Reading
The reading passages are different for both Academic and General training candidates. Remember the format is the same but attempt is different and also the type and level of technical skills is different for both. The test has 40 questions based on a series of 3 passages. The test has to be completed in 60 minutes and no extra time will be given.
Reading - Academic
Academic Reading is harder as compared to General training Reading in IELTS.There are 3 passages and each contains approximately 13-14 questions. Each text has questions of different formats. . The total length of all the texts put together will be between 2000 and 2750 words. The texts will come from magazines, journals and books and are written for general interest or for an academic though non-specialist reader.
- Multiple choice questions
- Completion questions: Completing sentences
- Completing notes
- Completing a summary (no word bank)
- Classification questions
- Matching a bank of writers’ views/claims/information with the writer
- Matching a bank of headings to identify paragraphs or parts of text
- Completing a flow chart
- Completing a table
- Identification of information in the text: yes/no/not given questions
- True/false/not given questions
- Matching lists/phrases
- Completing a summary (with word bank)
- Completing a diagram
- Short answer questions
Reading - General
This test contains 3 sections with a total of 40 questions. The types of questions asked are similar but the difference lies in the format of texts. Possible formats of texts could be: notices, advertisements, newspapers, instruction manuals, leaflets, timetables, books and magazines.
Section 1 will normally have 2 or maybe 3 “texts” with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer in 2 or 3 sets of differing formats. Section 1 tests the candidate on “social survival” in an English speaking country. The questions usually involve the candidate finding and providing factual information from a variety of texts. Texts in section 1 are relatively short and there may be a number of “mini text’s to look through, e.g.: a series of advertisements on similar subjects.
Section 2 again usually has 2 texts with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer. Section 2 concentrates on the context of training and welfare in an English speaking country. The texts here will be more complicated using more intricate language and structure.
Section 3 will have 1 text with 13 or maybe 14 questions to answer. Section 3 tests candidate’s ability to deal with longer pieces of writing. The reading passage will again involve more complex language than the 2 previous sections.
The candidate has to read thoroughly and should not skim the text. It is a test of reading and not of general knowledge.
