How to answer MCQ in Reading IELTS?

One of the four portions of the IELTS, IELTS Reading is that part of the assessment that measures the test taker’s reading comprehension, vocabulary, working memory and attention, and such other important reading skills.

As mentioned in our previous post, in IELTS Reading, each test taker will read three different texts, which range from factual and descriptive to methodical, discursive, and analytical. The content of these texts will vary, depending whether the test being taken is IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training. A total of 40 questions will be asked thereafter, with most of the items involving multiple choice questions on the reading material.

A total of 60 minutes will be allotted for this part of the exam. For most, if not all, test takers, it is quite a challenge to finish all of these in just an hour: read and understand three different passages, choose the best answer for each of the questions, and then go back to the text and the answers for review. As the examinee, you will have no choice but to be in a hurry, and when you rush, you will be prone to make mistakes.

Most certainly, though, committing these errors is something you can avoid. Here are some of the best tips and strategies in answering multiple choice questions in IELTS Reading, in order for you to get that target band score!

Read the question and instruction carefully.

Even if you are constrained by time, make sure to read the question and instruction very carefully before selecting among the given choices. Do not rely on what was asked previously; no two questions or instructions are the same.

To illustrate, the multiple choice questions in the first passage may ask you to choose two options for each item. In the next or the third passage, there is no guarantee that you will be asked to do the same thing. Do not make the mistake of skipping the instructions and choosing two options per item because that was what was asked of you in the first passage. Again, you may be pressed for time, but reading the instructions for each section and understanding the question for each item are steps you should not skip.

Eliminate obviously incorrect answers.

For many multiple choice questions, there are answer choices that can be eliminated with minimal effort, especially when the question calls for choosing only one answer among a list of three to five choices. Using the elimination strategy, cross out all these obviously incorrect answers, and then focus on the remaining answer options. This strategy does not only let you save time, but it also minimises the risk of random guessing, and thus increases your likelihood of selecting the correct answer.

Make intelligent guesses.

You will not always find the answer to a multiple choice question, and that is totally fine. If you are in doubt, make an educated guess using context clues your knowledge of the world (prior knowledge), and after applying the elimination strategy as discussed above.

In the IELTS, test takers are given credit for answers that are correct, and are not penalised for answers that are incorrect. This being so, you would most certainly rather make a smart guess, rather than leaving the question blank. Your guess, if wrong, would not result in a penalty/deduction anyway, while a correct guess would earn you a point–definitely better than leaving the item unanswered.

Another reason why you should not leave anything blank is that it is easy to get confused when there are empty boxes in the sheet. If you are not mindful, you might risk all of your succeeding answers being wrong just because they are all in the wrong boxes.

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Table of content

  1. IELTS reading multiple choice questions 
  2. Explanation about IELTS reading multiple choice questions 
  3. IELTS reading multiple choice questions - strategies and tips to solve 
  4. Skills required to solve the IELTS reading multiple choice questions 
  5. Challenges faced while answering the IELTS reading multiple choice questions 
  6. How will I answer the IELTS reading multiple choice questions 
  7. Difference between academic multiple choice questions and general multiple choice questions 
  8. Multiple choice questions skill building exercise 1 (academic)
  9. Multiple choice questions skill building exercise 1 (general)
  10. Conclusion

IELTS reading multiple choice questions are the tricky ones in the IELTS reading exams. To minimize the difficulties in answering, read the tips and instructions thoroughly given here. In multiple choice questions, you will be given one reading paragraph followed by several questions based on the paragraph information. Your job is to understand the question and compare it to the paragraph to find the right choice from the different options given.

Multiple choice questions type is one of the extremely important IELTS reading question types in the IELTS reading test. So, you can use this question type to boost your IELTS reading score. Go through this article completely as we’ve included every detail about the IELTS reading multiple choice questions.    

