Certain tasks in IELTS are more predictable than others. For example, we know that in the Listening module – which is the same for Academic and General Training – there is always at least one part related to education and academic knowledge. In Speaking Part 2, we can be quite sure there is no specialist knowledge needed. The same is true of the General Training Reading module, but there are topics that are fairly predictable, so this is your chance to do well by predicting what might come up. In this post, we will go through each section of the GT Reading test, seeing what is predictable and what is not.

Section 1: English for life

Section 1 is almost always based on two to three short texts related to using English for everyday tasks – booking a hotel room, looking for information in an advertisement, reading instructions on applying for a driving license. Are you used to using English in your daily life? If yes, the first section should not be too much of a problem for you.

Section 2: Working life

Section 2 is also predictable, with at least one text about work. For example, I have seen texts about dealing with office politics in the GT module. There are a lot of words and expressions in the workplace that have very specific meanings – understand them and you will answer the questions a lot more confidently.

Try this exercise. Without using a dictionary, do you know what the following words mean? (All of them were found in the GT Reading module.)

• endeavour
• evaluate
• win-win agreement
• stakeholder
• fixed-term contract
• legally required
• ad-hoc basis
• resource allocation
• assets
• management directives
• facilitate

If you’re not sure, you probably need more reading practice. There is no shortcut to improving your reading skills, but you can try these five tips to improve your vocabulary.

Section 3: The unpredictable

Section 3 always features a long text that is a lot harder than the previous two. What’s worse, the topic of the text can be about anything, ranging from marine animals to harvesting coffee beans. Do you aim to get a band score of at least 7 in Reading? If you do, you must start reading a wider range of texts, like the topics mentioned above. The good news is that there are plenty of excellent sources online that are completely free. Try these five:

• BBC Future (science, ideas, environment) – free worldwide
• The Guardian (technology, environment, science) – free, reader-supported
• Aeon (long-form essays on ideas and science) – free
• Smithsonian Magazine (history, culture, science) – free online
• NPR (health, science, society) – free

And you can also try these five tips for IELTS Reading.

How much reading is enough?

Little and often beats long weekend sessions. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes a day, or one longer article every couple of days. Over a month, that adds up to 15 to 20 articles across a wide range of topics – more than enough to start recognising the kind of vocabulary and argument structure Section 3 loves. The habit matters more than the volume: consistent daily reading will do more for your band score than any single study marathon.