80 Days to Conquer IELTS Reading

Author: Jiang Tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: The guiding principle of this book is to first build strength, then discuss techniques. The reading materials in this book are authoritative, mostly sourced from articles in major British and American media. The questions are carefully selected and refined based on past IELTS exam topics. In this book, the 60-day skill training after the first 60 days is entirely built upon the solid foundation laid during the initial period. For the summary of techniques, we dare to say that it is currently the most comprehensive and convincing. Moreover, when arranging the questions, the book fully considers the learners' ability to receive, adopting a step-by-step and integrated teaching-practice approach, which is more conducive to absorption and digestion.
Many ask me where the secret of reading lies, and countless letters inquire about passing techniques in IELTS reading. My usual response has been to evade these questions. As a result, some have questioned my abilities, while others, after repeated failed attempts to seek guidance, have written to gently ask if I am just famous for nothing. I replied that I was. Because I truly don’t know how to help these high school-level students have a breakthrough after listening to my advice, to reach an IELTS score of 7 directly.
So, does IELTS reading have techniques? The answer is yes, but the key lies in the fact that, for any English exam, one’s true level is always the most important. Techniques and problem-solving approaches are merely weapons. If one’s natural abilities are long and strong, they can wield these weapons with great skill. But if one’s abilities are weak like a reed, even the most legendary ancient weapons, like the mythical Dragon-Slaying Sword, would be useless.
Who knows that when I was in high school, I was still learning Chinese and identifying the main idea of paragraphs? Yet everyone dreams of achieving the ability to read at a speed that could take an enemy’s head from a thousand miles away overnight. It’s laughable, pitiful, but true. The guiding principle of this reading workbook is to first build strength, then discuss techniques. Otherwise, it’s just talk! As for the authority of the reading materials, you can rest assured—they are mostly sourced from major British and American media. The questions are carefully selected and refined based on past IELTS exam topics. I don’t advocate memorizing the so-called "" (exam tips) that are popular online. For reading, without the original text, "" is useless. Knowing the background and questions but not understanding the original text still leaves you clueless.
Regarding the skill training after the first 60 days, it is entirely built upon the solid foundation laid during the initial period. For the summary of techniques, we dare to say that it is currently the most comprehensive and convincing. Moreover, when arranging the questions, we fully consider the learners' ability to receive, adopting a step-by-step and integrated teaching-practice approach, which is more conducive to absorption and digestion.
The process of writing this book was a happy one. I never stopped enjoying the joy of creation while writing it, but this sense of success was built upon destroying my own biological clock and body. My esteemed father, who would wake up early to fry eggs for me, and my mother, who lived far away but occasionally sent me vitamins, if heaven were to give me another chance to start over, I would still desperately hope to be their child and say four words: "I love you," plus a time limit—forever!
One day, if I become famous, don’t be surprised. The reason is simple: I am just a little more honest, a little more diligent, and a little more caring than most people.