Hacker IELTS Reading Review: A Comprehensive Study Guide from A to Z

On the journey to conquering the IELTS exam, the Reading section is always a significant challenge, requiring learners to possess not only a rich vocabulary and solid grammar but also smart test-taking strategies. Among the countless materials on the market, “Hackers IELTS Reading” stands out as a top-tier choice, trusted by many learners and instructors alike.

This article from ECE Language Center provides a deep and comprehensive look at the book, covering basic information, target audience, detailed content, pros and cons, and a guide on the most effective study methods.

Overview of the Hackers IELTS Reading book

“Hackers IELTS Reading” is part of the famous “Hackers IELTS” series from South Korea, designed to help learners “hack” the various question types in the IELTS Reading section effectively.

• Author: Hackers Language Research Institute – a prestigious educational organization in South Korea, renowned for high-quality test preparation publications for international English certifications such as TOEIC, TOEFL, and IELTS.
• Publisher: In Vietnam, the book is licensed and distributed by several reputable publishers, most notably Tre Publishing House.
• Reference Price: The price varies depending on the publisher and distributor, typically ranging from 150,000 VND to 250,000 VND for a full-color copy with high-quality paper and supplementary resources.

The book is designed with a scientific 4-week study plan, helping learners get acquainted with, practice, and master the skills needed to achieve a high score in the IELTS Reading test.

Target Audience

To use this book most effectively, learners should determine if their level and goals are a good fit. “Hackers IELTS Reading” is best suited for:

• Intermediate learners and above: The book is written entirely in English, and the reading passages and exercises have a difficulty level comparable to the actual exam. Therefore, learners should have a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary (equivalent to an IELTS band score of 4.5 – 5.0 or higher) to absorb the material effectively.
• Learners aiming for band 6.0+: With its detailed knowledge system and abundant exercises, the book is an ideal tool for those targeting a score of 6.0 or higher, helping to improve both skills and test-taking tactics.
• Learners wanting to dive deep into question types: The book provides detailed analysis of every common IELTS Reading question type, from Multiple Choice, True/False/Not Given to Matching Headings, and offers “hacks” (tips) to solve each type quickly and accurately.
• Learners needing structured materials with a clear roadmap: The pre-designed 4-week study plan helps learners create a specific study schedule, avoiding aimless or disorganized study habits.

Download Hackers IELTS Reading PDF

Detailed Content Review

The content of “Hackers IELTS Reading” is presented scientifically, logically, and systematically, including the following main sections:

Part 1: Introduction

• Introduction to IELTS Reading: Provides an overview of the IELTS Reading test structure, timing, question types, and scoring system.
• Diagnostic Test: Helps learners assess their current ability, identify strengths and weaknesses, and plan their study accordingly.

Part 2: 4-Week Study Plan

This is the core of the book, dividing knowledge and practice into a detailed 4-week roadmap.

• Weeks 1 & 2: Mastering Question Types
  • Each day in the first two weeks focuses on a specific question type.
  • Structure of each lesson:
    1. Introduction: An overview of the question type.
    2. Hacking Strategy: Provides strategies, tips, and step-by-step approaches to solve that question type. This is the “money” feature of the book.
    3. Grammar & Vocabulary Build-up: Covers grammar points and academic vocabulary frequently appearing in that specific question type.
    4. Practice Exercises: Exercises designed to closely mirror the question type just learned.
• Week 3: Practicing by Topic
  • Focuses on applying learned skills to reading passages covering diverse topics common in the IELTS exam, such as Science, History, Society, Environment, Culture, etc.
  • Helps learners build topic-specific vocabulary and get used to the academic writing style of different fields.
• Week 4: Actual Tests
  • Provides Mock Tests with a structure and difficulty level equivalent to the real exam.
  • Helps learners practice time management, apply integrated strategies, and get used to exam-room pressure.

Part 3: Appendix

• Answer Key & Scripts: Detailed answers for all exercises and mock tests, accompanied by clear explanations for difficult questions. This is an extremely useful tool for self-checking, error correction, and learning from mistakes.
• Vocabulary List: A list of important academic vocabulary compiled from the reading passages in the book.

Pros & Cons of Hackers IELTS Reading

Pros:

• Logical structure and clear roadmap: The 4-week plan gives learners a specific direction, making it easy to track progress without feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.
• In-depth analysis of question types: The book doesn’t just provide exercises; it delves into the nature of the questions, offering practical and effective strategies and “hacks.”
• Diverse and high-quality exercises: Reading passages and questions are carefully curated with difficulty levels close to the actual exam, providing effective practice.
• Detailed answer explanations: The explanations are invaluable, pointing out errors and guiding the correct thought process, helping learners truly understand the material rather than just knowing the answer.
• Attractive design, easy to follow: The book is printed in color with a clear layout, making it engaging for learners.

Cons:

• Written entirely in English: This can be a barrier for beginners or those with a weak English foundation.
• Requires high self-discipline: As a self-study book, learners need discipline and perseverance to follow the 4-week roadmap to the end.
• Some “hacks” may not apply 100% of the time: While strategies are very useful, learners need to be flexible depending on the context of the reading passage and avoid being too mechanical.

How to Study Reading Effectively with This Book

To maximize the value of this book, you should apply a systematic study method. Here are detailed suggestions:

Step 1: Assess your ability and set goals

• Take the Diagnostic Test at the beginning of the book seriously, timing yourself as if it were the real exam.
• Based on the results, identify your weakest question types and focus on improving them. Set a specific target band score for the Reading section.

Step 2: Follow the roadmap and study deeply

• Try to stick to the 4-week plan. In the first two weeks, when learning a new question type, follow these steps:
  1. Read the Hacking Strategy carefully: Don’t rush into the exercises. Read, understand, and take notes on the strategies and approaches suggested.
  2. Do the Practice Exercises: Apply the strategies you just learned immediately. Use a timer to practice your speed.
  3. Check and analyze answers: This is the most important step. After finishing, compare your answers. For every wrong answer, read the explanation carefully, asking yourself “Why did I get this wrong?” and “Why is this the correct answer?”. Underline the keywords and sentence structures that led to the correct answer.
  4. Learn vocabulary and grammar: Write down new words and interesting grammar structures in a separate notebook. Review them regularly.

Step 3: Practice by topic and expand vocabulary

• In the third week, when doing topic-based reading, prepare some vocabulary related to that topic beforehand. This will help you read and understand faster.
• After each passage, summarize the main content in a few sentences. This helps train deep reading skills.

Step 4: Take mock tests and manage time

• In the final week, treat the Actual Tests like a real exam:
  • Find a quiet space, free from distractions.
  • Strict timing: 60 minutes for 3 reading passages.
  • Do not use a dictionary while taking the test.
• After finishing, spend an equal amount of time (or more) reviewing, analyzing mistakes, and learning from them.

Additional Tips:

• Combine with other materials: Don’t rely solely on one book. Combine Hackers IELTS Reading with Cambridge IELTS practice tests for a more diverse experience.
• Read daily: Beyond the book, make a habit of reading English articles and magazines on sites like BBC News, National Geographic, or The Economist to naturally improve your vocabulary and reading speed.

Conclusion

“Hackers IELTS Reading” is a meticulously crafted, systematic, and effective test prep book. With a clear study roadmap, smart test-taking strategies, and a high-quality exercise system, it is undoubtedly a powerful tool for anyone looking to break through their IELTS Reading score. However, to succeed, learners need perseverance, discipline, and an active, smart study approach. Wishing you success on your path to conquering IELTS!