IELTS Reading: Short Answer Questions

The IELTS Reading section is one of the most challenging parts of the exam for many test-takers. Among the different types of tasks, Short Answer Questions (SAQs) are particularly tricky because they require precision, careful reading, and strict adherence to word limits. Unlike multiple-choice or matching tasks, you cannot rely on recognition; instead, you need to locate the information, understand it, and produce a correct answer in your own words (though often taken directly from the passage).

In this guide, we will explore what Short Answer Questions are, common instructions, strategies for success, common mistakes, and practice tips to improve your performance.

What Are Short Answer Questions in IELTS Reading?

Short Answer Questions ask you to answer questions based on a passage using only a few words, usually taken directly from the text. Instead of choosing from given options, you must identify the relevant section of the passage and write your answer according to the given word limit.

For example, instructions might say:

• “Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.”

• “Write ONE WORD ONLY.”

• “Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.”

This instruction means you must pay attention to the limit strictly. Even if the meaning is correct, exceeding the word limit results in an incorrect answer.

Why Are Short Answer Questions Challenging?

Several reasons make this task difficult:

1. Word limit traps – Many students forget to count articles (a, an, the) or numbers. Writing “the car” when only “car” fits the rule may cause you to lose marks.

2. Scanning skills – Answers are scattered across the passage, often in order, but the wording in the question rarely matches the passage exactly.

3. Paraphrasing – Questions may be rephrased. For example, “What type of energy does the machine use?” may require the answer “solar power” while the text says “the device runs on energy from the sun.”

4. Time pressure – You only have 60 minutes for 40 questions, so you must manage time carefully.

5. Spelling errors – Since you copy from the passage, spelling must be correct. Even one mistake makes the answer wrong.

Structure of Short Answer Questions

Typically, the questions are straightforward:

• Where was the new species of bird discovered?

• Who invented the telephone?

• When did the construction of the bridge begin?

Each requires you to find the correct piece of information in the passage and write it down exactly as instructed.

Strategies for IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions

Here are proven strategies to boost your performance:

1. Read the Instructions Carefully

The instructions will always specify the maximum number of words or numbers.

• If it says ONE WORD ONLY, then “solar” is correct, but “solar power” is not.

• If it says NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER, then “the first World War” is correct (3 words), but “the first World War in Europe” is incorrect (5 words).

Always double-check your word count before finalizing the answer.

2. Read the Questions Before the Passage

Start by scanning the questions first. This will give you an idea of what information to look for while reading. For example:

• If the question is “What natural resource is mentioned as being scarce in the desert?”, you know you are looking for references to scarcity and desert conditions.

3. Locate Keywords

Questions often contain keywords that help you locate the answer in the passage. For example:

• Question: When did the construction of the bridge begin?

• Keywords: construction, bridge, begin.
  Look for synonyms like “building of the bridge started” or “work commenced on the bridge.”

4. Use Skimming and Scanning

• Skim the passage to get a general idea of the topic.

• Scan for keywords or synonyms when answering.

Answers usually follow the order of the questions, so if you find the answer to Question 1, the answer to Question 2 will typically appear later in the passage.

5. Copy Words Exactly

Since answers almost always come directly from the passage, copying exactly ensures spelling accuracy. However, be careful with capitalization. IELTS does not penalize capitalization in answers, but correct spelling is required.

6. Be Precise

If the passage says “Professor Alexander Fleming,” and the question asks, Who discovered penicillin? — writing only “Fleming” is acceptable, but “Professor Alexander Fleming” is also correct. Writing extra unnecessary words beyond the limit, however, makes it wrong.

7. Don’t Overthink

Short Answer Questions test reading comprehension, not creativity. Don’t invent answers. If you can’t find it, move on and return later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Exceeding the word limit
   Writing four words when the instruction says three.

2. Misspelling words
   Writing “Enviroment” instead of “Environment.”

3. Miscounting numbers
   For example, “1990s” is one word, not two. “21st century” counts as two words.

4. Adding unnecessary articles
   Writing “the Eiffel Tower” when only “Eiffel Tower” is required.

5. Confusing synonyms
   If the passage says “children,” and the question is Who was affected?, the correct answer is “children,” not “kids.” IELTS requires words directly from the passage.

Practice Example

Passage (excerpt):
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were American inventors who are credited with building and flying the first successful motor-operated airplane in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Question: Who built the first successful motor-operated airplane?

• Correct Answer: The Wright brothers

Question: Where did the first flight take place?

