14 most common IELTS Reading question types

Did you know that for the IELTS Reading test, there are 10 different question types? Knowing Types of Reading IELTS And knowing the strategy for each type will help you get the best preparation and psychological stability when entering the exam. This article will take you through the types of IELTS Reading tests most often appear!



1. IELTS Reading Overview

  • What does the Reading test of IELTS measure?

The Reading test is used to assess the candidate's language proficiency and understanding of English texts.

  • IELTS Reading test time

The IELTS Reading test will take place in 60 minutes.

  • Exam structure

3 Reading Passage passages in IELTS with a total of 40 questions



The structure of the IELTS Reading test is divided as follows:

  • Content

IELTS Reading Academic và General

  • IELTS Reading Score Scale


Scale of Reading (Academic) and Reading (General)

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2. Types of questions in the Reading section of IELTS


There are 10 types of questions in the Reading section of IELTS today

2.1. Multiple choice questions format

2.1.1. Define

InTypes of Reading IELTSMultiple Choice is a multiple choice question, requiring candidates to choose the most correct answer out of 4 options (A, B, C, D) to answer the information given in the question.

In addition, some questions may also require candidates to choose 2, 3 or 4 answers given from the available options.

2.1.2. Sample question



Sample questions in the form of 1 choice questions



Sample questions in the form of multiple answers

2.1.3 Strategies for homework

  • Step 1: Read the question carefully, without reading through the options A, B, C, D

  • Step 2: Determine the information to read in the article

  • Step 3: Use Linearthinking to read, understand and summarize information content

  • Step 4: Compare with options A, B, C, D

2.2 Format of Information identification questions

2.2.1 Definitions

True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given both require candidates to determine whether the information in the question is true to the information in the text, as opposed to the information in the text, or not mentioned in the text. read IELTS.

  • True/ Yes: The information in the question matches the information in the article.

  • False/No: The information in the question is the opposite of the information in the text.

  • Not Given: The information in question is not mentioned in the article.

In IELTS Reading, this type of test usually comes in two forms:

- True/False/Not Given: find answers based on facts and information contained in the lesson

- Yes/No/Not Given: infer from the author's point of view to choose the most suitable answer

2.2.2 Sample question

Dạng True/ False/ Not Given



Information identification questions sample

Dạng Yes/ No/ Not Given



Dạng Yes/No/Not Given

2.2.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Read the question carefully, analyze the question structure to understand the content deeply

  • Step 2: Determine the information to read in the article

  • Step 3: Read the sentence structure of the information in the article to understand the content deeply

  • Step 4: Compare the content of the question with the content of the reading passage and choose True/ False/ Not Given

2.3. Information matching form

2.3.1. Define

Information matching requires candidates to find out which passage the information in the question refers to or appears in. There are many cases where a paragraph can be used to answer many questions (the question will specify). Information matching tasks will be more difficult because the order of questions will not follow the order of information in the lesson.

2.3.2. Sample question


Information matching post sample

2.3.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Underline keywords

  • Step 2: Do different types of questions for each paragraph

  • Step 3: Identify 1-2 paragraphs containing keywords

  • Step 4: Find the answer

2.4. Matching headings format

2.4.1. Define

InTypes of Reading IELTS Matching headings requires candidates to choose a heading that matches the main idea of ​​the passage from a list of given headings. Usually, headings will be numbered in Roman (i, ii, iii,...) and paragraphs are numbered alphabetically (A, B, C...). And in most of the articles, headings will be more than paragraphs, this is to "trap" candidates so remember to read the headings carefully!

2.4.2. Sample question


Matching headings sample post

The word i-ix is ​​a list of headings (List of Headings).

Words A-F are paragraphs in the lesson. (in which paragraph E has been pre-selected heading)

2.4.3. Strategies for homework

Strategy 1: Read the title first

  • Please read each title first

  • Highlight keywords in the title sentence

  • Notice similarities or differences between titles

  • Pay attention to the first and last sentences in the passage

  • Choose only the title that best fits the paragraph.

Strategy 2: Read the text first

  • Read and summarize the main idea of ​​each paragraph

  • Think of a separate title for each paragraph

  • Read the titles included in the article

  • Choose the right title for each paragraph

Instructions to improve the score of the Matching headings IELTS Reading section:

see more: MenuReading practice website

2.5. Sentence completion form

2.5.1. Define

InTypes of IELTS Reading Sentence completion will ask candidates to fill in the blanks with suitable words to complete a sentence. All questions will specify the number of words that candidates can fill in, so please pay attention to read the questions carefully.

