IELTS General Reading Locating Information

Table of contents

1. IELTS general reading locating information 
2. IELTS general reading locating information - Strategies & tips to solve
3. Skills required to solve locating information question
4. Common challenges faced while answering locating information question
5. Locating information practice exercise 1
6. Locating information practice exercise 2
7. Locating information practice exercise 3
8. Answers for practice exercises
9. Conclusion

IELTS general reading locating information question is the common question in IELTS general reading test. Paying attention to the tips and instructions will be more helpful for you to clear this question type easily. Locating information questions has some passages labelled as alphabets A, B, C,... with a set of questions that are taken from the given passages. You are asked to match the information with the given paragraphs to find the correct passage. 

You will find locating information questions regularly in the IELTS general reading tests. Locating information question has 5 - 6 sets of passages labelled as A, B, C,… with some texts taken from those passages. Your task is to identify the relevant text or passage that matches the question. Note that your answer will be the paragraph name, not the word/number or phrases of the text.

IELTS general reading locating information is one of the highly important IELTS general reading question types. By knowing the importance, we have covered the nook and corner of the IELTS general reading locating information in this blog. Read the full blog and try the exercises given to get an 8+ band score on your final IELTS general reading tests.

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IELTS general reading locating information - Strategies & tips to solve

These are some pro IELTS general reading locating information tips and strategies to solve the IELTS general reading locating information questions. Remember all the tips and strategies given below. This will help you to crack the locating information questions.

1. Read the instructions given carefully. Reading the entire passage can be helpful as it gives an idea of the type of message contained in the paragraphs.

2.  Read the questions first and underline the keywords. Scan the first line of the paragraph for the keywords( or their) synonyms.

3. The questions usually indicate what type of information you must look for, such as a description, a reason, examples, etc. Underline the keywords for the type of information as well as the content.

4. Read the first letter paragraph carefully. Remember you are not reading for the gist ( the main idea). You are reading for specific information.

5. Now read all the questions and decide if any of these pieces of information is present in the paragraph. If so, write the paragraph letter by that question.

6. If any relevant information is found, read the location in-depth to decide whether the information matches the question statement.

7. If you find more than one paragraph containing similar information, re-read the paragraphs and the question and choose the best one.

8. Similarly, read the other paragraphs until you are sure about your answer.

9. You should focus on the synonyms of keywords and paraphrased information.

10. Repeat the same procedure for each of the lettered paragraphs. 

11. If you are not comfortable with this question type, attempt it at the end. However, if you do this question set first, you will get an idea of the whole passage, and it will be easy and fast to find the answers to other questions.

12. Sometimes, a paragraph can be used more than once as an answer. Instruction will be provided if it is the case. Otherwise, all answers in this question set will be different.

13. Remember that the questions are not in the correct sequence. 

14. Some paragraphs may not contain an answer. Meanwhile, some paragraphs contain more than one answer. All these only confuse you.

15. When you think you've found the paragraph with the correct information, read it carefully to make sure you're correct.

Remember all the IELTS general reading locating information tips and strategies listed above to get more confidence in attempting the IELTS general reading tests.

Also, read the IELTS reading tips

Skills required to solve locating information question 

Locating information questions is one of the tricky question types. If you do not have some skills to solve this type of task, it will ruin your time. Find some important skills given below,

• Reading skills - You have to skim the given passages to grasp the primary idea. 
• Scanning skills - Once you read the question, scan the passage for the specific information.
• A keen eye for detail - Do not miss even a small piece of information, the focus is very important.
• Synonyms & paraphrasing - Instead of looking for the same word and sentence, search for the synonyms and paraphrasing. This tip will help you to find the answers quickly.
• Time management - This is a mandatory skill to crack any task. Schedule your time to complete the task quickly.

Common challenges faced while answering locating information question 

• You may consume extra time as the answers will be in incorrect sequence. Plan your time accordingly. 
• Searching for the exact sentence - Information may be paraphrased
• Confusion issue - some paragraphs may not contain any answer to confuse you.
• Ignoring the paragraph as you already took the answer from that. Because a paragraph could contain more than one answer

Locating information Practice Exercise 1

Answer questions 1-5 which are based on the reading passage below.

