How to Analyze IELTS Reading Samples?
How to Analyze IELTS Reading Samples?
By: Mehrdad Sabir
If you are preparing for the IELTS test, you may have come across various reading samples that are meant to help you practice your reading skills and familiarize yourself with the test format. But how can you make the most of these samples and use them effectively to improve your score? In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to analyze IELTS reading samples and learn from them.
What are IELTS Reading Samples?
IELTS reading samples are passages of text that are taken from authentic sources such as journals, newspapers, magazines, or books. They are similar to the texts that you will encounter in the actual IELTS reading test, which consists of three sections with a total of 40 questions. The texts cover a range of topics that are of general interest and suitable for non-specialist audiences. They may also contain non-verbal materials such as graphs, tables, diagrams, or illustrations.
There are two types of IELTS test to choose from: IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. The reading samples for each type differ in terms of the level of difficulty, the purpose of the text, and the style of writing. For example, the academic reading samples are more challenging and academic in nature, while the general training reading samples are more practical and everyday in nature.
Why Should You Analyze IELTS Reading Samples?
Analyzing IELTS reading samples can help you in several ways:
- It can help you improve your reading comprehension skills by exposing you to different types of texts and questions.
- It can help you develop your vocabulary and grammar by learning new words and structures from the context.
- It can help you familiarize yourself with the test format and the types of questions that you will face in the exam.
- It can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in reading and work on them accordingly.
- It can help you build your confidence and reduce your anxiety before taking the test.
How to Analyze IELTS Reading Samples?
Here are some steps that you can follow to analyze IELTS reading samples effectively:
1. Choose a suitable sample for your level and type of test. You can find many free online sources that provide IELTS reading samples with answers and explanations. For example, you can visit or for some practice tests.
2. Read the instructions carefully and note down the time limit, the number of questions, and the type of questions for each section. You should also check if there is a glossary provided for any technical terms or jargon in the text.
3. Skim through the text quickly and get a general idea of what it is about. Pay attention to the title, headings, subheadings, keywords, and any non-verbal materials. This will help you anticipate what kind of questions you may encounter.
4. Read the questions before reading the text in detail. This will help you focus on the relevant parts of the text and save time. You should also underline or highlight any keywords or phrases in the questions that match with the text.
5. Read the text carefully and look for the answers to the questions. You should use different strategies depending on the type of question. For example, for multiple choice questions, you should eliminate wrong options; for matching headings questions, you should look for main ideas; for true/false/not given questions, you should look for evidence; for summary completion questions, you should look for synonyms; and so on.
6. Check your answers and compare them with the answer key. You should also read the explanations for any incorrect or doubtful answers. This will help you understand why you made a mistake and how to avoid it in the future.
7. Review your performance and note down any areas that need improvement. You should also reflect on what you learned from the sample and how you can apply it to other texts.
I hope this blog post was helpful for you. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let me know.
