Mastering the Reading skills with IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book

To conquer the IELTS Reading skills, what are the best materials for candidates to study? This is a question that IELTS test takers are always concerned about, right? In today's article, PREP will review a golden resource for IELTS Reading preparation - the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book. Let's explore the outstanding features of this book!

I. Overview of IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book

Below is general information about the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book. Let's find out right now with PREP!

1. General introduction

IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book is one of the books in the IELTS Actual Test series, focusing on reading comprehension skills. The practice tests in the book are collected from real IELTS exams, making it a must-have resource for achieving a high Reading band score.

2. Main sections of the book

IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book includes 6 volumes, specifically:

• Each volume consists of 6 practice tests, with each test comprising 4 sections and a total of 40 questions. The special feature is that these tests have appeared in real IELTS Reading exams.
• The book provides a compilation of important vocabulary and key grammar points for readers. After each unit, there are exercises for systematic vocabulary review and better retention.
• Finally, there is an Answer Key section for self-checking and evaluating one's current proficiency level.

3. Suitable target audience

The IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book is suitable for two main target audiences:

• Students: Students using the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book should have a basic foundation in English vocabulary and grammar. After gaining the fundamental knowledge and transitioning to the stage of practicing Reading tests, the appropriate proficiency level for students to use this book is 4.0 - 5.0.
• Teachers: Teachers can use this book as a reference for IELTS Reading tests since the tests are compiled from real exams, making it a reliable resource.

II. Pros and Cons of the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book? Let's find out below!

1. Pros

• Preparation for real exam tasks: The IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book provides a collection of authentic reading passages taken from previous IELTS exams. This helps you familiarize yourself with the official IELTS Reading test format.
• Expand vocabulary and grammar: The book offers a range of common vocabulary and grammar used in IELTS readings. By reading and doing exercises in the book, you can enhance your vocabulary and grammar knowledge. Don't forget to also refer to the article "101 Most Commonly Used Vocabulary in IELTS Reading"!
• Develop reading comprehension skills: The IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book helps you develop reading comprehension skills, including finding information, understanding main ideas, distinguishing between important and detailed information, and summarizing content. These skills are crucial for the reading section of the IELTS exam.
• Analysis of test-taking strategies: The book provides detailed explanations of how to approach each reading passage, including effective reading strategies, how to locate answers, and how to manage time efficiently. This helps you understand how to approach and solve different types of questions in the IELTS Reading test.

2. Cons

• Limited practice in applying vocabulary: Some IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests books may focus mainly on developing reading comprehension skills and overlook the creative application of vocabulary. This can limit your ability to use vocabulary flexibly in answering IELTS Reading questions.
• Lack of topic diversity: Some IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests books may be biased towards specific topics, which can limit exposure to various topics.

III. Effective ways to study the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book

To effectively utilize the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book, you need to have a solid foundation of knowledge and employ effective study strategies and tools. Below are suggested ways to study the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book as recommended by PREP!

1. Create a regular weekly study schedule 

Set a clear study schedule and allocate time for reading and completing exercises in the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book. Below, PREP provides a suggested schedule for conquering the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book Vol 1, which you can adapt for the other volumes:

2. Reading diverse topics

The IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book may include reading passages on various topics. To expand your vocabulary and knowledge, read passages from different fields such as science, economics, social issues, culture, and the environment.

Additionally, you can actively read news on international websites to supplement your knowledge and specialized vocabulary. Here are some specific online news sources you can refer to:

• The New York Times
• The Economist
• The New Yorker
• Harvard Business Review
• The Independent
• USA TODAY
• …….

These are news outlets that constantly update daily news worldwide. Try to spend 30 minutes each day reading the news to enhance your knowledge and learn new words!

3. Take notes and organize information

When reading passages in the book, take notes of the main ideas, new vocabulary, and important information. Organize the information based on topic objectives, main ideas, and details for easy reference when needed. For example, after reading an article on environmental issues, you can take note of useful words or phrases that you can apply later. Here's a specific example that PREP provides for you!

For example: Water pollution poses a grave environmental and societal challenge with far-reaching implications. It arises from the unregulated discharge of toxic chemicals, industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. These pollutants infiltrate water bodies, leading to the degradation of ecosystems, destruction of marine habitats, and the accumulation of hazardous substances in the food chain. Concerted actions involving government regulations, industry compliance, and public awareness campaigns are necessary to mitigate this issue and restore the health of our water resources.

Taking notes of useful phrases will help you accumulate vocabulary to develop ideas in your speaking skills and have advanced vocabulary for IELTS Writing.

4. Time-limited practice

Use a timer to set a time limit for completing exercises in the book. Practicing with time constraints helps you become familiar with the speed and pressure of the actual IELTS Reading Recent Test. However, if you are a beginner, the time allocation and process may differ from experienced test-takers. Let's take a look at the suggested time allocation below that PREP recommends!

5. Check and evaluate your progress

After completing the exercises, check and evaluate your progress. Consider the common mistakes you have made and learn how to correct them. Redo the exercises that you feel unsure about to grasp the aspects you need to improve. Here is an example of a progress evaluation that PREP suggests:

6. Use a dictionary during your study

During your study, use a dictionary to look up the meanings and usages of new vocabulary. However, be mindful of using the dictionary appropriately and not relying too heavily on it to avoid interrupting the learning process. Here are some online dictionary resources you can use during your preparation:

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Oxford  Learner’s Dictionaries
• Longman Dictionary
• Thesaurus
• Urban Dictionary
• …..

7. Seek additional resources

The IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book is a useful resource, but don't solely focus on this material. You need to search for additional sources of practice tests. Here are some suitable books for IELTS band scores 4.0 - 5.0 that you can consider to diversify your study materials:

• Cambridge 10-18: These are the most reliable IELTS preparation materials. The books from Cambridge 10 to Cambridge 18 provide updated question formats and the latest topics. You can practice reading passages from these books to accumulate vocabulary, grammar, and familiarize yourself with the question types in the IELTS Reading section.
• Reading Strategies for the IELTS Test: This is a comprehensive resource for IELTS test takers, especially those who want to focus intensively on their reading skills. The book's well-organized structure, strategies, and practice tests will help you become familiar with the IELTS Reading section.
• Basic IELTS Reading: This book contains 14 reading tests. You can practice your reading skills with the passages in this book. It follows the format of the actual test, covers a variety of topics, and provides detailed answer explanations.
• Get Ready for IELTS Reading: In the Get Ready for IELTS series, you will learn about all the skills required for the IELTS test. For reading skills, you can practice with the reading exercises provided in the book. Afterward, there are comprehensive practice tests for you to consolidate your knowledge.
• IELTS Advantage - Reading Skills: This book focuses on developing reading skills and provides slightly more advanced knowledge suitable for those with a band score of 5.0 - 6.0. The book includes 10 units with readings on various topics such as "Full of Energy," "Network," "Work and Money," etc. Additionally, the readings contain different question types to help you gradually become familiar with them.

IV. Where to buy the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book?

To study effectively, you can purchase physical books from e-commerce websites such as Tiki, Shopee, or reputable bookstores like Fahasa, Vinabook, and other bookshops.

PREP suggests some addresses where you can buy or download high-quality PDF files of these 6 books in the table below:

V. Effective and free IELTS Reading Practice with prepedu.com

In addition to self-studying IELTS Reading, you can find a study buddy to help improve your skills and stay motivated during the learning process. That's where PREP comes in, a platform that helps students enhance their Reading skills and encourages daily learning!

1. IELTS Reading Practice with prepedu.com's Blog

PREP's Blog is a treasure trove of high-quality knowledge, curated, compiled, and prepared by experienced teachers with expertise in English. All subject-related knowledge, including vocabulary, grammar, study materials, and various exams such as IELTS, TOEIC, are regularly and continuously updated by PREP to provide you with the most accurate information.

2. IELTS Reading Practice with prepedu.com's Test Practice

Once you have acquired sufficient reading skills, you will need to search for and compile authentic practice materials in the format of real exam papers to practice with. However, there are numerous low-quality resources available online, which can adversely affect your learning process. PREP understands this challenge and has created Test Practice, a standardized practice test room. When you practice Reading skills with Test Practice, you will:

• Solve IELTS Reading tests with the same format as the real exams, including a collection of previously administered tests.
• Use the on-screen timer to control the time spent on each passage and review time.
• After completing a test, your score will appear on the screen along with the correct answers. If you have any doubts or questions about specific questions or answers, PREP is ready to provide detailed explanations to resolve them.

3. IELTS Reading Practice with prepedu.com's IELTS Courses

However, reaching the stage of practicing exam papers requires going through many smaller steps. It is a long process, and you need to establish a specific plan. If you are looking for a detailed, clear, and personalized study plan for IELTS Reading, starting from the beginner level to achieving a band score of 6.5, PREP is the trusted place for you. When you join the IELTS Reading course at PREP, you will:

• Receive a personalized study plan from experienced teachers at prepedu.com.
• Access video lectures that are less than 20 minutes long but deliver the complete and relevant content you need to grasp.
• In addition, the lessons will include examples to help you better understand the passages, and the teachers will provide dedicated support during practice sessions.

PREP hopes that the review of the IELTS Reading Recent Actual Tests book provided has helped you grasp the content and key aspects of the book. If you find it suitable for your level, don't hesitate to own it and study IELTS diligently!