PRINCIPALS FOR IELTS ACADEMIC READING

Please be noted that the major determinant of a significant improvement in your score is, and could only be, your better command of English. The following skills are helpful, but should not be completely relied on if you expect a competitive score in the reading section.

1.Read the questions and determine which one you should answer first before you scan the article.

1)Questions concerning specific information should be given priority. Finish those questions and you get the general picture of the article.

2)Questions containing charts and other structure information about the passage should be considered first.

3)Keep in mind that the order of the questions is often consistent with the order of the relevant information. Answer questions that are not consistent with the order AFTER you complete all other questions.

2.How to fill the blanks:

1)Find out the relevant passages before you try to fill the blanks. Do NOT read the whole article. Specific words might be the marks of important information entry.

2)Keep grammar in mind when you fill the blanks.

3)ONLY read the few words close to the blank.

3.How to make judgment:

1)Pay ATTENTION to the direction: Ture/False/Not Given,Yes/No/Not Given  or else

2)First deal with true or false statement. Leave the NGs after you complete other questions.

3)The following should be considered to be Not Given:

a.The statement is more specific than the original sentence.

b.The statement mentions the result of a plan (a dream/goal), which has not yet been realized.

Note: A FALSE statement confuses "plan" with "fact".

eg. The local government plans to implement a new tax regulation to attract more finance resources.

    The new tax regulation attracted more investments. ----False

    More finance resources will be available. ----Not Given

c. Completely not mentioned

4.TIME YOUR ANSWER, but DO NOT keep looking at your watch. Check the time after you finish each passage.

5.IELTS question data pool obtained in a short time before your testing date might be useful. Be familiar with the articles and the answers. But DON’T worry if you do not have time to do this.

6.BASE all the answers on the article, not on your knowledge or common sense.

7.Be confident and do NOT waste time on double-checking.

02/15/2006 Miss Yang Ning