Are you finding it hard to answer IELTS Reading questions?
So many IELTS learners have faced similar issues.
- Read the texts many times,
- Understand everything, including the questions,
- Still cannot find the answers.
You don’t know why it is happening and you’re feeling so frustrated. Does it sound like you?
There are many reasons this situation is happening to you. Without knowing the cause of the issue, you will not find a solution for it.
In this article, I will delve deep into the reasons this is happening.
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Poor vocabulary bank
Vocabulary is one of the key factors in answering IELTS Reading questions. You cannot answer the questions unless you understand the words in both the questions and the text.
So, if you find yourself not knowing and/or understanding many words in the questions and texts, you must take an extra step to improve your vocabulary. You can learn from the IELTS Reading texts and questions. This is why I always try to explain the vocabulary carefully for each IELTS Reading question.
Tendency to translate
It’s very common that you tend to translate between English and your first language. In many cases, the translation may help you better understand BUT this is a double-sided sword. It may also make you so dependent on the translation that you can’t focus on the more important task, which is looking for the answers. It’s even worse when you struggle making a translated version that fits your style.
Not every word in English has an equivalent in other languages, and vice versa. So, the more you rely on your translation skills (and speed), the less likely you will be able to find the answers. And don’t forget that you also have to translate it back into English.
@ieltswithhuyen 👉 FREE IELTS practice tests on www.practice9.co 🔗 FREE IELTS resources link in my bio 🫶 Have fun learning #ielts #ieltsspeaking #ieltswriting #ieltsreading #ieltslistening #ieltspreparation #ieltstipsandtricks #ieltswithhuyen I took me so long to edit this video. I got inspired by other creators to use #capcut ♬ original sound - Huyen Nguyen | IELTS Trainer
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Obssessed with keywords
When you answer an IELTS Reading question, you tend to look for the same keywords you find the question among the hundreds of words in the text. Sometimes, it happens. But most of the times, it doesn’t. That means you don’t find the same keywords between the texts and the questions. It’s because the questions are normally heavily paraphrased from what is written in the texts.
We all know that mastering paraphrasing is one step closer to our target IELTS scores. But we often focus on paraphrasing what is given to us (IELTS Writing and Speaking) but not identifying paraphrased versions of something (IELTS Reading and Listening). In other words, you find it easier to paraphrase a sentence given to you but it is not easy for you to recognized the paraphrased sentences that have the same meanings with different vocabulary and grammar.
When you are laser-focused on the finding the keywords, you risk not finding the needed information (because of paraphrasing) or getting wrong information with the same keywords. So, you can’t find the answers. I know you’ve been taught about the “Scan and skim” technique but I bet you haven’t been taught how to use it properly.
@ieltswithhuyen ONE WAY THAT CAN GUARANTEE THE RESULTS OF 'SCAN AND SKIM'. Instead of scanning for words, you should SCAN FOR THE MEANING THEN SKIM FOR THE ANSWER. As mentioned, except for names and numbers, the keywords in the questions are often replaced by synonyms (as a result of paraphrasing). However, the meanings must REMAIN THE SAME (also a result of paraphrasing). So, even if you cannot find the exact words, you will ALWAYS FIND THE EXACT MEANING. Here is what you should do. 1. Scan the question and identify any name or number. Read the question (if needed). 2. If there is a name or a number (or both), scan for the name and the number in the text, highlight the name/number then skim for the answer. 3. If there is no name and/or a number, scan for the exact meaning of the question in the text, highlight the part where it is located then skim for the answer. Keep in mind that depending on the type of question you are dealing with, you are requested to read the question first or read the text first. The goal is to make sure you spend more time answering the questions than reading the text. This 'meaning scan and skim' technique works for all types of questions with or without a name and/or a number. And it helps you avoid tricks in reading because of looking at the wrong part of the text. You can practice for IELTS Reading with free tests on Practice9.co. Let me know what you think! 👉 FREE practice tests on www.practice9.co 🔗 FREE resources link in my bio 🫶 Have fun learning #learnielts #ieltsreading #ieltsreadingstrategies #ieltspreparation #ieltsreadingtips #ieltswithhuyen ♬ original sound - Huyen Nguyen | IELTS Trainer
Slow reading speed
Reading speed plays an important role in time management in IELTS Reading. When you take too long to understand what you are reading, it’s difficult for you to compare the information, hence no answers are found.
Overthinking IELTS Reading answers
It’s normal for anyone to analyze a question and try to answer it with their own knowledge before looking for the answer. But IELTS isn’t an exam for your personal social, professional, and scientific knowledge. It’s an English proficiency exam.
Every single answer in IELTS Reading is already given in the passages. To find them, you need to know what the questions are and where the answers may be. To get a correct answer, you must be able to answer the questions using your understanding of the text (not your personal knowledge).
Overthinking makes the answering process longer and less efficient. In most cases, personal knowledge makes it more difficult to answer questions.
It is a real struggle to find IELTS Reading answers. Most people don’t understand why even though they understand everything perfectly, they still cannot find the answers. Let me remind you about the formula I created.
IELTS Reading = 40% Reading Comprehension x 60% Question-solving skills.
Comprehending English is the foundation of IELTS Reading but exam skills are what brings you the band score you need. In most cases, people lack exam skills rather than English reading comprehension.
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