• Correct Answer: Kitty Hawk or Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (depending on the word limit)

Question: When was the first flight?

• Correct Answer: 1903

This demonstrates the importance of matching wording to the text.

Time Management Tips

• Spend no more than 1–1.5 minutes per question.

• Answer easier questions first to build confidence.

• Mark difficult questions and return later if time remains.

• Don’t leave blanks — even a guess is better than nothing.

Building Skills for Short Answer Questions

1. Vocabulary Expansion

Since synonyms are common in questions, expand your vocabulary. For example:

• begin = start = commence

• scarce = rare = limited

2. Practice Paraphrasing

Try rewriting questions in your own words. This will help you recognize paraphrases in the passage.

3. Improve Scanning Speed

Train your eyes to jump across lines to spot keywords quickly.

4. Work Under Exam Conditions

Do timed practice tests to build speed and accuracy.

Final Tips

• Always follow instructions about word limits.

• Use the order of questions as a guide.

• Be exact: spelling and word choice must match the passage.

• Don’t panic if you cannot find an answer quickly; move on and come back.

Short Answer Questions can be mastered with consistent practice. They test not only your reading comprehension but also your ability to locate and transfer information accurately. With proper preparation, you can turn this challenging task into an opportunity to gain easy marks in the IELTS Reading section.

What are Short Answer Questions in IELTS Reading?

Short Answer Questions (SAQs) require you to locate specific information in the passage and write your answer using a limited number of words and/or numbers, exactly as instructed. Unlike multiple choice, there are no options to choose from; you must identify the relevant sentence or phrase, extract the correct detail, and transfer it to the answer sheet while respecting the word limit. The answers typically appear in the same order as the questions, but the wording in the question is often paraphrased compared with the passage.

How strictly do I need to follow the word limit?

Extremely strictly. If the instruction says “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER,” any answer with four words is marked wrong, even if the meaning is correct. Articles (a, an, the) count as words. Contractions (e.g., “don’t”) count as one word. Hyphenated compounds (e.g., “well-known”) count as a single word unless the test specifies otherwise. Always count carefully before moving on. If you can give a shorter, equally accurate answer, prefer the shorter form to reduce risk.

How are numbers counted in the word limit?

A number counts as a single item. For example, 1903, 21st, 3.5, and 50% each count as one number. Phrases such as “21st century” count as two items: one number (21st) and one word (century). Written numbers like “twenty-one” are typically one word if hyphenated; “twenty one” with a space is two. When time is short, copying the numerical form from the passage is usually safest.

Should my answer use the exact words from the passage or can I paraphrase?

Use the exact words from the passage whenever possible. Short Answer Questions are not testing your ability to paraphrase; they assess whether you can locate and transfer the correct information accurately. If you paraphrase and introduce a word not used in the passage, the examiner may mark it wrong even if the meaning is similar. When grammar requires a tiny adjustment (e.g., dropping an article to meet the word limit), ensure the meaning remains identical and you still respect the limit.

What is the best way to find the answers quickly?

Read the instructions and questions first, underline the key nouns, verbs, dates, and unique terms, then skim the passage to understand the structure. After skimming, scan for those keywords or their synonyms. Because SAQs usually follow the order of the text, once you locate the first answer, the next answers will generally appear later in the passage. Train your eye to jump between headings, topic sentences, names, numbers, and dates; these anchors accelerate scanning.

How do I handle synonyms and paraphrasing in the questions?

Expect the question to use synonyms of the passage’s wording: begin → commence, kids → children, benefit → advantage. Use these clues to find the original phrase in the passage, then copy the exact term from the text for your answer. Keep a running list of common IELTS paraphrases during practice so you recognize them quickly on test day.

What about capitalization, spelling, and punctuation?

Spelling must be correct. Capitalization is not penalized if the spelling is correct, but proper nouns (e.g., “Eiffel Tower,” “Pacific”) should still be capitalized to avoid confusion. Punctuation usually does not matter for single-word or short-phrase answers, but adding extra punctuation that changes the form (e.g., unnecessary quotation marks) can be risky. Always verify spelling when copying unfamiliar terms like scientific names or technical vocabulary.

How do articles and prepositions affect the answer?

Articles (a, an, the) and prepositions (in, on, at, of) count toward the word limit. Include them only if the question logically requires them or if they are part of a fixed expression in the passage. For example, if the question asks “Where did the ceremony occur?” and the passage says “in Westminster Abbey,” the safest answer is “Westminster Abbey,” not “in Westminster Abbey,” unless the instruction or grammar specifically demands the preposition.

