You will be given several reading texts and asked to answer written questions about each reading text. The reading texts may include
- leaflets
- articles
- posters
- different types of adverts (this could be for products to buy, job vacancies, or support for causes and charities)
- blogs (online diaries)
- internet comments or forums.
- Letters
- Emails
Don’t worry-you won’t be asked to read aloud in your assessment! Also, even though your reading assessment involves some writing, you don’t need to worry too much about your spelling, grammar, and punctuation in this test (these are more important in your written assessment.) If you have given the correct answer and the examiner understands your meaning, you’ll get the marks.
Entry Level
At Entry 1, 2, and 3, the reading assessments involve reading comprehension. This tests your understanding of the reading texts and the answers can be found in the reading texts. It is important to read the questions carefully (particularly those involving how, who, what, which, or where) and to re-check the question when you write your answer. At Entry 3, some of the questions and answers may discuss the same information in different words.
Levels 1 & 2
At Levels 1 and 2, fewer of the questions are comprehension-based. You will also need to study the following:
- The text’s main purpose (the main reason the writer is writing)
- The style/tone (or mood) of writing
- Language features (these are sometimes also known as language devices or literary features/devices)
- Organisational features/devices (these are sometimes known as layout or presentational features/devices)
- Fact and opinion
- Formal and informal language
- Appropriate subheadings/subtitles for paragraphs
- Similarities in ideas/information between different reading texts
- Quotes that show information or support ideas
- Using different words or phrases (two or more words) that have the same meaning as other words/phrases in that particular context.
Anna Conda 27 