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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Take the IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test

Sharpen reading skills with timed practice questions

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art promoting a quiz on IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test

Unlock your potential with this IELTS Academic Reading Practice Test designed to elevate your academic reading skills. Ideal for students seeking high-band strategies, the quiz covers skimming, scanning, and detailed comprehension tasks. All 15 multiple-choice questions are fully customizable in our editor - easily adjust passages or tweak question types for tailored practice. For additional targeted exercises, try the Reading Comprehension Quiz or strengthen your lexicon with the Academic Vocabulary Knowledge Test . Discover more quizzes and keep refining your exam confidence.

Which reading technique is used to get a quick overview of a text's main ideas?
Skimming
Scanning
Detailed reading
Note-taking
Skimming involves rapidly moving the eyes over text to grasp the main ideas without focusing on all the details. This technique is distinct from scanning, which looks for specific information.
What is the primary purpose of scanning when reading a passage?
To read every word in detail
To locate specific information quickly
To understand the overall argument
To make notes on all paragraphs
Scanning is used to find particular facts or details by moving your eyes quickly over the text. It does not aim to grasp the main argument of the entire passage.
In a 'Matching Headings' question type, you are required to:
Match paragraph content with a list of headings
Identify vocabulary synonyms
Find specific numerical data
Answer true/false statements
Matching headings questions test your ability to summarize paragraph ideas and select the most appropriate title. You must grasp the main idea of each paragraph without focusing on small details.
Paraphrasing in reading questions involves:
Rewriting sentences word for word
Finding identical phrases in the text
Expressing ideas using different words
Ignoring synonyms and antonyms
Paraphrasing requires recognizing the same idea expressed differently, often with synonyms or restructured sentences. Understanding paraphrases is essential for answering IELTS reading questions correctly.
What is an effective time-management strategy for IELTS reading?
Spending unlimited time on difficult questions
Allocating a specific time limit for each section
Reading the entire passage before any questions
Writing detailed summaries of every paragraph
Setting time limits for each section helps ensure that you complete all questions within the exam's time frame. This prevents spending too much time on challenging items.
Which strategy helps you effectively locate synonyms in a reading passage?
Memorizing all words before the test
Scanning for keywords and their synonyms
Reading every sentence in detail
Guessing synonyms without reading
Scanning for known keywords and looking for their synonyms allows you to match paraphrased information accurately. This technique saves time compared to detailed reading.
When should you select 'Not Given' in a True/False/Not Given question?
When the statement directly contradicts the passage
When the statement is clearly supported by the text
When there is no information to confirm or deny the statement
When the statement is partially mentioned
You choose 'Not Given' if the passage does not contain enough information to confirm or refute the statement. This distinguishes it from 'True' or 'False' answers.
Reading the headings and subheadings before the main text to predict the content is called:
Summarizing
Previewing
Detailed reading
Note-taking
Previewing involves quickly looking at structure elements like headings to anticipate the topic and organization. This aids comprehension when you read the full text.
Studies have shown that green roofs help insulate buildings, decrease stormwater runoff, and provide habitats for wildlife. According to this information, which benefit is mentioned?
Insulate buildings
Reduce noise pollution
Generate electricity
Improve public transportation
The passage explicitly mentions that green roofs help insulate buildings. Other options like noise reduction or electricity generation are not referenced in the text.
What is the best way to understand an unfamiliar word in context?
Skip the sentence entirely
Infer its meaning from surrounding words
Look only at the word's root
Choose a random synonym
Context clues from the surrounding text often provide enough information to infer an unknown word's meaning. This approach is faster than consulting a dictionary during the exam.
The conjunction 'however' is used in academic texts primarily to indicate:
Addition
Contrast
Cause
Sequence
'However' signals a contrast or exception to what was previously stated. Recognizing such connectors helps you understand the logical flow of arguments.
Evaluating argument flow in a passage involves looking for:
Random facts without connections
Topic sentences and cohesive devices
Unrelated bullet points
Spelling errors
Argument flow relies on clear topic sentences and cohesive language that links ideas logically. Identifying these elements helps you follow the author's reasoning.
A question asking you to fill in missing words from a summary of the passage is called:
Multiple-choice
Matching headings
Summary completion
True/False/Not Given
Summary completion tasks require you to supply words that best complete a summary of the text, testing comprehension of key ideas. This differs from other question types in IELTS reading.
When scanning a timetable for a specific date, you should focus on:
Adjectives and adverbs
Numerals and proper nouns
Synonyms and antonyms
Verb tenses
Dates and events in timetables are often indicated by numbers and names, so targeting numerals and capitalized words helps you find the correct information quickly.
Bioluminescence in deep-sea creatures not only provides a means of communication but also aids in camouflage. What does the author imply about bioluminescence?
It is solely used for attracting mates
It serves for both communication and camouflage
It only confuses predators without other functions
It is harmful to marine ecosystems
The passage states that bioluminescence helps in communication and camouflage. It does not mention mate attraction as the sole function or any harmful ecological effects.
Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting feed-in tariffs to encourage renewable energy production. These policies guarantee fixed payments to energy producers for the electricity they generate from renewable sources, reducing investment risk and stimulating market growth. Which of the following headings best fits the paragraph?
Financial incentives for renewable energy producers
Challenges of renewable energy storage
The history of nonrenewable energy
Environmental impacts of fossil fuels
The paragraph describes how feed-in tariffs provide financial incentives to renewable energy producers. Other headings do not reflect the focus on payment guarantees and investment risk reduction.
"In conclusion, while the initial costs of installing solar panels can be high, long-term savings and environmental benefits make them a worthwhile investment. This dual advantage underscores the future potential of solar technology in sustainable development." What is the primary purpose of the final sentence?
To introduce a new topic
To summarize and emphasize the main conclusion
To present contrasting evidence
To provide statistical data
The sentence highlights the combined financial and environmental benefits as a concluding argument. It reinforces the paragraph's main point rather than introducing new evidence or data.
Which of the following sentences is a paraphrase of 'Sustainable agriculture emphasizes crop rotation to maintain soil fertility'?
Sustainable farming focuses on rotating crops to keep soil fertile
Sustainable agriculture ignores soil quality in planning
Crop rotation is rarely used in modern farming
Maintaining fertility requires synthetic fertilizers exclusively
The first option conveys the same idea with different wording, emphasizing crop rotation and soil fertility. The other options either contradict or change the original meaning.
The survey revealed that 65% of participants preferred remote working at least three days per week, with 20% opting for full-time office attendance and the remainder favoring flexible schedules. According to this data, what percentage chose full-time office attendance?
20%
35%
65%
15%
The passage explicitly states that 20% of participants opted for full-time office attendance. The other percentages refer to different categories or are incorrect.
"Firstly, excessive screen time can disrupt sleep patterns. Moreover, it may lead to decreased physical activity. Finally, prolonged exposure to blue light affects vision health." Which transitional word signals the addition of a new point?
Firstly
Moreover
Finally
Disrupt
'Moreover' is used to add further information to the points made. 'Firstly' and 'Finally' indicate sequence, not simply addition of a related idea.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse complex texts to identify main ideas and supporting details
  2. Apply skimming and scanning techniques for efficient reading
  3. Interpret multiple-choice and matching heading questions accurately
  4. Identify paraphrased information and synonyms in passages
  5. Evaluate logical structure and argument flow in academic passages
  6. Demonstrate effective time-management under exam conditions

