In IELTS, it would have been much simpler if students just had to read the comprehension passages in front of them, but that's not the actual scenario. In the Reading section, you're given 3 academic passages with a total of 40 questions, and you're required to understand, decode, and answer them. Multiple question types demand your attention within a one-hour time frame. This blog is particularly for those who struggle to find the best answer to the questions asked. It covers tips to spot similar words and understand paraphrased statements in less time, along with the things you should and should NOT do to score 7+ bands in your IELTS Reading.
Why Is the Knowledge of Synonyms Crucial?
The questions asked aren't always phrased in a clear, plain, and straightforward manner, as examiners often reword the statements using synonyms or by twisting the sentence structure. This makes it difficult for test takers to properly understand the meaning of the question and answer it correctly.
So, to find the correct answer to a question, knowing synonyms is vitally important.
How to Search for Synonyms and Rephrased Sentences
Below are some common tips you can use to find words with similar meanings.
• Spot the unique/key words in the question: There will be distinct words in the form of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that hint at a specific requirement in the question. Read the question and underline such words — for example, doctors, downfall, massive, and so on.
• Guess the word with the same meaning: Before you start searching for answers in the text, predict possible synonyms for your chosen keyword — for example, despite / in spite of, or consequently / as a result.
• Check different forms of words: You may also see words that belong to the same family as the keyword, so look for words in different forms too — for example, increase, increased, increasing, increasingly.
• Examine the context: After reading the whole sentence in the passage, try to understand the meaning of the word in that context, as words can have different meanings depending on the situation described in the passage. For example, the word 'light' can mean "turn off the lights" (electricity) or "the container is very light" (weight).
• Note any change in sentence pattern: The question statement can be in the passive voice while the sentence in the text is written in the active voice. Be attentive and choose your answer accordingly. For example: Text statement — "The researchers studied the motion of the Earth." Question statement — "The motion of the Earth was studied by the researchers."
Usual Structure Used for Paraphrasing
The most common structures you'll find in your IELTS Reading texts are:
• Synonyms: Words used as substitutes for the main word, often used to confuse you — for example, increase / augment / sky-rocket, or harmful / detrimental / damaging.
• Modifying word forms: Paper setters often change the forms of question words to match the statement pattern in your text — for example, significant / significance, patient / patience, dominant / dominance, hero / heroic / heroism, and so on.
• Altering grammatical structure: To make you feel puzzled, the text may present the statement in an altered voice — the typical practice is switching from Active to Passive or vice versa.
• Contradictory words: You should also anticipate negative forms of the selected keywords or question statement, as this trick is frequently used to raise the difficulty level — for example, "it is dangerous" versus "it is not harmless".
Similar Words That You Must Know
• Benefits: Advantages, Merits, Pros, Boon, Perquisites, Perks
• Global: Across the globe, Worldwide, International, Across Borders
• Dangers: Perils, Hazards, Risks, Jeopardy
• Problems: Difficulty, Issue, Trouble, Complication
• Obstacle: Hurdle, Barrier, Hindrance, Impediment, Stumbling Block, Restrictions
• Situation: Circumstances, State of Affairs, Condition, Case
Things to Do for Success
To spot the correct answers, follow these manageable steps:
• Ensure the meaning of the question matches the statement you found in the text.
• Be sure to look for words similar to the question's main keyword.
• Don't let vocabulary dominate your mind over the context — not every word is essential to grasp. Understanding matters more than vocabulary.
Things NOT to Do for Success
When pursuing a target of 7+ bands in IELTS Reading, avoid doing the following. You must not:
• Look for an exact match of the keyword in the text.
• Get sidetracked from the theme around which the word is placed.
• Miss central ideas while focusing on high-sounding vocabulary.
Conclusion
By now, you should see how much easier it is to find the answers when searching for synonyms or similar words. You can also ask IELTS faculty at an IELTS coaching centre to help you with tips and tricks to tackle all the remaining question types.
