Revealing the secrets to mastering Multiple-choice questions in IELTS Reading for a perfect score.

First, read the questions, mark keywords, highlight content, and go through all the options. These are crucial steps to remember when tackling the Multiple Choice Question format in the IELTS Reading Part. Follow Essay King’s tips below for valuable insights into how to approach Multiple-choice IELTS Reading.

1. Understand the Multiple Choice IELTS Reading Format

Multiple Choice is a question type that requires candidates to choose the correct answer from the given options. The number of correct answers can be one or more, depending on the requirements of the task.

Multiple Choice Questions are a familiar type for most English learners. In terms of requirements, Multiple Choice is similar to True/False/Not Given. Here are two commonly encountered types of multiple-choice questions.

Type 1: Most common. Present 3-4 answer options and ask candidates to select the correct one. Usually, the answers will be provided in the form of:

• One answer provides information unrelated to the passage but still contains keywords.
• One answer provides information contrary to the information in the passage.
• One answer provides information present in the passage but is not the correct answer.
• The correct answer.

Answers can be confusing if not read carefully, as they almost always contain key words from the question. When doing this type of task, candidates need to read the question carefully and calmly choose the most suitable answer.

Type 2: Provide 4-5 answers and require selecting more than 1 correct answer for the given question.

Similar to how Multiple Choice IELTS Reading Type 1 is done, the number of answers a candidate must choose will be more than 1. This type of task is not easy and often requires candidates to be alert and focused to avoid traps, as the answers usually contain keywords.

⚠️Some common traps for Multiple Choice Question types:

• The answer contains enough information corresponding to the passage but includes incorrect details.

• Information is based on inference and does not appear in the passage.

• Information is swapped, leading to a different implication than in the passage.

2. Points to Know Before Attempting Multiple Choice

Some important considerations when tackling Multiple Choice IELTS Reading exercises are:

• Avoid trying to comprehend the entire text: Test-takers should read the questions, identify keywords, and search for those keywords in the passage to answer quickly and efficiently.
• Start by reading the first question: Reading the question first helps to focus on the information needed in the passage.
• Eliminate obviously incorrect answers: Among the options, there will always be some that are definitely wrong. Eliminate these options and concentrate on analyzing the remaining choices.
• Choose an answer even if you don’t fully understand the question: Many candidates quickly select an answer based on keywords without fully understanding the question. This can lead to falling into the trap of misleading information—a common occurrence in English language exams. To answer accurately, it’s essential to read the entire sentence, paragraph containing keywords, and cross-reference with the options to choose the most suitable answer.
• Carefully read the question: Thoroughly read both the question and the passage containing information before making a choice.
• Answers will be arranged in the same order as the questions: Therefore, if possible, follow the sequence to avoid confusion.
• Underline the part containing information for each question in the passage: This way, you can easily locate where the answer might be, avoiding scattered reading and saving time.
• When running out of time, trust your instincts: For questions requiring choosing one out of four answers, you still have a 25% chance of being correct.
• Multiple Choice answers will be found in the passage: The answers are not based on the test-taker’s inference or knowledge.
• Scanning is an important and useful skill in this case.

3. Strategy for Approaching Multiple Choice IELTS Reading

• Step 1: Carefully read the instructions to determine the specific requirements of the task (selecting one or multiple answers).

• Step 2: Read the questions thoroughly to identify the format of completing the sentence or answering the question, along with keywords to search for information.

• Step 3: Identify the location containing relevant information about the answers in the reading passage by searching for keywords. Focus on reading the information around the keywords to accurately understand the meaning of the sentence. Additionally, mark the position in the passage to keep track of the order for the next question.

• Step 4: Read the question and the answer options to identify the correct answer. It is essential to read all the options to avoid missing the correct answer.

• Step 5: Double-check the answers to ensure your choice is correct. In case of uncertainty, you can make an educated guess.

• Step 6: Verify the marked answers in the answer section to avoid losing points.

We have just reviewed with you the approach to tackling the Multiple Choice Reading section in the IELTS exam. This is one of the most common question formats that appears in almost all IELTS Reading tests. Mastering the strategy for this type of task will not only boost your confidence but also enhance your ability to achieve higher scores.