How to Ace a Reading Test by https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn ILSS 2 SS 2020 en-us 2020-04-27 07:15:02 UTC 2026-02-22 08:29:41 UTC hello@padlet.com Birgit Poller https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533000026 One strategy I already use is focussing on the questions. It helps me tremendously to know what information I should be looking for in a text. A tip I found particularly useful is to work with the answers. Another tip I find crucial is to get to know the different types of questions and reading assignments. Knowing that the answers to the questions come in order (or not) is surely quite helpful. Last but not least, I would consider the tip to skip a question and come back later if you can’t find the right answer straight away as really valuable.

]]> 2020-04-27 10:16:09 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533000026 Carmen https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533408959 I like reading the questions before reading the text, because I can target the information I need. I think it is even more helpful, when you highlight key words in the questions and possible answers. When you scan the text next, you can try to spot key words that correspond to the ones in the question. This process makes it easier to answer the questions in the end.
 
I am going to try the strategy “use the passage”. I never read the beginning and the end of a passage more than once. I usually read the middle part when I look for information, because I think that is where all the information is. But, the longer I think about it this new strategy, the more sense it makes.
]]> 2020-04-27 13:15:35 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533408959 Anna https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533622009 One method I use regulary is reading the questions first. This way I already have a general idea what to look for when reading the passage. Furthemore, I find the skimming technique to be really helpful. Upon reading the two pages about reading techniques, I found the advice helpful, which said that answers containing the words "always" and "never" are usually wrong. ]]> 2020-04-27 14:20:26 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533622009 Lisa https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533642532 One thing I have done for many years now is reading the questions before reading the text. Sometimes that saves me some time since I don’t even have to read the whole text, sometimes I simply know what kind of information I am looking for and can pay more attention to it.

I found the tip of “Working with the answers” quite interesting. I think it is something we do unconsciously since some of the answers just seem ridiculous or just do not fit at all. But if we pay a little more attention to this aspect, it might actually help finding the right answer even if the others are not “obviously wrong”.

Something I also like to do is finding out if the information comes up in the text in the same order or way the questions ask for it. This also helps me to save time. If it is in order and I am looking for the answer to question 3, I know I have to read the previous passage again, if the one I am currently reading already gives me the answer to question 4.

What also gave me a little food for thought was the point that said, “Know Your Weaknesses”. Of course, our English is not bad, otherwise we wouldn’t be here, but especially with reading tasks it is important to know what you are good at and what needs practice so you can improve your skills.

And last but not least: Prepare! That one is so obvious but also really important. We sometimes tend to forget that besides being at a good level already, there is always room to improve. The requirements in this course are quite high and only practice can help us to become even better.

]]> 2020-04-27 14:26:25 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/533642532 Jana digiom https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/534125382 Like many other students, I am particularly wary of True/False/Not given questions - there has never been one where I didn't think that there was actually considerable space for debate in a question. In order to tackle this, I will take on boards some of the tips mentioned by LIZ in her video, especially to analyse the statement first and then look for meaning, not just key words.

I'll also try to not understand the whole passage - which actually really goes against my grain. But considering the time constraints, I reckon this would be the smartest solution.]]> 2020-04-27 16:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/534125382 Greta Nemecek https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/534209718 For me, the most successful tactic has been to read the text first and underline information that seems important and then read the questions. Through the underlining, I have a sense of where the information I am looking for is and has made it easier to find the correct answers or statements. Reading the questions beforehand has proven to be unhelpful for me and has made me miss crucial details on occasion that would have been relevant for the given statements or questions. 

]]> 2020-04-27 17:21:08 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/534209718 Ben https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539228943 It definitely helps me to skip over questions about which I am not so sure. I have often found myself spending far too much time on a tricky question, which puts my under more time pressure for the rest of the test. So in order to avoid that problem, I have learned just to put an asterisk next to that question on the question sheet, skip over and come back to it later. Another benefit of this approach is that looking at a question with 'fresh eyes' can often make the answer more clear than it was previously.

]]> 2020-04-29 14:03:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539228943 Lukas https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539503364 I usually read the first question before I start reading the text. But from now on I will read all the questions before reading the first paragraph, in order to find the answers quicker.

One tip that I found useful is to practice the types of questions I'm least comfortable with. Since there are several different types of questions, I need to get comfortable with all/most of them, so I don't panic once my least favorite type is asked.]]> 2020-04-29 15:26:37 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539503364 Stefan https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539670804 I always tend to read the text before the questions because I feel like it makes no sense, or maybe i do it intuitively as one of the guides states. I will definitely start trying to focus on what I have search first next time. 

Also I think I have to exercise my speed reading skills. I'm running short of time often, so maybe I have to practise more.

Although I dont think that I lack vocabulary, I do think that I should memorize more collocations, because I sometimes have a hard time to understand what exactly the meaning of some sentences are even though I know all the words of it.]]> 2020-04-29 16:17:55 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/539670804 Jonathan https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/542814761 For me reading the questions first was, I think, what got me interested in improving my English back in high school. I found out then that I could correctly answer a large part of the exercises without even taking a look at the text- I simply thought about which type of information fit in the gaps, grammatically and semantically. Sadly, this technique only works for lower level exercises, but I think this example goes to show that skimming the questions first may prove beneficial.

For the readings we are doing now, I struggled with understanding the text in a hurry. Now I have reassurance to follow up on my former approach. It does make a lot of sense if you think about it, understanding the text has very little to do with the questions. What is more important is locating and using information. For this, highlighting keywords while skimming is useful.

