IELTS has three modules:
• Reading
• Writing
• Listening and Speaking
The last module, ‘Listening and Speaking’, is common to both ‘Academic’ and ‘General’ categories. But ‘Reading’ and ‘Writing’ sections are different for the ‘Academic’ category candidates.
There is no pass or fail here. Candidates are tested for their language using abilities and given a score. The score ranges from 1 (minimum) to 9 (maximum) —‘1’ denotes a ‘non user’ and ‘9’ an ‘exceptional user’.
Now let’s take up one section at a time:
Reading — RC or reading comprehension is perhaps the toughest section in any entrance examination. It’s so because the passages are very long and not too interesting. It is very difficult for a reader to maintain his/ her concentration for long. RC tests your aptitude to comprehend diverse subjects, and at the same time, your capacity to scan and skim passages.
You get 60 minutes for the The Reading Section and there are 40 questions. But, luckily, there is no negative marking. However, one must not spend too much time on any one question; one can always come back to it later.
How to prepare for the Reading Section?
• Get used to reading — newspapers, magazines, novels. Select topics that you don’t like. This will increase your ability to concentrate on subjects that you find boring.
• Try to increase your reading speed by scanning paragraphs.
• Learn to take notes and find key words and phrases.
• Practice as many IELTS mock tests as possible.
I shall take up the other sections in the coming articles.
No home-work this time. Enjoy your Holi. Take care…