Hi, I’m Hiroshi Tanaka, and in this lesson, we’ll explore how to read Instructions & Policies effectively in the IELTS General Training Reading test.
This skill is essential for workplace, community, and public contexts — for example, company policies, safety procedures, or user guides. The challenge is not difficult vocabulary, but understanding rules, order, and logic. Once you recognise how instructions are structured, these questions become much easier.
In IELTS GT Reading, these texts explain how to do something or what is permitted or required. You’ll see clear, functional English with lists, steps, or conditions.
Examples include:
Questions usually ask:
1️⃣ Read the Title and Context
Titles like “Safety Policy,” “Refund Procedure,” or “Application Guidelines” immediately tell you the purpose. Knowing whether it’s an instruction or rule changes how you read it.
2️⃣ Skim for Structure
Instruction and policy texts often follow order: Purpose → Steps → Exceptions → Contact details. Skim first to locate where each part begins.
3️⃣ Identify Obligation Words
Underline key modal verbs:
Word | Meaning |
must | compulsory / required |
should | recommended |
may | optional or permitted |
must not | prohibited |
These indicate responsibility — crucial for True/False or matching questions.
4️⃣ Note Sequence and Condition Words
Look for connectors like before, after, first, next, unless, if, until. These show procedure flow.
Example:
“Complete the online form before sending payment.”
This means step order matters.
5️⃣ Match Questions to Rules, Not Examples
Some questions paraphrase rules. Always base your answer on official policy lines, not examples or explanations.
Text:
Employees must wear protective shoes in the workshop. Visitors should request a safety pass before entry.
Question:
Who needs to wear protective shoes?
✅ Answer: Employees — not visitors.
Question:
What should visitors do before entering?
✅ Answer: Request a safety pass.
Expression | Meaning | Example |
“is required to” | obligation | “Staff are required to sign in.” |
“is not permitted” | prohibition | “Food is not permitted in labs.” |
“may be eligible for” | condition | “Members may be eligible for a discount.” |
“in case of” | special situation | “In case of emergency, call reception.” |
Recognising these phrases improves comprehension.
Mistake | Why It Happens | Fix |
Ignoring sequence | Reading in random order | Follow steps with connectors |
Misreading modals | Confusing should and must | Learn obligation levels |
Guessing from general logic | Using background knowledge | Only trust text evidence |
Overlooking exceptions | Skipping unless or except | Read entire rule |
Technique | Description | Benefit |
Flow mapping | Draw arrows showing sequence | Clarifies order |
Condition tracking | Highlight “if/unless” phrases | Identifies exceptions |
Rule grouping | Categorise do’s vs don’ts | Aids recall |
Keyword alignment | Match verbs in question and rule | Speeds accuracy |
Text:
To apply for membership, fill out the form and pay the annual fee. Members must renew each January. Refunds are not given after payment.
Question:
When must members renew their membership?
✅ Answer: Each January
Question:
Can applicants get a refund after paying?
✅ Answer: No – refunds are not given.
Spend 7–8 minutes per instruction or policy set. Focus on sequence, condition, and obligation words. If a question mentions “after” or “before,” recheck the order carefully.
Band 8–9 candidates visualise the structure of the text before answering. They identify mandatory rules vs optional advice, track steps using connectors, and never rely on personal assumptions. Their strength is precision and logic.
Reading Instructions & Policies tests your ability to understand structured, rule-based texts. Focus on order, modal verbs, and logical connectors to interpret meaning correctly.
Next, continue with Letters & Emails in Reading Contexts to strengthen your understanding of tone, purpose, and factual reading.
Or revisit the IELTS Reading Skills & Exam Strategy mother page for your complete foundation.
For additional practice, visit the British Council IELTS Reading Practice Tests resource.
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