Are you looking to minimize mistakes in the IELTS Reading section?
Hello! This is TestGlider, the No.1 AI English test tutor, proven by 720,000 global users. If you’ve been working hard to achieve your desired score in the IELTS Reading section but are still struggling to see the results you want, you’ve come to the right place!
Achieving your target score in the Reading section requires more than just practicing a lot of questions. You need to approach the test with careful attention to detail. Simply finding the answers in the passage isn’t enough—you must fully understand what the question is asking and find the corresponding answer accordingly. Even minor mistakes in this process can significantly impact your score. That’s why it’s crucial to systematically learn strategies to reduce errors. Today, we’ll explore the Top 5 mistakes that many IELTS test-takers commonly make in the Reading section, along with practical IELTS Reading tips to overcome them. By the end of this post, you’ll be more confident in your reading skills and one step closer to achieving your desired score!
The Top 5 IELTS Reading Mistakes
1. Trying to Read all passages at first
The IELTS Reading test is time-limited, and attempting to understand every single word and sentence can lead to time management issues, especially with longer passages. Focusing on every detail can result in unnecessary time loss. What’s important is to grasp the “overall flow and key ideas” of the passage.
IELTS Reading Tip: Use the Skimming Technique
Skimming involves quickly reading through the passage to identify the main topic and essential points. Start by skimming the entire passage to get a general understanding, and then use scanning techniques to locate specific information relevant to each question. Scanning means rapidly moving back and forth between the passage and the question to find keywords.
Example Question:
Passage Title: The History of Tea Production
Question: “The first tea plantations were established in India.”
Question type: True/False/Not Given
Passage Content: “Tea production began in China, and it wasn’t until the British established plantations in India much later.”
Students might see the phrase “The first tea plantations” and, after identifying “India,” mistakenly conclude the answer is True without thoroughly reading the passage. However, the passage clearly states that tea production began in China, so the correct answer is False. You should scan for specific keywords like “first tea plantations” and “India” to quickly find the correct answer.
2. Misunderstanding the Question
Sometimes, you might quickly read through a question, assume you understand it, and then select an incorrect answer. If you misinterpret keywords or phrases in the question, it will be difficult to find the right answer in the passage.
IELTS Reading Tip: Understand Exactly What the Question Is Asking
Ensure you fully grasp the meaning of the words and phrases used in the question and match them accurately with information in the passage.
Example Question:
Passage Title: The Impact of Climate Change on Polar Bears
Question: “Polar bears are becoming extinct because their habitat is shrinking.”
True/False/Not Given
Passage Content: “Although the polar bear’s habitat is shrinking due to climate change, conservation efforts have prevented them from becoming extinct.”
A student might focus on the phrases “habitat is shrinking” and “extinct,” and without understanding the full meaning of the question, might incorrectly choose True. However, the passage mentions conservation efforts, so the correct answer is False. Paying close attention to the word “because” in the question is crucial to understanding the relationship being tested.
3. Spending Too Much Time on One Question
Time management is critical in the IELTS Reading test.
Spending too much time on a single question or getting stuck can negatively impact your overall score.
IELTS Reading Tip: Move On If you Can’t answer Easily
To use your time efficiently, skip difficult questions and come back to them later.
Many test-takers make the mistake of lingering too long on tough questions, especially in the more challenging Part 3 of the Reading section. If you can’t find the answer right away, don’t waste too much time—move on to easier questions and return later with a fresh perspective.
Example Question from Part 3:
Passage Title: “The Psychology of Advertising”
Question: “What is the main reason for the effectiveness of subliminal messages in advertising?”
If you struggle to answer this question immediately, don’t dwell on it. Move on to other questions, then come back to this one after you’ve completed the rest. Approaching it with a fresh mindset might help you understand the question better.
4. Relying Only on Keywords
Test-takers often make the mistake of matching keywords from the question to the passage and assuming that the answer is correct. However, this approach can lead to mistakes, as the IELTS Reading passages often use similar words or phrases to convey different meanings or use synonyms and paraphrases to confuse test-takers.
IELTS Reading Tip: Understand the Context where Keywords are used
One common mistake students make is assuming that finding a keyword in the passage means they’ve found the answer. However, just because a keyword is present doesn’t mean it’s the correct answer. Words can have different meanings depending on the context, so it’s essential to understand the full sentence or paragraph in which the keyword is used.
Example Question:
Passage Title: “The economic impact of tourism in developing countries”
Question: What are the economic benefits of tourism in developing countries?
Passage Content: “While tourism does bring some economic benefits, it often also leads to environmental degradation.”
In this case, rather than just focusing on the phrase “economic benefits,” you need to understand the overall meaning of the sentence. The passage mentions both positive and negative aspects of tourism, so it’s important to thoroughly analyze how this aligns with the question.
5. Making Assumptions Based on Background Knowledge
When students have prior knowledge about the passage’s topic, they may make the mistake of relying on what they already know rather than the information provided in the passage. However, the IELTS test requires you to base your answers solely on the passage.
IELTS Reading Tip: Always Choose Your Answers based on the Passage Alone
Trust only the information explicitly mentioned in the passage and disregard your knowledge or experience.
This is especially important in True/False/Not Given questions, where answers must be directly supported by the passage.
Example Question:
Passage Title: Health Risks of Smoking
Question: “Smoking is dangerous and can lead to cancer. Is this statement true, false, or not given?”
Passage Content: “No research has conclusively proven that smoking leads to cancer, though it is known to cause other health issues.”
Many students might assume the answer is True based on common knowledge that smoking causes cancer. However, the passage specifically states that no research has conclusively proven this link, so the correct answer is False. Always rely on the passage and avoid making assumptions based on outside knowledge.
We’ve just explored common IELTS Reading mistakes and provided tips on how to avoid them. By steering clear of these errors and applying the right strategies, you can boost your score in the Reading section.
For more IELTS Reading tips, check out our other posts below!
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