IELTS Reading: Multiple Choice Questions Tips and Strategies

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an important step for those who want to study, work, or move to English-speaking countries. In the IELTS Reading test, multiple choice questions can be a common difficulty, often causing worry among students, especially those at an intermediate level. This guide gives you helpful strategies and tips to answer these questions confidently in both Academic and General IELTS Reading tests.

Understanding the Task

In this part of the test, you'll see sentences, statements, or questions that are not complete. Your job is to pick the correct ending or answer from several choices given. It seems simple, but here’s the catch: only one choice is correct, and the other options, while they might seem right, are there to check your understanding skills.

Key Tips for Success

1. Pre-Read Questions: Before reading the text, look over the questions. This gives you a guide of what to find in the text.
2. Sequential Answers: The answers usually come in the same order as the questions in the text.
3. Detailed Reading: Multiple choice questions need a careful reading of the important parts of the text.
4. Beware of Distractors: Words like "all," "every," or "most" can often confuse you. Pay close attention to these words.
5. No Blank Answers: Not sure of an answer? Make a good guess instead of leaving it blank.

Types of False Answers

1. Almost Right: These choices are tricky because they have information that is nearly correct but a little wrong.
2. Directly Opposite: Some choices might show the exact opposite of what is true in the text.
3. Contextually Irrelevant: These answers may relate to the topic but do not directly answer the question.
4. Outside Information: Some choices may have information that is not in the text.

Strategic Approach to Answering

1. Careful Question Reading: Understand what each question is asking.
2. Skim for General Understanding: Get a sense of the whole text before looking at the details.
3. Look for Synonyms: The text might use different words that mean the same as those in the questions.
4. Distinguish Between Options: Carefully compare the meanings of different answer choices.
5. Predict Answers: Based on what you understand, try to guess the correct answer before looking at the choices.
6. Focused Re-reading: Read the text again with a focus on key words and their synonyms.
7. Compare Similar Answers: For similar answers, look deeper into details and differences.
8. Educated Guessing: If you are stuck, don’t waste time. Guess based on your understanding and move on.

Exercise with Step-by-Step Analysis:

Try the exercise below using this method.

The Method:

1. Read sentences and their possible endings.
2. Skim text for general meaning.
3. Underline key words in questions.
4. Look for key words or synonyms in the text.
5. Read important parts of the text closely.
6. Cross out clearly wrong options.
7. Compare and think about the remaining choices.
8. Choose the answer that best matches the text.

The Exercise:

Paragraph 4: In this book about exploring the earth’s surface, I have focused on those who traveled for real reasons and aimed at more than personal discovery. But that still left me with another problem: the word ‘explorer’ is now linked to a past time. We think back to a golden age, as if exploration was best in the 19th century – as if the process of discovery is now going down, though the truth is that we have named only one and a half million of this planet’s species, and there may be more than 10 million – and that’s not counting bacteria. We have studied only 5 percent of the species we know. We have hardly mapped the ocean floors and know even less about ourselves; we fully understand the workings of only 10 percent of our brains.

…paragraph 5 Skipped…

**Paragraph 6:** Each definition is a little different – and tends to show the work of each pioneer. It was the same whoever I asked: the well-known historian would say exploration was a thing of the past, the leading scientist would say it is about the present. And so on. They each set their own specific standards; the common point in their approach is that they all had, unlike many of us who just enjoy travel or discovering new things, both a clear goal from the start and a wish to record their findings.

Paragraph 7 (last): I should declare my own bias. As a writer, I’m interested in exploring ideas. I’ve done many expeditions and each one was different. I’ve lived for months alone with small groups of people all around the world, even two ‘uncontacted tribes’. But none of these things is of any interest to anyone unless, through my books, I’ve found a new angle, explored a new idea. Why? Because the world has moved on. The time has long passed for the great continental journeys – another walk to the poles, another crossing of the Empty Quarter. We know how the land surface of our planet lies; exploration of it is now down to the details – the habits of microbes, for example, or the eating behavior of buffalo. Aside from the deep sea and deep underground, it’s the time of specialists. However, this overlooks the role the human mind has in sharing distant places; and this is what interests me: how a new look, even at a well-traveled path, can give its readers new insights.

30 In the fourth paragraph, the writer refers to ‘a golden age’ to suggest that

A the amount of useful information from exploration has gone down.

B fewer people are interested in exploring than in the 19th century.

C recent changes have made exploration less exciting.

D we are wrong to think that exploration is no longer needed.

31 In the sixth paragraph, when discussing the definition of exploration, the writer argues that

A people tend to connect exploration to their own job interests.

B some people are likely to misunderstand what exploration means.

C the generally accepted definition has changed over time.

D historians and scientists have better definitions than the general public.

32 In the last paragraph, the writer explains that he is interested in

A how someone’s personality shows in their choice of places to visit.

B the human ability to shed new light on places that may be known.

C how travel writing has changed to meet new demands.

D the feelings that writers develop about the places that they explore.

Step-by-Step Analysis:

Question 30: In the fourth paragraph, the writer refers to ‘a golden age’ to suggest that...

1. Underline Key Words: 'golden age', 'exploration'.
2. Skim Paragraph 4: It talks about exploration and species discovery.
3. Search for Synonyms/Relevant Info: Note phrases like "golden age", "19th century", "process of discovery", "species".
4. Read in Detail: The paragraph highlights ongoing discovery, against the belief that exploration peaked in the 19th century.
5. Evaluate Options:
   • A: Incorrect. The text talks about ongoing exploration.
   • B: Incorrect. Interest level isn’t discussed.
   • C: Incorrect. Excitement isn’t the focus.
   • D: Correct. It suggests we are wrong to view exploration as a thing of the past.

Question 31: In the sixth paragraph, when discussing the definition of exploration, the writer argues that...

1. Underline Key Words: 'definition of exploration', 'argues'.
2. Skim Paragraph 6: It discusses different definitions of exploration.
3. Search for Synonyms/Relevant Info: Phrases like "Each definition is a little different", "show the work of each pioneer".
4. Read in Detail: The text notes how definitions of exploration vary based on individual job perspectives.
5. Evaluate Options:
   • A: Correct. The text supports this idea of job bias in defining exploration.
   • B: Incorrect. Misunderstanding isn’t mentioned.
   • C: Incorrect. Change over time isn’t the focus.
   • D: Incorrect. Not about validity but about personal views.

Question 32: In the last paragraph, the writer explains that he is interested in...

1. Underline Key Words: 'writer', 'interested in'.
2. Skim Paragraph 7: It talks about the writer's experiences and interests in exploration.
3. Search for Synonyms/Relevant Info: Look for phrases that describe the writer’s interests, like "exploration of ideas", "new angle", "new look".
4. Read in Detail: The writer focuses on sharing distant places through new views.
5. Evaluate Options:
   • A: Incorrect. Not about personality and choice of places.
   • B: Correct. Aligns with the writer’s interest in providing new insights into known places.
   • C: Incorrect. Change in travel writing is not the main point.
   • D: Incorrect. It’s not about feelings towards places.

Conclusion

Getting good at multiple choice questions in the IELTS Reading test needs practice and a smart approach. By using the tips and strategies in this guide, you can avoid common mistakes and improve your ability to find the right answers. Remember, practice is key to becoming skilled in handling these types of questions, leading to a higher score in your IELTS Reading test. This guide aims to be your helpful companion as you prepare for this important part of the IELTS exam.