IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions: Tips, Examples & Practice Tests

In IELTS exam, the Reading Short Answer Questions are considered to be the easiest question type in IELTS Reading. Considering that it is not too difficult, candidates may get tempted to rush through questions. However, this may lead to unwanted mistakes.

To ensure that test-takers are careful while answering, in this blog, we will discuss what short answer questions IELTS reading is with some examples, outline the steps to solve these questions and share some valuable tips and practice tests for a comprehensive preparation.

What are IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions?

Short answer questions IELTS Reading requires test-takers to locate the answers in the given passage and answer a question within the number of words specified in the instructions. All they have to do is skim-read the passage and pay attention to the question words, which will help them understand the type of words they need to write as answers.

Also, the short answer type of questions are very similar to the IELTS Reading Sentence Completion. The only difference between both is that in sentence completion, examinees have to complete sentences. In contrast, they have to answer the respective questions in the short-answer type of questions in IELTS Reading.

Example of IELTS Reading Short-Answer Questions

IELTS Reading short answer questions are given in IELTS Academic Reading as well as in the IELTS General Reading exam. Let’s see how they look!

1 What aspect of cockroaches makes the author want them removed from the home?
2 What human aspect do they endanger?
3 Which insect is the best cockroach killer?
4 What can cockroaches do to easily hide?

Click Its Only a Cockroach IELTS Reading to know the answers!

As you can see here, the IELTS Reading short answer questions examples look just like any other questions. So, test-takers can easily handle them if they are well-versed in the strategies to deal with these types of questions, which are given in the next section.

Strategies to Answer IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions

Now it is time to learn how to solve the short answer questions IELTS Reading step-by-step while solving these questions in the IELTS Reading practice tests. Take a look!

Go through the instructions and questions

The first step to answer the short answer questions IELTS Reading is to go through the instructions and read the questions to understand what is being asked. So, start by thoroughly reading the instructions to know the word limit and the questions one-by-one to understand exactly what is being asked. Simultaneously, pay attention to the question words like ‘What’, ‘When’, ‘Why’, ‘How,’ and ‘Who’, as these will guide you to the type of information you need.

Underline the keywords

Keywords are the best way to find out the answer. After you have read the instructions and questions, underline the keywords and think of possible synonyms for them. You can use IELTS Reading keyword techniques to go through and find the paragraphs. Now, using keywords, read the passage attentively and look for the answers.

Understand context

Once you have found the relevant section, read around it to fully understand the context. Sometimes, the exact answer might not be in the sentence with the keyword, but rather in the surrounding sentences. So, develop a strong IELTS vocabulary and be aware of common synonyms which will help you identify the correct answers more quickly.

Do not get confused with paraphrased words

You should always complete the statements or answer the questions with words taken from the passage. Questions from the passage may be paraphrased, so do not get confused about it. Instead, try to understand the hidden meaning to find your answers. The Short Answer question type is almost always used with factual information.

Analyze the question order

IELTS Reading short answer questions usually follows the order of information in the text. Therefore, if the answer to question 2 is located close to the start of a paragraph, the solution to question 3 is probably located later in that same paragraph or in the following paragraph. By limiting the area in which you must look for each answer, this can help you save time.

Use information from the passage to answer precisely

Make sure that your answer is based directly on information from the passage and not based on assumptions or previous knowledge. The test is assessing your ability to locate and convey information accurately from the text.

Recheck your answers

Even if your response is entirely accurate, incorrect spelling and grammar can result in mark deductions. So, it is recommended you double-check your answers to ensure accuracy, especially when using difficult or unusual words.

Get some more advice from the IELTS experts on how to complete the IELTS Reading short answer questions! Take a look at the video below!

Do’s & Don’ts for answering IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions Exercises

Consider following the do’s and don’ts while answering the IELTS Reading short answer questions.

Do’s

• Quickly go through the questions to get an idea of what information you will have to find in the passage.
• Synonyms will be used, so ensure to recognize the hidden vocabulary.
• It’s super important to ensure that your answer doesn’t exceed the word limit.
• If there are new terms in the passage, some answers are likely to be among them.
• Write your answers in capital letters to ensure precision and consistency.
• Your answer must be grammatically correct. So, make sure to work on IELTS grammar while practising the IELTS Reading short answer questions exercises.
• If required, try changing the tense of any verbs to ensure the answer is grammatically correct.

