Tertiary Comparison Guide IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

Did you know? Around 25–30% of test-takers lose marks not because they don’t know the answer, but due to spelling mistakes and poor time management. 

The Tertiary Comparison Guide IELTS Reading Answers passage is a common practice text in the IELTS Reading test. It requires you to compare details, interpret academic-style information, and answer question types like True/False/Not Given, matching, and multiple-choice. The IELTS Reading section has 40 questions to solve in 60 minutes, and IELTS.org reports that fewer than 25% of test-takers score Band 7 or higher in Reading.  

This highlights why practicing with passages such as the Tertiary Comparison Guide is so important. It trains you to scan for keywords, spot paraphrased ideas, and manage time effectively. Working through these IELTS Reading answers also builds accuracy and confidence for exam day. 

Check out: IELTS Academic Reading Tips and Tricks(Free PDF) 

What is Tertiary Comparison in IELTS Reading? 

IELTS Reading tertiary comparison type of questions involves comparing and analysing information in three separate texts or perspectives. This is unlike the simple questions about comparisons, where we have the complicated ones to test your keen insights in knowing the slightest difference, inferring meaning, and figuring out or giving the statements their appropriate sources.  

Most of the test-takers may fail due to the failure to capture keywords, the ignorance of context, or wasting time on a single passage. This is an important type of question to practice scoring a Band 7 and above because it carries a lot of weight on your overall reading score. 

Key Points to Know: 

• Involves three sources or perspectives instead of one or two. 
• Requires skimming and scanning to quickly locate relevant information. 
• Tests your ability to distinguish subtle differences in meaning. 
• Often combined with True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given question types. 
• Accuracy and time management are critical to avoid common pitfalls. 

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 Sample Tertiary Comparison Guide IELTS Reading Passage

Sample Passage (118 words): 

Sample Tertiary Comparison Passage 

Three fitness trackers, FitTrack, HealthMate, and StepPro, have recently launched new models aimed at different users. FitTrack prioritizes heart rate monitoring with continuous tracking and advanced sleep analysis. HealthMate emphasizes battery life, offering up to 14 days on a single charge and fast charging capabilities. StepPro focuses on sports performance, featuring multi-sport tracking, GPS integration, and water resistance. All three devices provide smartphone notifications, but only FitTrack and StepPro support music control. Storage and app compatibility vary: FitTrack and HealthMate work with both iOS and Android, while StepPro only supports Android. Pricing differs as well: FitTrack costs $120, HealthMate $100, and StepPro $150. Reviews indicate FitTrack appeals most to health enthusiasts, HealthMate to casual users, and StepPro to athletes. 

Types of Questions in the Tertiary Comparison IELTS Reading 

To help you practice tertiary comparison questions, here’s a set based on the passage above. These examples mimic the types of questions you’ll see in the IELTS Reading test, including multiple-choice, True/False/Not Given, sentence completion, and table matching. Practicing these will strengthen your ability to identify subtle differences and comparisons between items. 

1. Multiple Choice (Single Answer) 
Which tracker is best suited for athletes? 
a) FitTrack 
b) HealthMate 
c) StepPro 

2. Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) 
Which trackers support music control? 
a) FitTrack 
b) HealthMate 
c) StepPro 

3. True/False/Not Given 
HealthMate has the longest battery life. 

4. True/False/Not Given 
StepPro is compatible with iOS devices. 

5. Sentence Completion 
Complete: "Reviews suggest FitTrack appeals most to ______." 

6. Matching Information 
Match each tracker to its key feature: 

• FitTrack →? 
• HealthMate →? 
• StepPro →? 

7. Table Completion 

Tracker	Battery Life	GPS	iOS Support	Price ($)
FitTrack
HealthMate
StepPro

8. Multiple Choice (Single Answer) 
Which tracker has fast charging capability? 
a) FitTrack 
b) HealthMate 
c) StepPro 

9. Matching Consumer Group 

Consumer Group	Tracker
Health enthusiasts
Casual users
Athletes

10. Flowchart Completion 

Tracker	Price	Key Feature	Target Consumer
FitTrack
HealthMate
StepPro

Tertiary Comparison IELTS Reading Answers with Explanations

Here’s a detailed walkthrough of each question, so you can understand why each answer is correct and how to approach similar tertiary comparison questions in IELTS Reading.  

Step-by-step reasoning is key to mastering these tricky comparisons. 

1. StepPro → Focuses on sports performance, GPS, and multi-sport tracking. 

2. FitTrack, StepPro → Only these two support music control. 

3. True → HealthMate offers up to 14 days, the longest among the three. 

4. False → StepPro only supports Android, not iOS. 

5. Health enthusiasts → Directly stated in the reviews. 

6. Key Feature Match: 

• FitTrack → Heart-rate monitoring & sleep analysis 
• HealthMate → Battery life & fast charging 
• StepPro → Multi-sport tracking & GPS 

7. Table Completion:

Tracker	Battery Life	GPS	iOS Support	Price ($)
FitTrack	Moderate	No	Yes	120
HealthMate	14 days	No	Yes	100
StepPro	Moderate	Yes	No	150

8. HealthMate → The passage mentions fast charging. 

9. Consumer Group Match: 

• Health enthusiasts → FitTrack 
• Casual users → HealthMate 
• Athletes → StepPro 

10. Flowchart Completion: 

Tracker	Price	Key Feature	Target Consumer
FitTrack	120	Heart rate & sleep	Health enthusiasts
HealthMate	100	Battery & fast charge	Casual users
StepPro	150	Multi-sport & GPS	Athletes

Tertiary comparison questions are tricky because they ask you to compare three items simultaneously. The key is to approach them systematically, identify keywords, scan strategically, and avoid common traps. Doing this will save time and improve accuracy in the Reading test. 

