Reading: Exam Technique and Practice

This lesson brings together everything from Lessons 2-5 and focuses on how to approach the reading exam. You know the skills — now you need to know how to use them under timed conditions to maximise your marks.

This lesson covers practical exam strategies, common question types with model answers, time management, and the mistakes that cost learners the most marks.

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How the Reading Exam Is Structured

While the exact format varies by awarding organisation, the general structure is consistent:

Feature	Typical Format
Duration	1 hour (some boards allow slightly more)
Number of texts	2-3 texts on a common theme
Text types	Non-fiction: articles, reports, letters, leaflets, web pages, emails
Question types	Multiple choice, short answer, extended answer
Total marks	Usually 30-35 marks
Pass mark	Approximately 55-65%

You will receive a Source Booklet containing the texts and a Question Paper (or combined booklet). You can write on the source booklet — and you should. Underline, circle, annotate.

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Time Management

Time management is one of the biggest factors in whether you pass or fail. Many learners run out of time because they spend too long on early questions.

A Suggested Time Plan (for a 60-minute paper)

Phase	Time	What to Do
Initial skim	5 minutes	Skim all texts. Note text type, topic, purpose, audience for each
Questions on Text 1	15 minutes	Answer all questions about the first text
Questions on Text 2	15 minutes	Answer all questions about the second text
Questions on Text 3 or comparison	15 minutes	Answer questions on the third text and/or comparison questions
Review	10 minutes	Check answers, fill in gaps, review multiple-choice

Key Time Rules

• Do not spend more than 3-4 minutes on any single question unless it is worth a lot of marks
• Attempt every question — even a partial answer can earn marks
• Leave a question you are stuck on and come back to it — do not waste time staring at it
• Watch for mark allocation — a 1-mark question needs a brief answer; a 4-mark question needs more detail

Exam Tip: As a rough guide, spend about 1 minute per mark. A 2-mark question should take about 2 minutes. A 4-mark question should take about 4 minutes. This keeps you on track.

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Question Types and How to Answer Them

Type 1: Multiple Choice

Example: Which of the following best describes the purpose of Text A?

• A) To entertain the reader with a humorous story
• B) To persuade the reader to support a new policy
• C) To instruct the reader on how to complete a form
• D) To inform the reader about changes to opening hours

Strategy:

1. Read all four options before choosing
2. Eliminate options that are obviously wrong
3. Go back to the text and check your answer against the evidence
4. If two options seem possible, look for the one that best matches — the word "best" is key

Common mistake: Choosing the first answer that seems right without reading all the options.

Type 2: Short Answer (1-2 marks)

Example: According to the text, what is the deadline for submitting applications?

Strategy:

1. Scan the text for the keyword ("deadline", "submitting", "applications")
2. Write a brief, clear answer
3. You can quote directly from the text or use your own words
4. Do not write more than necessary — for 1 mark, one clear sentence is enough

Common mistake: Writing too much — a long answer does not earn more marks and wastes time.

Type 3: Inference / Language Analysis (2-4 marks)

Example: How does the writer of Text B try to persuade the reader? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Strategy:

1. Identify the persuasive techniques used (emotive language, statistics, rhetorical questions, etc.)
2. Quote specific words or phrases from the text
3. Explain the effect — what feeling does the language create? How does it influence the reader?
4. For higher marks, identify more than one technique

Model answer: The writer uses emotive language such as "devastating impact" and "vulnerable communities" to create a sense of urgency and sympathy. The rhetorical question "How much longer can we afford to wait?" implies that action is overdue and pressures the reader to agree. Statistics ("73% of residents") are used to make the argument sound evidence-based and credible.

Type 4: Comparison (3-4 marks)

Example: Compare how Text A and Text B present their views on remote working.

Strategy:

1. Identify the viewpoint of each text (for, against, balanced)
2. Find a similarity AND a difference
3. Use evidence from BOTH texts
4. Use comparison connectives (both, while, in contrast, however, similarly)

Model answer: Both texts acknowledge that remote working has increased since 2020, but they take different views on its impact. Text A presents it positively, describing it as "a long-overdue revolution in workplace culture" and citing a survey showing "82% of remote workers report higher job satisfaction." In contrast, Text B is critical, arguing that remote working has led to "isolation and a breakdown in team cohesion" and describing it as "a short-term convenience with long-term costs." Text A relies on statistical evidence, while Text B uses more emotive language and personal anecdotes.

Type 5: Fact vs Opinion (1-2 marks)

Example: Identify one fact and one opinion from paragraph 3.

Strategy:

1. Look for statements with numbers, dates, or verifiable information (facts)
2. Look for statements with evaluative words like "best", "should", "unfair", "important" (opinions)
3. Write them out clearly and label each one

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Worked Example: A Complete Reading Exercise

Here is a short text followed by exam-style questions with model answers.

Text: "The Rise of Apprenticeships"