Don’ts

• Don’t read the passage first and then move on to the questions.
• Do not read every word in the passage. Skim and scan the passage for a specific keyword.
• Do not panic if you find any unfamiliar words in the passage as these words must have been paraphrased.
• Time management in IELTS Reading is very important. So, don’t waste time on a single answer if you are confused. Leave it for the time being and get back to it if you have some time at the end.

Practice Tests on IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions

Test how helpful the information above has been by taking the practice tests on IELTS Reading short answer questions exercises and check the answers given below. Also, get your hands on IELTS reading short answer questions PDF.

Test 1

Zulu Beadwork

The South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, more commonly referred to as the Zulu Kingdom, is named after the Zulu people who have inhabited the area since the late 1400s. KwaZulu translates to mean “Place of Heaven.” “Natal” was the name the Portuguese explorers gave this region when they arrived in 1497. At that time, only a few Zulu clans occupied the area. By the late 1700s, the AmaZulu clan, meaning “People of Heaven,” constituted a significant nation. Today the Zulu clan represents the largest ethnic group in South Africa, with at least 11 million people in the kingdom. The Zulu people are known around the world for their elaborate glass beadwork, which they wear not only in their traditional costumes but as part of their everyday apparel. It is possible to learn much about the culture of the Zulu clan through their beadwork.

The glass bead trade in the province of KwaZulu-Natal is believed to be a fairly recent industry. In 1824, an Englishman named Henry Francis Fynn brought glass beads to the region to sell to the African people. Though the British are not considered the first to introduce glass beads, they were a main source through which the Zulu people could access the merchandise they needed. Glass beads had already been manufactured by the Egyptians centuries earlier around the same time when glass was discovered. Some research points to the idea that Egyptians tried to fool South Africans with glass by passing it off as jewels similar in value to gold or ivory. Phoenician mariners brought cargoes of these beads to Africa along with other wares. Before the Europeans arrived, many Arab traders brought glass beads down to the southern countries via camelback. During colonization’, the Europeans facilitated and monopolized the glass bead market, and the Zulu nation became even more closely tied to this art form.

The Zulu people were not fooled into believing that glass beads were precious stones but, rather, used the beads to establish certain codes and rituals in their society. In the African tradition, kings were known to wear beaded regalia so heavy that they required the help of attendants to get out of their thrones. Zulu beadwork is involved in every realm of society, from religion and politics to family and marriage. Among the Zulu women, the craft of beadwork is used as an educational tool as well as a source of recreation and fashion. Personal adornment items include jewellery, skirts, neckbands, and aprons. Besides clothing and accessories, there are many other beaded objects in the Zulu culture, such as bead-covered gourds, which are carried around by women who are having fertility problems. Most importantly, however, Zulu beadwork is a source of communication. In the Zulu tradition, beads are a part of the language with certain words and symbols that can be easily read. A finished product is considered by many artists and collectors to be extremely poetic.

The code behind Zulu beadwork is relatively basic and extremely resistant to change. A simple triangle is the geometric shape used in almost all beaded items. A triangle with the apex pointing downward signifies an unmarried man, while one with the tip pointing upward is worn by an unmarried woman. Married women wear items with two triangles that form a diamond shape, and married men signify their marital status with two triangles that form an hourglass shape. Colors are also significant, though slightly more complicated since each color can have a negative and a positive meaning. Educated by their older sisters, young Zulu girls quickly learn how to send the appropriate messages to a courting male. Similarly, males learn how to interpret the messages and how to wear certain beads that express their interest in marriage.

The codes of the beads are so strong that cultural analysts fear that the beadwork tradition could prevent the Zulu people from progressing technologically and economically. Socioeconomic data shows that the more a culture resists change the more risk there is in a value system falling apart. Though traditional beadwork still holds a serious place in Zulu culture, the decorative art form is often modified for tourists, with popular items such as the beaded fertility doll.

• Which country does the Zulu clan reside in?
• When did the Portuguese arrive in KwaZulu-Natal?
• How many members of the Zulu Kingdom are there?

Find answers to the above question from Zulu Beadwork reading answers here!

Test 2

Questions 1-6

1 Which advertisement offers a flexible timetable?

2 Which advertisement is NOT for English tuition?

3 Which advertisement offers a school that has specialized its product?

4 Which advertisement boasts the newest school?

5 Which advertisement offers organized activities out of school hours?

6 Which advertisement says that you can visit and look around?

Find answers to the above question from Queen’s School of English reading answers here!

Test 3

Holiday Blues

The holiday season has always been a cause for celebration around the world. The opportunity to take a break from work, be frivolous, go on holiday, meet family and friends – all good reasons to look forward to the holidays with enthusiasm and anticipation. Or at least that is what we are led to believe.