How are hyphenated words and abbreviations treated?

Hyphenated compounds are generally counted as one word (e.g., “state-of-the-art” may be considered one), but policies can vary by test administration. To avoid ambiguity, prefer the exact form used in the text. Abbreviations and acronyms (e.g., UNESCO, DNA) count as one word and are safe to copy directly, provided they appear in the passage.

What if multiple phrases from the passage could answer the question?

Choose the shortest accurate phrase that satisfies the question and remains within the word limit. If the passage mentions “Professor Alexander Fleming” and the question asks “Who discovered penicillin?,” both “Fleming” and “Alexander Fleming” are correct; “Fleming” is safer because it is concise and less likely to exceed the limit. Never add extra descriptive words that the question does not require.

Do answers need to be grammatically complete sentences?

No. Short Answer Questions require concise phrases or single words that directly answer the question stem. Full sentences are unnecessary and may exceed the word limit. Read the stem carefully and supply only the missing information. For instance, for “When did construction begin?,” write “1903,” not “Construction began in 1903.”

How should I manage my time for SAQs?

Allocate roughly one minute per question on average, but adjust dynamically. If you cannot find an answer in 60–90 seconds, mark the question and move forward; SAQs often cluster around the same section of the passage, so the next question may be easier and reveal the location of the previous answer. Leave two to three minutes at the end to verify word counts and check spelling of all SAQs in a batch.

What are the most common mistakes to avoid?

• Exceeding the word limit: Losing a mark despite a correct idea is avoidable—count every word and number.
• Copying the wrong phrase length: Include only the essential words; extra modifiers often cause errors.
• Spelling errors: Especially with names, places, and technical terms—copy carefully.
• Answering with synonyms not in the text: For SAQs, stick to the passage’s wording.
• Ignoring order: Answers usually appear sequentially; use this to narrow your search window.

How can I quickly verify word counts at the end?

Train a simple mental checklist: (1) read the instruction line; (2) underline the limit (“ONE WORD,” “TWO WORDS,” or “THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”); (3) sweep each answer and tap-count out loud in your head: “Eiffel (1) Tower (2)”; (4) reduce the phrase if necessary (e.g., drop articles or unnecessary modifiers). With practice, this takes seconds per answer.

Can British vs. American spelling affect my score?

Both varieties are accepted if the spelling matches a standard form. However, the safest approach is to copy the spelling used in the passage. If the text uses “labour,” do not write “labor.” Consistency with the source text avoids doubt and protects your score.

What about plural vs. singular forms?

Match the form in the passage unless the question stem clearly demands a different grammatical form. If the passage reads “two enzymes” and the question asks “Which substance…?,” the correct answer might be the specific enzyme name, not a plural category. Always ensure number agreement between the question and the exact phrase you copy.

How can I practice effectively for SAQs?

1. Drill by type: Practice sets that contain only SAQs to build pattern recognition.
2. Synonym lists: Maintain a notebook of common IELTS paraphrases and review it daily.
3. Timed sprints: Do 8–10 SAQs in 10 minutes to simulate pressure, then analyze mistakes.
4. Transfer training: Practice writing neatly and counting words rapidly when transferring answers.
5. Error logs: Categorize each error (limit, spelling, location) and design fixes for each category.

What if the passage uses very long names or titles?

Use the shortest unique identifier that fully answers the question and remains unambiguous. For people, a surname often suffices (“Curie”), unless multiple individuals share it. For institutions, omit generic descriptors unless required (e.g., “University of Oxford,” not just “University”). Brevity reduces the chance of exceeding limits.

How should I transfer answers to the answer sheet?

Write clearly in capital letters if that helps you avoid spelling mistakes. Ensure the answer matches the question number exactly. After completing a passage, quickly re-check each SAQ: (1) correct number, (2) spelling, (3) word/number count, (4) no extra words. A disciplined transfer routine can save several marks across the test.

Final takeaway for Short Answer Questions

Treat SAQs as precision tasks: identify the target sentence fast, extract the minimum correct phrase, and verify the count. Stick to the passage’s wording, respect limits, and favor concise answers. With systematic practice—synonym awareness, scanning speed, and a strict verification routine—you can convert SAQs from a risky section into reliable points toward a higher band score.

IELTS Preparation Course 2025 Complete Guide

IELTS Reading Guide