13 types of reading test questions that you need to know
There are thirteen (depending on how you classify them) types of questions in the IELTS Reading test.
They are listed here according to frequency in the 16 reading tests published in Cambridge IELTS Books 7 ~ 10. The percentages show what proportion of questions in the 16 tests are of each particular type.
(1) TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN and YES/NO/NOT GIVEN questions
29.5%
Since the technique for answering these two types of questions is almost the same, I consider them as one type.
In the first type, you are given a number of statements. Based on the information in the passage, you must decide whether the statements are TRUE (i.e., supported by information in the passage), FALSE (i.e., contradicted by information in the passage) or NOT GIVEN (i.e., there is no information in the passage that supports or contradicts the statement).
Example: BOOK 10, Test 1, Questions 1-5
In the second type, you are given a number of statements that you must compare with the writer’s claims or opinions. Based on the information in the passage, you must choose YES (the statement is consistent with, or agrees with, the claims of the writer), NO (the statement is inconsistent with, or disagrees with, the claims of the writer) or NOT GIVEN (i.e., the statement neither agrees with nor disagrees the the writer’s claims).
Example: BOOK 10, Test 1, Questions 36-40
(2) Complete the summary using words from the passage.
11.3%
You are presented with a summary of the information contained in the passage. There is some missing information that you must provide using words from the passage.
The summary may take the form of:
(a) a table. Example: BOOK 10, Test 1, Questions 9-13
(b) a flowchart. Example: Book 9, Test 2, Questions 34-39
(c) notes (which may be complete sentences or fragments). Example: BOOK 10, Test 4, Questions 1-6
(d) paragraph. Example BOOK 10, Test 4, Questions 14-18
(3) Choose the correct heading for the paragraphs.
11.1%
You are given a list of headings. For each paragraph in the passage you must choose the heading that most appropriately expresses its main idea. Example: BOOK 10, Test 1, Questions 14-21.
The number of headings is usually two more than the number of paragraphs and an example is usually given.
(4) Standard Multiple-choice questions
9.4%
Choose from one of four options: A, B, C or D
Example: Book 10, Test 4, Questions 27-31
Usually, the options provide various ways to complete a sentence. But sometimes they are answers to a question.
Sometimes a single multiple choice question on the main idea of the whole passage occurs at the end of the questions relating to that passage.
(5) Which paragraph/section contains the information/reference?
8.1%
Typically, you are given a number of pieces of information or references to certain facts, and your task is to write down the letter of the paragraph (paragraphs are labeled with letters of the alphabet) in which information or reference is contained.
Example: Book 10, Test 2, Questions 14-17
(6) Complete the summary using words from a list.
6.1%
Similar to (3) above, except that in this case the summary is always as paragraph and the required words must be chosen from a list.
Example: BOOK 10, Test 2, Questions 27-31
(7) Choose the sentence ending
6.1%
You are given several incomplete sentences and a list of possible endings. You have to choose the correct ending for each sentence from the list of options. The number of words in the endings is often longer than other questions requiring you to choose from a list.
Example: Book 10, Test 1, Questions 31-35
(8) Matching questions
5.2%
In a similar task to No. 7, you are given a list of statements expressing a personal view, research finding, or action and another list of names. Your task is to match each view, finding or action with one of the names on the list. There are variations such matching the statements with groups of people.
Example: Book 10, Test 2, Questions 18-22
(9) Short answer questions
3.1%
You must use words from the passage to write short answers to questions.
You are instructed to use one word only or a maximum of two or three words.
This type of question is more common after after book 8, so the low percentage doesn't reflect its importance for test-takers nowadays.
(10) Classification questions
3.1%
You are given a list of events , activities, or other things from the text. Your task is to classify them as one of three types (A, B or C).
Example: Book 8, Test 2, Questions 23-26
(11) Label the diagram
2.5%
Your task is to use words form the passage to label a diagram or flowchart.
Example: Book 8, Test 2, Questions 6-8
(12) Fill in the blanks
2.3%
Similar to (2), but together, the questions do not form a summary. In addition, they tend focus on details rather than general ideas. You must complete the sentence using words from the passage. Example: Book 10, Test 2, Questions 23-26.
(13) Choose items from a list
2.2%
A number of statements are given, and you must select those that are supported by information in the passage.
The number to be selected is equal to or less than half the number of options.
Example: Book 8, Test 3, Questions 14-18
