IELTS Reading Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a sentence-completion task, what limit usually applies to your answer?
- No word limit
- A specified maximum number of words, such as 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS' (Correct answer)
- Always exactly five words
- Only single letters
Correct answer: A specified maximum number of words, such as 'NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS'
Completion tasks state a strict word limit that must be followed or the answer is marked wrong.
Question 2: If the instruction says 'ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER', which answer is acceptable?
- 'in 1990'
- '1990' (Correct answer)
- 'the year 1990'
- 'around 1990s'
Correct answer: '1990'
'1990' alone respects the one-word-and/or-a-number limit, whereas the others exceed it.
Question 3: What does 'skimming' a passage help you achieve?
- Memorizing every word
- Getting the general idea and structure quickly (Correct answer)
- Finding one exact date
- Checking spelling
Correct answer: Getting the general idea and structure quickly
Skimming gives a fast overview of the passage's main ideas and organization.
Question 4: In matching-information questions, what are you typically asked to do?
- Find which paragraph contains a specific piece of information (Correct answer)
- Translate the paragraph
- Count the sentences
- Identify the author's nationality
Correct answer: Find which paragraph contains a specific piece of information
Matching-information tasks require locating which paragraph holds a given detail or example.
Question 5: Why should you transfer answers carefully onto the answer sheet in the paper test?
- There is extra time given just for transferring
- No extra transfer time is given, and spelling/grammar errors lose marks (Correct answer)
- Answers are graded on neatness
- The examiner ignores the answer sheet
Correct answer: No extra transfer time is given, and spelling/grammar errors lose marks
Unlike Listening, Reading gives no extra transfer time, and misspelled answers are marked incorrect.
Question 6: What is a common trap in True/False/Not Given questions?
- Statements using identical words to the passage
- Assuming 'Not Given' when the text actually contradicts the statement (Correct answer)
- Questions being too short
- All answers being True
Correct answer: Assuming 'Not Given' when the text actually contradicts the statement
Test-takers often pick 'Not Given' when careful reading shows the text truly contradicts the statement.
Question 7: How should you handle words in a question that are paraphrased in the passage?
- Ignore them
- Recognize synonyms and reworded ideas rather than exact-word matches (Correct answer)
- Only accept identical wording
- Assume the answer is Not Given
Correct answer: Recognize synonyms and reworded ideas rather than exact-word matches
IELTS commonly paraphrases, so recognizing synonyms and rephrasing is essential to finding answers.
IELTS Reading Comprehension 3
In a sentence-completion task, what limit usually applies to your answer?