Reading Tips from Barron‘s IELTS 2nd Edition

Question types

Multiple-choice questions                        Locating information
short-answer questions                             Identifying points of view
Completing sentences                              Identifying writer's claim
Completing notes, summary, tables, flowcharts
Classifying information
Labeling a diagram                                  Matching lists or phrases
Choosing headings for paragraphs or sections of a text
Yes, No, True, False, or Not Given questions

During the Test

1. Read the title and any headings first. Make predictions about the topic.
2. Look over the questions quickly. Make predictions about content and organization.
3. Reading the passage at a normal speed. Don't get stuck on parts or words you dont' understand.
4. When you answer the questions, don't spend too much time on the ones you don't feel sure about. Make a guess and go on.
5. After you have answered all the questions, you can go back and check the ones you aren't sure about.
6. The last passage is longer and more complex than the first two, so remember to save time for it.
7. Be sure to write your answers on the answer sheet before the 60 minutes are up. You will NOT have extra time to transfer your answers.

Predict: Who What When Where and Why

Using

the first paragraph

the topic sentences

specific details

the questions and answers

Common words

Common Adverbs of Frequency

always
usually
often
sometimes
occasionally
seldom
hardly ever
rarely
never

Common Adverbial Time Words or Phrases

every day daily
twice a week
once a month
on occasion
every year, yearly
every other week
from time to time
once in a while

Common Words That Express Emotion

afraid            angry            annoyed            ashamed            bored            confused            disappointed
ecstatic         embarrassed exhausted          frustrated           happy           jealous               mad
miserable      nervous        proud                 sad                    shocked        surprised            unhappy
upset             worried


These words and phrases are often used with comparison and contrast.

almost the same as             in common            also            just as                        as
as the same time as            like, alike              resemble    either/or                    similar to
correspondingly                 neither/nor           than            in the same way
in a like manner


Contrast

although            more than            but            nevertheless            differ from/different from
otherwise          even though         still           unlike                      on the other hand
however            in contrast to       while         instead                     less than            yet

Common negative markers.

Before verbs/clause

not            isn't/can't/won't/shouldn't/couldn't/hasn't/mustn't          
rarely/only rarely            hardly            scarcely            seldom            never          
barely            not since             until            and neither

Before nouns/phrase

no            no where            nothing
at no time 决不，从不             no at this time            in no case决不            by no means决不


Common words and phrases that indicate Chronological Order

before            after            while            during            between   and    
in (year)         on (day)      at(time)       since               later
earlier            formerly      every (number) (years, month, days)
at the turn of the century(decade)              in the first half of the century
in the 20s, 1980s
at birth, in childhood, in infancy, as an adult, in adulthood, in old age
simultaneously, at the same time as
former, latter
previous            prior to            first, second, third, etc.
in the first place, second place            next, then, subsequently
to begin with            in the next place            at last            in conclusion            finally