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IELTS
Part 3
Reading test continued …
1. Filling in the answer sheet.
2. Keeping to reading time limits .
3.
Practice with different task types.
4. Think about which reading skills are being tested.
5.
Read the instructions carefully as they may not always be the same.
6.
Pick out key words from the questions.
Recognising cohesive devices
Different text types have different ways of organising information and if students can recognise
which text type they are reading, it will help them to read more efficiently to find their way through the
text and locate the answers to questions.
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Another way of finding your way through a text is to practice in looking at ways in which ideas are
linked together in a text – that is, the cohesion of a text. Recognising cohesion will develop your
intensive reading skills.
Look at the following sentence from a text about horses:
Horses continued to define military tactics well into the 1900s, until they finally became outmoded by
machine guns, tanks, airplanes and other modern weapons.
The linking word until is used to add information about when something happened and they is used
to refer back to horses in the text. These are called cohesive devices. The ability to recognise
cohesive devices is essential in making sense of a text. It is also an important way of finding
answers in a text.
In order to be an effective reader, it is important to be able to recognise the use of cohesive devices.
Task 1
Look at these four sentences from a paragraph about horses. Put them in the correct order.
1. Their muscular bodies are heavier in the front than in the back, making them well balanced
to pull heavy loads
2. Yet they can also be agile and quick – fit to carry out difficult tasks at top speed.
3. So for more than a thousand years, people have called on the power of horses to cultivate
the land and manage livestock.
4. Horses are built for power.
Answers:
Read the paragraph again and look at the pronouns that have been highlighted. Choose the
correct answers.
Horses are built for power. Their muscular bodies are heavier in the front than in the back,
making them well balanced to pull heavy loads. Yet theycan also be agile and quick – fit to carry out
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difficult tasks at top speed. So for more than a thousand years, we have called on the power of
horses to cultivate the land and manage livestock.
Read the paragraph again and look at the pronouns that have been highlighted. Choose the
correct answers.
The pronoun them refers to the word

power.

front.

horses.
The pronoun they refers to the word(s)

humans.

horses.

agile and fit.
The pronoun we refers to the word

humans.

muscles.

horses.
Linking words and their uses
These are words that act like signposts to guide you through and mark the logical development of a
text.
Linking words include words and phrases to:

indicate time periods (e.g. afterwards).

talk about the result (e.g. so).

add something (e.g. and).

give an example (e.g. for example).

make a contrast (e.g. but).

to list (e.g. firstly, secondly).

give a reason (e.g. because).

introduce paraphrasing (e.g. In other words).
Look at the linking word so, which has been highlighted in the text. Think about what it
means in the text.
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Choose the correct answer.
Horses are built for power. Their muscular bodies are heavier in the front than in the back, making
them well balanced to pull heavy loads. Yet they can also be agile and quick – fit to carry out difficult
tasks at top speed. So for more than a thousand years, we have called on the power of horses to
cultivate the land and manage livestock.
The linking word so is used to:

give an example of something.

make a contrast with something.

explain the reason or consequence for something
Identifying writers’ opinions
An understanding of the purpose of linking words will also help you to answer questions in the
Reading test. In the Academic Reading test, candidates might also be asked to identify a writer’s
opinion (in Yes / No / Not given questions).
Look at this example question.
Horses are built for power. Their muscular bodies are heavier in the front than in the back, making
them well balanced to pull heavy loads. Yet they can also be agile and quick – fit to carry out difficult
tasks at top speed. So for more than a thousand years, we have called on the power of horses to
cultivate the land and manage livestock.
... write:
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer
NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
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27 The writer believes that horses are useful because of their physical characteristics.
The answer is YES. The use of the word so indicates that the statement is giving the consequence
of horses’ physical abilities
See the group headings matched to the correct parts of the table.
adding
making a contrast
giving reasons
information

on the other hand

moreover
indicating time

because

however

as well as this

since that time

as

but

in addition

previously

since

and yet

furthermore

a year later
giving an
describing a
listing opinions and
example
arguments
result



for example
firstly
that's why
introducing

such as

finally

therefore

like

in the first place

so
paraphrasing

in other words
Identifying information: Approaching the task
An effective way to approach this type of question is to follow the following stages:
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
Identify the key words and phrases in the question.

