IELTS Reading Tips Kerala 2026 — True False Not Given, Matching Headings & All 9 Question Types Explained
Athul Mohan — IDP Certified IELTS Trainer
All 9 IELTS Academic Reading Question Types
| Question Type | Frequency | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| True / False / Not Given | Very High | Read the statement, find exact location in text, never infer — only what the text explicitly states |
| Yes / No / Not Given | High | Y/N/NG tests opinions/claims, T/F/NG tests facts — different logic for each |
| Matching Headings | Very High | Read paragraph main idea first, match heading to paragraph — not individual sentences |
| Sentence Completion | High | Answer must fit grammatically; answers appear in text order |
| Summary Completion | High | Use only words from the passage; stay within word limit strictly |
| Multiple Choice | Medium | Read all options before returning to text; eliminate clearly wrong answers first |
| Matching Information | Medium | Scan for specific information; not in order — must check all paragraphs |
| Matching Features | Medium | Match statements to list of people/dates/places; options can repeat |
| Diagram Labelling | Low | Use exact words from passage; answers near diagram description in text |
True / False / Not Given — The Most Misunderstood Question Type
This is the single most-searched IELTS question type in India and the most misunderstood by Kerala students. The three possible answers mean exactly this:
- TRUE — The statement agrees with the information explicitly given in the passage. The text says it directly.
- FALSE — The statement contradicts the information in the passage. The text says the opposite.
- NOT GIVEN — The passage does not mention this information at all. It is neither confirmed nor denied.
The critical rule: Never infer or assume for T/F/NG. If the passage does not explicitly state something, the answer is NOT GIVEN — regardless of how logical your inference is. This is where Kerala students lose the most marks.
Matching Headings — Athul Mohan's Strategy
Most students try to match headings to keywords in the paragraph. This is the wrong approach. Instead: read the paragraph and find the main idea first, then find the heading that expresses that main idea. The first and last sentences of each paragraph usually contain the main idea. Ignore supporting examples when identifying the main idea.
Time Management for IELTS Reading
You have 60 minutes for 40 questions across 3 passages. The recommended split is 17 minutes for Passage 1 (easiest), 20 minutes for Passage 2, and 23 minutes for Passage 3 (hardest). Never spend more than 2 minutes on a single question — move on and return if time allows. An unanswered question scores zero; a guessed answer at least has a chance.
💡 Key fact: IELTS Reading answers are always in order within the passage — except Matching Information and Matching Features. This means once you find the answer to Question 8, Question 9's answer will be after that point in the passage. Use this to scan efficiently.
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