101 Helpful Hints

reading test hints

37.                        Write your answers on the answer sheet:

38.                        Do not read the reading passage first – predict: always have reason to read

39. Read each part of the test in a logical order: To Have Bright Prospects, Intelligently Answer Each Question. 

àTile

àHeading

àBold printed words

àPicture

àInstruction

àWhat Kind of Answer

àExample

àQuestions

40.                        Consider the passage layout

41.                        Scan the reading passage

Skim quickly for the general idea of the information on the page

Scan for specific information.

42.                        Reading the topic sentences of paragraphs first (check first sentenceàsecond sentenceàlast sentence)

The introduction: main idea or topic of the passage

The conclusion: often summarizes the main points of the passage

43.                        Know where to start looking for an answer

44.                        Read around the key words or phrases

45.                        Matching task

Type I: equal list answer.

Type II: longer list answer.

Read the instructions carefully

Complete the task in the order in which the answer will be given in the passage

Cross off the answer to the examples first, if an answer cannot be used more than one

Give a number of choices from the list of possible matches

For type I

Leave the most difficult match to last

Check your answer carefully

Match heading with:

A single paragraph: match topic idea

A section of passage: topic idea relates with every paragraph.

46.                        Check your matches are correct: Match at least 3 areas of information in a possible answer before choosing that answer.

Check that all part of the answer agree with what is states in the reading passage

47.                        Place the task across the passage: look the example & the last questionà shortens the areas of the passage.

48.                        Look for changes in the sentence order

49.                        Look for patterns of words and phrases: Search the passage for similar patterns of words to those found in the question.

FIVE QUICK HINTS

50.                        Read the glossary

51.                        Check difficult vocabulary

52.                        Search for numbers first

53.                        Remember maximum word requirements

54.                        Check figures and diagrams for answers

55.                        Gap fills method

if there is a gap fill task which is a summary of the whole passage or even part of the passage, consider completing the gap fill first. Summary help you to predict information about the passage, even missing word, also help to answer questions in other tasks connected to that passage.

Type 1: fill with a given list of words or phrases

Type 2: fill with words or phrases from the reading passage

Gap fill method- Type 1:

1.     Read instruction

2.     Read the example, might cross example answer

3.     Scan, skim the gap fill text quickly for general understand of the text.

4.     Distinguish the words or phrases according to their function as parts of speechà search through similar functioning words when considering a word or phrase for a gap.

5.     Check meaning of the sentence

6.     Work out the part of speed for the gap

7.     Look for all the possible answer( same function)

8.     Refer to the passage help to choose possible answer.

9.     Complete 5à8 for each gap in the task.

10. Choose final answer from words chosen for each gap.

Gap fill method – Type 2:

1.     Read instruction

2.     Read example for information

3.     Scan, skin for general understanding

4.     Locate the answer to the example in the reading passage

5.     Pace summary across the passage to find out where the answers may be found

6.     Work out the full meaning of the sentence

7.     Work out part of the speed for that gap

8.     Examine the key words/phrases to look for in the passage and locate them

9.     Choose the best suit words( may need change word form

Complete 6à9 for each gap

·        always: Singular or Plural? When choosing a noun ar verb from either the passage or from the word list

·        Always: Positive or Negative? To help work out the full meaning of sentences.

·        Remember, the word you need may be one of the words in the gap fill text.

56.                        Find short answer sentences within long sentences

57. Consider the location of the answer: Search before and after keywords/phrases

58.                        Charts and tables question tasks: Remember to examine all the words and phrases contained in a chart or table.