READING

800/3
(75 MINUTES)
PARTS OF READING COMPONENT
1) Part 1 :
Questions 1-4 ( 3 options given: multiple-matching questions)
2) Parts 2 & 3 :
Questions 5-14 ( 3 options each – multiple choice Questions)
3) Part 4 ( Questions 15-20)
Two texts given : 2 Questions on Text 1 ( 3 options )
(6 Questions) : 2 Questions on Text 2 ( 3 options)
: 2 Questions comparing the 2 texts (3 options)
4) Part 5 : (Questions 21- 26)
A gapped text with 6 missing sentences ( 7 options given)
5) Parts 6&7 ( Questions 27-40)
14 Multiple-choice Questions ( 4 options each)
 READING PAPER

• Part 1 - 4 Questions (Qs1-4)

• Part 2 - 5 Questions (Qs 5-9)
• Part 3 – 5 Questions (Qs10-14)
• Part 4 – 6 Questions (Qs15-20)
• Part 5 – 6 Questions (Qs 21-26)
• Part 6 – 7 Questions (Qs 27-33)
• Part 7 – 7 Questions (Qs 34-40)
TEST SPECIFICATIONS

• - to assess the ability of candidates to comprehend less formal and formal

reading texts/passages for the purpose of evaluation
• - Subjects of texts are related to academic and educational purposes
• - topics included comprise of science & technology, consumerism, people,
cultures and traditions, general knowledge, health, education, etc
• - Texts vary in length, type as well as level of difficulty and complexity
• - Prior knowledge pertaining to the subject(s) would be of great help for
candidates in understanding the text(s)
IMPORTANT READING SKILLS
• 1. Reading for factual information – scanning for specific information – reading quickly and selectively :
need to locate specific information such as date, name, number, place or phrases – tips : Bear in mind what
you are looking for, read headings and sub-headings, run your eyes quickly on the text. (Part 1)

• 2. Reading for main ideas and supporting Details – Topic sentence represents the main idea or central idea
of paragraph- can be in the beginning, middle or end of paragraph- Supporting details : other sentences in
the paragraph – can be in the form of descriptions, definitions, reasons, facts, examples (Parts 2,3 and 4)

• 3. Identifying details and examples – writer uses reasons/arguments to show something is true/correct :
arguments consist of 2 parts – a claim (main idea) and details & examples – read the passage carefully- pay
attention to the wording to avoid misleading answers (Parts 2 and 3)

• 4. Inferencing- Assumptions made based on evidence found in the text : Inference can be based on facts,
opinions, descriptions, observations and experiences (Parts 2 and 3)
IMPORTANT READING SKILLS..CONT

• 5. Predicting outcomes – making a guess of what the writer intends to deliver : eg :predict what is going
to happen in the end/next- predictions based on scenario/events in the text- attitude,
actions/arguments/intentions of writer/character
• 6. Understanding main idea/supporting details and gist – Skimming to get the gist (main idea of a
passage)- selective reading
• 7. Deducing meaning from context –getting the meaning of certain words based on clues/information
found in the text : before or after the word/phrase/expression – clues :
synonyms/antonyms/definitions/examples
• 8. Distinguishing facts and opinions – facts : the truth, proven by experiments/observations/concrete
evidences. Opinion : personal belief, feeling/evaluation
• 9. Interpreting text for author’s intention, attitudes and style – how the writer feels about the issue.
- the tone indicates the writer’s attitude towards the subject.
READING SKILLS…CONT
• 10. Comparing and evaluating information in different texts – need to determine in which way they are
similar or different. Able to determine which point of view is accurate/relevant.
• 11. Identifying the purpose of a paragraph or a text- the reason of why the writer is writing. Quite
useful for Gapped Text- easier to find appropriate sentence to fill the gaps. Purpose- to
entertain/to inform/to persuade/ to instruct/ to explain/to describe
• 12. Recognizing the text structure of the whole text- how the writer arranges his ideas in the text. ( the
organization)
• 13. Identifying cause & effect relationship in a text- quite useful for Gapped text. Look at signal words.
(linkers). Look at paragraphing too
• 14. Recognizing text content features – detail, opinion, emotions, purpose, writer’s attitude, main
idea(s) and implication.
• 15. Understanding and recognizing text organization –
A) Narrative/ literary wtitings : chronological (sequence)/time order/Anecdote and illustrations
B) articles/reports/academic writings – exemplifications/reference/cause-effect/problem-
solution/comparison-contrast/factual descriptions/hypothesis-evidence/listing/classifications
MULTIPLE-MATCHING/ MCQS

• 1. Underline the keywords in the question. Use the keyword(s) to

detect/locate the information in the text
• 2. Skim through the text to locate the part/section related to the questions
• 3. Check options given carefully- eliminate distractors
• 4. Remember, sometimes potential correct answers have been paraphrased.
• 5. Sometimes words/phrases are substituted
• 6. only ONE answer is the most suitable response to the question.
 HELPFUL TIPS

DO :
• 1. READ THE PASSAGE CAREFULLY
• 2. READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY
• 3. UNDERLINE KEYWORDS/MAIN IDEA(S)
• 4. TAKE NOTE OF TRANSITIONS
• 5. TAKE NOTE OF TIME CONSTRAINT

DON’T:
1. BE INFLUENCED BY YOUR OWN OPINION
2. SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON TOUGH QUESTIONS
3. BE MISLED BY PARTIALLY TRUE STATEMENTS
HOW TO ATTEMPT GAPPED TEXT
(PART 5)

• 1. Read through the text to get a rough idea about what the text is all
about/purpose of the text
• 2. Read the options given. (one of the options is a DISTRACTOR)
• 3. Look carefully at the information before and after the gap when selecting
the answer for each.
• 4. Pay attention to the linguistic devices and grammar used by the writer.
• 5. Read the text again after filling the answer. Make sure they make sense.
***THANK YOU***