Explanation about IELTS reading multiple choice questions

IELTS reading multiple choice questions type appears in the IELTS reading test to assess your skimming, scanning and understanding skills. Multiple choice questions come with a reading passage and a list of several questions taken from the passage. You need to understand the question and passage to pick the right answer from the given choices.

How to answer MCQ in Reading IELTS?

IELTS reading multiple choice questions - strategies and tips to solve

Find the IELTS reading multiple choice questions tips and strategies listed below. Regardless of the type of question, you can easily crack the questions if the relevant tips and strategies are known.

  1. Carefully read the instructions to find out how many answers to write to a particular question.
  2. Read the question before reading the passage and pick the keywords. If the question statement does not have much information, check the options for the keywords. 
  3. Then, read the passage to spot the related information using the keywords.
  4. Read the relevant text properly and match with each option to pick the correct one.
  5. You will see some choices with keywords, but do not match the information. Some options may be true or contradictory. Avoid such options.
  6. Try removing the two choices and then match the other two options to find the right option.
  7. Find the right option by matching meaning instead of matching keywords.
  8. Note that you need to write the letter of the option on your answer sheet, not words or phrases.
  9. Do not panic if you can not find the answer. Relax and think as you have more chances of getting the correct answer by guessing.
  10. Options below the question are not in order, but the questions are in the correct sequence of the passage.
  11. Since the question asks you to select more than one answer, make certain that you have selected the required number of answers.
  12. Answer all questions as there is no negative marking. If you are not getting the answer, read the text once again and try to get the meaning.
  13. Answer all questions as there are no negative marks. If you do not find the answer, read the text twice to make sense of it.
  14. Sometimes, the last multiple choice questions depend on the overall understanding of the passage, the main idea of the text, or the purpose of the author. 
  15. In this case, the answer is not in any particular part of the paragraph, but based on your overall understanding and logic.

Multiple choice questions is one of the complex question types to solve in the IELTS test. In this case, the IELTS reading multiple choice questions tips and strategies listed above will help you to solve them with ease.

Skills required to solve the IELTS reading multiple choice questions

  • Reading skills
  • Grasping abilities
  • A good prediction based on grammar and logic
  • Eliminating wrong options
  • Identifying keywords, synonyms and paraphrasing

Challenges faced while answering the IELTS reading multiple choice questions 

  • Fail to follow the instructions
  • Reading the whole passage not having much understanding of the question
  • Not recognizing the proper synonyms, paraphrasing
  • Time may consume more as some options with keywords confuse you
  • Spending too much time in one answer

How will I answer the IELTS reading multiple choice questions 

  • Know the tips and strategies before solving the question
  • Read the given instructions thoroughly
  • Read the question carefully to get the main meaning
  • Try to predict the answer in a correct logic
  • Identify the proper keyword from the question or given options
  • Now, skim the passage to spot the keyword or its synonyms
  • Once you find the relevant text, read the specific part clearly.
  • Match the options with the spotted text to find the right option.
  • Write the letter of the correct option in your answer sheet.
  • Repeat the procedure for all the questions.

Difference between academic multiple choice questions and general multiple choice questions 

The only difference between the IELTS academic reading multiple choice question and the general reading multiple choice question lies in the reading passage. If it is academics, the passage will be taken from books, publishing, articles, etc on academic related topics. For general, you will get a passage based on the general topics. IELTS general reading is simpler than IELTS academic

You can find more details on IELTS academic reading multiple choice questions questions

Check here for more details on IELTS general reading multiple choice questions questions 

Multiple choice questions skill building exercise 1 (academic)

Answer questions 1-4 which are based on the reading passage below.

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders occur when emotions disturbs the thinking process and social relationships of an individual to a greater extent. These mostly are episodic in nature. Mood disorders are broken down into two types: Depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. To diagnose the individual with major depression, he or she should go through a major depressive episode. Mostly, a person who are extremely depressed are not commits suicide rather than they create a plan to commit suicide. It was noted that more women suffer from depressive disorder than men. There are also other types of depression which share the same symptoms such as Dysthymic Disorder, Seasonal affective disorder, Psychotic major depression.

