Before understanding why Strictly English works, you must understand why conventional methods fail. Most tutors teach three strategies:
While useful in university study, these strategies are disastrous for the IELTS Reading section. Why? Because the IELTS is not a test of general comprehension; it is a test of exact linguistic precision. Examiners deliberately use synonyms, paraphrasing, and distracting syntax to ensure that a candidate who "skims" will fall into a trap.
For example, a passage might say: "The implementation of the policy was delayed due to unforeseen budgetary constraints." A typical question might ask: "Was the policy delayed because of expected financial issues?" A skimmer sees "delayed" and "financial" and answers "Yes." The correct answer is "No" because the text says unforeseen (not expected). This is where Strictly English shines.
What constitutes a "best" answer under this framework? Let’s analyze the three most common question types where Strictly English outperforms all other methods.
Let’s apply Strictly English to a real IELTS-style question. strictly english ielts reading answers best
Passage Excerpt:
"Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. In fact, many species have excellent eyesight, which they use for long-distance navigation. However, for capturing insects in complete darkness, they rely primarily on echolocation."
Question (True/False/Not Given): "Bats use echolocation because their eyesight is poor."
Typical Candidate’s Thought Process (Wrong): "I see 'bats' and 'echolocation' and 'eyesight.' The passage says they have excellent eyesight. So the statement says their eyesight is poor. That is the opposite. So answer is False."
Strictly English Candidate’s Thought Process (Best): Before understanding why Strictly English works, you must
This meticulous, word-by-word analysis is what makes Strictly English answers the best.
Every answer you write must be backed by a sentence in the passage. If you cannot underline the exact words that prove your answer, do not write it.
Best practice:
For each answer, physically underline the part of the passage that contains it. This stops you from guessing and forces you to rely on strict English evidence.
Example of correct answer sheet entry:
1. TRUE
2. NOT GIVEN
3. photosynthesis
4. B
5. FALSE
Most students read the paragraph first, then look at headings. This is backwards. The Strictly English method teaches you to read the headings first and deconstruct their core nouns and verbs. Then, as you read each paragraph, you ask: Does this entire paragraph exist solely to support this heading?
The best answer is not the one that "sounds good." It is the one that covers 100% of the paragraph’s main idea. If a heading mentions "causes," but the paragraph spends two sentences on causes and three sentences on solutions, that heading is wrong. You need the heading that matches the central theme, not a supporting detail.
| Question Type | How to Write Answers | |---------------|----------------------| | Multiple Choice | Letter only (e.g., B, C, A) | | True/False/Not Given | TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN (all caps) | | Yes/No/Not Given | YES / NO / NOT GIVEN (all caps) | | Sentence Completion | Exact words from text, no changes | | Summary Completion | Max 1–3 words as instructed | | Table/Flowchart/Diagram | Exact words, word limit applies | | Matching Headings | Roman numeral or letter (e.g., iv, B) | | Matching Features | Letter (e.g., A, B, C) | | Short Answer | Exact words, no extra words |
⚠️ Spelling must be correct – British or American, but consistent.
⚠️ No extra words – “a” or “the” counts as a word. While useful in university study, these strategies are