University of La Salette, Inc.

Hi! How are you? Welcome to our class!

I am LA and I will be your instructor for
Welcome to Prelim Part 1! this course. I hope that you will find all
the topics in this module interesting and
The English Enhancement Program (EEP) Course is
designed to improve your ability to communicate in
worthwhile. Come on! Let’s start!
English across four language skills – listening, reading,
writing, and speaking. The course is divided into two parts – EEP 1 and EEP 2. While EEP 1 highlights
Listening and Speaking Skills, EEP 2 focuses on developing your competence in Reading and Writing
Skills.

The treatment of this course starts off with Reading Skills. EEP 2 Module 1 is a skill-section providing strategies in completing range of
authentic reading tests. Therefore, as the unit progresses, you need to be more self-critical and aware of your own mistakes in order to
build your abilities and confidence in English.I advise you to read and understand our lesson because from this module, you will work on
several activities. Hence, as early as the first part of this course, you will realize that EEP 2 demands focus and discipline in order to
successfully pass the course.

All the same, my students are expected not to give up on the course because we all know that EEP2 is of central importance in developing
not only your English skills but also your competitive advantage. So let me ask you: ‘Are you ready?’

Lesson: READING
Schedule: WEEKS 1-5

Topic Outline:
Reading Skills Strategies in Reading Exam
• Importance of Reading • Reading Steps to Follow
Types of Reading • Time Management
• Scanning • Learn Techniques
• Skimming • Practice
• Previewing Exercises
• Intensive Reading • Reading
• Extensive Reading
Reading Exam
• Academic Test
• General Test
Types of Reading Questions
• Completion
• Sentence & Summary Completion
• Note, Table, and Flowchart Completion
• Short-Answer Questions
• Finding Information In Paragraphs
• Classification
• Labelling A Diagram
• True / False / Not Given
• Yes / No / Not Given
• Multiple Choice
• Matching Sentence Halves
• Paragraph Heading (Main Topic)

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Reading Skills
- a cognitive process that involves decoding symbols to arrive at meaning.
- an active process of constructing meaning of words.
*The primary purpose of reading is to understand the text.
*Reading is a process that negotiates the meaning between the text and its reader.

Importance of Reading

1. Reading Expands the Mind. Reading helps to expand the mind and give you more ideas. Reading has been proven to
keep your minds young, healthy, and sharp. Reading also develops the imagination and allows you to dream and think in ways
that you would have never been able to before.

2. Reading Allows for Creative Thinking. Reading can inspire you when you are feeling bored, down or in a rut. Reading
helps get the creative side of your brain thinking.

3. Reading Helps Improve Concentration. Reading can train your mind how to focus properly.

4. Reading Exercises the Brain. Reading strengthens brains connections and builds new connections.

5. Reading Improves Vocabulary and Language Skills. You learn new words as you read. Subconsciously, you absorb
information on how to structure sentences and how to use words and other language features effectively in your writing and
speaking.

6. Reading Develops the Imagination. As you read, your brain translates the descriptions you read of people, places, and
things into pictures. While you are engaged in a story you are also imagining how a character is feeling.

7. Reading Helps Develop Empathy. As you develop you begin to imagine how you would feel in that situation.

Label the reading passage with the correct letters in the box.

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Types of Reading

1. Scanning
- entails quickly searching for some particular piece of information in the text.

Why scan?
Scanning allows you to get just the information you need without reading through the whole text.

2. Skimming
- requires quickly running one’s eyes over the material to get the gist or have a general understanding.

Why skim?
If you skim, you can predict the purpose of the passage, the main topic or message and even some of the developing
or supporting ideas.

3. Intensive Reading
- to read with full concentration and complete focus.
- one of the most critical skills you can develop to get a better understanding of information.
- reading intensively helps you strengthen your reading
comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills.
- it is reading where testing, evaluating, and increasing
knowledge is the primary focus.
- reading intensively often includes note-taking and
attention to details.

4. Extensive Reading
- it involves reading for pleasure.
- it is also called free reading, and book flood.
- it is a type of reading where you engage with different types
of reading materials.

Advantages of Extensive Reading

1. Develop an interest in reading.
2. Improve reading comprehension.
3. Read widely.
4. Improves vocabulary.

5. Previewing
- it means looking at the readily visible parts of the text, like
titles and subtitles, and also visuals and graphs, pictures,
and charts.

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Reading Exam
In an actual International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, Reading is the second subtests in the written
exams (Listening, Reading, & Writing).

In addition, there are 2 Types of Reading Exam: Academic Test &

General Test.

Differences of Academic Test & General Test:

1. Academic Test
Q: What type of information or material will I read in an Academic Test?
A: Reading materials are taken from magazines, journals, textbooks
and newspapers. Topics are not discipline-specific but all are in a style
appropriate to the expected level of your comprehension.

