IELTS Reading question types and how to approach each one
Admin1 November 2026 2 min read
Reading has three passages, 40 questions and 60 minutes, with no extra time to copy answers. Knowing the question types lets you choose the right method before you read.
The seven types at a glance
| Type | Tests | Best habit |
|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Matching facts and spotting what is missing | Decide what the text says first |
| Matching headings | Main idea of a paragraph | Read the first and last sentences |
| Multiple choice | Detail and inference | Eliminate two options, then compare |
| Sentence completion | Specific detail | Predict the word type, check the word limit |
| Matching information | Finding where a detail is | Scan for keywords and paraphrases |
| Summary completion | Following the argument | Read the whole summary first |
| Short answer | Facts | Copy the exact words from the text |
True / False / Not Given
Decide what the text says before you read the statement's judgement.
Matching headings
- Skim the headings and underline the key idea in each.
- Read each paragraph's first and last sentences.
- Cross out a heading once used, but stay flexible: one is a trap that fits part of a paragraph only.
Multiple choice
Eliminate the clearly wrong options first. Beware options that are true in the text but do not answer the question.
Completion tasks
- Check the word limit.
- Predict whether you need a noun, a verb or a number.
- Copy the word exactly. Do not change its form.
A suggested time plan
The test gives you 60 minutes in total and no extra time to copy answers. This split is a common starting point, not an official rule.
| Passage | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 1 | 17 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 3 | 23 |
Practice routine
- Do one question type a day for a week
- After each, find the sentence that gives every answer
- Write the paraphrase pair you missed
#reading#question types
Test the strategy under time
A timed mock shows whether the plan holds up.