Try and think of synonyms or ways to paraphrase these key words and phrases.

Search for the key words and phrases and their synonyms in the text.

Read intensively around the key words and phrases in the text to try to find the answer to the
question.
Let's try using the strategy to answer the following questions. Read the instructions and
choose the correct answer to each question.
... write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
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The last of the wild horses lived around 10,000 years ago.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN
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Initially people probably used domesticated horses to supplement their diet.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN
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Methods of artificial selection have changed over the centuries.

TRUE

FALSE

NOT GIVEN
You will notice that sometimes the key words in the questions will appear in the text (e.g. wild
horses, 10,000 years ago) and other times synonyms have been used (e.g. initially – first, diet –
food).
Explaining the answers
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It is important to be able to explain the answers. One way to do this is to show the relevant part of
the text with the phrases highlighted.
Let’s look at each of the questions in turn.
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The last of the wild horses lived around 10,000 years ago.
This was FALSE. Here is the reading text. The highlighted words show you why FALSE is the
correct answer.
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Horses have been racing across the landscape for around 55 million years – much longer than our
own species has existed. However, prehistoric remains show that at the end of the Ice Age, some
10,000 years ago, wild horses died out in the Americas and dwindled in western Europe, for reasons
that are not clear. But they continued to thrive on the steppes of eastern Europe and Central Asia,
where short grasses and shrubs grow on vast, dry stretches of land. Most scholars believe it was
here that people domesticated the horse. However, the DNA of domestic horses is very diverse. This
suggests they may be descended from a number of different wild horse populations, in several
locations.
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Initially people probably used domesticated horses to supplement their diet.
This was TRUE. Here is the reading text. The highlighted words show you why TRUE is the correct
answer.
2
Once horses and humans encountered each other, our two species became powerfully linked.
Humans domesticated horses some 6,000 years ago, and over time, we have created more than
200 breeds. The first domestic horses were likely to have been kept mainly as a source of food,
rather than for work or for riding. There is evidence of horses being raised for meat in Kazakhstan, in
Central Asia, around 5,500 years ago later they began to pull chariots, and horseback riding became
common in Afghanistan and Iran about 4,000 years ago. As we have shaped horses to suit our
needs on battlefields, farms and elsewhere, these animals have shaped human history. The ways
we travel, trade, play, work and fight wars have all been profoundly shaped by our use of horses.
10 Methods of artificial selection have changed over the centuries.
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This was NOT GIVEN. Here is the reading text. The highlighted words show you where there is
information about the methods of artificial selection used over the centuries, but there is no
information in the text to show that these methods have changed.
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When people domesticate animals, they control their behavior in many ways. For example, animals
that are being domesticated no longer choose their own mates. Instead, people control their
breeding. Individuals with traits that humans prefer are more likely to produce offspring and pass on
their genes. In the course of several generations, both the body and behavior of the animal are
transformed. In the wild, animals that are well adapted to their environment live long and reproduce,
while others die young. In this way, nature "chooses" the traits that are passed on to the next
generation. This is the process of evolution by natural selection. Domestic animals also evolve, but
people do the selecting. Humans seek out qualities like tameness, and help animals with those traits
to survive and bear young. This is evolution by artificial selection. Most domestic animals are
naturally social. Their wild ancestors lived in groups, with individuals responding to each other –
some led, others followed. In domestic animals, the tendency to submit to others is especially strong.
Generations of breeding have encouraged them to let people take the lead.
Write how you would explain these words.
Individuals … that humans prefer are more likely to produce offspring and pass on their genes.
When people with horses clashed with those without, horses provided a huge advantage.
Yet they can also be agile and quick – fit to carry out difficult tasks at top speed.
Suggested answers
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Paragraph 3 is about breeding and reproduction. The word offspring means the young of an animal.
Paragraph 4 is about fighting and military tactics. The verb clash is another word for fight.
The word agile is another word for quick, but also has the idea of moving lightly.
When you come across unfamiliar word, look it up in the Dictionary.
Multiple choice questions: Approaching the task
Overview
In multiple choice questions, candidates choose the correct answer to a question on the text from
four given options. This requires scanning to find the correct place in the text and then intensive
reading to analyse the exact meaning.
Look at an example of the type of question that appears in the Reading test, which is based on the
text about horses.
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
33 Prehistoric evidence has been found that shows that
A
people have existed in the Americas much longer than horses.
B
horses in the Americas prefer to eat short grasses and shrubs.
C
as the ice caps melted, the wild horse became extinct in the Americas.
D
domestic horses have similar DNA to horses 10,000 years ago.
Horses have been racing across the landscape for around 55 million years – much longer than our
own species has existed. However, prehistoric remains show that at the end of the Ice Age, some
10,000 years ago, wild horses died out in the Americas and dwindled in western Europe, for reasons
that are not clear. But they continued to thrive on the steppes of eastern Europe and Central Asia,
where short grasses and shrubs grow on vast, dry stretches of land. Most scholars believe it was
here that people domesticated the horse. However, the DNA of domestic horses is very diverse. This
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suggests they may be descended from a number of different wild horse populations, in several
locations.
Answer
The answer is C. The answer can be found in the following part of the text:
… prehistoric remains show that at the end of the Ice Age, some 10,000 years ago, wild horses died
out in the Americas…
Short answer questions: Approaching the task
Overview
In this task type, candidates answer questions by using words from the text. Predicting the kind of
answers required is a particularly useful skill when answering short answer questions and
candidates can use the question words to help them do this. For instance, the answer to a question
beginning ‘Where …’ will be a location, the answer to a question beginning ‘Who/Whose …’ will be a
person, the answer to a question beginning ‘What …’ will be a thing, and so on.
Task
Look at the following two questions which are similar to those that appear in the Reading
test. They are based on a text about a competition. Before you read the text, decide whether
the answer will be a place, person, thing etc. Then highlight the correct answers in the text.
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
1 What can be found on the jars of some Delicious Foods products?
2 Where can you find the telephone number on the jars?
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: COMPETITION
Delicious Foods wishes to inform the public that they have placed prizes in selected jars
of Delicious Foods Strawberry Jam. The winning jars have all been marked with a gold
strawberry. Prizes must be claimed by the end of the year. The telephone number to call to
claim the prize is printed on the bottom of each jar.
Clear all answers
Candidate responses
As with all completion questions, candidates write the words on the answer sheet. They should
make sure they answer the question and spell the words correctly.
Look at the responses a candidate gave to the same questions. Why did they get no marks for their
responses?
1 What can be found on the jars of some Delicious Foods products?
Candidate’s response: 'gold strawbry'
2 Where can you find the telephone number on the jars?
Candidate’s response: 'on the bottom of each'
Answers
1 The word strawberry is spelled incorrectly.
2 There are more than three words in this answer.
Make sure that you read ALL instructions carefully and copy spelling carefully.
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Task 2
Fill in the gaps.
A career in journalism
Trainees (1)………… into the industry by a variety of routes. Some are recruited (2) ………… by a
newspaper in their local area and carry out their (3) ………… training under the terms of a training
contract. This is known as direct entry.
1 What type of word do you think is missing in gap 1? Is it an adjective, verb or adverb?
2 What type of word do you think is missing in gap 2? Is it an adjective, verb or adverb?
3 What type of word do you think is missing in gap 3? Is it an adjective, verb or adverb?
(Answers: 1 verb; 2 adverb; 3 adjective.)
3
Try to think of suitable words to complete the text.
Original text:
A career in journalism: How do I get into journalism?
Trainees come into the industry by a variety of routes. Some are recruited directly by a newspaper
in their local area and carry out their basic training under the terms of a training contract. This is
known as direct entry.
Understanding the meaning of a text
Task 3
Read a text of your choice and attempt answering the questions below:
Some texts which you may want to read:
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/britannia-hotels-is-the-worst-chain-inuk-satisfaction-survey-finds-9818630.html
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284379.php
1
What do you think is the author’s opinion?
2
What is the article about?
3
Who is your favourite character and why?
4
What is the most exciting thing that has happened in the article story/book so far?
5
Describe the place where the story/book is set.
6
If the story/book was made into a film, who would you choose as the actors?
7
What do you think is going to happen next?
8
Would you recommend this article/story/book? Why / Why not?
How did you do? Share your answers with the tutor.
√ You can now read this Unit’s Review.
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