The level of difficulty of the texts and tasks increases through the paper.

On next page is an example of Academic Reading Text:

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2. General Test
Q: What type of information or material will I read in a General Test?
A: Reading materials are taken from notices, advertisements, booklets, newspapers, leaflets, timetables, books and magazine
articles with emphasis on descriptive and instructive texts of general interest.

Like the Academic Test, the General Test’s level of difficulty of the texts and tasks increases through the paper.

On next page is an example of General Reading Text:

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Q: How many items are there in a Reading Test?

A: 40 questions. Each correct answer is marked with 1 point.

Q: How long does the Reading Test lasts?

A: 60 minutes. You must complete and answer three separate sections with 13-14 questions each. Make sure you write all your
answers in your answer sheet within 1 hour.

Q: How is the Reading Test assessed?

A: In order to assess how much of the reading passage you understand, the questions will usually paraphrase the words that are in the
text. The questions test a variety of reading skills including your ability to do the following:
- Identify the writer’s overall purpose.
- Follow key arguments in a text.
- Identify opinions and attitudes.
- Locate specific information.
- Distinguish main ideas from supporting details.
- Extract information from a text to complete a diagram, summary, table, or set of notes.

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Q: What type of questions will I encounter?

Types of Reading Questions

QUESTION TYPE ACTION KEY POINTS

• Answers are in passage order.
You complete the gaps in the • Follow the instruction in writing answers (word limit).
Sentence Completion sentences using words from the • Check spelling of answers with passage.
passage. • Check grammar of answered or completed sentence.
• Do not include any unnecessary words.
• Answers may not be in passage order.
You must complete the gaps in • Follow the instruction in writing answers (word limit).
Summary Completion the summary using words from • Check spelling of answers with passage.
the passage. • Check grammar of answered or completed summary.
• Do not include any unnecessary words.
You must complete the gaps in • Answers may not be in passage order.
Notes / Table / Flow the notes, table, or flow chart • Follow the instruction in writing answers (word limit).
Chart Completion using words from the passage or • Check spelling of answers with passage.
given choices. • Do not include any unnecessary words.
• Answers are in passage order.
Short-Answer You answer the question using • Follow the instruction in writing answers (word limit).
Questions words from the passage. • Check spelling of answers with passage.
• Do not include any unnecessary words.
• Follow the instruction in writing answers (e.g. letters only).
You find the paragraph that
Finding Information In • Depending on the instruction given, some letters may be used
contains the information in the
Paragraphs more than once.
question.
• Some letters may not be used.
• Answers are not in passage order.
• Follow the instruction in writing answers (e.g. letters only).
You decide which category some
Classification • Depending on the instruction given, some letters may be used
statements or features belong to.
more than once.
• Some letters may not be used.
• Answers may not be in passage order.
• Follow the instruction in writing answers (word limit).
You name parts of a diagram
Labelling A Diagram • Check spelling of answers with passage.
using words from the passage.
• Check grammar of answered or completed summary.
• Make relevant parts of passage while reading.
You decide whether the
• Answers are in passage order.
statement agrees with or
• Follow the instruction in writing answers (e.g. T, F, NG or True,
True / False / Not Given contradicts the passage, or
False, Not Given).
whether there is no information
• Not following instruction is wrong.
given.
You decide whether the
• Answers are in passage order.
statement agrees with or
• Follow the instruction in writing answers (e.g. Y, N, NG or Yes, No,
Yes / No / Not Given contradicts the writer’s views or
Not Given).
claims, or whether there is no
• Not following instruction is wrong.
information given.
• Answers are in passage order.
Multiple Choice You choose the correct letter. • Write A, B, C or D as answers.
• There will always be more options. Eliminate wrong options.

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• Statements are not in passage order.
• Boxed items are usually in passage order.
Matching Type
You match statements to items • Write A, B, C or D as answers.
and Matching Sentence
(e.g. items in a box). • Depending on the instruction given, some letters may be used
Halves
more than once.
• Some letters may not be used.
You choose the correct heading • Locate main ideas in each paragraphs.
Paragraph Heading
for each paragraph from a list of • Follow the instruction in writing answers (e.g. I, ii, iii, etc.)
(Main Topic)
headings. • Some headings will not be used.

Examples of Reading Questions

1. Sentence Completion

2. Summary Completion

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3.1 Notes Completion

3.2 Table Completion

3.3 Flow Chart Completion

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4. Short-Answer Questions

5. Finding Information In Paragraphs

6. Classification

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7. Labelling A Diagram

8. True / False / Not Given

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9. Yes / No / Not Given

10. Multiple Choice

11. Matching Type

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Another Example of Matching Type

11. Matching Sentence Halves

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12. Paragraph Heading (Main Topic)

Strategies in Reading Exam

1. Reading Steps to Follow

3 STEPS: MUST “NOT” FOLLOW

Step 1: Read only portions of the texts.
Step 2: Read the questions.
Step 3: Answer the questions by constantly rereading the passage.

