IELTS Band 9 Reading Tip #1
Three Question Types Where Grammar Beats Keywords
This is one of the biggest differences between a Band 6.5 and a Band 9 reader.
Band 6.5 candidates ask:
> "Where are the keywords?"
Band 9 candidates ask:
> "Does the grammar express the same meaning?"
Keywords help you locate information.
Grammar helps you choose the correct answer.
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1. TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
Examiner's Formula
Keywords + Grammar = Answer
Matching keywords alone is never enough.
Grammar Traps
Quantifiers
all
every
each
most
many
some
several
few
no
Modals
can
could
may
might
should
must
will
Negatives
not
never
hardly
rarely
no longer
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Example 1
Question
All students must wear uniforms.
Passage
Some students are required to wear uniforms.
Keywords
✔ students
✔ uniforms
Grammar
Question = All
Passage = Some
Answer: FALSE
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Example 2
Question
Online learning completely replaces classroom teaching.
Passage
Online learning can supplement classroom teaching.
Keywords match.
Grammar changes.
replace ≠ supplement
completely ≠ can
Answer: FALSE
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Example 3
Question
The museum opens on Sundays.
Passage
The passage mentions opening hours for weekdays only.
Nothing about Sunday.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
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Vocabulary Trap
Examiners often replace simple words.
Question Passage
all some
every many
improve enhance
decrease reduce
buy purchase
children youngsters
Vocabulary may change.
Grammar decides the answer.
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2. SENTENCE COMPLETION
Most students look for identical words.
Band 9 students predict the grammar first.
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Formula
Read before the blank.
Ask:
What grammar is missing?
Is it
✔ noun?
✔ verb?
✔ adjective?
✔ adverb?
✔ number?
✔ date?
Only then search the passage.
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Example 1
The company introduced a new ______ to improve customer satisfaction.
Article "a"
Need
Singular noun
Passage
The company launched a digital platform.
Answer
platform
Not
digital
Not
launched
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Example 2
Scientists discovered that the species could ______ rapidly.
Need
Verb
Passage
The species could adapt rapidly.
Answer
adapt
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Example 3
The building was completed in ______.
Need
Year
Passage
Construction finished in 2018.
Answer
2018
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Examiner Vocabulary Tip
Articles tell you the grammar.
a + singular noun
an + singular noun
the + noun
to + verb
be + adjective
could + verb
very + adjective/adverb
One small grammar clue removes most wrong answers instantly.
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3. SUMMARY COMPLETION
This question tests grammar before vocabulary.
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Formula
Read the whole sentence.
Don't jump to the blank.
Grammar tells you what belongs there.
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Example 1
The researchers developed a new ______ for treating cancer.
"a"
Need
Singular countable noun
Passage
The researchers developed a treatment.
Answer
treatment
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Example 2
The government plans to ______ renewable energy production.
Need
Verb
Passage
The government plans to expand renewable energy production.
Answer
expand
---
Example 3
Many people suffer from ______ pollution in urban areas.
Need
Adjective + noun
Passage
Many people suffer from severe air pollution.
Answer
air
because the blank comes before "pollution" and forms the noun phrase air pollution.
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Grammar Clues That Predict the Answer
Grammar clue Likely answer
a / an Singular noun
the Noun
to Base verb
can / could / should Base verb
is / was Noun or adjective
very Adjective or adverb
more Comparative adjective
by Noun or -ing form (context dependent)
of Noun
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Common IELTS Reading Grammar Traps
✓ all vs some
✓ increase vs increased
✓ before vs after
✓ first vs last
✓ likely vs certain
✓ can vs must
✓ active vs passive
✓ singular vs plural
✓ cause vs effect
✓ present vs past
4. MATCHING INFORMATION
❌ Find the paragraph with the same keywords.
✅ Match the tense, comparison, and meaning.
Example
Question The first successful experiment happened in the 1990s.
Passage A Several unsuccessful trials were carried out in the 1990s.
Passage D The first successful experiment took place in 2001.
Keywords: ✔ experiment ✔ 1990s
But grammar changes the meaning.
Answer: NOT Paragraph A
Examiner Formula
> Same keywords ≠ Same meaning
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5. MULTIPLE CHOICE
❌ Choose the option with the most matching words.
✅ Compare qualifiers.
Look for
• only • mainly • always • often • rarely • never • some • most
Example
Passage Most children benefit from outdoor activities.
Option A All children benefit...
Option B Most children benefit...
✔ Correct: B
One word changes everything.
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6. MATCHING HEADINGS
❌ Read nouns only.
✅ Read the MAIN VERB.
Example
Heading
Growth of renewable energy
Passage
Governments plan to increase renewable energy.
✔ Match
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Heading
Problems caused by renewable energy
Passage
Renewable energy reduces pollution.
❌ Don't match because the verb changes the idea.
Examiner Formula
Main Verb = Main Idea
Not nouns.
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Grammar Traps Examiners Love
Passage Question Result
some all ❌
can must ❌
may will ❌
increasing increased ❌
likely certain ❌
few many ❌
before after ❌
first last ❌
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Band 9 Reading Formula
Don't ask...
> "Did I find the keywords?"
Ask...
> "Does the grammar express the same meaning?"
That's exactly how Band 9 readers eliminate wrong answers instead of guessing.
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Mini Challenge
Passage
Some university students occasionally submit assignments late because of technical issues.
Which statement is TRUE?
A. All university students submit assignments late.
B. Some university students occasionally submit assignments late because of technical issues.
C. Technical issues always cause late submissions.
Answer: B
Why?
The keywords are almost identical in all three options.
Only grammar (quantifiers + adverbs) preserves the original meaning.
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Grammar Checklist Before Choosing Any Reading Answer
✓ Quantity (all / some / most / few)
✓ Time (past / present / future)
✓ Modals (can / could / may / must / should)
✓ Comparison (more / less / highest)
✓ Negatives (not / never / no longer)
✓ Cause vs Result
✓ Active vs Passive
✓ Singular vs Plural
✓ Certainty (likely / definitely)
