Essential IELTS Reading tips for scoring Band 9, based on expert strategies and test-taker insights:
1. Understand the Test Format Thoroughly
3 Passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes — no extra time to transfer answers.
Each passage increases in difficulty.
Question types: Matching headings, True/False/Not Given, Multiple choice, Sentence completion, etc.
2. Develop Skimming and Scanning Skills
Skim for the general idea of the passage.
Scan for keywords or numbers when answering specific questions.
Practice reading for speed and accuracy — aim for about 15-18 minutes per passage including answering.
3. Master Question Types
Learn specific strategies for each question type:
True/False/Not Given → focus on factual accuracy; beware of assumptions.
Matching Headings → read the paragraph carefully, especially the first and last sentences.
Summary/Sentence Completion → look for synonyms and paraphrases in the text.
4. Focus on Keywords and Paraphrasing
Questions rarely repeat exact words from the text.
Practice identifying synonyms, word forms, and paraphrased ideas.
Underline or note keywords in both the question and passage.
5. Don’t Read Every Word
You’re not expected to read and understand every sentence.
Use skimming to find structure and scanning to locate answers.
Reserve close reading for relevant parts only.
6. Time Management
Target: 20 minutes per passage (including checking).
Skip and return to difficult questions — don’t lose time.
Keep moving. Don’t leave any question blank.
7. Improve Vocabulary
Band 9 readers know academic synonyms and collocations.
Read science, history, environment, and culture articles (e.g., BBC, National Geographic, The Economist).
Create your own vocab journal with meanings and examples.
8. Practice with Real Tests
Use Cambridge IELTS books (especially 7–18).
Time yourself under exam conditions.
Review not just mistakes but also why the correct answer works.
9. Be Grammar-Precise in Gap-Fill Questions
The grammar must fit the sentence.
Know if the gap needs a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
10. Keep Calm and Focus
Stay relaxed and focused during the test.
If one passage is hard, another may be easier — don’t panic.
A calm, practiced test-taker often beats a panicked expert.
You can look for IELTS general reading test to practice.
Part 3 of IELTS speaking
Part 3 Introduction
You will see how to work on developing your fluency for IELTS Speaking Part 3.
You will get some tips on handling Part 3 questions.
IELTS Speaking: How to Introduce Yourself.
Many students are confused about the IELTS Speaking introduction questions in part 1 of the test.
How should you introduce yourself in IELTS Speaking?
Should I give long, fancy answers or keep it short and simple?
How can I be culturally appropriate?
So, let’s find out.
Any IELTS Speaking test starts with introduction questions. What are they? The introduction questions are always about where you live, what you do for work, or what you study. After these questions the examiner goes on to some other topics. It is important to have a good start to your Speaking test, because it will help you feel more confident and calm for the next part.
What happens in the IELTS Speaking Introduction?
Well, after you arrive at the test centre and register, you usually have to leave your belongings in a special room and go to the waiting area.
The examiner will invite you into the room.
They will be recording the whole test, so don’t be surprised to see an MP3 player on the table.
How to give your name?
The examiner asks for your name and checks your ID.
Keep it simple.
Examiner: What’s your name?
Candidate: Claude Rutabana
Examiner: and what can I call you?
Candidate: Just call me Claude
Or
Candidate: You can call me Claude
Tips and Tricks
1. Get to the test centre a little early.
2. Listen to some English (on your phone) before the test.
This will help you get in the mood.
3. Get mentally prepared.
If you are nervous, that is normal and fine. Just allow your nerves to be. Some nerves or butterflies before the test are a good thing. Smile. Be proud of your English. Love your English. Stay in that positive mood for a few seconds.
4. Ignore any notes the examiner makes.
Examiners may make notes and they are usually the timings they follow. They are not your score and have nothing to do with you. Ignore them.
How many parts are there in Part 1?
The examiner asks your name
The examiner will ask 1 or 2 questions about one of the following
Hometown
Home
Work
Study
You will be asked 2 to 3 questions on two more part 1 topics.
Part 1 topics and questions.
What Happens in IELTS Speaking Part 1?
This is what happens in Part 1 of IELTS Speaking;
When you enter the speaking test room, the examiner greets you.
The examiner will start to record the interview (audio)
The examiner asks for your ID
They (he or she) asks your full name
They ask you two or three introduction or ‘warm up’ questions about either
Your home
Your hometown
Your work
Your study
Common Introduction or 'warm up' Questions
In Part 1 of the test, you may get questions similar to these below.
Hometown
What kind of place is it?
What’s the most interesting part of your town/village?
What kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do?
What do tourists like to visit in your hometown?
Home
Talking about your home
Do you live in a house or a flat?
What’s your favorite room?
Is there anything you want to change about this room?
Who do you live with?
Talking about your accommodation:
Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in?
How long have you lived there?
What do you like about living there?
What sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?
Work
Do you work or are you a student?
Part 2 of IELTS speaking
Introduction
You will discover why fluency is important in IELTS Speaking Part 2, and get some tips for handling Part 2.
Unt 8: Comparisons
Practice showing off comparisons when choosing between two things.
You will be able to answer the common "A or B?" type question, such as, ‘do you prefer paper books or digital books?’
Unit 9: Superlatives
You will be able to use superlative adjectives (e.g. the biggest, the best, the longest…) to describe your hometown and country.
Unit 10: Relative Clauses
You will be able to describe people, things and places and also learn how to use pauses to control your fluency.
You have to understand relative clauses.
If you wanted to define information in a sentence or if you want to add some information in a sentence you can use relative clauses.
We are going to learn about four words that are used to define or to add information in a sentence.
First let's understand who
Who is used to refer to person if you want to define a person or add some information about the person, you can use relative clause which includes who which can form a relative clause to talk about something.
If you want to add information or to define something you can use when
When is used to talk about time, to define time to add information, about time.
Where is used to talk about place. If you want to define a place, if you want to add some information about a place you can use where, so relative clauses add or define information in a sentence.
Unit 11. 0: Zero, First, Second and Third Conditional
Unit 11.1: 1st Conditional (If)
You will be able to use new intonation patterns for conditional sentences to talk about possible future situations
Examples: If I have money, I spend it Zero (because it is present, talk about habit)
How do you usually get to school?
I usually walk. If it’s raining, I take a bus.
If there’s no traffic, I cycle.
I don’t take a taxi, unless I’m really late. Zero ( more advanced)
If I have money, I will spend it first (likely possible)
If I had money, I would spend it. (not possible at the moment) Second (less possible)
As long as
Unit 11.2: Third Conditional
You will be able to make clever use of 3rd conditionals to express regrets in Part 2 questions
How to use the third conditional to express regret and to imagine how your life would be different If you had made a different decision.
Example
I went to the party (so the verb is go) and I met you (so the verb is meet)
Can you put those in the spaces in the third form?
If I hadn't gone to the party, I wouldn't have met you. Third (far from reality, totally impossible to change)
Passives (discussion about them)
IELTS Speaking Part 1.
Fluency for IELTS Speaking is a practical course created by English trainers at English Accent Hub.
In this course, it’s like I am sitting in the room with you, guiding you to improve your fluency as you follow me to give answers to different questions from all 3 parts of the IELTS Speaking test.
This course is both fun and professional
In this course you will get,
Intense repetition practice.
In addition, regular practice will help you to start using the most important aspects of grammar automatically, without having to think too much.
Finally, as you move your focus away from words and towards chunks, and as you practice more, you will start to actually feel English
Who this course is for:
IELTS students who need to improve their fluency in English
Take this course if you want a professional approach to preparing IELTS Speaking
Course content
Part1 of IELTS speaking
Unit 1: Present Simple
Practice giving answers about habits and routines, such as doing sports, cooking and reading.
Unit 2: Present perfect continuous (past to present activity)
Practice talking about how long you have been doing things. You will be able to use SINCE and FOR correctly in your answers.
Eg: I came to Huye in 2015.
I live here now.
.I have been living here since 2015. (Point in time) Yesterday, last year, Tuesday
.I have been living here for 6 years. (Duration of time) 2 years, one day, 3 weeks
Subj + Hve/has been+ Verb+ Ing (verb in gerund)
(Work on intonation)
Question
Do you drive?