A Person who got affected by bipolar disorder experiences great mood swings between depression and mania. Some of the symptoms of bipolar disorders are: Feeling irritable, Being Extremely energetic, Feeling high, Speaking in a fast manner. There are several types of Bipolar disorder such as Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder. In bipolar I disorder, manic episodes and depressive episodes last at least for seven days. In bipolar II disorder, episodes of hypomania and depression are not as severe.

Questions 1-4

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

1. The nature of Mood disorders is

A. Permanent
B. Episodic
C. Temporary
D. None of the above

2. How many subtypes are there in mood disorders?

A. Five
B. Seven
C. Two
D. Four

3. An individual who got affected by bipolar disorder experiences a mood swing between depression

A. Happiness
B. Mania
C. Sadness
D. Hatred

4. In bipolar I disorder, manic episodes and depressive episodes last at least for

A. Four days
B. Two days
C. Five days
D. Seven days

Answer for the skill building exercise 

(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in regular font explains the answer in detail.)

1. B. Episodic 

Explanation: Paragraph 1 - Mood disorders occur when emotions disturbs the thinking process and social relationships of an individual to a greater extent. These mostly are episodic in nature

2. C. Two 

Explanation: Paragraph 1 - Mood disorders are broken down into two types: Depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.

3. B. Mania 

Explanation: Paragraph 2 - A Person who got affected by bipolar disorder experiences great mood swings between depression and mania.

4. D. Seven days

Explanation: Paragraph 2 - In bipolar I disorder, manic episodes and depressive episodes last at least for seven days.

Check more for IELTS academic reading multiple choice questions exercise with answer

Multiple choice questions skill building exercise 1 (general) 

Answer questions 1- 5 which are based on the reading passage below.

The Birdmen

Since the beginning of recorded history, people have fantasised about flying. Leonardo da Vinci produced extensive drawings for human flying machines in the 1400s. You'd think that the development of mechanised flying would put such notions to rest. Not at all. The jet pack, a small piece of equipment worn on your back that allows you to soar vertically into the air and fly forwards, backward, and spin, is the ultimate flight fantasy for many fans. Eric Scott worked as a stuntman in Hollywood for over a decade, strapping jet packs to his back more than 600 times and flying hundreds of metres.

He now works for an energy drink firm, which pays him to tour the world in his jet pack. 'I get to do what I love, and I promote Go Fast beverages wherever I go,' Scott explains. Existing packs last less than 30 seconds, but designers are working on ideas that will allow you to fly for up to 20 minutes. 'That would be incredible,' Scott says.

He now works for an energy drink firm, which pays him to tour the world in his jet pack. 'I get to do what I love, and I promote Go Fast beverages wherever I go,' Scott explains. Existing packs last less than 30 seconds, but designers are working on ideas that will allow you to fly for up to 20 minutes. 'That would be incredible,' Scott says.

Another passionate paramotorist had a close call while in the air recently. Patrick Vandenbulcke adds, "I started to receive a warm feeling in my back." I assumed I was just perspiring. But then I started to feel a burning sensation and understood I needed to get to the ground as soon as possible. Following a later inspection of the engine, I discovered that the exhaust pipe had moved during the flight and the harness had begun to melt. 'This hasn't deterred Vandenbulcke, and he's eager to get others to try paramotoring as well.' However, he cautions, "While it may appear to be less expensive to try to educate yourself, you will regret it later because you will not have a proper technique."

A training course will set you back over £1,000, and the necessary equipment will set you back a few thousand pounds. Secondhand equipment, on the other hand, maybe less expensive. One pre-owned kit was advertised on a website, with some damage to the cage and propeller tips owing to a harsh landing. 'I was scared to death, which is why I'm selling,' the seller explained.