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Skimming and Scanning Techniques - Become a reading ninja by zooming through passages to capture the big picture in seconds and pinpoint exact facts when you need them. Skimming helps you grasp general ideas at lightning speed, while scanning is your secret weapon for hunting down specific details. With regular drills, you'll fly through texts like a pro! Six Key Academic Reading Skills
    2. ielts.org
  2. Expand Your Academic Vocabulary - Level up your word power by exploring roots, prefixes, and suffixes to crack unfamiliar terms in a flash. Diving into journals, essays, and articles exposes you to new expressions and helps you remember them through context. A rich vocabulary means you'll breeze through complex passages without breaking a sweat! Improve Academic Reading
    3. ielts.net
  3. Practice with Authentic Reading Materials - Get exam-ready by tackling real IELTS academic reading tests designed by experts. Familiarizing yourself with the actual question styles and timing builds confidence and slashes test-day jitters. Plus, reviewing your answers helps you spot patterns and polish weak spots for top scores! Free IELTS Academic Reading Tests
    4. British Council
  4. Understand Different Question Types - From multiple choice to True/False/Not Given and matching headings, each format has its own tricks. Learn specific strategies - like scanning first for dates in True/False tasks or summarizing paragraphs for heading matches - to maximize accuracy. Practicing each style turns uncertainty into your advantage! Sample Academic Test Questions
    5. ielts.org
  5. Develop Critical Thinking Skills - Become a text detective: question the author's purpose, sift facts from opinions, and weigh evidence like a scholar. This deeper level of analysis not only boosts comprehension but also helps you tackle tricky inference questions. Critical thinking transforms reading from passive to powerful! Critical Reading Skills
    6. ielts.org
  6. Enhance Time Management - Keep your pace laser-focused by aiming for about one minute per question during practice. Using a timer trains your brain to make quick decisions without sacrificing accuracy. When test day arrives, your internal clock will be your best study buddy! Time Management Tips
    7. ielts.net
  7. Identify Paraphrased Information and Synonyms - Writers love to mix things up: the words you see in the questions often appear with different phrasing in the text. Sharpen your ability to spot synonyms and paraphrases so you can match ideas confidently. This skill is like a secret decoder ring for tricky questions! IELTS Academic Reading Overview
    8. ielts.idp.com
  8. Evaluate Logical Structure and Argument Flow - Follow the author's roadmap by mapping out how ideas connect and build on each other. Recognizing introductions, supporting points, and conclusions helps you predict where key details hide. It's like having a treasure map to the text's main gems! Organizing Ideas Guide
    9. ielts.org
  9. Practice Matching Headings Questions - Channel your inner headline writer by summarizing each paragraph in a nutshell. Then link your mini-headlines to the official options - an essential skill for this common IELTS puzzle. With each practice round, your summaries get sharper and matching gets faster! Free Matching Headings Practice
    10. ielts.idp.com
  10. Simulate Exam Conditions - Turn your study space into a mini test arena: set strict time limits, ban notes, and practice with full-length passages. This builds stamina, reduces surprises on test day, and makes the real exam feel like just another practice session. Consistency is your secret weapon against nerves! IELTS Academic Practice Tests
    11. British Council
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