What are Short Answer Questions in IELTS Reading?
Short answer questions in IELTS reading require you to answer specific questions about the passage in 1–3 words using information directly from the text. This task tests your ability to locate detail and understand specific content.
Short answer questions demand that you extract exact words from the passage to answer direct questions, with strict word limits. Speed and precision in scanning are critical.
Step-by-step worked examples
Question: 'What is the primary habitat of the Bengal tiger?' Passage: 'The Bengal tiger, native to the dense forests and mangrove swamps of India and Bangladesh, is listed as endangered.' (Max 3 words)
Identify keywords: 'primary habitat', 'Bengal tiger' Scan passage for habitat description Found: 'dense forests and mangrove swamps' Answer: dense forests and mangrove swamps
Question: 'In what year did the company launch its first product?' Passage: 'Founded in 1995, TechCorp released its flagship software suite in 2001, revolutionising the industry.' (Max 2 words)
Identify keywords: 'year', 'first product' Scan for product launch date Found: '2001' Answer: 2001
Question: 'How many countries participated in the summit?' Passage: 'The international environmental summit, held in Geneva in 2022, brought together delegates from 47 nations to discuss climate policies.' (Max 2 words)
Identify keywords: 'how many', 'countries' Scan for a number Found: '47 nations' Answer: 47
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Question: 'Where was the sculpture discovered?' Passage: 'The ancient marble sculpture was uncovered in a remote valley in the Greek mountains during the 2019 expedition.' (Max 3 words)
Q2.What is the key rule for short answer questions?
Q3.Question: 'What colour is the substance after heating?' Passage: 'When the white powder is heated to 200°C, it transforms into a deep red compound.' (Max 2 words)
Q4.If no word limit is stated, how many words should you use?
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Common mistakes
Writing a complete sentence as an answer. — Correct: Keep answers to 1–3 words maximum; omit articles and unnecessary words.
Paraphrasing or using synonyms instead of exact passage words. — Correct: Copy the exact words directly from the passage.
Ignoring or exceeding the stated word limit. — Correct: Count words carefully and stay within the specified maximum.
Extracting words that are in the passage but don't answer the question. — Correct: Ensure the extracted words directly answer the specific question asked.
FAQ
Can I use the same words that appear in the question?
You can use them if they appear in the passage too; but usually you need to extract different words from the passage that answer the question.
What if the answer spans more than one sentence?
Extract only the key phrase (1–3 words) that directly answers the question; longer spans should be condensed.
How are short answers marked?
1 mark for a correct answer (exact words, within word limit). No partial credit; spelling must be accurate.
Short answer vs. sentence completion: which is easier?
Short answer is usually faster because limits are stricter (fewer words) and questions are more direct.