IELTS Reading Practice: Strategies for 40 Questions in 60 Minutes

Practical IELTS Reading strategies: skimming, scanning for synonyms, True/False/Not Given, matching headings and time management.

Skim, then scan

Skim each passage for its main idea in two or three minutes, then scan for keywords from each question. Remember that the passage often uses synonyms rather than the same words.

True / False / Not Given

False means the text contradicts the statement. Not Given means the text does not say. Do not use your own knowledge.

Keep moving

There is no extra transfer time in Reading. If a question takes more than two minutes, guess, mark it and come back.