READING

BAND 8
CHEAT
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 Strategy for Labelling A Diagram Question Type

1. Read the instructions carefully.

2. Note the number of words you can write.
3. Take a look at the diagram and figure out the keywords and labels.
4. Scan the text and identify where the information is located.
5. Read the area in details to figure out the answer.
6. Check you spelling to ensure it is correct.

Strategy for Matching Headings Question Type

1. If this question type is on the test, do it first.

2. Skim through the headings
3. Quickly read through the paragraph comprehensively.
4. Scan through the headings to see the one that summarizes or insinuate
an idea in the paragraph.
5. Pick the heading that best suits the paragraph, mark it and write it
down as your answer.
6. If you encounter similar or confusing headings, read both carefully to
understand their differences. Then establish if there are synonyms in
the paragraphs compared to the keywords in the headings.

Strategy for Matching Names Question Type

1. Read the question carefully.

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2. Focus on the names first. Read them and then scan for the names in
the passage and underline them. Remember that some names will
appear more than once and you should underline them all.
3. Focus on the names that appear only once first, because these are the
easiest.
4. Read their research or findings, and then go back to the statements in
the question and match them. Be aware of synonyms and paraphrases.
5. When you find a statement that matches the name, write down your
answer. Then move to the next appearance of the name. Repeat step
4 & 5.
6. If no more appearance of the name, move to the next name. Repeat
step 3 to 6 until you are done.

Strategy For Matching Sentence Question Type

1. Read the incomplete sentences first. Try to understand them and take
notes of their keywords.
2. Look at the endings but not in too much detail.
3. Find the correct part of the message for each incomplete sentence. Be
careful with synonyms and paraphrases.
4. Read the part of the passage carefully to understand its meaning.
5. Scan through the endings and pick the answer.

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 Strategy for Multiple Choice Question Type

1. Read the question carefully and understand it.

2. Underline any keywords in the question, and think about any synonyms
that might appear in the text.
3. Scan the passage and, using keywords and synonyms, locate the part
containing the answers.
4. Read the relevant part of the passage very carefully, then compare
with the question's options.
5. Don't only think about which options are correct, but think about how
the other options are wrong.
6. Go back and read the question again, then mark your final choice.

Strategy For Matching Information Question Type

1. If this question type is in the test, do it last.

2. Skim through the questions.
3. Quickly skim through the entire passage looking for the keywords of
the question you are answering.
4. Scan the text paragraphs you think might contain the answer for
synonyms. If you find a possible answer, underline it.
5. Check back with the question statement and mark the answer if
correct. If not, move on to other paragraphs.

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 Strategy For Short Answer Question Type

1. Read the instructions carefully and note the word limit.

2. Read and understand the questions.
3. Underline any keywords in the questions.
4. Find the part of the passage he questions relates to.
5. Read the question again.
6. Read the section containing the answer carefully and identify the
answer.
7. Continue with the next question and repeat until you are done.

Strategy for Summary Completion

1. Read the instructions of the questions.

Take note of the following:
(a) The word limit.
(b) Where you are picking your answers; from the passage or from a
list of words.
2. Skim the summary and try to understand what it's about.
3. If you have a list of words, go through them and predict which one
likely fits into the gap. Take into cognizance grammar and tenses.
4. Scan through the passage to identify the section where the answer
could be. Taking note of synonyms and paraphrases of the
words/phrases surrounding the gap.

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5. When identified, take a careful look at the section to pick out the
answer.
6. Check to see if your word makes the sentence grammatically correct.
If it doesn't, your answer is wrong.

Strategy For Table Completion Question Type

1. Read the instructions carefully and take note of word limit.

2. Read carefully the headings of the gap you are to fill.
3. Scan the text to locate the relevant paragraph(s).
4. Read the appropriate section carefully to find the answer.
5. Transfer the word(s) exactly as they are to the gap.
6. Check the spelling.

Strategy For Sentence Completion Question Type

1. Read the instructions. Take note of the word limit.

2. Read the incomplete sentence first. Take note of the keywords to scan
for.
3. Scan the passage to locate where the answer might be. If it takes you
too long, move to the next question.
4. I you've found the area with the answer, take a second look at the
incomplete sentence.
5. Carefully read the area with the possible answer and pick your answer.

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6. Take note of the word limit and check your spelling.
7. Repeat until finished.

Strategy For True/False/Not Given Question Type

1. Read the instructions carefully, and make sure you know if it is a

TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN not YES/NO/NOT GIVEN question.
2. Resist the temptation to read the passage. Focus first on the
statements and read all carefully to understand their meanings.
3. Watch out for qualifying words like 'few' and 'often'.
4. Skim through the passage to identify area that matches the statement.
5. When you find the area that seems to contain information concerning
the statement, read the statement again and then carefully read the
part of the passage to establish if it's true or false.
6. If you can't find the answer, mark it as 'not given' and move to the
next question.
7. If you are unsure about the answer, mark it as 'not given' and move
on.

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 Strategy For Yes/No/Not Given Question Type

1. Read the instructions carefully, and make sure you know if it is a

YES/NO/NOT GIVEN not TURE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN question.
2. Resist the temptation to read the passage. Focus first on the
statements and read all carefully to understand their meanings.
3. Watch out for qualifying words like 'few' and 'often'.
4. Skim through the passage to identify areas that matches the
statement.
5. When yu find the area them seems to contain information concerning
the statement, read the statement again and then carefully read the
part of the passage to establish if the answer is YES or NO.
6. If you can't find the answer, mark it as 'not given' and move to the
next question.
7. If you are unsure about the answer, mark it as 'not given' and move
on.

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