IELTS Reading – Short Answer

IELTS Reading – Short Answer Questions

Here are some tips, strategies and articles with short answer questions.

Short Answer Basics

For these, you just answer the question (similar to many reading tests).

Use exact words from the text. Don’t use synonyms or change the grammatical form of the words.

Follow the word limit in the instructions (e.g. ‘No more than two words’). If you write more than that, the answer will be marked wrong.

Answer the following questions with no more than 2 words from the article.

When there are more pension options, what do employees find it difficult to make?
By avoiding choosing a retirement plan, what do workers not get?
When there are lots of choices and we decide on something, how might we feel about our choice afterwards?

Short Answer example from the article Too Much Choice?

Tips for short answer questions

The questions follow the order of the text.
You will usually find the answer to question 2 after the answer to question 1 etc.
Be careful with spelling.
If you spell the word wrong, the answer will be marked wrong
Use grammar and context to help you.
Think about what type of word fits the gap – Is it a noun, verb or adjective? Is it a place, person, thing?

The strategies below are ones I recommend, but there are different ways to approach these questions. Try different strategies and use what works best for you.

Strategies for short answer questions

NB. My preferred method for starting reading:
At the start of each passage, spend 2-3 minutes skimming the text. Think about (or write down) the main idea for each paragraph – this can help you find the answers more quickly.

Look at the questions.
– Think about the type of answer that is needed (the question words can help with this).
– Underline the keywords and think of synonyms.
– Think about where you might find the answer in the text.
For Q1, scan the text for the keywords / synonyms / predicted answer.
– When you find them, read around them to find the answer.
Repeat for the next question.
– Remember that question 2 will usually come after question 1 in the text.