Reading · Unit 1: Know the test
R04: Every Reading question type in one lesson
Target band 5.5 to 6
IELTS Reading uses about eleven question types. You'll see a mix of them in every test. Each type asks you to do something slightly different, and each has its own traps. This lesson gives you the full map, so nothing surprises you on test day. Later lessons teach each type in depth.
Why this matters
One of the most useful facts in IELTS Reading is whether a question type follows the order of the passage. If it does, you can move through the text from top to bottom. If it doesn't, you need to search the whole passage. Knowing this saves minutes on every passage.
The full map
| Question type | What you do | Follows passage order? | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Decide if a statement agrees with facts in the passage | Yes | R11, R31 |
| Yes / No / Not Given | Decide if a statement agrees with the writer's opinion | Yes | R12 |
| Matching headings | Choose a heading for each paragraph | Paragraphs in order, headings mixed | R21 |
| Matching information | Find which paragraph contains a piece of information | No | R22 |
| Matching features | Match statements to people, places or dates | No | R23 |
| Matching sentence endings | Join the start of a sentence to the right ending | Usually yes | R24 |
| Multiple choice | Choose the correct option | Yes | R25 |
| Summary completion | Fill gaps in a summary, from the text or a word box | Usually yes | R26 |
| Sentence completion | Complete sentences with words from the text | Yes | R27 |
| Note, table, flow-chart completion | Fill gaps in notes or a table | Usually yes | R28 |
| Diagram labelling | Label parts of a picture | Often within one section | R29 |
| Short-answer questions | Answer questions in a few words | Yes | R30 |
Two big groups
Think of the question types in two groups.
Group 1: You write words from the passage. Sentence completion, summary completion (without a box), notes, tables, flow-charts, diagrams and short answers. Here, the word limit and spelling matter, and you must copy words exactly.
Group 2: You choose an answer. True/False/Not Given, Yes/No/Not Given, matching, and multiple choice. Here, meaning matters more than exact words.
Read the instructions every time
Even for familiar types, the instructions can change:
- Is it ONE WORD ONLY or NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS?
- Can you use a letter more than once in matching?
- Should you write TRUE or YES?
- Are you choosing from a list, or from the passage?
It takes five seconds to read. Not reading it can cost five marks.
Try it yourself
Which group is each question type in? Does it follow the passage order?
- Short-answer questions
- Matching information
- True / False / Not Given
Show the answers
1) Group 1, follows order. 2) Group 2, does not follow order. 3) Group 2, follows order.
Honest note
"Usually in order" means usually, not always. If you can't find an answer where you expect it, look a little before and after. Don't trust the rule blindly.
Your task today
Open one Cambridge Academic test. Next to each block of questions, write the type and whether it follows order. Do this before you answer anything.