80 Days to Conquer IELTS - Reading

Author: Jiang Tao, Editor-in-Chief
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 technique training is entirely built upon the solid foundation laid in the first 60 days. For the summary of techniques, we dare to say it is currently the most comprehensive and persuasive. Moreover, when arranging the questions, the book fully considers the learners' comprehension abilities, adopting a step-by-step and integrated teaching-practice approach, which is more conducive to absorption and digestion.
Many ask me where the secret to reading lies, and countless letters inquire about passing techniques in IELTS reading. My usual response has been to evade the question. As a result, some have questioned my abilities, while others, after several failed attempts to seek guidance, have written to gently ask if I am merely famous for nothing. I replied that yes, I am. Because I truly don’t know how to enlighten these high school-level students with a single word, enabling them to achieve IELTS Band 7.
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 of proficiency is the foundation. Techniques and problem-solving strategies are merely tools. If one’s natural abilities are strong and well-developed, they can wield these tools with great skill. But if one’s abilities are weak like a reed, even the most legendary 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 in a single night. 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 empty 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 do not advocate blindly memorizing the so-called "" (exam tips) found online. For reading, without the original text, "" is useless. Knowing the background and questions but being unable to understand the original text means you still lack understanding.
Regarding the 60-day technique training, it is entirely built upon the solid foundation laid in the first 60 days. For the summary of techniques, we dare to say it is currently the most comprehensive and persuasive. Moreover, when arranging the questions, we fully consider the learners' comprehension abilities, 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. During its creation, I was always immersed in the joy of creation. However, this sense of achievement came at the cost of destroying my biological clock and body. My 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 grants me another chance to start over, I would still desperately hope to be their child and say four words: "I love you," with an eternity as the deadline!
One day, when 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 compassionate than most people.