Reading exam tips — strategies by task type

Read with a purpose

These strategies support reading exam practice. Task formats, timing and scoring depend on your examination: follow the instructions supplied by the Language School.

Before you answer

• Read the instructions: check how many answers are required, whether options can be reused and any word limit.
• Skim the title and passage for topic, purpose and overall meaning. Then scan for the information each question needs.
• Look for paraphrases, not just repeated words. Base your answer on the text, rather than outside knowledge.
• Use context for unfamiliar words. Avoid spending too long on one item; return to it if the task allows.

Multiple choice — one correct answer

1. Read the question carefully, especially words such as mainly, implies, except or according to the writer.
2. Find the relevant part of the passage and predict an answer before comparing the options.
3. Choose the option supported by the whole relevant idea. Reject answers that are only partly true, too broad, too strong or true in general but absent from the text.

Matching headings or main ideas

1. Summarise each paragraph in a short phrase.
2. Match its main point, not a small detail or a familiar word.
3. Compare similar headings and check extra options. Do not assume every option must be used.

Matching information, people or viewpoints

1. Identify exactly what you must find: an example, reason, opinion, experience or factual detail.
2. Scan for likely locations, then read those sentences carefully.
3. Check who says or believes what. Follow pronouns and contrasts; distinguish the writer’s opinion from a quoted person’s view.

Gap fill — options provided

1. Read the complete sentence and the sentences around the gap.
2. Check meaning, grammatical form, collocation and linking words.
3. Compare all plausible options. Read the completed passage again to check that it makes sense.

Open gap fill — type the answer

1. Check the permitted number of words and whether words must come from the passage.
2. Identify the required word class and use grammar and context together.
3. Check spelling, articles, singular/plural forms and verb forms. Do not add unnecessary words.

Sentence, note or summary completion

1. Predict the kind of information required: a person, place, date, reason or action.
2. Locate the evidence and follow the word limit exactly.
3. Make sure the completed sentence is grammatical and preserves the meaning of the passage.

Sentence insertion

1. Read both before and after each gap.
2. Look for links: pronouns, repeated or related ideas, time sequence, examples and contrast.
3. Check that the sentence connects naturally on both sides. A shared keyword alone is insufficient.

Paragraph insertion

1. Map the passage’s development: introduction, events or arguments, examples and conclusion.
2. Identify the role of each missing paragraph and its opening and closing links.
3. Check the whole passage after placing the paragraphs. Leave unused distractors out.

True / False / Not Given — when used

• True: the statement agrees with the text.
• False: the text contradicts it.
• Not Given: the text does not provide enough information to decide. Do not fill the gap with assumptions.

Short-answer questions

• Answer the exact question, using only the necessary information.
• Follow any word limit and instructions about using words from the passage.
• Check spelling and whether your answer identifies the correct person, event or reason.

Final check

Check every answer against evidence. Confirm numbering, option labels and word limits. Follow the stated scoring rules; do not assume how unanswered or incorrect items are marked.

After practice

For each mistake, note the evidence you missed and why the distractor seemed attractive. Record useful vocabulary with its sentence and source task. Try a similar task later to check improvement.