READING COMPREHENSION EXERCISES
We've prepared a diverse list of topics to help you to improve your ability to understand written English.
We've got
75 more reading comprehension exercises in the ad-free
PREMIUM EDITION of our website.
TOPIC:
Using genetically modified moths to control pests
TOPIC:
The end of petrol cars in the UK
TOPIC:
The new coronavirus is turning Macau into a ghost town
TOPIC:
Harsh conditions for Australians quarantined on Christmas Island
TOPIC:
Swimming under Antarctic ice (melting glaciers/ climate change)
TOPIC:
Drop in arrests along the US/Mexican border
TOPIC:
World War 2 bomb found in London
TOPIC:
Heavy rains put out many Australian fires
TOPIC:
Donald Trump's 2021 budget plans
TOPIC:
Racism and its consequences at a Michigan school
TOPIC:
Homework or no homework?
TOPIC:
Ban on some polluting fuels
TOPIC:
Bedbugs in Paris
TOPIC:
Cutting trees to build cars in Germany
TOPIC:
Pesticides and bumblebees
TOPIC:
Asteroid flying close to our planet
TOPIC:
Mini-moon
TOPIC:
The high cost of renting an apartment in London
TOPIC:
The personality of drivers of expensive cars
TOPIC:
The connection between too much sugar and not sleeping well
OLDER ARTICLES FOR READING COMPREHENSION
A cause of obesity in young children
Airlines cut flights, routes
Making the United States a less bilingual place
Outdoor activity injury statistics
Public tax returns in Scandinavia
Can a healthy lifestyle alter your genes?
Japan's convenience stores → not 24/7?
Global warming
Was Coco Chanel a Nazi spy?
Using real animals in movies
TOP TIP! Improving your reading comprehension
Before you read:
• Set a purpose
Ask yourself: Why am I reading this? Having a goal helps you stay focused.
• Preview the text
Skim the title, headings, subheadings, and any bold/italic words. This gives you a framework before diving in.
• Activate prior knowledge
Think about what you already know about the topic—it helps new info stick better.
While you read:
• Take notes or annotate
Underline key ideas, jot questions in the margins, or summarize each paragraph briefly.
• Visualize the content
Picture scenes, diagrams, or concepts in your head. Turning words into images boosts memory and understanding.
• Slow down when it gets tough
Don't rush through dense or confusing parts. Reread and break it down into smaller chunks.
• Ask questions
What's the main idea? Why is this important? How does it connect to what I already know?
• Look up unfamiliar words
...but don't get stuck! Try to infer meaning from context first, then double-check.
After You Read:
• Summarize in your own words
Retelling what you've read (out loud or in writing) helps lock it in.
• Discuss with others
Talking about the text with someone else can clarify ideas and give new perspectives.
• Apply what you learned
Connect it to real life, other things you've read, or problems you're solving.
DID YOU KNOW? IELTS Reading section
Did you know that IELTS has a reading section? Here's some info about it:
• Included in both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of passages: 3
• Total questions: 40
What it tests:
The Reading section is essentially reading comprehension, testing your ability to:
• Understand main ideas and details
• Identify opinions, arguments, and purpose
• Skim and scan for specific information
• Understand vocabulary in context
Academic vs General Training
• Academic: Passages are more complex and taken from books, journals, or articles.
• General Training: Passages are more practical, based on everyday or workplace texts.