Yes I do. I’ve been driving since I was 18 ( I turned, since I was a teenager or since I passed my driving test). I usually drive to work every day.
Unit 3: Present Perfect Continuous (recent activity)
You will be able to use the Present Perfect Continuous to describe what you have been doing lately in your hobbies or free-time.
You will start to build your natural English vocabulary with substitute drills.
Unit 4: Past Habit (simple, used to, would)
You will practice answering questions about your childhood or youth, and past habits or activities you used to do then.
You will also continue to build your natural English vocabulary with substitute drills.
Unit 4: Present Perfect (experiences)
You will be able to talk more fluently about your life experiences.
It is used to talk about result in the present.
This tense can be used to describe a past action that has a clear result in the present or some connection with the present.
Eg: I bought my telephone (past action)
I have bought a new telephone (result now/ I can show it)
Look, I have bought a new telephone. (Present perfect)
Tend to = typically= more often than not
Question: How are families today different from the past?
In the past families were larger. Now this has changed, and families tend to be smaller nowadays.
Do you think films have changed since you were a child?
Unit 5: Past continuous
You will practice using the past continuous to give the setting to events or activities in the past.
It is used to describe an activity happening in the past, often overlapping another activity.
Eg; I was watching TV, when the phone rang.
Question: Describe the time you get bored. I was living in Kigali at that time and I got invited to a party, but it was so tiresome/ tedious.
Unit 6: Past Perfect
You will practice describing extra information about an event before it happened. You will look at Part 2 questions on topics such as bad service, boring events and delays.
Unit 7: Present Perfect (result in present)
You will improve your fluency when answering common Part 3 questions such as 'how has ______ changed in recent years?'
What do you know about World War I ?
1. attempt
2. alliances
3. nationalists
4. bystanders
5. avoided
6. declaring
On June 28, 1914, a group of Serbian planned to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. Their first failed—a man threw a bomb at his car, but it bounced off and hurt instead. Later, the Archduke decided to visit the injured people. However, his driver took a wrong turn and stopped in front of Gavrilo Princip, one of the attackers. Princip took the chance to shoot and kill the Archduke and his wife.
This mistake led to Austria-Hungary war on Serbia. Because of , more countries joined, and soon, World War I began. A war that could have been started because of small but deadly errors.
1. Who did the Serbian nationalists plan to kill?
2. What happened when the bomb was thrown at the car?
3. Why did the Archduke's driver stop in front of Gavrilo Princip?
4. What was the result of the Archduke's assassination?
1. The Archduke wanted to see the injured bystanders. |
2. Gavrilo Princip was one of the attackers. |
3. The assassination of Gavrilo Princip led to the start of World War I. |
Conversation
A: I can't believe the bomb didn't work!
B: Yeah, it just bounced off! What are the odds?
A: Well, at least we have another chance.
B: Look, there's the Archduke's car again!
A: Quick, take the shot before they drive away!
B: Got it! This time, we won't miss.
1. Have you ever made a small mistake that caused a big problem?
2. Do you like learning about history? Why or why not?
3. Do you think countries should have alliances? Why?
4. If you could go back in time, what event would you like to see?
5. Can small mistakes change history? Why do you think so?
· attempt – try
· alliances – friends
· nationalists – patriots
· bystanders – onlookers
· avoided – stopped
· declaring – saying
On June 28, 1914, a group of Serbian nationalists planned to kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. Their first attempt failed—a man threw a bomb at his car, but it bounced off and hurt bystanders instead. Later, the Archduke decided to visit the injured people. However, his driver took a wrong turn and stopped in front of Gavrilo Princip, one of the attackers. Princip took the chance to shoot and kill the Archduke and his wife.
This mistake led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. Because of alliances, more countries joined, and soon, World War I began. A war that could have been avoided started because of small but deadly errors.
1. Archduke Franz Ferdinand
2. It bounced off and hurt bystanders.
3. The driver took a wrong turn.
4. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, leading to World War I.