The tip that answers containing absolute words such as 'always' or 'never' are probably wrong is helpful, too. ]]> 2020-04-30 18:44:24 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/542814761 Zora https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/544576811 Although I heard the tip very often, I cannot get used to reading the questions first. I always start with the text because I feel like I will lose time if I read the questions, then the text and then the questions again. However, I really have to try this tip.

What I think is very useful is that some definitions are written in italics. It already happened to me that I lost a lot of time searching for a definition, while it was simply explained in a box next to the text and I just did not see it because it was „too easy“ to find. 

And of course, learning more vocabulary and collocations is always helpful.
]]> 2020-05-01 17:45:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/544576811 Michaela https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/544686200 I usually get excited when it comes to exam situations, so I need to force myself to read ALL the questions before I start to read the text. 

A tip that is very important is not to try to understand all the passages exactly - scanning a text for key words or phrases that could help answering the questions is the strategy to use. Otherwise there will not be enough time.]]> 2020-05-01 18:47:30 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/544686200 Alina https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/545402794 A tip that I've come to realize is very useful is not to try to understand the full text. But rather to focus on the questions that have been given to us. We're not supposed to understand and analyze what the text is about, but answer the questions given. Once I memorized this reading tests have become quite easier for me.

It's also okay and actually quite good to skip a question if you can't answer it and come back to it later. Like that, you're not losing time and after answering the other questions can focus on the ones that have been giving you trouble.]]> 2020-05-02 11:03:56 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/545402794 Ricarda https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546004260 Something that has helped me a lot is going back to the text and making sure I remembered everything correctly and to varify my answer. It does take more time but I´m a fast reader and I like to double-check if my answer is indeed correct. Skimming over the text gives me the worst results. 

Another 'tactic' I find helpful is using common knowledge and logic. If a question has words such as 'always' or 'never' in it, it is usually false. And if I really have absolutely no idea I just pick the answer that feels like it could be correct. ]]> 2020-05-02 20:25:30 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546004260 Rebecca https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546371897 Like Anna, I usually read the questions before I read the actual text. Knowing what I should look for while reading helps me a lot. I thought the advice about spotting key words from questions was helpful since it makes reading the questions before the text even morer efficient.
A method I have been using for a long time is the skimming and scanning of the text. It saves a lot of time and works great when you are focusing on a question and know what you are looking for.]]> 2020-05-03 07:59:56 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546371897 Emina https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546411441 I would probably start by skimming the text first to get a better understanding of the content. Whilst skimming the text I think underlining the key words will help best for identifying what the paragraph is about. Then I would start with reading the questions before reading the whole text, which can also help with finding the right paragraph for the answer. Last but not least, I would definitely skip a question if I can´t find the right answer. If I spend too much time on one answer I will surely struggle with completing the other tasks on time.

]]> 2020-05-03 08:30:46 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546411441 Lilya liliblum https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546455017 Lisa, I can absolutely relate to your tips! We seem to have a similar approach to reading exercises :)

  • I have found to navigate better when reading the task and questions before the text, so that I know what I'll be paying the closest attention to. What is the focus of the questions? How detailed are they? Are the questions and the information in text in the same chronological order?

  • I also like to skim the text once and then read it again more carefully to then answer the questions one by one. That way I have discovered to have better understanding of the general core of the text but also know the different segments and where to look for specific facts.

  • Highlighting important passages whilst reading has also become a very handy habit  of mine. That way I'm faster when searching for particular information.
]]> 2020-05-03 09:02:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546455017 Andrea Wiesinger https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546631392 I like to remember the topics of the passages after skimming/while reading so I know where to find which information later on. Sometimes I even write short key words next to the paragraphs.

Other times it really helps to know the types of questions there will be on the exam so I know which ones appear in order and how I should approach the search for the answers.]]> 2020-05-03 11:02:17 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546631392 Maroš https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546631523 By reading the questions first I always come to know the gist of the text as well as the kind of information I need to focus on. Afterwards, I try to skim and scan the text quickly for Names, dates, numbers, key words and other important information, which could help me to answer the questions, and underline them. It's really unnecessary to understand to whole text. 

]]> 2020-05-03 11:02:22 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/546631523 Sophie https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/547333249 I usually read the questions first and then I skim the text. After that I try to answer as many questions as I can with what I know at this point. For questions I couldn't answer at I scan the text for key words. Most of the time this strategy works very well for me. If there are still questions to which I really don't know the answer to, I try to work with the answers: I rule out what seems obviously wrong and pick an answer that seems plausible. I don't think that it's very smart to pick no answer since the worst that could happen when your answer is wrong is getting no points for the question. However, it's also possible that the guess is right and that you get a point, so picking at least something is never a bad idea.]]> 2020-05-03 18:11:15 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/547333249 Kevin https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/549276102 When I had to do readings in high school I always started to read the questions first so I already knew what to look for in the text. Additionally I used a highlighter to find the correct bits and pieces of a text. I used this techinique ever since and I have to admit it rarely lets me down. 

With ILLS1 the new format True/false/Not given was introduced and at first I really struggled. The problem was that I always thought about it way too much and way too complicated and that took a lot of time and with our very tight time frame that posed to be a problem. As I started to look at the statements from different perspectives, things started to change and it made "click". I rarely had them wrong and I was confident in my answers. ]]> 2020-05-04 13:34:04 UTC https://padlet.com/gabrielle_smith4/weubw87tkrr2x0vn/wish/549276102