Preparing for IELTS: Reading (Academic)

This part contains three long academic texts with an abundance of terms and 40 questions. All texts are taken from real sources: newspapers, magazines, and textbooks. You will have 60 minutes to complete this course. We'll tell you about study tips and what you need to keep in mind on the exam.

How to prepare

• Read academic texts: about animals, space, art, science. Reading magazines like National Geographic, The New Scientist, Time will help.

• Read movie reviews to build up your vocabulary on «culture».

• Change the language on all gadgets. If you want to Google something, do it in English.

• Analyze texts for grammar.

• Watch documentaries with English subtitles.

In the exam

• When reading a question, underline the key words.

• But don't look in the text for the same words as in the question. Just like in Listening, everything is paraphrased here. Make sense.

• Remember that you have just over a minute for each question. Don't get hung up on one question. If you can't, move on to the next one!

• I'm sure you'll come across a lot of words that you're seeing for the first time in your life. Try to understand what they mean in context.

• Carefully consider how many words you are trying to put into the form. If you write more or less, your answer will not count.

• Transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet immediately.

Wish you as much luck and strength as you can! You'll do great!