The Railcard for Young People Reading Passage

1. A Young Person's Railcard entitles young people to cheap rail tickets throughout the United Kingdom. Consider where it could take you: to music festivals, to see long-distance pals, or to London for a weekend getaway. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 is eligible to apply. You'll need to show documentation that you're under the age of 26. Only your birth certificate, driver's licence, passport, or a medical card will suffice in this case. 
2. You can also apply if you are a mature student over this age who is enrolled full-time in school. To confirm your eligibility, you'll need your headteacher, instructor, or department head to sign the application form, as well as one of your photographs, which must be legally stamped. Over 15 hours per week for at least 20 weeks per year is considered "full-time education." Then take your completed application form from this brochure, along with £28, two passport-sized pictures, and evidence of eligibility, to any major railway station, rail-appointed travel agent, or licensed student travel office.
3. It can be used at any time of the year, including weekends, holidays, and weekdays. Minimum rates apply if you travel before 10 a.m. Monday through Friday (except during July and August). Please inquire at your local station or contact a rail-affiliated travel agent for more information.
4. If a railcard does not have the user's signature on it, it will be considered invalid. Your railcard, as well as any tickets purchased with it, cannot be used by anyone else. If you are unable to present a valid ticket for inspection throughout a journey, you will be expected to pay the entire fee unless there are no purchase facilities available at the station where you began your trip. First-class travel and Eurostar connections to France and Belgium are not eligible for discounted tickets. If passengers choose to use these services, they will be charged the full fare.

Questions 1- 5

This reading passage has four paragraphs, A–D.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-D, as your answer to each question.
Note: You may use any letter more than once. 

1. Legally stamped signature of the headteacher, instructor, or department head and photos required to check eligibility.

2. Documentation is proof that you are under 26.

3. Invalid railcard is which has no user’s sign.

4. A Young Person's Railcard allows young people discounted rail travel across the UK.

5. If you travel before 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, you will be charged a minimum cost.

Check the answer for this exercise 

Locating information Practice Exercise 2

Answer questions 1- 6 which are based on the reading passage below.

Bird migration is a mystery Reading Passage

1. Birds have a number of unique design traits that allow them to execute such incredible endurance feats. They have lightweight, hollow bones, intricately designed feathers that provide both lift and thrust for rapid flight, navigation systems that are superior to any man-made system, and an ingenious heat-saving design that, among other things, concentrates all blood circulation beneath layers of warm, waterproof plumage, allowing them to survive in the harshest of climates. 
2. Because their respiratory systems must function effectively throughout long flights at altitude, they have a method for extracting oxygen from their lungs that is significantly superior to that of any other animal. When food is available late in the summer breeding season, their bodies can build significant amounts of fat to give enough energy for their long migratory trips. Birds migrate for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is to get adequate food during the winter months when it is scarce. 
3. This is especially true for birds that breed in the Northern Hemisphere's temperate and Arctic regions, where food is plentiful during the short growing season. When food is plentiful, many species can endure frigid temperatures; but, when food is scarce, they must move. However, there are still plenty of unanswered questions. One perplexing fact is that many birds fly considerably farther than necessary in search of food and favorable weather. Nobody understands why British swallows opt to spend the winter in equatorial Africa rather than fly thousands of miles to their preferred winter home in South Africa's Cape Province. 
4. Another puzzle surrounds the massive migrations of arctic terns and mudflat-feeding shorebirds that breed near the poles. In general, a migrant species breeds further north and spends the winter further south. This implies a 25,000-mile annual round journey for arctic terns. All of these individuals, however, overfly other areas of supposedly suitable habitat across two hemispheres en route to their final destination in far-flung southern latitudes. While we may not fully comprehend the motivations for birds' visits to specific locations, we can marvel at their accomplishments.
5. One of the greatest mysteries is how young birds find their way to traditional wintering grounds without the help of their parents. Few people relocate with children, and children may have little or no awareness of their parents' appearance. The cuckoo is a well-known example of a species that lays its eggs in another species nest and never sees its offspring again. It's incredible to think that, after being nurtured by its host species, the young cuckoo travels to ancestral wintering grounds in the tropics before returning to northern Europe alone the following season to find a mate among its kind. The obvious inference is that it gets an innate route map and direction-finding capability from its parents, as well as a mental image of another cuckoo. Despite this, no one has any idea how this is feasible.
6. Birds use the positions of the sun and stars to obtain compass directions, according to mounting evidence. They also appear to be able to detect the earth's magnetic field, which is likely due to the presence of minute magnetite crystals in the region of their brains. However, accurate navigation necessitates a sense of location and time, which is especially important while lost. Experiments have demonstrated that birds can return to their nest locations quickly after being transported thousands of miles over an unknown landmass.

Questions 1- 6

This reading passage has six paragraphs, A–F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-F, as your answer to each question.
Note: You may use any letter more than once. 

