IELTS Reading: some suggestions

People often ask me for advice about how to improve their reading. Here are some suggestions:

1. If you want to improve your reading, the first thing to do is read a lot. There are no shortcuts or secret techniques; you will only improve with time and practice.
2. Anything you read in English is good practice, so read about subjects that interest you. Try to enjoy reading in English.
3. English is the most used language on the web. Whenever you search for information on the Internet, try searching in English first.
4. Remember that "understanding is not the same as using". Keep a notebook with useful words and phrases that you find when you're reading, and try using them in your own sentences.
5. Apart from reading things that interest you, you also need to read lots of IELTS passages. If you've done all of the tests in the Cambridge books, read the passages again without doing the questions. Use a dictionary, take notes, and try to fully understand each passage.
6. Another way to use the Cambridge tests is to look at the correct answers to each question first. Your task is to find out why those answers are correct by analysing the passage carefully and finding the 'keywords'.

I'm sure you can think of other suggestions. Be creative with your reading practice, try to enjoy the learning process, and trust that you will improve if you persist.

Comments

[lewis]

Hi simon,
These are reaaaally useful suggestions.
But sometimes I found that it's so hard to seek for the keywords, what should we do at that time?
Thanks again.

[hiền]

It is true that practice makes success :)
I did prectise reading alot these days and im happy with the result :)
However i still feel difficult with Listening, i guess the problems are my vocabulary and pronunciation :)

[practice]

I used to get 6 in reading everytime than I did all the cambridge books like exam condition so about 32 tests plaus about 12 tests from other book.After that I am able to score 7 and 7.5 in reading.

[Martin]

Thanks for the reading tips, Simon!

"Persistence" is definitely one of the keys to success! Not just for language learning, but also life in general!

[jay]

The biggest problem I faced is

how to get IELTS material?? except cambridge books and etc.

After finished this tests what to do??

Why IDP or BC dont reveal material of reading and listening?? every year.???

[xx]

A friend of mine improved his English by forcing himself to watch movies without subtitles. The style might be a bit informal for IELTS but it definitely gets you used to the speed of speaking, which I think is important for the Listening test.

Plus you get to eat popcorn :D

[shafaq]

I use Cambridge books Reading passages to learn how to write better English. I try to figure out the topic sentence and see how cohesion and coherence is used all along to build around the idea. I wonder I never learnt that while I was at school :p

[Fika]

Hi Simon,
Firstly,thank you for these beneficial suggestions.I try to follow similar instructions almost 2 month.
However,couldn't deal with difficulty on "sentence headings" and "ending" questions.
Could you suggest any technique for improving these difficulties.
Thanks in advance.
Fika

[Mini]

Hi Simon,
I appreciate your help.I learned and practiced all modules from your site without any tutor.i took exam 1st time and i got good score that my university accepts overall 6.5.R=6,w=6,L=7,S=7.Thanks for your help again.Great site.And i need help for GRE.you are giving GRE lessons as well?If yes,please recommend any sites?