Hi, there. My name is Emma. And in today's video, we are going to learn about the reading
section of the IELTS. So it's very important before your test day to learn as much as you
can about the test. If you know what's going to happen on the test, you're going to feel
less nervous, more comfortable, and you'll do a better job. So in this video, I will
explain what happens in the reading segment of the test.
So first thing to know is there are two different versions of the IELTS; one is for general
and one is for academic. If you're doing the IELTS for things like immigration, you will
probably be doing the general, whereas if you're doing the IELTS for... For to get into
a university in Canada, England, Australia - you will probably be doing the academic.
So there are a lot of similarities in terms of the reading passages on the general and
academic versions of the IELTS. The readings are different, but there are some things that
In both cases, on the general and the academic, the reading module lasts for one hour. So
it lasts for one hour. In this hour, you are going to see three texts or three passages.
So there's three sections. Another thing to know is that you will also have to transfer
your answers on to an answer sheet. That will also be a part of this one hour.
For both the general and the academic, there are 40 questions. The text in the general
usually are social, work related, there's often one academic text as well; whereas in
the academic, all the text are maybe something you would read in an undergraduate or graduate
In terms of also the general, you might see advertisements, you might be reading about...
You know, comparing different products; whereas in the IELTS, they're usually more scientific
Another thing to keep in mind is for both tests, usually the readings go from easy to
difficult. So the first part of the test is going to be the easiest part, second section
is going to be a bit more difficult, and the third section is going to be more difficult
than the second. So keep this in mind when you're planning your time for the IELTS because
if you spend all your time on the first section, that's actually the easiest. It's better if
you spend less time on the first section, more time in the middle, and the most time
So in both the academic and the general, you're going to see a variety of questions. Okay?
There are many different question types. And the best way to prepare for the IELTS is to
learn about these question types.
You might see multiple choice where they'll want you to pick: "A", "B", "C", "D", sometimes
"E". Short answer. Sentence completion. You might see tables, charts, diagrams. You might
have to read something and then fill in a diagram based on the information you read.
Sometimes there's summary completion. Paragraph headings where you have to match a heading
with the correct paragraph. You might need to locate information. You might have to write
about a writer's view or claims. You might get a question on classification. Or you might
So, the main point here is that it's important to know there are many, many different question
types you can get on the IELTS. In terms of the IELTS also, it's very important before
you do the IELTS to take a deep breath and to relax yourself. Especially with the reading
section, you might see a lot of passages you have to read - take a deep breath, you will
It's also important to know with the reading module of the IELTS where it comes on the
test. The first thing you do on the IELTS is listening, the second thing will be reading,
and then after that, writing. So just so you're aware of where it comes, reading is in the
So, I invite you to take our quiz to see if... How much you know about the IELTS, the reading
module. Come visit our website at www.engvid.com. Good luck. Until next time.