Details of the reading test

Procedure
The reading module is the second test you do on the test day.
You are given a question booklet and an answer sheet. There is no time, unlike in the listening test,
at the end to transfer answers so you have to write your answers directly onto the answer sheet.
You are given 60 minutes for the test.
The test instructions indicate how much time you should spend on each section of the test.

Structure
There are three sections
You are given a reading passage with questions in each section.
The topics of the passages are of general interest and come from magazines, journals,
books and newspapers. At least one of the passages will present a logical argument.
The texts increase in difficulty as the test progresses.

Types of Questions & necessary skills

Matching Questions
1. Matching Headings
Overview:
You will see a list of headings that match with the main ideas in the text. You need to match the
headings to the main ideas.

Skills:

Understanding the main idea of the text instead of the details. Reading for the overall “gist” of the
passage. This means that you may need to skim read to understand the concepts.

2. Matching Paragraph Information

Overview:
You will read pieces of information (like examples or details) and decide which paragraph in the text
contains the information.

Skills:

Understanding specific supporting details in the text. Understanding synonyms. Keep in mind that the
words in the questions do not necessarily appear in the text, so it’s important to remember synonyms.

3. Matching Features
Overview:
You will see specific features (like names or facts) and match it with information in the passage.

Skills:
Understanding specific supporting details in the text. So, you will probably need to skim read certain
areas. Remembering synonyms. Keep in mind that the words in the questions do not necessarily appear
in the text.

4. Matching Sentence Endings

Overview:
You will see the first half of a sentence, and you will need to match it with the correct second half. You
must complete the sentence using the information in the passage.

Skills:

Finding specific information in the passage. Using synonyms and understanding them.

5. True False Not Given

Overview:
You will see statements that you need to identify as TRUE/FALSE or NOT GIVEN. You may also see this as
YES/NO/NOT GIVEN. You need to understand which information is in the passage, which is not in the
passage, and which is not included.-

Using logic to understand the meaning of the statements and spot the information in the text.

6. Multiple Choice
Overview:
You will see a question with a selection of options (usually three or four, in letter format from A – D).
The format can be a question or finishing a sentence with the correct option. You need to select the
correct option from your list.

Skills:

MCQs test your reading comprehension skills and your ability to correctly spot the information in the
text. Scanning and skimming certain areas of the text to find your answers.

7. List Selection
Overview:
You will see a question and a list of possible answers, similar to the Multiple Choice Question. However,
this question will tell you how many answers you will need to select (ex: Which FOUR of the following
skills are mentioned?). So, you will need to select more than one answer.

Skills:

Scanning the text for specific ideas and key words comprehending details in the text, so that you can
correctly answer the question. Focusing on supporting details rather than the main idea.
8. Choosing a Title
Overview:
You must choose the best title for a passage, based on the information that you find in the passage.

Skills:

Understanding the difference between the main idea and supporting details Understanding the purpose
of a piece of writing

9. Short Answer
Overview:
You will need to answer questions using information from the text with a short phrase or answer. The
directions will tell you how many words you can use.

Skills:

Looking for specific details in the text.–Comprehending information in the text to correctly answer a
question.

10. Sentence Completion

Overview:
You will need to complete unfinished sentences using words from the passage. The directions will tell
you how many words you can use.

Skills:

Scanning for specific information Understanding paraphrasing and synonyms choosing the right word
from the text

11. Summary Completion

Overview:
You will see a summary of a passage. You must use the original text to complete the summary. You may
or may not have a word bank with words to choose from.

Skills:

Scanning for specific information in the passage. Potentially choosing the correct words from a list of
answers.

12. Table Completion

Overview:
You will see a table with missing information. You will need to complete the table correctly, based on
the information in the passage. Sometimes, you will have a word bank with words to choose from, and
you might have more options than correct answers.

Skills:

Understanding synonyms is very important, as the exact words from the passage are not used in the
table often. Learning how to paraphrase information (taking information from the passage and putting it
in the table) Finding specific information in the text Skim reading a specific area of the text for more
detail.

13. Flow Chart Completion

Overview:
You will see a flow chart with missing information. This is quite similar to the Table and Diagram
completion questions, because you will need to correctly fill in the flow chart. You may or may not have
a word bank. Flow Charts are typically considered to be one of the “most difficult” questions because
the layout can be confusing.

Skills:

Understanding synonyms presented in the flow chart and in the text learning how to paraphrase
information (taking information from the passage and putting it in the flow chart) Finding specific
information in the text

14. Diagram Completion

Overview:
You will see one or more diagrams with incomplete labels. Using information in the passage, you need
to fill in the missing words. The instructions will tell you how many words you can use.

Skills:

Understanding synonyms presented in the diagram and in the text learning how to paraphrase
information (taking information from the passage and putting it in the diagram) Finding specific
information in the text