5.2 Sample questions


Sentence completion sample essay

2.5.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Read and analyze the question carefully, determine the type of word to fill in the blank

  • Step 2: Locate the information to read in the article

  • Step 3: Analyze the sentence structure in the lesson to understand the meaning of the sentence

  • Step 4: Compare the sentences in the lesson and the question and choose the word to fill in the blank

2.6. Summary completion format

2.6.1 Definitions

Similar to Sentence Completion, Summary completion requires candidates to fill in the blanks, but to complete a summary of the passage. This can be a summary of a paragraph, several paragraphs, or an entire article.

see more: Training guidelisten to english ielts

2.6.2 Sample question


Summary completion essay sample

2.6.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Overview of the Summary to get a brief overview of the information to find

  • Step 2: Apply Linearthinking, analyze the structure of each question to determine the type of word to fill in the blanks

  • Step 3: Find the information in the passage in turn to answer each question

  • Step 4: Analyze the sentence structure in the passage to understand the information

  • Step 5: Compare the information in the reading passage and the information in the question and choose the word to fill in the blank

2.7. Matching features form

2.7.1 Definitions

Matching features is also known as Classification or Categorisation in IELTS Reading tests. This format requires candidates to match information related to proper names, dates, etc. with facts or statements (often called statements) stated in the question. A name can be used more than once.

2.7.2. Sample question



Matching features post sample

2.7.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Read the topic carefully, determine the item to put the information in (personal name/date ...)

  • Step 2: Locate each item (proper name/date…) in the text

  • Step 3: Use Linearthinking to read and understand information related to each item in the passage

  • Step 4: Compare the information you have read with each statement for each topic

2.8. Matching sentence ending form

2.8.1 Definitions

This type of question asks candidates to match the first and second half of a sentence to give them the appropriate meaning, based on information in the passage. Usually the first half of a sentence follows the order of information in the passage.

2.8.2 Sample question



Matching sentence ending sample essay

2.8.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Read the first half of the sentence carefully and understand the meaning of this first half. No need to read the sentence endings

  • Step 2: Locate the information in the article that refers to the idea you just read

  • Step 3: Use Linearthinking to read and understand the information in the lesson carefully

  • Step 4: Compare the information you have just read with the ideas of the following half sentences (Sentence endings) that the topic gives

see more: Learn aboutielts reading true false not given

2. 9. Short-answer questions format

2.9.1 Definition

InTypes of Reading IELTS then this question type is quite easy because it has only one question and requires the candidate to give a short answer (1-3 words) to answer that question.

see more: Guidepractice reading ielts

2.9.2 Sample question


Sample Short-answer questions

2.9.3 Exam strategy

  • Step 1: Read the question carefully about the number of words specified in the answer (No more than… words)

  • Step 2: Observe the structure of the question and the word used to ask, thereby predicting the type of word to be used in the answer

  • Step 3: Locate the information in the text

  • Step 4: Apply Linearthinking to read the structure and understand the information in the text

  • Step 5: Compare the reading information with the question and choose the answer

2.10. Notes/table/diagram/flow chart completion format

2.10.1 Definition

With this type of question, candidates fill in a note, table or chart with a limited number of words. In diagram form, candidates can rely on illustrations to find information in the lesson easier.

2.10.2 Sample question



2.10.3 Sample lesson strategy

  • Read column/row headings.

  • Determine the type of word to fill in the blanks.

  • Apply the technique of 'scanning' - scanning to quickly find the location of information.

  • Check the word limit to be filled in each blank.

The IELTS Reading test question types can be divided into three main types: complete (fill in a blank in the text), question answer form (provide an answer to a question) and answer form. match (a piece of information is matched against another)

See more:

Summary of IELTS Reading test questions have the latest answer

British Council IELTS reading exercise

11. Frequently asked questions

How many question types are there in the IELTS Reading test?

Do all test takers do the same Reading test in IELTS?

Do all the questions in the IELTS Reading test appear in the order of information in the text?

This article has provided complete information aboutTypes of Reading IELTS frequently, thereby hoping that IELTS test takers will have an overview of the question format in the Reading section to have the best preparation for this important exam. DOL wishes you to achieve the desired band score!