Research carried out in America suggests that these feelings of euphoria may be somewhat misplaced. A study recently carried out by New York University Child Study Centre has concluded that one in three people of varying ages suffer ‘holiday blues’ to varying extents, from a mild feelings of sadness to severe, sometimes even suicidal, depression. The effects can manifest themselves in many ways, such as an inability to sleep or sleeping too much, overeating or undereating, headaches or drinking too much. The report also concluded that not only are there a number of complex causes that can trigger such depression (psychological and biological), there are an equal number of opinions as to the best solution.

According to Dr Frank Pittman, a leading family psychiatrist, the most significant cause for holiday depression actually stems from our concerns about our family. During the holiday season, families meet, often for the first time since the last holiday season, and try to make these reunions ‘perfect’. In fact, says Pittman, we count on the holidays to compensate for the rest of the year. He himself comments that ‘I wanted to make up to the family for not having been a good enough father and uncle all year’. However, such good intentions are often thwarted by old family arguments, feelings of not being appreciated or being used, all of which result in holiday stress. It seems that the idyllic picture of our family we wish to build in our minds cannot be sustained in reality.

Although Pittman holds family to be the source of much of the problem, others point to more general social context. Gift shopping, for example, does not help reduce tensions – crowded shops, long queues, the pressure of choosing just the right present – all of these things contribute to a feeling of stress and anxiety. On the other end of the scale, there are those without family who experience a sense of extreme loneliness and isolation throughout this period, often spending the long holidays alone. Any feelings of inadequacy they may harbour throughout the year can often become unbearable at a time when friends are unavailable and enjoying an apparently cosy break with their loved ones. In fact, such is the extreme nature of this isolation that many organisations have been established to offer some help and support to those who feel most alone over what should be the ‘festive’ season.

Others, however, argue that more scientific explanations carry an equal weight in explaining holiday blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD as it is more commonly known, is also held responsible for winter depression. A natural reaction to falling levels of sunlight, the pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which has the effect of slowing the body down. When days get shorter, more of the hormone is released causing sufferers to become lethargic and miserable. From being industry people with plenty of energy, SAD sufferers find themselves increasingly weary and unable to sustain any prolonged activity, a situation which often leads to depression. In addition, for many people this has a major impact not only on their personal life but also on their professional life, as employers often see this lack of productivity in terms of laziness or unwillingness to work. As a result, SAD has been linked directly to the high rate of suicide in a number of Scandinavian countries during winter months, when there are often a few hours of sunlight a day.

The good news for SAD sufferers is that there is a cure, and as far as many medical cures go this is relatively simple. As the cause is lack of bright light, the treatment is to be in bright light every day. This can obviously be achieved by staying in a brightly lit climate, explaining why skiing holidays are so popular as they allow people to get plenty of sunlight as well as providing a stimulating activity. Another method is by using light therapy, in which patients sit in front of a lamp which acts in the same way as sunlight. To be more specific, the light should be about as bright as early morning sunshine, and the user should allow the light to reach the eyes for anything up to one hour a day in order to alleviate the symptoms. There are a number of companies currently manufacturing these lights as a health aid and they are even being prescribed by some doctors. In addition, they can be bought at considerably less than the cost of a holiday.

Whatever fundamental reason underpins holiday depression, it seems reasonable to argue that the phenomenon does indeed exist. Voluntary support services, offering counselling services to those who need the unbiased and friendly voice of a stranger to help them work through their unhappiness report a significantly increased demand for their services during holiday periods such as Christmas and the New Year.

• What is the chemical that can cause lethargy in SAD sufferers?
• Which area is identified as having a problem with the connection between suicide and reduced sunlight?
• What daily treatment can SAD sufferers benefit from?
• For whom are the holiday periods the busiest time?

Find answers to the above question from Holiday blues reading answers here!

Here are the 10 examples for the IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions:

• Example 1
• Example 2
• Example 3
• Example 4
• Example 5
• Example 6
• Example 7
• Example 8
• Example 9
• Example 10

To conclude, test-takers can raise their chances of receiving high marks by being aware of the question type, practicing frequently, and employing efficient reading strategies. As always, be mindful of time management, provide accurate answers, and proofread the answers. Following the right strategy and lots of practice will enable every examinee to handle this difficult section of the IELTS exam.

Moreover, feel free to check out our highly rated IELTS Reading Academic Test Guide or ultimate guide to IELTS General reading with actual IELTS General Reading test papers.

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