Práctica de lectura académica IELTS

Scanning means searching quickly for a specific piece of information such as a date, name, or number.

"Significantly" often means "to an important or considerable degree" in academic writing.

"Steadily" means at a regular and consistent pace, so "rose at a consistent pace" is the best paraphrase.

To mitigate something is to make it less harmful or severe.

"Despite" introduces a contrasting idea; the other words signal result or addition.

A paragraph about when something first appeared is about its origins.

A controversy is a public disagreement or debate about something.

"Hence" means "as a result" or "for this reason." In academic writing it connects a cause to its consequence, so it signals a result. Contrast words such as however, example markers such as for instance, and definition phrases do not match this linking function.

Chronological organization presents events in the order in which they happened.

"Approximately" means close to or about a particular number or amount.

The topic sentence usually states the main idea, commonly at the start of the paragraph.

"In contrast" is used to highlight a difference between two ideas or things.

Skimming lets readers quickly identify the general structure and main ideas of a text.

"Substantial" means large, significant, or considerable. In academic contexts it describes a meaningful amount or degree, so considerable is the closest match. Small and temporary contradict the usual sense, and uncertain introduces doubt not present in the word.

"Furthermore" introduces an additional point that supports the argument. It is an additive transition, so it continues the same line of reasoning rather than showing contrast, time, or limitations. Recognizing these linking signals helps readers follow the structure of academic passages.

Something intrinsic is an essential or natural part of something else.

IELTS summary completion usually requires words taken from the passage, sometimes with a word limit.

A main-idea multiple-choice question asks about the writer's purpose or the overall message.

"The latter" refers to the second of two items just mentioned; "the former" refers to the first.

"Notwithstanding" means "despite" or "even so." It signals that a fact remains true in spite of an earlier point, which is a concessive relationship. Because, besides, and after express cause, addition, and time, so they do not match this meaning.

"Many" does not mean "all," so the extreme statement "All researchers agree" is false.

To corroborate a claim is to support or confirm it with additional evidence.

For chart questions, compare the lengths or values shown to find the highest category.

To elicit a response or fact is to draw it out, often through questioning.

An underlying assumption is a belief that supports an argument but is not stated directly.

"Conversely" introduces an idea that is opposite or reversed in relation to the previous one.

A precursor is something that comes before and often leads to something else.

Expository writing explains or informs rather than primarily persuading or entertaining.

An anomaly is something that differs from what is expected or normal.

"Suggest" is more cautious because it allows for interpretation, while the other verbs are stronger.

Empirical evidence comes from direct observation or experiment rather than opinion.

"Consequently" introduces a result or outcome of something previously stated.

A cause-and-effect paragraph explains the reasons for an event and its consequences.

Someone who is ambivalent has conflicting or mixed feelings about something.

Citations are used to support claims with evidence from research.

"Marginal" can mean slight or small in academic contexts. A marginal improvement is therefore a modest change rather than a complete, rapid, or unexpected one. Checking the phrase in context confirms that small is the closest meaning.

"Per se" means by, of, or in itself. It is used to separate the intrinsic nature of something from related circumstances. For example, in itself is the correct paraphrase; the other options describe different logical or temporal relationships.

"To what extent" questions ask you to judge how far a statement is true.

To deteriorate is to become progressively worse. The word describes a decline in quality, condition, or health over time. Improve, stabilise, and continue describe the opposite or neutral trends, so worsen is the correct match.

Referencing phrases such as "these findings" point back to results already discussed.

"In addition to" introduces extra information that supports or extends the point.

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulty or change.

Something comprehensive covers a wide or complete range of content.

An abstract gives a concise summary of a study's purpose, methods, and findings.

To be skeptical is to have doubts about whether something is true.

The correlative pair "not only... but also" adds related information in a balanced way.

A valid conclusion is logically sound and supported by appropriate evidence.

Problem-solution texts identify a problem and then discuss a solution or response.

"Optimum" means the best or most favorable possible level or condition.

Context clues around the word often reveal enough meaning to continue reading effectively.