4 must-read IELTS Reading books to conquer the exam easily!

Although Reading is considered one of the most boring skills for learners, it is a test that can help candidates easily boost their scores. Therefore, you need to combine it with some good materials for additional practice at home. In today's article, PREP will reveal the top 4 IELTS Reading books that will help you conquer the exam easily! Let's take a look!

I. Basic IELTS Reading

1. Overview

Basic IELTS Reading is the an ideal introductory guide for IELTS Reading, consisting of 3 parts: Introduction, Reading Comprehension Practice, and Answer Key. This IELTS Reading book provides learners with a general overview of the question types in the Reading test, along with tips and effective strategies for quickly and accurately answer each question type.

2. Suitable learners

This book is specifically targeted towards beginners, with proficiency levels ranging from IELTS 3.0 to 3.5, who are starting to familiarize themselves with the IELTS exam structure. Upon completion of the provided exercises and mastery of content, learners can confidently aim to achieve a band score of at least 4.5 or higher in the Reading section.

3. Advantages

• Structured lesson design for beginners: Basic IELTS Reading offers a clear, concise layout that gradually progresses from simple to more complex reading tasks, making it especially convenient for new learners. The simple design of this IELTS book enables effective self-study without the content feeling overly lengthy or unnecessarily complicated.

• Effective strategies for various question types: This IELTS Reading practice book provides clear and practical tips for efficiently tackling different types of questions, helping learners develop solid strategies that they can effectively apply during the real exam.

4. Disadvantages

• Fully presented in English: Because the content is entirely written in English, readers must possess basic foundational knowledge to fully comprehend the instructions and explanations within the book.

5. Study guide

• Firstly, understand the format of each question type in the IELTS Reading test to differentiate them from different types of tasks by carefully reading Unit 1 of this IELTS Reading practice book.
• Study the techniques for handling the Reading test mentioned in Units 2 and 3.
• Practice each question type in the arranged sequence and follow the instructions in this IELTS Reading book. Pay attention to completing all the exercises in each unit in order, as this is an important guiding part that helps learners develop necessary Reading-Comprehension skills, such as guessing word meanings based on context, while also helping readers build the ability to complete various question types simultaneously.
• After completing the requirements of each reading passage, take the time to look up the meanings and learn important vocabulary from the notes section at the end of each unit in the IELTS Reading book.

II. Get Ready for IELTS Reading

1. Overview

The book Get Ready for IELTS Reading consists of 12 well-organized units, each covering distinct vocabulary topics. A notable feature of this resource is that every lesson specifically targets different IELTS Reading question types, enabling focused and efficient learning.

2. Suitable learners

This IELTS Reading book is particularly useful for candidates whose proficiency levels fall between IELTS 3.0 to 3.5. It effectively addresses the needs of those requiring a stronger foundation in reading comprehension before taking the IELTS exam.

3. Advantages

• Practical hints and examination tips: One significant advantage of this IELTS Reading book is the inclusion of clear hints and practical tips aimed at enabling quick and accurate completion of common question types. Moreover, each lesson clearly identifies common mistakes frequently made by IELTS test-takers, helping learners avoid these pitfalls during the actual exam.

• Detailed vocabulary and explanations: The glossary section offers clearly defined and practically explained vocabulary, facilitating learners' understanding as they advance through increasingly complex exercises. The additional sections, "Exam Tips" and "Watch Out," provide valuable advice and alert learners to common mistakes.

4. Disadvantages 

• Entirely English content: Similar to the first book, this IELTS Reading book is also written completely in English, posing potential difficulties for beginners lacking sufficient foundational English skills.

5. Study guide

• Although units can be studied in any order, learners must complete sections sequentially within each unit. This approach is important as Part 1 establishes vocabulary foundations, while Part 2 develops practical reading strategies, culminating in Part 3, where effective exam-oriented practice occurs.
• For optimal outcomes, carefully read the answer explanations provided to identify and learn from mistakes, ensuring steady improvement in your IELTS band scores.
• Commit to practicing all the different question types and exercises systematically to maximize exam preparedness and proficiency.

