IELTS Tips: 5 Types of IELTS Reading
Today’s topic is the reading section of the IELTS test, which many students find particularly challenging. This might be because reading long texts in our second language isn’t something that is often necessary in our daily lives. We just don’t have as much experience with it as we do with speaking, listening, and even writing.
There are many tips and strategies to use during the reading section, but today I want to focus on something I have noticed about IELTS reading tests over my years of teaching IELTS. If you have spent as much time as I have reading these texts, you may begin to notice a pattern. In fact, I have noticed that IELTS reading texts usually fall into five types.
Why is this helpful?
Well, if you only have one hour to read three texts and answer forty questions, you need to be as prepared as possible. Understanding that there are five common types of reading will help you skim and scan more effectively. If you know what type of reading you have in front of you, it will be easier to locate the answers to questions because you will have a better idea of how the text is structured.
What are the five types?
#1 Chronological
Chronological readings present information in order based on time, usually from past to present, and sometimes into the future. The most obvious feature of these texts are the dates and years you will see. These are important to note because numbers stand out among letters and will help you keep track of information as you read.
Here’s an example of a chronological reading, and here are some practice questions to try.
#2 Contrasting Opinions
These types of readings focus on the opinions of experts in a field. You will notice that these readings contain more names and quotations than usual. Some of the individuals they quote will agree with one another, and others will argue against opinions. Keep track of who is saying what because you are likely to be asked about it in the questions.
Here’s an example of a contrasting opinons reading, and here are some practice questions to try.
#3 Multifaceted
Multifaceted means “having more than one side.” Therefore, these readings explore a single topic from a variety of different sides. You might notice that one paragraph is about the benefits of this thing, and another is about its problems. Perhaps one paragraph is about the first example of this thing, and another is about a new variety. Whatever the topic, try to identify which paragraphs address each side, so you can quickly go back and find answers later.
Here’s an example of a multifaceted reading, and here are some practice questions to try.
#4 List of Examples
Readings like this will usually present a topic at the beginning of the article and proceed to give you a few examples of it. You may notice that each paragraph shows how a different country has implemented a waste management system. You might see a list of fields in which scientists have made important discoveries. These readings will focus on the differences between examples of the same kind of thing.
Here’s an example of this type of reading, and here are some practice questions to try.
#5 Narrative
The last type of reading is the most uncommon. I have only seen a few examples of narrative readings in the IELTS test, but you may still encounter them on your test. These articles are similar to chronological readings as they tell a story over a period of time. However, rather than a history of something over many decades, you are more likely to see a personal story about one man or woman’s achievement. Try to identify the main steps in their journey when readings these types of text.
Here’s an example of a narrative reading, and here are some practice questions to try.
————————
Remember that while some articles belong in only one of these five categories, other articles might be a combination of two. For example, you might see a ‘chronological’ reading that also shows a ‘list of examples.’ You could encounter a ‘contrasting opinions’ reading that also explores a ‘multifaceted’ issue.
Hopefully, learning about these five types of reading will help you read more confidently and answer questions more quickly on your test. Good luck in your studies and thanks for reading!
Do you need help preparing for IELTS? Join our test prep program at MOSAIC engage. We currently have evening classes three nights a week to help you get the highest score you can. Click here for more info!
We are also an IELTS test centre operator with locations across Vancouver. Check out our convenient locations on our IELTS test page.