The IELTS Reading section is often seen as the toughest part of the exam, demanding quick thinking and sharp comprehension skills. Mastering IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions Strategy with expert tips on locating answers quickly, avoiding common mistakes and improving accuracy for a higher reading score. With just 60 minutes to tackle 40 questions, test-takers face a wide range of challenges, including the notoriously tricky short answer questions. These require precise answers based on detailed text understanding, making them a stumbling block for many.  

In this blog, we’ll share practical tips and proven strategies to help you master this question type. From understanding key instructions to locating relevant information swiftly, you’ll gain valuable insights to improve your accuracy and confidence. Let’s dive in! 

Why are Short Answer Questions Challenging 

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why short answer questions pose difficulties for test-takers: 

• Paraphrasing: The keywords in the question may not match with text in the passage. Paraphrasing makes the students confused to write the exact answers.  

• Word Limit: Writing beyond the word limit accidentally could lead to an incorrect answer. 

• Understanding: Less or wrong understanding of the question will result in wrong answer. For instance, a question demands a name, date, and place, but you are searching for something else. 

• Sentence Structure: The question comes up with a complex sentence structure with multiple clauses, making it hard for the students to focus on the eye-catching information.  

• Timeline: Attempting 40 questions within 60 minutes makes the students stressed when they are unable to get the right location of the question into the paragraph.  

• Spelling: You know the correct answer, but if you write with incorrect spelling, it also penalizes you.  

• Information: Irrelevant information present in the paragraph distracts the students from writing the right answer. 

 

Key Features of Short Answer Questions 

• Format: You are asked a question, and you need to search for it in the paragraph. 

• Word Limit: Your answer will completely depend on the word limit. 

• How to Answer: Your answer should be precise and concise.  

 

Examples of Short Answer Questions 

Passage 1 

Shakespeare’s plays are still widely performed across the world today, although they were written over 400 years ago. His works have had a profound influence on literature, theatre, and even modern-day cinema. Some of his most famous plays include Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. 

Question 1: Which famous playwright’s works are still widely performed today?
Answer: Shakespeare 

Question 2: How long ago were Shakespeare’s plays written?
Answer: 400 years 

Question 3: Name one of Shakespeare’s famous plays.
Answer: Hamlet (or Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth) 

Strategy: Read the question, focus on the main keywords, jump into the paragraph, search keywords (same words or synonyms), and here you get the answers. 

Passage 2 

The Industrial Revolution in Britain marked a period of significant changes in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. It began in the late 18th century and extended into the 19th century. During this time, major inventions such as the steam engine were developed, revolutionizing many industries. 

Question 1: What invention changed many industries during the Industrial Revolution?
Answer: Steam engine 

Question 2: When did the industrial revolution in Britain begin?
Answer: Late 18th century 

Question 3: What sectors were impacted by the industrial revolution?
Answer: Agriculture, manufacturing, transportation 

Strategy: Read the question, focus on the main keywords, jump into the paragraph, search keywords (same words or synonyms), and here you get the answers. 

Tips and Tricks for Achieving Accuracy in Short Answer Questions 

• Read the question and understand its demand. 

• Mark important keywords in the question. 

• Do brainstorm about the keywords and their synonyms. 

• Jump into the paragraph. 

• Skim and scan the passage and try to find out those keywords you marked in the question. 

• Focus on the names of persons, places, and dates mentioned in the paragraph, as they are easy to recognize. 

• Before writing any answer, pay attention towards the word limit, it happens many times that students are writing beyond the word limit, which results in wrong answers. 

• Reading passages comes up with relevant and irrelevant information that wastes our time, and focuses on the question to get to the correct location. 

• Take care of the spelling as correct answers with wrong spellings will deduct your marks. 

By applying these tips, you’ll be better prepared to achieve higher scores in the IELTS Reading section. For further improvement, consider joining an IELTS coaching institute, where expert guidance and targeted practice will help you master each question type with confidence and precision.