Paramotoring is a lot of fun, but it's not on the same level as Yves Rossy's acrobatics. He's always loved being a daredevil entertainer. He reportedly parachuted from a plane above Lake Geneva and fell to the lake, skimming the top of a fountain as he landed. He then grabbed some water ski equipment and began waterskiing while the crowd looked on, mouths gaping.

Rossy, sometimes known as "the Birdman," was born in Switzerland in 1959. He worked as a pilot for a commercial airline from 1988 to 2000 after flying planes with the Air Force from the ages of 20 to 28. 'The most beautiful office in the world is a plane cockpit,' he recalls, 'but I didn't have any interaction with the air surrounding me.' It seemed like I was in a box or a submarine submerged.' As a result, he focused his efforts from that point forward on becoming the first jet-powered flying man.

Question 1 - 7

Choose the correct letter, A - D.

1. The jet pack, a small piece of equipment worn on your 

A. jacket
B. front
C. back 
D. backpack

2. Designers are working on ideas that will allow you to fly for up to 

A. 10 minutes
B. 2 hours
C. 30 minutes
D. 20 minutes

3. A training course will set you back over £1,000, and the necessary equipment will set you back a few

A. dollars 
B. thousand pounds
C. rupees
D. hundred pounds

4. Rossy grabbed some water ski equipment and began waterskiing while the crowd looked on, 

A. at his face
B. on the top 
C. on the top of the water
D. mouths gaping

5. It seemed like I was in a box or a submarine 

A. submerged
B. landed
C. rest
D. floated

Answer for the skill building exercise 

(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in regular font explains the answer in detail.)

1. C. back

Explanation: Paragraph 1 - The jet pack, a small piece of equipment worn on your back that allows you to soar vertically into the air and fly forwards, backward, and spin, is the ultimate flight fantasy for many fans.

2. D. 20 minutes 

Explanation: Paragraph 2 - Existing packs last less than 30 seconds, but designers are working on ideas that will allow you to fly for up to 20 minutes. 'That would be incredible,' Scott says.

3. B. thousand pounds 

Explanation: Paragraph 5 - A training course will set you back over £1,000, and the necessary equipment will set you back a few thousand pounds. 

4. D. mouth gaping 

Explanation: Paragraph 6 - He then grabbed some water ski equipment and began waterskiing while the crowd looked on, mouths gaping.

5. A. submerged

Explanation: Paragraph 7 - It seemed like I was in a box or a submarine submerged.' 

Check more for IELTS general reading multiple choice questions exercise with answer 

Click the following link to practice multiple choice questions with other question types to upgrade and refine your reading skills and check the answers:

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Conclusion

Finally, we hope this blog provides you with additional information about the IELTS reading multiple choice questions type. Since this is a toughest one, if you know the perfect tactics, you can easily solve this question and increase your score as well. 

How to solve MCQs in IELTS reading?

You can also adapt this strategy to what suits you..
Read the questions carefully..
Skim the text to get the general meaning..
Underline any keywords in the question and think about any synonyms that might appear in the text..
Read the choices and underline any keywords. ... .
Predict the correct answer..

How to crack multiple choice questions in IELTS reading?

Rechecking must be done:- ... .
Don't forget to check all the contexts of keywords:- ... .
Try to rephrase all the sentences:- ... .
Elimination technique should be followed:- ... .
Answer the questions you know first:- ... .
In case of IELTS MCQs, try to predict as it is an instinctive technique:- ... .
Traps and Distracters-be aware of these!.

What is the fastest way to get answers in ielts reading?

Method #1: Drift over each line from left to right. You are looking for a picture. Drift over each line looking for the key word. You don't do it over the whole passage. The answers are in order for a lot of the question types.

How to answer reading comprehension multiple choice questions?

6 Reading Strategies for Multiple Choice Reading Comprehension Questions.
P – Pre-read the text features. R – Read over twice. E – Eliminate wrong answers. ... .
D – Don't forget to read the title. R – Read the passage, then the question. ... .
P – Make predictions. L – Look over passage. ... .
T – Read the title. A – Read all passages..