Reading: Comparing Texts and Visual Information

This lesson covers three important skills: comparing information across different texts (L1.10), inferring meaning from images, charts, and diagrams (L1.12, L1.15), and using punctuation to help you understand what you read (L1.18). These skills are regularly tested in the Level 1 reading exam, where you will be given two or three texts on a related theme.

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Comparing Information Across Texts

In the Level 1 reading exam, you will usually receive two or three texts on the same general topic. The exam will ask you to compare the information, ideas, or opinions in these texts. This does not mean writing a long essay — it means finding similarities and differences between what the texts say.

What Comparing Means at Level 1

What You Might Be Asked	What to Do
"What do both texts agree about?"	Find a point that appears in both texts with the same message
"How do the texts differ in their views about X?"	Find where the texts say different things about the same topic
"Which text gives more detail about X?"	Compare the amount of information each text provides
"Name one fact that appears in Text A but not in Text B"	Find something mentioned in one text but missing from the other

Step-by-Step Method for Comparing

1. Read both texts first — get the overall idea of each one
2. Identify the topic — what are both texts about?
3. Look for overlaps — where do they say similar things?
4. Look for differences — where do they disagree or cover different information?
5. Use the question to focus — the question will tell you exactly what to compare

Worked Example

Text A — Email from a manager:

The office Christmas party will be held on Friday 20th December at The Grand Hotel. It starts at 7pm. Partners are welcome. Please confirm your attendance by 1st December. There is no charge for staff, but partners will cost £25 per person.

Text B — Notice on the staff board:

Christmas Party Reminder! Friday 20th December, The Grand Hotel, 7pm start. Free for staff — partners £30 each. RSVP by 6th December to HR. Dress code: smart casual.

Now compare:

Feature	Text A	Text B
Date	Friday 20th December	Friday 20th December (same)
Venue	The Grand Hotel	The Grand Hotel (same)
Start time	7pm	7pm (same)
Cost for partners	£25 per person	£30 each (different!)
RSVP deadline	1st December	6th December (different!)
Dress code	Not mentioned	Smart casual (only in Text B)

Notice the differences. In an exam, you might be asked: "The two texts give different information about the cost for partners. What does each text say?" You would need to state both amounts.

Exam Tip: When comparing texts, look for small differences in numbers, dates, and details. Examiners often deliberately include slight differences to test whether you are reading carefully.

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Reading Visual Information

At Level 1, you need to understand meaning from images, charts, diagrams, and other visual elements. This is about using your eyes and your common sense — the visuals are there to add meaning that the words alone might not convey.

Types of Visual Information

Visual Type	What It Shows	Example
Photograph	A real image of something	A photo of a workplace hazard in a safety leaflet
Diagram	A labelled drawing showing how something works	A fire escape route plan
Bar chart	Compares amounts using bars	Staff absence by month
Pie chart	Shows proportions as slices of a circle	How the budget is spent
Line graph	Shows change over time	Customer complaints over 12 months
Table	Organises data in rows and columns	A train timetable
Map	Shows locations and directions	A map of the local area
Icon / symbol	Conveys meaning without words	A fire exit sign, a recycling symbol
Flowchart	Shows a process or decision path	What to do if you find a fault

How to Read Charts and Graphs

When you see a chart or graph in the exam:

1. Read the title — what is the chart about?
2. Read the labels — what do the axes (sides) represent?
3. Look at the scale — what do the numbers mean?
4. Identify trends — is something going up, going down, or staying the same?
5. Pick out key values — the highest, lowest, or most noticeable points

graph TD
    A[See a Chart or Graph] --> B[Read the Title]
    B --> C[Read the Axis Labels]
    C --> D[Check the Scale]
    D --> E[Spot Trends: Up / Down / Steady]
    E --> F[Find Key Values: Highest / Lowest]
    F --> G[Answer the Question]

Worked Example: Reading a Simple Bar Chart

Imagine a bar chart with the title "Number of Customer Complaints by Month" and these values:

Month	Complaints
January	12
February	8
March	15
April	6
May	10
June	18

From this chart, you could answer questions like: