2.1 Reading Skills Tested
According to Alderson (2000: 51), the sole purpose of students taking a test is to answer the questions correctly. The IELTS reading test, as a proficiency test1, measures test takers’ proficiency in reading comprehension, as represented by their ability to perform a range of tasks for academic purposes.
As Alderson (1990b: 436) puts it, “answering a test question is likely to involve a variety of interrelated skills, rather than one skill only or even mainly one skill”. Compared with reading in real life, reading in a test situation calls for specific reading comprehension skills and techniques for examination conditions (Urquhart & Weir, 1998: 119). Reading tests, such as IELTS reading tests, measure a candidate’s general reading comprehension skills, knowledge of vocabulary and use of reading strategies (Schwartz, 1984: 60). The specific reading skills tested in IELTS reding will be illustrated.