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Academic vs. General IELTS Reading Made Simple: All You Need To Know

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Planning to take an IELTS London exam? The first and most important question that would come to your mind: Should I take the Academic IELTS or the General IELTS? In order to attend the right IELTS classes in London and perform well in the examination, it is essential to have a clear idea about how these types are different and what all you need to focus on. In this blog, we will discuss how the reading sections in these two versions are different.

Why Does IELTS Have Two Versions?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is used for two main purposes:

  1. Academic IELTS – for those who want to study at a university or college where English is the main language.
  2. General IELTS – for people who need to work, live, or migrate to an English-speaking country.

Since these two groups have different goals, the test content is slightly different—especially in the reading section. Let’s dive in! ‍

1. IELTS Reading Format: Academic vs. General

Number of Questions & Time

Both Academic and General IELTS Reading have:

  • 40 questions
  • 60 minutes (1 hour) to complete

No extra time is given for transferring your answers, so manage your time carefully!

Text Types: What Will You Read?

This is where things get interesting! The type of texts you’ll read depends on which IELTS version you’re taking.

Academic IELTS Reading:

  • 3 long and complex texts
  • Taken from books, journals, newspapers, or research articles
  • Topics are related to science, history, business, or technology
  • Uses more formal and academic language
  • For example, you might get a passage about “The Impact of Climate Change on Ocean Currents”.

General IELTS Reading:

  • 4 or 5 shorter texts
  • Taken from everyday materials like advertisements, job descriptions, magazines, or travel guides
  • Less formal and easier to understand
  • Some sections include workplace-related materials
  • For example, you might read an advert about a “Weekend Yoga Retreat”.

2. Types of Reading Questions in IELTS

Both tests include similar types of questions, but the difficulty level differs. Let’s look at some common ones:

1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

You’ll have a question and 3 or 4 answer choices (A, B, C, or D).

Example (Academic IELTS)

What is the main reason climate change affects ocean currents?

A) Temperature increase

B) Pollution

C) Human migration

D) Tourism

Example (General IELTS)

“Where can you find the customer service desk?”

A) On the second floor

B) Next to the bakery

C) At the entrance

D) In the car park

Tip: Always read the full question carefully before choosing your answer!

2. True / False / Not Given

This is a tricky one! You must decide if a statement is:

  • True (Correct, the passage says this)
  • False (Wrong, the passage says the opposite)
  • Not Given (No information in the passage)

You can find the answer by checking if statements match the text exactly, contradict it, or if the information isn’t provided at all.

Example

Passage: “A recent survey showed that 70% of Londoners use public transport daily.”

Question: Most Londoners travel by car.

False! The passage says “70% use public transport,” so the statement is incorrect.

3. Matching Information

You match headings, sentences, or paragraph numbers.

Example (Academic IELTS)

Passage about “The Effects of Sleep on Brain Function”

  • Paragraph A: Effects on Memory
  • Paragraph B: Effects on Mood
  • Paragraph C: Effects on Decision-Making
  • Question: Which paragraph talks about emotions?

Answer: B!

Example (General IELTS)

Passage about a hotel:

  • Section A: Room prices
  • Section B: Check-in policies
  • Section C: Restaurant opening times

Question: Where can you find information about hotel breakfast?

Answer: C!

3. Which One Is Harder?

It depends!

  • Academic IELTS is harder because of more difficult vocabulary and longer texts.
  • General IELTS is easier because the texts are shorter and more like real-life English.

Quick Test! Try reading:

  • A university research paper (Academic)
  • A restaurant menu (General)

Which one do you find easier? That’s your answer!

4. Tips to Improve Your IELTS Reading Score

Read a Little Every Day

Get used to different text types by reading:

  • Books (for Academic IELTS)
  • Newspapers & websites (for General IELTS)
  • Emails, adverts & brochures (for General IELTS)

Practise Timing

Don’t spend too long on one question—move on! Try reading a full IELTS passage in 20 minutes (this is how long you should spend on each section).

Learn Synonyms & Paraphrasing

IELTS often uses different words for the same meaning. IELTS loves using different words to mean the same thing! Example: “Difficult” = “Challenging” = “Hard”

Scan, Don’t Read Everything!

Quickly identify important keywords instead of reading everything word-by-word. Use skimming (reading quickly) and scanning (looking for specific words).

Start Your IELTS Journey with ES London!

Looking for the best IELTS preparation courses? Join our IELTS preparation class with expert teachers at ES London and be sure to have the support you need to improve your skills. Our school provides the perfect environment to boost your confidence and enhance your English proficiency. Plus, you’ll be part of a friendly community, where you can meet new people and practise English in a supportive atmosphere.

Enquire now to join the right English class in London!  

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