3 STEPS: MUST FOLLOW

Step 1: Read the question.
Step 2: Scan and skim the passage.
Step 3: Answer the question while reading the passage.

2. Time Management
• Plan and divide your 1 hour in answering all the questions.
• Apply reading techniques.
• Scan to get specific information.
• Skim to get specific idea.
` • Ensure to complete the exam in 60 minutes.

Reading is like treasure hunting; all answers are found in the passage.

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3. Learn Techniques

Strategy 3.1 (General Rules to Follow)

• Usually answers are in passage order for Sentence Completion, Short-Answer Questions, True / False /
Not Given, and Yes / No / Not Given types of exam.
• Read and follow all the instructions in writing answers (e.g.: word limit, letter only, and Roman
numeral).
• Check spelling of answers with passage. No abbreviations or texting.
• Check grammar of answered or completed sentence.
• Do not include any unnecessary words.
• There will always be more choices than questions. Eliminate distractors.
• Look for key words. Once you find them, encircle or underline words. The answer is surely located
around the key words.

Strategy 3.2 (In Matching Headings)

• When choosing a heading or main topic for the whole paragraph
STRATEGY: Read headings. Identify key words.
Locate headings of paragraphs.
*Heading is usually located at the beginning or end of a paragraph.

• When choosing in which paragraph the information is located

STRATEGY: Read all the statements. Underline key words.
Scan and skim paragraphs. Locate heading. Identify main topic of each paragraph.
Do the easiest match first. The most difficult to identify should be answered last.
*Usually the unmatched item is the answer. Constantly recheck your answers.

REMEMBER TO ASK: Which paragraph discusses this information?

Strategy 3.3 (In Matching Sentence Halves)

There is a statement you need to match with the given choices.
• Read statements first.
• Look for the statement in the passage. The words that appear in the options are totally different from
the words in the passage.
• There will always be more second halves (options) than first halves.
• Always consider grammar and sentence structures when answering.
• Make sure that the completed sentence makes logical sense and is grammatically correct.

Strategy 3.4 (In True / False / Not Given)

There is a statement you need to evaluate.
• Read statement first. Underline key words.
• Look for the statement or question in the passage.
• Carefully identify if it is a True / False / Not Given or Yes / No / Not Given.
• If you cannot find it, it could only mean two things: the answer is not given or you missed it.
• The answers are found chronologically in the passage or text.

TRUE / YES
• The passage and question have the same idea.

FALSE / NO
• The passage and question are opposites.
• The passage and question are inconsistent with each other.
• Something is missing.

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NOT GIVEN
• If you cannot find the question or statement in the passage, then it is Not Given.
• The statement has additional information.

4. Practice
• Do practice answering authentic Reading Tests in your CLMS. Answer each test in 60 minutes.

Did you learn something new today? I hope so.

Do not forget to do your assignment and to answer all the
reading exercises in the CLMS Practice Section. I look forward
to meeting you next meeting. Keep safe!

References:

Cambridge Practice Test for IELTS Books 1-15 (1996, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017,
2018, 2019, 2020) United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Cullen, P., et al, (2012) The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic & General Training. United Kingdom:
Cambridge Exams Publishing, Cambridge University Press

Jakeman, V., McDowell, C., (2006) Cambridge Action Plan for IELTS. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Jakeman, V., McDowell, C., (1996) Cambridge Practice Test for IELTS 1. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Kaplan (2009) IELTS: International English Language Testing System. 2009-2010 edition. New York: Kaplan Press

Lougheed, L., (2006) Barron’s Students’ #1 Choice: International English Language Testing System. New York: Barron’s
Educational Series, Inc.

McCarter, S., and Whitby, N., (2007) Improve Your IELTS Reading Skills. United Kingdom: Macmillan

McDowell, C., and Jakeman, V., (2004) Step Up To IELTS: Self-Study Student’s Book. United Kingdom: Cambridge
University Press

Official IELTS Practice Materials 1 (2009) United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Official IELTS Practice Materials 2 (2009) United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

Rogers, B., (2005). Peterson’s TOEFL Success (Thomson Asian Ed.). Singapore: Thomson Learning Asia

Sharpe, P., (2007). Barron’s Practice Exercises for the TOEFL (6th Ed.). New York: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

THIS MODULE IS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC. ANY FORM OF REPRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, UPLOADING, OR POSTING ONLINE IN
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