This refers specifically to the 40 questions across three long texts (Academic or General Training). These answers are not subjective. They are either right or wrong. There is no "partial credit" for a good guess.

Preparing for the IELTS Reading test often feels like a hunt for exact words and precise meanings. “Strictly English” in this context means relying on clear, defensible language skills, exact answer matching, and evidence-based verification rather than guesswork. This article explains how examiners mark reading answers, how to verify your answers strictly and reliably, and gives practical, test-ready tips to boost accuracy.

No IELTS reading answer type is more misunderstood than "Not Given." Unverified answer keys frequently mislabel "False" as "Not Given" or vice versa. Only strictly verified sources handle this distinction accurately.

The official "Cambridge IELTS" books (14, 15, 16, 17, 18) are the only legal source of real past papers. However, their answer key is minimalist. To verify your work, you need a third-party explanation guide that is dedicated to that specific Cambridge book.

Look for publishers or websites that offer: