In the IELTS Reading test, you might be asked to identify opinions and theories in a passage.
These are people’s beliefs, or attempts to explain something, and are not the same as facts.
Facts are things that are known to be true.
TASK 1 Read the information. Then decide whether the statements are Opinion or Fact. Choose the
correct answers.
1. According to a recent survey, 65% of young people would like to study in a foreign country.
2. Approximately one in three people who take part in voluntary activities say that it has made them feel
better about themselves.
3. Professor Mark Thompson believes that people from wealthy backgrounds tend to volunteer more than
people from poorer ones.
4. It has been proven that the main reason people volunteer is to help other people, although some people
also do it in order to try a new experience.
5. ‘Instead of making people busier and more tired, taking part in voluntary activities may actually help
decrease people’s stress levels,’ comments Clara Coleman, a researcher at Princeford University.
6. ‘Employers don’t appreciate people who do volunteer work alongside their normal jobs,’ suggests Joel
Gateman.
Reading passages often report the opinions of other people. Look out for reporting verbs such as say,
think and believe. It is important to understand that what a person says, thinks or writes is not
always a fact, even if the person is an expert, and believes what they say to be true.
TASK 2 Read the information. Then find the reporting verbs in the statements.
1. Professor Mark Thompson believes that people from wealthy backgrounds volunteer more than people
from poorer ones.
2. ‘Instead of making people busier and more tired, taking part in voluntary activities may actually help
decrease people’s stress levels,’ comments Clare Coleman, a researcher at Princeford University.
3. ‘Employers don’t appreciate people who do volunteer work alongside their normal jobs,’ suggests Joel
Gateman.
4. Rachel Jones, who volunteered with refugees for three months, thinks that her experience was
challenging but rewarding.
5. Paula Orman, the organiser of the survey, claims that more people should consider voluntary work.
Direct speech
Indirect speech
Understanding someone’s attitude means identifying how someone
thinks or feels about something. For example, they might have a
positive or a negative attitude towards something.
TASK 3 Read the information. Then decide whether the people’s opinions are Positive or Negative.
1. Rachel Jones, a young volunteer, says, ‘It’s terrible that the government isn’t doing enough to help
refugees.’ Positive/ Negative
2. Volunteering can have a beneficial effect on people. Clare Coleman agrees: ‘It can make people feel less
depressed.’ Positive/ Negative
3. Some people are not optimistic. Joel Gateman speculates/ predicts that people will have less time to
volunteer in years to come because they will be working longer hours. Positive/ Negative
4. ‘Far from being a waste of time, most people find voluntary work increases their job prospects,’ claims
Professor Mark Thompson. Positive/ Negative
5. Paula Orman believes that more people are viewing voluntary work as a valuable activity, which helps
society in general. Positive/ Negative
In the IELTS Reading test, you might be asked to find someone’s
opinion in a passage. You will be given statements, paraphrasing that
person’s opinion, which will be written in a shorter, different way.
TASK 4 Read the information. Then look at the opinions with the key words underlined. Read the
paraphrased statements and match the people with their opinions.
• Rachel Jones, a young volunteer, says, ‘It’s terrible that the government isn’t doing enough to help
refugees.’
• Volunteering can have a beneficial effect on people. Clare Coleman agrees: ‘It can make people feel less
depressed.’
• Some people are not optimistic. Joel Gateman speculates that people will have less time to volunteer in
years to come because they will be working longer hours.
• ‘Far from being a waste of time, most people find voluntary work increases their job prospects,’ claims
Professor Mark Thompson.
• Paula Orman believes that more people are viewing voluntary work as a valuable activity which helps
society in general.
Clare Coleman Joel Gateman Mark Thompson Paula Orman Rachel Jones
• Rachel Jones, a young volunteer, says, ‘It’s terrible that the government isn’t doing enough to help
refugees.’
• Volunteering can have a beneficial effect on people. Clare Coleman agrees: ‘It can make people feel less
depressed.’
• Some people are not optimistic. Joel Gateman speculates that people will have less time to volunteer in
years to come because they will be working longer hours.
• ‘Far from being a waste of time, most people find voluntary work increases their job prospects,’ claims
Professor Mark Thompson.
• Paula Orman believes that more people are viewing voluntary work as a valuable activity which helps
society in general.
A. Clare Coleman B. Joel Gateman C. Mark Thompson D. Paula Orman E. Rachel Jones
1. If a person takes part in voluntary activities, it is good for the larger area in which they live.
2. The people who are officially in charge of the country should do more to help people.
3. People will not have much free time in the future to spend helping others.
4. Volunteering can improve someone’s chances of finding paid work.
5. People who do voluntary work feel more positive about life.