III. Essential Reading for IELTS

1. Overview

Essential Reading for IELTS is structured across three proficiency levels: Pre-intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-intermediate. It contains 22 comprehensive lessons focusing on common IELTS topics, clearly organized by these proficiency levels.

2. Suitable learners

Designed primarily for learners with an IELTS proficiency level of 4.0 and above, this book effectively prepares candidates aiming for a Reading band score of 6.0.

3. Advantages

• Ideal for structured learning from beginner to intermediate: Essential Reading for IELTS features an organized and logical progression, catering effectively to learners at lower intermediate levels (band 4.0+). The "Warm-up," "Skill Analysis," and "Skill Training" sections provide clearly guided, step-by-step learning, fostering an engaging and comfortable study environment. Particularly, the Skill Analysis section carefully explains essential skills, allowing students to confidently proceed to targeted Skill Training exercises.

• Extensive practice exercises: This resource includes diverse and targeted exercise types related specifically to IELTS Reading requirements. Furthermore, the accompanying Workbook offers valuable supplementary exercises.

4. Disadvantages

• Limited vocabulary support: Although the book covers various topics, explicit vocabulary instruction is limited, requiring learners to actively select and study vocabulary independently.

• Less suited for intensive test preparation: The pace and content are more suitable for progressive skill-building than intensive test-oriented strategies. Consequently, it may not fully satisfy candidates seeking rigorous exam practice.

5. Study guide

• Given the limited vocabulary guidance, learners are advised to proactively select essential vocabulary during practice exercises, highlighting and noting these words independently in a personal vocabulary notebook for review.
• Upon completion of all lessons, diligently utilize the supplementary Workbook exercises, carefully reviewing answers and studying detailed answer explanations provided at the end of the book.

IV. IELTS Advantage Reading Skills

1. Overview

IELTS Advantage Reading Skills is specifically tailored for learners aiming to achieve high band scores of 6.5-7.0. The book systematically presents reading strategies and skills across 10 topic-based lessons aligned with frequently encountered IELTS vocabulary topics.

2. Suitable learners

Ideal for learners with an existing proficiency of IELTS 4.5 and higher, this resource provides targeted strategies to confidently reach band scores of 6.5 and above in the Reading test.

3. Advantages

• Specific strategies for different question types: The book effectively presents precise, proven strategies tailored to various IELTS Reading question types—such as matching headings, identifying topic sentences, and matching information—thus optimizing candidates' efficiency during the actual exam.

• Clearly explained practice exercises: After studying theory and tips, learners can immediately apply new skills to concise practice passages that feature clear and detailed explanations. This practical structure significantly enhances skill acquisition.

• Comprehensive vocabulary coverage: Vocabulary is systematically organized by topic, enabling consistent review and memorization of essential IELTS vocabulary.

4. Disadvantages 

• Fully English-written and challenging for lower-level students: Completely written in English, the book may present comprehension challenges for learners below IELTS 5.0 proficiency.

• Limited length in practice passages: Practice passages are typically shorter than official IELTS passages, suggesting that learners should supplement this book with additional full-length mock tests for thorough preparation.

5. Study guide

• Carefully study all theoretical content sequentially before progressing to practice tests. Maintain a consistent and structured schedule—for instance, allocate approximately 45 minutes daily, aiming to complete one unit every five days. Following this consistent study plan will allow you to finish approximately six units per month, fully mastering the content in two months.
• Consistently review and memorize essential vocabulary after each lesson, as these terms frequently appear on the official IELTS Reading test.

These carefully selected IELTS Reading books compiled by PREP are essential additions to your study resources, equipping you to achieve your desired IELTS Reading band scores efficiently and effectively. Ensure that you utilize these resources consistently to maximize your exam preparedness and overall performance.