IELTS Prep BDThe main question types
Matching headings, True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given, multiple choice, matching information, sentence or summary completion, and short-answer questions. Each needs a different approach, so identify the type first every time.
True, False and Not Given are different
True means the passage agrees; False means it directly contradicts the statement; Not Given means the passage says nothing about it. Do not use outside knowledge; rely only on what the passage says.
Manage your time
Allow about 20 minutes per passage and move on if you are stuck, returning later. Follow word limits such as "NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS" and spell correctly. In the paper-based test there is no extra time to copy answers.
Learn from your errors
Next to each wrong answer note the reason: the keyword did not match, the question was misread, a word was unknown, or time ran out. If one reason repeats, practise that question type separately.
A short sample from an app lesson
Skim for Main Ideas
Skim a short passage in under a minute and state its topic and each paragraph's main idea.
Skim for topic and direction
Skimming means reading selectively for the topic and where the paragraph is going. You are not trying to understand every detail on the first pass.
Urban trees cool streets by providing shade. They can also reduce air pollution and make neighbourhoods more pleasant. A 2024 survey in one district counted 1,860 roadside trees.
Skim note: Urban trees improve city environments.
The exact tree count is a detail; the repeated idea is the benefit of urban trees.
Use the strongest skim cues
Use the title, opening line, repeated ideas and contrast words such as "however" or "but". A contrast can change the direction, so notice what comes after it.
Online classes can save commuting time. However, students often report that long video sessions make concentration harder.
Main direction: a drawback of long online classes.
"However" turns the paragraph from an advantage to a problem.
Try it yourself
Rooftop gardens are appearing on many apartment buildings. Besides producing herbs and vegetables, they help absorb rainwater and can reduce heat around the roof. Some residents meet there in the evenings, turning unused space into a shared area.Skim the paragraph and choose its main idea.
- Rooftop gardens make unused roofs more useful in several ways.
- Residents prefer growing herbs to growing vegetables.
- Evening meetings are the main reason rooftop gardens are built.
Show the answer and explanation
A. Rooftop gardens make unused roofs more useful in several ways.
The paragraph keeps adding different benefits of rooftop gardens, so the broad idea is that they make roof space useful in several ways.
Common questions
What is the difference between Not Given and False?
With False the passage directly contradicts the statement; with Not Given it says nothing on the point. Look for evidence in the passage before answering.
Is a spelling mistake marked wrong?
Yes. Written answers must be spelt correctly.