IELTS Reading: practise 'general' tests too

The General Training reading test is a bit different to the Academic test. However, the techniques you need to use to find the answers are the same:

- Underline key words in the question.
- Look for those words, or words with the same meaning, in the passage.

General Training questions are sometimes a bit easier than those in the Academic test, so I often give my students a section from a GT test as an introduction to the reading exam.

Here's an example GT test section from the official IELTS website: click here

Comments

[siya]

hi simon

I had scored 8 band once in reading and after that i got 6.5 in my two last exams.
I can give general exams to get 7 band in each modules but i think from last 6 times i am giving academic exams.by considering my writing(6 band)and reading (6.5 band)
should i give general ielts exam once?i fear to lose more marks in reading of general.
i have exam on 14th jan and i already done reading practise from my all stuff so is that ok that i practise general task for reading.

[Khan]

hi Siya... I am giving exam on 14 jan as well...where about are you going to do your exam? I am doing it in Leeds, UK

[Simon]

Hi Siya,

Whether you should take the general or academic test depends on your situation. University departments ask for the academic test, but some visa applicants only need to do the general test.

I'm just suggesting that it can be useful to practise some general reading tests, but don't book for the general paper if you really need a score from the academic one.

[Joe]

I realised that the vocabulary mapping technique is the most effective method to improve your band score. After few practices, I was able to answer 36/40 correctly. Thats band 8!

[siya]

thanks but i have to get 7 band for Permemant residency purpose and now by considering my situation which i mentioned in reading and writing module.which module you recommend me.

[siya]

thanks but i have to get 7 band for Permemant residency purpose and now by considering my situation which i mentioned in reading and writing module.which module you recommend me.

[Huaso]

I would like to ask you for some advice on the reading. I have been reading your ebbok and following your IELTS’s advice posted on your website (it’s extremely useful), but I still have some issues with my reading. Can you please give me some effective reading techniques to deal with the question like ‘which paragraph contains the following information’? I found this type of question is quite difficult and it takes time. I normally need to go through all paragraphs trying to locate the information. That doesn’t help when I don’t have enough time. The True/False/NG questions are also difficult for me. Thanks and regards

[Taku]

Dear Simon,

May I ask you how to develop the strategy in essay for

'The only way is ---- ' or 'The best way is----' agree or disagree? question.

I will plan for this kind of essay like

If I agree, 
1)
1para. Intro- Agree
2para. The reason 1 ( and the merit, effect, result etc)
3para. The reason 2 (and the merit, effect, result etc)
4para. Conc.

If I disagree,
2)
1para. Intro- Disagree (because I have better idea(s))
2para. The reason why it is not the best/only idea (with support ex.negative aspects etc...)
3para. The alternative idea (and support for idea)
4para. Conc.

3)
1para. Intro- Disagree (with because I have a better idea)
2para. The alternative idea 1 (and support 1 for idea 1)
3para. The alternative idea 1 (and support 2 for idea 1)
4para. Conc.

4)
1para. Intro- Disagree (because I have better ideas)
2para. The alternative idea 1 (and support for idea 1)
3para. The alternative idea 2 (and support for idea 2)
4para. Conc.

I will prepare these strategies.

However, as the next I think only the strategy 2 is not proper because 'disagree' for this question means that I have a/some better idea(s), and strategy 2 could be redundant.

Consequently, the reason I disagree should be placed in the intro briefly, and then take the strategy 3) or 4).

And also this question does not have the middle answer like the topic written in 07 Sep, 2011. 

Therefore, the strategy options are 1), 3),and4).

This my thinking process is right?

If you have mentioned about this type essay, would you let me know the date, please?

Many thanks,

Taku

[Joe]

One thing to keep in mind, the general and academic reading tests are scored differently. To get band 7 in general reading test, you need to answer correctly 34 questions out of 40. On the other hand, you need 30 correct questions out of 40 to score band 7 in academic reading test.

Develop a good reading memory and a good repertoire of vocabulary and you will do fine.

Hope this helps,

Joseph

[Joe]

Hi Taku,

The purpose of any essay is to persuade the reader about the topic or the issue you are writing about.

When you transform yourself into a persuasive device, you will easily convince anyone.

There is tons of writing techniques and you must find your way there to pick up the suitable style qnd start crafting your writing skills.

DO WORK!

Hope this helps,

Joseph

[hathanh]

Hi Simon,
I met the difficulties with the number of reading question from 33 to 40 in test 4 in Cambridge IELTS test 2. Can you give me some advice to do this kind of questions quickly?

[jawairia]

Hi,
what is this 'vocabulary mapping technique'?

thanks.

[Taku]

Dear Joseph,

Thank you very much for your advice.

Taku

[Phuong Nguyen]

Hi Simon,

Could you provide some more Academic Reading paragraphs regarding NOT GIVEN and NO/ FALSE.

Sometimes I am confused to decide which one is the correct answer.

I am looking forward to your exercises!
Thank you in advance!

Best wishes,
Phuong

[Simon]

Hi Siya,

If it doesn't matter which test you take, do the one that you find easier. Try some past exam papers and see what scores you get in both tests.

PS. Read Joe's advice about the different scoring systems for general and academic reading (see about 7 comments above this).

...

Hi Huaso,

I think I answered your email.

...

Hi Taku,

I think all of your suggested essay plans are fine, even number 2. Just choose the one you find easier according to the particular question. Good work!

...

Great advice Joe. Thanks!

...

Hi Hathanh,

That's a difficult section - I'm afraid there's no fast way to do it. You just need to search for words from the questions in the passage. For example, look for 'major diseases' for question 33, and 'genetic monsters' for question 35.

...

Hi Phuong,

I'll keep adding exercises. Remember that the answer is 'false' if you can be sure that a different answer is true. The answer is 'not given' if we can't find any information to decide true or false.

[Taku]

Dear Simon,

Thank you for your checking my question regularly and giving me your comment every time.

Best regards,

Taku

[Simon]

No problem Taku.

[ayodeji]

Hello guys,Am finding the reading module so tough applying the necessary steps,pls help!!!

[Simon]

Hi Ayodeji,

Here are my main tips:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/12/ielts-reading-advice.html

Apart from that, practice is the key!

[Anna]

Hi my name is Anna,
Please help me to know how I can check my listening on this website.
Thank you in advance.

[Simon]

Hi Anna,

My listening lessons give you tips and practice exercises, but I can't provide real IELTS tests. For real tests, you need to buy/borrow the Cambridge IELTS official test books. For example:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=cambridge+ielts+preparation&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=7251561966&ref=pd_sl_4x7d6rkz0f_b

[Andrew]

Hi simon

Currently i am planing to take ielts exam on middle of may 2013 for my working visa purpose.Thurs, I feel it's very difficult as i left the school in my early age(25 year ago )and i need more practice to improve my English as well. Hence, could you please provide me more GT reading samples, listening, writing, and speaking samples for my preparation and it will be a great full if you provide your help and your knowledge towards me.

Your help is much appreciated

Thank you

Regards
Andrew

[Simon]

Hi Andrew,

The speaking and listening tests are exactly the same for general and academic, and writing task 2 is also the same. Reading passages are a bit different, but the questions and techniques are the same.

In other words, it's only writing task 1 that is really different. You'll find everything you need for all 4 parts in the lessons here on my site.

Good luck!

[Swopon]

Hi Simon,

You are a great person specially for International students! I'm really getting so much help from here.

Thank you very much.

Swopon