1. The Archduke wanted to see the injured bystanders. – True
2. Gavrilo Princip was one of the attackers. – True
3. The assassination of Gavrilo Princip led to the start of World War I. – False
1. geologists
2. isolated
3. fascinating
4. wilderness
5. persecution
6. survived
In 1978, Soviet discovered a family living deep in the Siberian . The Lykov family had been from the world for 40 years. They had no idea that World War II had happened or that humans had landed on the moon.
The family fled to the forest in 1936 to escape religious . They by growing their own food and hunting. They had no modern tools or medicine.
When the geologists found them, they were amazed. The Lykovs were friendly but chose to stay in the forest. Their story is a example of how people can survive in complete isolation for decades.
1. Who discovered the Lykov family in 1978?
2. How long had the Lykov family been isolated?
3. Why did the Lykov family flee to the forest?
4. How did the Lykov family survive?
1. The Lykov family landed on the moon. |
2. The geologists were surprised to find the Lykov family. |
3. The Lykov family used modern tools to survive. |
Conversation
A: Wow, you really live out here all alone?
B: Yes, we've been here for 40 years!
A: That's amazing! Haven't you missed the world?
B: Not really, we've had everything we needed.
A: But no news or TV?
B: Nope, just nature and peace.
1. Have you ever wanted to live in the forest?
2. What would you miss most if you lived in isolation?
3. Do you think you could survive without modern tools?
4. What would be the hardest part of living in the wilderness?
5. Would you rather live in a large forest or on a small tropical island?
· geologists – scientists
· isolated – alone
· fascinating – interesting
· wilderness – forest
· persecution – bullying
· survived – lived
In 1978, Soviet geologists discovered a family living deep in the Siberian wilderness. The Lykov family had been isolated from the world for 40 years. They had no idea that World War II had happened or that humans had landed on the moon.
The family fled to the forest in 1936 to escape religious persecution. They survived by growing their own food and hunting. They had no modern tools or medicine.
When the geologists found them, they were amazed. The Lykovs were friendly but chose to stay in the forest. Their story is a fascinating example of how people can survive in complete isolation for decades.
1. Soviet geologists.
2. 40 years.
3. To escape religious persecution.
4. They grew their own food and hunted.
1. False
2. True
3. False
Do you know what a windmill does? (Yes, it...)
1. scrap
2. creativity
3. afford
4. turbine
5. electricity
6. determined
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi. At 14, he had to leave school because his family could not___the fees. to continue learning, he spent time in the local library. There, he found a book about windmills and was inspired to build one himself.
Using materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes, he created a wind . At first, it powered a single light bulb, but later, it provided____for his home and helped pump water for his village. His success brought him international fame.
Kamkwamba co-wrote "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" and shared his story worldwide, proving that determination and____can overcome challenges.
1. Why did William Kamkwamba leave school?
2. Where did William find the book about windmills?
3. What did William use to build the wind turbine?
4. What did the wind turbine help do for the village?
1. William was 14 when he was born in Malawi. |
2. The wind turbine powered a single light bulb at first. |
3. William co-wrote a book titled "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind". |
Conversation
A: Hey William, how did you make that windmill?
B: I found a book in the library and got inspired.
A: Wow, you must be a genius!
B: Not really, just curious and determined.
A: So, what's next for you?
B: Maybe a solar panel, who knows!
1. Have you ever built something by yourself?
2. Do you think windmills are useful? Why or why not?
3. What would you do if you had no electricity at home?
4. Have you ever read a book that inspired you?
5. Would you like to visit Malawi someday?
· scrap – old
· creativity – ideas
· afford – pay
· turbine – engine
· electricity – power
· determined – sure
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi. At 14, he had to leave school because his family could not afford the fees. Determined to continue learning, he spent time in the local library. There, he found a book about windmills and was inspired to build one himself.
Using scrap materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes, he created a wind turbine. At first, it powered a single light bulb, but later, it provided electricity for his home and helped pump water for his village. His success brought him international fame.
Kamkwamba co-wrote "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" and shared his story worldwide, proving that determination and creativity can overcome challenges.
1. Because his family could not afford the fees.
2. In the local library.
3. Scrap materials like a bicycle frame, tractor parts, and PVC pipes.
4. It helped pump water for his village.
1. False
2. True
3. True
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