IELTS Reading Part 1 - The Academic Reading

The reading test takes sixty minutes and you have to answer forty questions. The test is divided into three sections with a total of around two and a half thousand words and a variety of question types. Texts come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources, written for a non-specialist audience. 

All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The texts may be written in different styles, for example, narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts use technical vocabulary, then a simple dictionary definition is provided.

There are several different question types – you might have to answer multiple choice questions or you might have to match headings or something else to the right place in the text or you might have to write short answers. For more information about the types of question, see this link.
You will need to transfer your answers to an answer sheet. You must transfer your answers during the hour you are given for the Reading test. Unlike the Listening test, no extra transfer time is given. You should be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you will lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.

Courtesy: British Council

Time allowed: 60 minutes (including transfer time)
Number of sections: 3 sections with the total text length is 2.150–2.750 words
Number of questions: 40 questions
Marking: Each correct answer receives 1 mark


Source: British Council and ielts.org