Part 1: What is Short Answer Question Type?
Understanding the Short Answer Question in IELTS Academic Reading
The Short Answer Question type in the IELTS Academic Reading test is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to locate and extract specific factual information from a given passage. This question format requires test-takers to provide brief answers — typically one to three words or a number — in direct response to a question based on the passage content.
Key Features of Short Answer Questions:
Based on factual information such as names, dates, places, reasons, and definitions.
Answers appear in the text in the same order as the questions.
Strict word limits apply (e.g., “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER”).
The instructions must be followed exactly — writing more words than allowed will result in a loss of marks.
Example Instruction Format:
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Skills Tested:
Scanning for specific details
Understanding paraphrased information
Identifying keywords in both questions and text
Why This Question Type is Important:
This task closely simulates the kind of reading required in academic and professional environments where quick identification of relevant details from texts is essential. Mastery of this question type shows an ability to handle dense information under time pressure — a skill valuable in university and work settings.
Part 2: How to Approach Short Answer Questions in IELTS Academic Reading
Step-by-Step Strategy to Find the Correct Answer
To successfully answer Short Answer Questions in the IELTS Academic Reading test, you need a clear and systematic approach. Follow the steps below to maximize your accuracy and efficiency.
Step 1: Read the Instructions Carefully
✅ Example:
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage.
⚠️ Important Tip:
Do not exceed the word/number limit.
If the instruction says “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”, writing three will make your answer incorrect — even if it’s factually right.
Step 2: Read the Questions Before the Text
Why?
Reading the questions first helps you understand what information you’re looking for — names, dates, reasons, etc. This primes your brain to scan for specific details.
✅ Example Question:
What type of rock contains dinosaur fossils?
Step 3: Identify Keywords in the Question
Highlight main ideas and keywords in the question. These will guide you when scanning the passage.
🔍 For Example:
What type of rock contains dinosaur fossils?
Keywords: type of rock, dinosaur fossils
Step 4: Scan the Text for Keywords or Synonyms
Instead of reading everything word-for-word, quickly scan the passage for your keywords or related terms. IELTS passages often use paraphrasing, so be alert to synonyms.
📖 Example from a passage:
“Fossils of dinosaurs are most commonly found embedded in sedimentary rock, which forms through the accumulation of mineral and organic particles.”
Matching Synonyms:
“Type of rock” = sedimentary rock
“Contains” = embedded in
“Dinosaur fossils” = fossils of dinosaurs
Step 5: Locate the Specific Answer
Once you’ve found the relevant sentence, identify the precise answer — the word or phrase that directly responds to the question.
✅ Correct Answer:
Sedimentary rock
⚠️ Incorrect Example:
The sedimentary rock (Too many words, not allowed if the limit is “NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS”)
Step 6: Check Grammar & Word Count
Ensure the answer fits grammatically with the question.
Count the number of words and/or numbers carefully.
Avoid adding unnecessary articles (like “a” or “the”) unless specified.
Step-by-Step Example Walkthrough
📝 Question:
What is the most common reason students fail their first-year university courses?
📖 From the Passage:
“A survey of first-year students revealed that poor time management was the primary cause of academic failure.”
✅ Steps Applied:
Keywords: reason, fail, first-year university courses
Found Sentence: “poor time management was the primary cause…”
Answer: Poor time management
✅ Final Answer:
Poor time management
It’s within the word limit and accurately answers the question.
Summary of Key Tips
Always follow word count instructions.
Scan for keywords and paraphrases.
Answers usually follow the sequence of the questions.
Recheck your answer for grammar and length compliance.
Part 3: IELTS Academic Reading Passage with Short Answer Questions
Reading Passage: “The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Education”
Reading Passage 2
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has seen remarkable growth in recent years. AI-driven platforms are now capable of personalizing lessons for students based on their learning styles and performance. Adaptive learning systems analyze how students interact with content and adjust materials accordingly to maximize understanding and retention. For instance, a slow learner in mathematics may receive more visual examples and simplified exercises compared to a fast learner who is presented with advanced challenges.
One of the most transformative applications of AI in education is the use of intelligent tutoring systems. These systems mimic the behaviour of human tutors by providing immediate feedback and hints to learners, often surpassing the capabilities of traditional classroom teaching in terms of individual attention. Moreover, AI can assist educators by automating administrative tasks such as grading assignments and tracking student progress, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction and mentorship.
Despite these advantages, the integration of AI in classrooms has sparked debates. Critics argue that excessive reliance on technology may reduce human interaction, which is vital for social and emotional development. There are also concerns about data privacy, as AI platforms collect vast amounts of information on student behaviour and performance. Ethical questions arise about how this data is used, who has access to it, and how decisions made by AI systems can be explained or challenged.
Looking forward, AI is expected to further revolutionize education by enabling real-time language translation, facilitating global learning communities, and identifying learning disabilities early. However, successful implementation requires strong policy frameworks, investment in teacher training, and active involvement of stakeholders including parents, educators, and tech developers.
Short Answer Questions
Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
What kind of learning system adjusts lessons based on student interaction?
Who benefits from visual examples and simpler exercises?
What do intelligent tutoring systems imitate?
What task does AI help teachers automate?
What aspect of student development might suffer due to too much technology?
What type of data is collected by AI platforms?
What capability might AI offer to support multilingual education in the future?
Part 4: Step-by-Step Explanation of Answers
Below is a detailed explanation of each Short Answer Question from Part 3, with references to the relevant parts of the passage.
Question 1:
What kind of learning system adjusts lessons based on student interaction?
✅ Correct Answer: Adaptive learning system
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: learning system, adjusts lessons, student interaction
From the passage:
“Adaptive learning systems analyze how students interact with content and adjust materials accordingly…”
Explanation: The passage directly mentions adaptive learning systems in relation to adjusting content based on interaction.
Word count: 3 words – within limit.
Question 2:
Who benefits from visual examples and simpler exercises?
✅ Correct Answer: Slow learner
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: benefits, visual examples, simpler exercises
From the passage:
“…a slow learner in mathematics may receive more visual examples and simplified exercises…”
Explanation: It clearly states that a slow learner benefits from visual examples.
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
Question 3:
What do intelligent tutoring systems imitate?
✅ Correct Answer: Human tutors
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: intelligent tutoring systems, imitate
From the passage:
“…the use of intelligent tutoring systems. These systems mimic the behaviour of human tutors…”
Explanation: The word “mimic” is a synonym for “imitate”, and human tutors is the object they mimic.
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
Question 4:
What task does AI help teachers automate?
✅ Correct Answer: Grading assignments
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: AI, automate, teachers
From the passage:
“AI can assist educators by automating administrative tasks such as grading assignments…”
Explanation: “Grading assignments” is given as an example of tasks AI automates.
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
Question 5:
What aspect of student development might suffer due to too much technology?
✅ Correct Answer: Human interaction
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: development, suffer, too much technology
From the passage:
“Critics argue that excessive reliance on technology may reduce human interaction, which is vital for social and emotional development.”
Explanation: The phrase “reduce human interaction” implies a negative impact, satisfying the question.
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
Question 6:
What type of data is collected by AI platforms?
✅ Correct Answer: Student behaviour
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: data, collected, AI platforms
From the passage:
“…AI platforms collect vast amounts of information on student behaviour and performance.”
Explanation: The question asks what type, and “student behaviour” is a valid answer taken directly.
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
Question 7:
What capability might AI offer to support multilingual education in the future?
✅ Correct Answer: Language translation
🔍 Step-by-Step:
Keywords in the question: capability, multilingual education, future
From the passage:
“AI is expected to further revolutionize education by enabling real-time language translation…”
Explanation: “Real-time language translation” is the AI capability linked to multilingual support.
Most accurate short form: Language translation
Word count: 2 words – within limit.
✅ Summary Table
| Question No. | Correct Answer | Located In Passage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adaptive learning system | Paragraph 1 |
| 2 | Slow learner | Paragraph 1 |
| 3 | Human tutors | Paragraph 2 |
| 4 | Grading assignments | Paragraph 2 |
| 5 | Human interaction | Paragraph 3 |
| 6 | Student behaviour | Paragraph 3 |
| 7 | Language translation | Paragraph 4 |
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