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questions
Task description
The multiple choice questions will give you either an unfinished sentence or a
question. This will be followed by four options (a,b,c,d), but only one will be correct.
You should decide which one. The other three possibilities may seem likely; they
may even be deliberately confusing, so make sure you read the sentence or
question carefully.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read the 'stem' sentence or question carefully, and instructions. Make sure
you understand what it is asking for.
Skim read all the questions before you read the text, to get an idea of the
topics.
Read the first question again more carefully.Decide what you will need to read
to answer the question. Are you being asked for a particular detail? Or for an
answer which requires an overall comprehension?
Read the text in the most suitable way to get the information (skimming or
scanning).
If you are not sure of the answer, make your best guess at the end. Even a
random guess is better than no answer as you are not penalised for an incorrect
answer.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
Check the instructions for the number of words required to complete each
sentence (usually a maximum of 3).
Skim through all the incomplete sentences to see what information you are being
asked for.
Look again at the first sentence then skim the text for the relevant section.
Check the sentence again to decide what specific information you need and
locate it in the text.
The correct answer should fit the incomplete sentence grammatically and not
exceed the word limit.
In some IELTS tests the instructions will say 'using words taken from the text'.
Otherwise, you can use your own words or change words to suit the sentence
grammatically.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
4.
Read the instructions carefully and check the maximum number of words
allowed. You may use words taken directly from the text or your own words.
Skim through all of the questions to get an idea of what information you will have
to find in the text.
Read the first question again to decide exactly what information you are looking
for. Find the relevant section of the text and the specific information.
Skills tested
1.
2.
Be sure you know which paragraphs you have to consider (often it's not the
whole text).
Read through the list of paragraph headings.
Skim read through the first selected paragraph to find out the main idea. Try not
to be distracted by details or by unfamiliar vocabulary.
Choose the heading from the list which best sums up the main point of the
paragraph.
If you can't choose between two headings, go on to the next paragraph - maybe
one will be more suitable for another later. Remember to complete your answers
though: guess if you really don't know, as you are not penalised for wrong answers.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
Read the instructions carefully. Sometimes you can use your own words, at other
times you will be instructed to use only words from the text or express the
information in 3 words or less.
Study the table, diagram or chart and try to deduce what information is missing.
What key ideas will you look for as you skim the text?
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
Decide which list you should work from. Usually, the causes list is shorter than
the effects list and so it is probably best to use it.
Look at the effects list. Some will be possible, some can probably be eliminated.
Find the section in the text which discusses the first cause and read it carefully to
find the effect.
Then go back to the effects list and choose the one which paraphrases the
information in the reading text.
If none of the effects listed seem to match, then keep reading the text. Quite
often, causes have more than one effect.
Skills tested
1.
2.
Check back to the text to make sure you have the correct information.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
4.
Remember that only three of the possible factors are correct, but that the
instructions may indicate a particular topic or aspect to concentrate on. Do not
choose anything which does not fit into this category.
Scan the text and find the sections or paragraphs which you need to focus on.
Skills tested
1.
2.
3.
Remember that you are asked to identify the writer's opinion, which may not be
the same as the facts. Be aware of the difference between the three categories you
have to use: "Yes" means the statement concurrs (agrees) with the writer's opinion;
"No" means the statement contradicts the writer; "Not Given" means the writer does
not express an opinion on this point.
Skim through the list of statements given, so you know what kind of topics you
will be looking for in the text.
Read the first statement again and make sure you understand the main point or
opinion given in the statement.
Skim the text for the part which refers to that point or opinion. If you come across
information relating to other statements, mark that section so you can find it easily
later.
Read the appropriate section of the text more carefully. If you think the statement
agrees with the view of the writer, choose "Yes". If you think it disagrees with the
writer's view, choose "No". If you think the writer doesn't give an opinion then select
"Not Given".