time to transfer answers carefully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Writing full answers during the recording
  • Not scanning questions before the recording
  • Fixating on similar-sounding words
  • Forgetting to check grammar and spelling

How to Practice Effectively

Practice Tests: Do full listening tests under timed conditions to build stamina and familiarity.

Diverse Audio Sources: Listen to lectures, podcasts, and conversations to improve comprehension.

Shadowing Technique: Repeat what you hear to improve pronunciation and attention to detail.

Final Thoughts

The Listening test reflects real-world tasks — from everyday conversations to academic talks. With targeted practice and these strategies, you can improve your listening skills and boost your band score.

Practice Exercise

Short Passage: Urban planners increasingly design “15-minute cities,” where residents can access schools, shops, clinics, and green spaces within a short walk or bicycle ride. Supporters argue this reduces traffic and improves public health. Critics warn that implementation can be uneven if housing costs rise near upgraded neighborhoods.

  1. Multiple Choice: What is the main goal of a 15-minute city?
  2. True/False/Not Given: All residents currently live within a 15-minute walk of essential services.
  3. Matching Heading: Best heading for the final sentence of the passage?
  4. Sentence Completion: Supporters say the model can reduce ______ and improve health.
  5. Summary Completion: A key criticism is uneven implementation caused by rising ______.
Show Practice Answer Key + Explanations
  • Q1: Improve access to essential services nearby. Why: This is the central definition in the first sentence.
  • Q2: Not Given. Why: Passage describes the concept, not current universal reality.
  • Q3: "Implementation Challenges" (or equivalent). Why: Final sentence focuses on uneven outcomes and cost issues.
  • Q4: traffic. Why: Directly stated in supporter argument.
  • Q5: housing costs. Why: Explicitly cited as the cause of uneven implementation.

Interactive Quiz

1) IELTS Reading duration is:
2) Best first action on a new passage:
3) Scanning is mainly used to:
4) In True/False/Not Given, "Not Given" means:
5) Why is paraphrase awareness important?
6) Matching Headings focuses on:
7) If one question takes too long, you should:
8) Sentence completion errors often happen because of:
9) Question order in reading always matches paragraph order:
10) For Matching Headings, choose based on:
11) When scanning for evidence, also look for:
12) Good reading time strategy is to:
13) If instruction says "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS", you should:
14) A smart MCQ method is to:
15) Best post-test reading habit is:

Assignment: Reading Log

Complete one full reading passage independently and record:

  • Your score out of total questions
  • Time taken
  • Weakest question types
  • Five new vocabulary words learned

Band Score Guide (Approx.)

Band 5.5: ~23–26 correct
Band 6.0: ~27–29 correct
Band 6.5: ~30–32 correct
Band 7.0: ~33–34 correct
Band 7.5: ~35–36 correct
Band 8.0+: ~37+ correct
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