🎯 How to Answer IELTS Reading Multiple-Choice Questions

To answer multiple-choice questions successfully, follow these steps. Each step includes examples and tips on how to use keywords and parallel meaning (also known as synonyms or paraphrasing).

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Step 1: Read the Question Carefully

Understand exactly what the question is asking. Don’t look at the answer options yet.

Example Question:
Why is the Amazon rainforest important?

👉 Mark the keywords: “Amazon rainforest” and “important”

These words tell you what to focus on in the text.

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Step 2: Skim the Text to Find the Right Section

Don’t read the whole text word-for-word. Quickly find the part that talks about the Amazon rainforest or its importance.

Text Example:
"The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world's oxygen, making it a crucial part of Earth’s ecosystem."

👉 Look for words that match or are similar in meaning to your keywords:

• “produces 20% of the world’s oxygen” = important

• “crucial” = very important

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Step 3: Read Closely and Find Parallel Meanings

Now read that section carefully. Look for synonyms or paraphrased ideas.

In this case:

• “Crucial” is a synonym for important

• “Produces 20% of the world’s oxygen” is a fact that explains why it’s important

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Step 4: Eliminate Wrong Answers

Look at the options and cross out ones that are clearly incorrect.

Options:
A. It covers most of South America.
B. It creates a large amount of oxygen.
C. It is home to many animals.
D. It has a high population.

✅ B is correct – it’s supported directly by the text
❌ A, C, and D are either unrelated or not mentioned

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Step 5: Choose the Best Answer

Make sure your final choice matches the meaning of the text exactly. Don’t guess based on what you already know – always rely on the passage.

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✅ Extra Tip: Keep a Keyword/Synonym List

IELTS often uses paraphrasing. Here are some examples of common IELTS keyword pairs:

In the Question	In the Text
Important	Crucial, essential
Cause	Reason, lead to
Scientists believe	Experts suggest, claim
Increased	Rose, grew, went up
Effect	Impact, result, consequence

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By practicing these steps and learning to spot parallel meanings, you’ll get faster and more accurate at answering multiple-choice questions.

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📝 IELTS Reading Practice – Multiple Choice Questions (With Keywords & Parallel Meanings)

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1.

Text:
"Many people believe that Leonardo da Vinci was ahead of his time, not only as an artist but also as a scientist and inventor."

Question:
What is said about Leonardo da Vinci?
A. He was only known for his paintings.
B. He lived in the future.
C. He was talented in several fields.
D. He was not interested in science.

🔍 Keywords: Leonardo da Vinci, talented, several fields
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “not only as an artist but also as a scientist and inventor” = talented in several fields

✅ Correct answer: C

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2.

Text:
"The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world's oxygen, making it a crucial part of Earth’s ecosystem."

Question:
Why is the Amazon rainforest important?
A. It covers most of South America.
B. It creates a large amount of oxygen.
C. It is home to many animals.
D. It has a high population.

🔍 Keywords: Amazon rainforest, important
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “produces 20% of the world's oxygen” = creates a large amount of oxygen

• “crucial part” = important

✅ Correct answer: B

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3.

Text:
"The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, with athletes from 14 countries taking part."

Question:
Where and when were the first modern Olympics held?
A. Paris, 1890
B. Athens, 1896
C. Rome, 1900
D. London, 1888

🔍 Keywords: first modern Olympics, where, when
🟢 Exact match: “Athens in 1896”

✅ Correct answer: B

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4.

Text:
"Unlike other planets in the solar system, Venus rotates in the opposite direction."

Question:
What is unusual about Venus?
A. It is smaller than other planets.
B. It has no atmosphere.
C. It moves in the opposite direction.
D. It is farthest from the Sun.

🔍 Keywords: unusual, Venus, direction
🟢 Parallel meanings: “rotates in the opposite direction” = moves in the opposite direction

✅ Correct answer: C

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5.

Text:
"Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win in two different scientific fields."

Question:
What is special about Marie Curie?
A. She won two Nobel Prizes in science.
B. She worked alone all her life.
C. She refused awards.
D. She discovered electricity.

🔍 Keywords: Marie Curie, special, Nobel Prizes
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “only person to win in two different scientific fields” = won two Nobel Prizes in science

✅ Correct answer: A

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6.

Text:
"Studies show that students who sleep at least 8 hours perform better on tests than those who sleep less."

Question:
According to studies, students perform better when they:
A. skip breakfast
B. sleep longer
C. study late at night
D. drink coffee

🔍 Keywords: perform better, students, sleep
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “sleep at least 8 hours” = sleep longer

✅ Correct answer: B

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7.

Text:
"Plastic waste in the oceans harms marine animals, which often mistake it for food."

Question:
Why is plastic dangerous to sea animals?
A. It pollutes the air.
B. It helps them grow faster.
C. They think it is food.
D. It protects their homes.

🔍 Keywords: plastic, dangerous, sea animals
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “mistake it for food” = they think it is food

• “harms marine animals” = dangerous

✅ Correct answer: C

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8.

Text:
"Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution by natural selection after studying various species on the Galápagos Islands."

Question:
What led Darwin to his theory of evolution?
A. His experiments in a lab
B. His work in Africa
C. His study of animals in Galápagos
D. His teaching at university

🔍 Keywords: Darwin, evolution, led to
🟢 Parallel meanings:

• “after studying various species” = his study of animals

• “on the Galápagos Islands” = Galápagos

✅ Correct answer: C