How do I identify keywords in tertiary comparison questions? 

Start by highlighting the key terms in the question; these are usually names, dates, locations, or technical terms. For example, if the question asks about three fitness trackers, underline their names. 

• Focus on paraphrased language: IELTS rarely repeats the exact words from the passage. Look for synonyms, like “multi-sport tracking” instead of “sports performance.” 
• Pay attention to numbers, dates, and units; they are often critical in comparisons. 
• Make a quick mental note of what you need to compare to avoid confusion later. 

How do I scan passages effectively for tertiary comparisons? 

Scanning is about finding the relevant information quickly without reading every word. 

• Use connectors and signal words such as however, similarly, unlike, in contrast, and while, which usually indicate comparisons. 
• Look for tables, lists, and repeated structures in the passage; these often summarize comparisons. 
• Skim the passage first for general placement, then read the comparison sentences carefully. 

How do I avoid traps and distractors in tertiary comparison questions? 

Tertiary comparisons often include tricky details that seem right but aren’t the correct match. 

• Watch for partial similarities: two items might share a feature, but the question is about the unique third factor. 
• Ignore extra details that don’t directly relate to the comparison; IELTS loves adding distractions. 

What Mistakes Do Test-Takers Make in Tertiary Comparison IELTS Reading? 

Many candidates lose marks in tertiary comparison questions not because they don’t know the content, but because of small, avoidable mistakes. Understanding common pitfalls can help you approach these questions more strategically and improve your accuracy. 

1. Relying too much on exact words from the passage 

• Many test-takers look for the exact phrasing in the passage instead of recognizing synonyms or paraphrasing. 
• Tip: Train your eyes to spot meaning, not just words. For instance, “rapid growth” might appear as “fast increase” in the passage. 

2. Mixing up the three items being compared 

• It’s easy to confuse details for the first, second, or third item. 
• Tip: Make a small table or mental note of each item and its unique features as you read. 

3. Ignoring connectors and signal words 

• Words like however, similarly, unlike, or in contrast are key indicators for comparisons. Missing them often leads to wrong answers. 
• Tip: Circle or underline connectors while scanning to quickly understand the relationship between items. 

4. Falling for distractors or partial matches 

• Passages often include information that looks relevant but doesn’t fully satisfy the question. 
• Tip: Verify that all elements of the comparison match the question before selecting an answer. 

5. Poor time management 

• Spending too long on one question can hurt your overall Reading score. 
• Tip: If stuck, move on and return later, using your keywords and signal words to quickly locate the answer. 

How Can I Score Good in Tertiary Comparison IELTS Reading? 

To score well in tertiary comparison questions, it is not sufficient to read through the text. That is the science of recognizing important parallels, learning how to paraphrase, and dodging pitfalls. Smart training strategies and specific practice will help you increase your accuracy and speed rates so that you leave no easy marks at the table. 

1. Focus on understanding the relationship between items 

• Look for how the three items are compared; similarities, differences, or trends. 
• Tip: Create a quick mental or written map of the comparisons as you read to avoid confusion. 

2. Master scanning and keyword techniques 

• Identify dates, names, and specific terms in the question. 
• Tip: Scan the passage for these keywords and their synonyms rather than reading every word. 

3. Practice paraphrasing and synonyms 

• Test-takers often miss answers when the passage uses different words from the question. 
• Tip: Build a small list of common paraphrases in reading passages (e.g., “rapid growth” = “fast increase”). 

4. Take multiple timed mock tests 

• Real exam conditions improve accuracy and speed. 
• Tip: Track your errors after each test and focus on recurring patterns, especially in tertiary comparisons. 

5. Review and analyse mistakes carefully 

• Simply practicing isn’t enough; you must understand why you got a question wrong. 
• Tip: Maintain a mistake log for tertiary comparison questions to prevent repeating errors. 

Conclusion 

There are strategies for gaining an IELTS Reading skill of mastering tertiary comparison questions, and it is not all about speed. You may understand the comparison of items, scan efficiently, identify keywords and their synonyms, and practice using timed mocks, and your accuracy can go up a notch. Ward off such traps as hastening through comparisons or leaving out bits of paraphrased information. Once you exercise, reread your errors, and use smart tactics, Band 7+ is eminently attainable. Being focused, patient, and well prepared are the keys to a successful answer to this challenging question type. 

If you want more help with IELTS Reading Answers or need extra practice, book a free counseling session with upGrad and seek professional guidance! 

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