IELTS Reading vs Real World Content | Generated by AI
Question: Are IELTS reading essays kind of nonsense compared to tweets, engineering topics, career-related content, latest news, things people actually care about, health stuff, daily news, how daily things work, Steve Jobs biography, or New York Times best sellers, which are more interesting?
Answer:
Yes, many test-takers feel that IELTS Academic Reading passages often seem boring, dry, or even “nonsense” compared to the engaging, relevant, or entertaining content you mentioned.
Why IELTS reading passages often feel less interesting
IELTS Academic Reading uses authentic texts from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, written for non-specialist audiences but in a formal, academic style. Typical topics include:
- Environment (e.g., climate change, pollution, renewable energy)
- Science and technology (e.g., artificial intelligence, genetics, space exploration)
- History and culture (e.g., ancient civilizations, art movements)
- Social issues, education, business, or biology-related phenomena (e.g., animal behavior like electroreception in fish, or inventions like water desalination devices)
These passages are factual, descriptive, or analytical, with dense vocabulary and complex structures. They prioritize testing skimming, scanning, locating specific information, and understanding ideas quickly under time pressure (60 minutes for ~2,150–2,750 words and 40 questions), rather than being entertaining or personally relevant. Many students describe them as “boring,” “useless,” or hard to stay focused on because they lack the emotional pull, storytelling, or immediacy of tweets, biographies, news, or popular books.
In contrast, the content you listed feels more engaging because:
- Tweets and daily/latest news are short, opinionated, current, and relatable.
- Engineering/career topics or “how daily things work” connect directly to practical life or professional interests.
- Health stuff and daily news address personal concerns.
- Steve Jobs biography or New York Times best sellers use narrative style, real people, drama, and inspiration.
The General Training Reading is somewhat different—sections 1 and 2 often cover everyday practical texts (ads, notices, handbooks), which can feel more “real-life,” while section 3 is longer and more like Academic.
The purpose behind this difference
IELTS isn’t trying to entertain or match your personal interests—it’s testing university-level or professional English reading skills (e.g., handling complex academic/professional texts). The “nonsense” feeling often comes from the academic tone and obscure topics chosen to be neutral and fair for all test-takers worldwide. Many people agree the passages aren’t meant to be fun; the goal is finding answers efficiently, not deep enjoyment.
If you’re preparing for IELTS, reading more varied real-world English (news, biographies, tech articles, health blogs) can build vocabulary and speed, making exam passages less painful. But yes, for most people, tweets, Steve Jobs’ story, or best sellers are far more interesting than a passage about ancient tools or glacier formation.
References:
- Topics for IELTS Reading Test
- IELTS Reading Topics for General and Academic
- Why IELTS Reading Passages Feel Boring—and How to Master Them Anyway
- IELTS Energy 1279: 3 Skills to Stay Focused on Reading and Listening