Saturday, September 28, 2024

Silly Strategies for Reading Test

(TESOL Worksheets--Test Familiarization, IELTS Reading)

Google Document: docs, pub

[Notes: This is based on the Silly Tips activity that I had previously posted in this post here.  I recently used this activity to familiarize my students for an upcoming reading exam that included these question types.  But as these question types also occur on the IELTS reading test, this activity can also be used for IELTS preparation.]

Matching Headings to the Text

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Don’t look at the headings before you read the text.​


Sit next to someone you can copy.


Read the first one or two sentences and the last sentence of each section to understand the general meaning of the section. Don’t worry about highlighting keywords. ​


Bring some of your grandma’s baked goods to bribe the examiner.


Don’t worry about understanding every word.​


Match any headings that are very obvious and you are sure about.


For headings you are not sure about:​

  • Identify the difference between each of the headings. Establish if there are any synonyms in the paragraph of keywords in the headings.​

  • If you still can’t pick one, move on. The answer will often reveal itself later.

  • Take a dice to the exam.  If you’re still not sure, roll the dice and write the numbers that you roll by each letter.


Remember these questions are about understanding the main idea of each section.


Sentence Gap-Fills

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Read the question sentences first. ​


Think about what the word form could be and try to predict the answer. ​


Think about the keywords and their synonyms. 


Locate the information by scanning quickly. If you can’t locate the answer quickly, move on.​


Try to write two answers for each gap-fill.  This will double your chances of getting it right.


If you can’t find the answer in the text, just write “something” in the blank.  Even if it’s not the right answer, the examiner won’t be able to mark it wrong because technically the answer is something.  If it does get marked wrong, you can argue with the examiner after the test.


Read the incomplete sentence again.​


According to the rules, the examiner has to give you hints about what letters to use.  You are allowed one consonant for free, but you have to buy the vowels.


Study the reading text more carefully to establish the answer.​


If you’re not sure about your answer, try to write it in sloppy handwriting so that it will be difficult to read.  If the examiner has trouble reading your answer, they will give up and just give you the point.


Check your spelling.

Multiple Choice

Please cross out the useless tips and think about which useful tips you would use. When and HOW could you use them?


Read the questions first (carefully).​


Skim the text to get the general meaning.​


Underline any keywords in the question and think about any synonyms that might appear in the text.​


Read the choices and underline any keywords. Think about the difference in meaning between the different choices.​


Predict the correct answer.


Remember that statistically, “C” is the most common answer on multiple choice questions. So if in any doubt, choose “C”.


Read the text. Use keywords and synonyms to locate the part containing the answers.​


Read that part of the text very carefully, thinking about the difference in meanings.​


Think about which options are correct and why the other options are wrong.​


Remember these tips.  Choose “A” for any question that asks about alligators.  Choose “B” for any question that has the word “because” in it.  Choose “C” for any question that has a caterpillar in the answer.  And choose “D” everytime you hear someone cough.


Go back, read the question again, and mark your final choice.


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