Improve your IELTS Academic Reading score
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WELCOMEWelcome to IELTS Online Academic Reading
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Meet Your Course Trainers
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Course Overview
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Using the platform
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IELTS ACADEMIC READING TESTIELTS Academic Reading Test2 Topics
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READING SKILLS & STRATEGIESIntroduction to Skills and Strategies
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Reading Techniques5 Topics
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Guessing Unknown Vocabulary
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Identifying Opinions
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Lesson summary
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QUESTION TYPESIntroduction to Question Types
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Multiple Choice6 Topics
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Identifying Information6 Topics
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Identifying a Writer's Views6 Topics
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Matching Information6 Topics
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Matching Headings6 Topics
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Matching Features6 Topics
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Matching Sentence Endings6 Topics
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Sentence Completion6 Topics
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Summary Completion8 Topics
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Note Completion6 Topics
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Table Completion6 Topics
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Flow-chart Completion6 Topics
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Diagram Label Completion6 Topics
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Short-answer6 Topics
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IELTS PRACTICE TESTSIELTS Academic Reading Mock Tests2 Topics
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COURSE CONCLUSIONOverall Tips for a Greater Score
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Congratulations on Course Completion!
Guessing Unknown Vocabulary
Guessing Unknown Vocabulary
The reading passages in the IELTS reading test can contain a large amount of vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to you. However, by guessing the meaning of unknown words, you should be able do the reading test more effectively. Below are four strategies which you can use to guess unknown vocabulary.
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Using context
One way to guess the meaning of an unknown word is by reading the words and phrases around it. This is called the context.
Consider the words in bold used in context in the sentence below:
The everyday use of mild tranquillisers for their relaxing and calming effect has reached unprecedented proportions in the United States. In fact, a recent survey showed that over 75% of those interviewed admitted to using tranquillisers on a regular basis |
The word 'tranquillisers' may be new to you, but by reading the words before and after it, you can guess that they are something that people use to make them feel relaxed and calm. It may not be the exact meaning, but it is enough to understand the passage.
Now guess the meaning of the words 'unprecedented proportions' by reading the words and sentences around them.
Check your answer
If you read the verb group ‘has reached’ in the first sentence, you can see that that ‘unprecedented proportions’ must be something that can be reached; maybe something high. Then, after reading the second sentence, it would be logical to guess that ‘unprecedented proportions’ probably means a large or high amount (i.e. over 75%). This is enough to gain a sufficient understanding of the meaning.
Using definitions
In some readings, a definition or explanation of a technical word is given within the reading passage. Some writers use commas to indicate a definition. For example:
- Certain medical disorders involve the myocardium, the muscular tissue of the heart.
- Philately, the collecting of stamps, has always been a popular hobby for the young and old alike.
- The feeling of strangeness and discomfort, or culture shock as it is sometimes called, can be quite stressful.
There are also some common phrases to introduce definitions, which can help you identify them. Look at how the term 'culture shock' is defined using these phrases:
The feeling of strangeness and discomfort, | also known as sometimes called also referred to as that is | culture shock, | can be quite stressful. |
Using contrast words
Another way to guess the meaning of words is to look for opposites. Some readings contain contrast words like although, even though and while. Sometimes it is possible to guess the meaning of a word if the opposite meaning is mentioned in the same sentence or in surrounding sentences.
Read the following sentence and guess the meaning of the words in bold.
The report argued that although the positive economic effects may not be significant, immigration did not have any detrimental effects on the economy. |
Check your answer
This sentence uses the contrast word ‘although’. Reading the sentence carefully, you can guess that ‘detrimental effects’ must have the opposite meaning to ‘positive effects’.
.Here is a more detailed list of Contrast words.
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Using prefixes
Another method for guessing the meaning of words is by understanding prefixes. Prefixes are a group of letters that come at the beginning of some words. They have specific meanings that you should learn because they will help you to understand the words they are attached to.
Read the following sentences and guess the meaning of the words in bold based on the underlined prefix.
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Check your answer
- The prefix sub- means below. From this, you can guess that ‘substandard’ means below standard or inadequate or inferior.
- The prefix re- means make again or do again. From this, you can guess ‘renew’ means make new again.
- The prefix anti- means against. From this, you can guess that ‘antidepressant’ means work against or stop people feeling depressed.
Here is a list of Common prefixes and their meanings. Becoming familiar with these will help you guess the meaning of unknown words.
Guessing Unknown Vocabulary Practice
Complete the following quiz to see how much you have learnt about guessing unknown vocabulary.