1. Birds produce energy from their bodies for their trips when food is available in late summer.

2. Hunting for food and ideal weather, many birds fly much farther than is necessary.

3. Birds migrate for many reasons, the most important of which is a lack of food during the winter.

4. Accurate navigation requires a sense of place and time, and both are critical while lost.

5. Cuckoo, a bird that lays its eggs in the nest of some other species and never sees its chicks again.

6. Migratory species breed in the north and migrate south for the winter.

Check the answer for this exercise 

Locating information Practice Exercise 3 

Answer questions 1- 6 which are based on the reading passage below

What type of headache is this? Reading Passage

1. Stress-related headaches are an unavoidable feature of modern living. But are you misdiagnosing your headache as a tension headache when the underlying cause has nothing to do with stress? In a 2014 study, 80 percent of self-diagnosed patients with "sinus" headaches were actually suffering from migraines, according to the findings. Here's a quick rundown of the five most common headache types to help you self-diagnose.
2. Stress headaches are the most general kind of headache. It manifests as a chronic discomfort or pressure around the head, particularly in the temples and back of the neck. While it is inconvenient, it rarely prevents people from going about their regular lives. Nausea and vomiting are uncommon side effects. Ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relievers provide immediate pain relief.
3. Cluster headaches, unlike stress-related tension headaches, occur in cycles. The onset can be abrupt, with severe, incapacitating pain on one side of the head. A watery eye and nasal congestion or a runny nose on the same side of the face are common causes of headaches. During an episode, sufferers are unable to lie down, much like someone suffering from a migraine. Cluster headaches have no established cause, however, they may be inherited. Although there is no cure, medicines can help to minimise the frequency and duration of attacks.
4. Rebound headaches are headaches that are relieved by medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen but are actually caused by them. Overuse of these medications can result in headaches due to one of two factors: drug withdrawal or increased excitability of the brain caused by the medication.
5. Migraines are more incapacitating. These headaches might last up to three days after they start. Sufferers may experience 'aura,' which includes visual distortions and hand numbness, prior to the attack. Sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, and/or vomiting are some of the symptoms. Routine activities may aggravate pain, which may be hampered by the migraine itself. Finally, sinus headaches are a different type of headache because they are caused by an infection. The sinuses are inflamed due to an infection that is effectively treated with antibiotics. The presence of a fever with a headache can be used to diagnose it.

Questions 1- 6

This reading passage has five paragraphs, A–E.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-E, as your answer to each question.
Note: You may use any letter more than once. 

1. Cluster headaches have no known cause, but they could be genetic.

2. Eighty percent of individuals who self-diagnosed their headaches as "sinus" actually had migraines.

3. Headaches are defined as persistent discomfort or pressure around the head.

4. An infection has affected the sinuses, which can be easily treated with antibiotics.

5. Nausea and vomiting are unusual side effects.

6. Drug withdrawal or increased excitement of the brain can lead to headaches.

Check the answer for this exercise 

Answers for Practice exercises 

Find the answers with explanations given below for all the three above practice exercises and check your answers. 

The Railcard for Young People Reading Answers

1. Paragraph B

Explanation: To confirm your eligibility, you'll need your headteacher, instructor, or department head to sign the application form, as well as one of your photographs, which must be legally stamped. 

2. Paragraph A

Explanation: You'll need to show documentation that you're under the age of 26. 

3. Paragraph D 

Explanation: If a railcard does not have the user's signature on it, it will be considered invalid.

4. Paragraph A 

Explanation: A Young Person's Railcard entitles young people to cheap rail tickets throughout the United Kingdom.

5. Paragraph C 

Explanation: Minimum rates apply if you travel before 10 a.m. Monday through Friday (except during July and August).

Bird migration is a mystery Reading Answers

1. Paragraph B

Explanation: When food is available late in the summer breeding season, their bodies can build significant amounts of fat to give enough energy for their long migratory trips.

2. Paragraph C

Explanation: One perplexing fact is that many birds fly considerably farther than necessary in search of food and favorable weather.

3. Paragraph B 

Explanation: Birds migrate for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is to get adequate food during the winter months when it is scarce.

4. Paragraph F 

Explanation: However, accurate navigation necessitates a sense of location and time, which is especially important while lost.

5. Paragraph E 

Explanation: The cuckoo is a well-known example of a species that lays its eggs in another species' nest and never sees its offspring again. 

6. Paragraph D 

Explanation: In general, a migrant species breeds further north and spends the winter further south.

What type of headache is this? Reading Answers

1. Paragraph C 

Explanation:  Cluster headaches have no established cause, however, they may be inherited.

2. Paragraph A 

Explanation: In a 2014 study, 80 percent of self-diagnosed patients with "sinus" headaches were actually suffering from migraines, according to the findings. 

3. Paragraph B 

Explanation: It manifests as a chronic discomfort or pressure around the head, particularly in the temples and back of the neck. 

4. Paragraph E 

Explanation: The sinuses are inflamed due to an infection that is effectively treated with antibiotics. 

5. Paragraph B 

Explanation: Nausea and vomiting are uncommon side effects.

6. Paragraph D 

Explanation: Overuse of these medications can result in headaches due to one of two factors: drug withdrawal or increased excitability of the brain caused by the medication.

Also, check the IELTS general reading true/false/not given

Conclusion

Hopefully, the tips, and skill-building exercises given in this blog help you boost your proficiency and confidence level to crack the final IELTS general reading locating information question. Practicing the different mock tests will be useful for you to achieve an 8+ band score in the IELTS general reading task.