IELTS Academic · Reading · R3

IELTS Academic Reading Passage 3: Analytical Academic Text

IELTS Academic Reading Passage 3 is the last and usually most demanding text in the 60-minute Reading test. It is often analytical, such as a summary of research, and may present the writer's own argument. Questions commonly include YES/NO/NOT GIVEN on the writer's views, matching sentence endings, summary completion and multiple choice.

Section: Passage 3 of 3; ends at question 40
Time: Whatever remains of the single 60-minute timer
Text type: Analytical or argumentative academic text
Common task types: YES/NO/NOT GIVEN, matching sentence endings, summary completion, multiple choice

How it works

1You open Passage 3 from the passage tabs, usually with the least time left.
2Questions sit beside the text, grouped by task type.
3Summary completion may give a box of words to choose from or ask you to take words from the passage.
4When the 60-minute timer ends, all Reading answers are submitted together.

Sample question

Original sample · not from an official test

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer? Choose YES, NO or NOT GIVEN. Passage excerpt: The experiment is often cited as proof that people copy the choices of a group. Yet the participants were all first-year students in one department, tested by their own lecturers. To treat the result as a general law of behaviour is, in my view, to ask far more of the data than it can support. Statement: The writer believes the experiment's findings can be applied to people in general.

AYES
BNO
CNOT GIVEN

Show answer

Answer: NO

The writer says treating the result as a general law asks more of the data than it can support. That is a view opposite to the statement, so the answer is NO. The phrase 'in my view' shows this is the writer's claim, not a fact.

Tips that work

YES/NO/NOT GIVEN is about the writer's opinion. Look for evaluative language: 'in my view', 'misleading', 'it is unlikely that'.
For matching sentence endings, check that the ending is grammatical and true to the text; several may fit the grammar.
Keep at least 20 minutes for Passage 3. If you are short of time, answer the completion questions first, as they are quicker to locate.
Watch qualifying words such as 'some', 'always', 'mainly' and 'may'; one word can change a YES to a NO.

Common mistakes

Treating YES/NO/NOT GIVEN like TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN and judging facts instead of the writer's claims.
Running out of time on Passage 3 after spending too long on Passage 1.

Questions candidates ask

What is the difference between YES/NO/NOT GIVEN and TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN?

TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN checks factual information in the passage. YES/NO/NOT GIVEN checks the writer's views or claims. If the writer does not express an opinion on the point, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

How do I read Passage 3 faster?

Do not read every word first. Skim for the structure, read the questions, then read closely only where the answers are. Regular timed practice matters more than any single technique.

Is my Reading band shown after a practice set?

An IELTS band comes from a full 40-question Reading test. A single passage gives you an accuracy score; take a full mock test for a band estimate. Your first full mock test is free.