雅思阅读技巧分享

一、Matching headings

　　Task description

　　In this type of question, you will be given a list of headings. The instructions will also indicate around 4 to 6 paragraphs from the reading text. The task is to find the most suitable heading for each of the paragraphs. There will be more headings than paragraphs, and you shouldn抰 use any heading more than once unless the instructions tell you that you can.

　　To complete this task well, you will need to be able to identify each paragraph抯 main focus. The correct heading will sum up the main idea of the paragraph.

　　You may like to print out the original reading text before attempting this test.

　　What is being tested is your ability to:

　　Identify the main idea of a paragraph

　　How to approach matching headings to paragraphs

　　Step 1: Read the instructions carefully. Note that the heading you choose should sum up the main idea of the paragraph. Also note which paragraphs you need to look at, as you are often not required to do them all.

　　Step 2: Familiarise yourself with the list of paragraph headings by skimming through them quickly.

　　Step 3: Read through the first paragraph for which you have to find a heading. Remember that you are reading to find out the main idea of the paragraph. Concentrate on the main idea or focus of the paragraph and try not to be distracted by details or by unfamiliar vocabulary.

　　Step 4: Choose the heading from the list which best sums up the main point of the paragraph you have just read. If you can抰 choose between two headings, go on to the next paragraph ?you can come back to that question later. But don抰 forget to make a choice before the end of the test because if you leave a blank or you have marked two answers on your answer sheet, you will be graded as incorrect for that question.

二、Identify writer's views

　　Task description

　　In this task type you will be given a number of statements. You will have to decide if these statements agree with the writer's views.

　　To complete this task well you will often need to be able to recognise the writer's views not only from what is said directly, but also from what is implied. For example, we do not need the writer to state directly that he/she disapproves of zoos. We can infer this disapproval if the writer states his/her disapproval of the following: animals being taken from the wild, animals being caged, people paying money to see animals, animals not having any privacy. However, if the writer simply describes the problems with zoos this does not necessarily imply disapproval.

　　Also, we should not try to guess the writer's views. In statement 5 of the sample task on the following page, we should not assume that because we think that the lifeboats should have rescued more people, or because 'everybody' thinks that the lifeboats should have returned to rescue more people, that this is the writer's view. In this case the writer does not express any view on this issue; she simply states the fact that the lifeboats were not full and so the answer must be Not Given.

　　What is being tested is your ability to:

　　identify opinion and attitude

　　skim for detailed information

　　make inferences

　　How to approach questions requiring you to identify the writer's views

　　Step 1: Read the instructions carefully. Note that you are asked to identify the writer's opinion, which may not necessarily be the same as the facts. Note also the difference between the three categories you have to use, particularly:

　　No The statement contradicts the writer.

　　Not Given The writer does not give an opinion on this point.

　　Step 2: Skim through all of the statements to get an idea of the topics you will be searching for in your reading of the text.

　　Step 3: Read the first statement again more carefully. Note the main point or opinion given in the statement.

　　Step 4: Skim the text for the section which refers to that idea. If you come across information relating to other statements, put a mark beside the section so that you can find it quickly again later.

　　Step 5: Once you have found the appropriate section of the text, read more carefully. Decide if the statement agrees with the view of the author (select Yes) or disagrees with the author (select No). If the author doesn't give an opinion which agrees or disagrees with the statement then select Not Given.

三、Multiple choice

　　Task description

　　In this question type you will be given a 'stem' which may be an incomplete sentence or a question. The stem will be followed by three or four options - one will be correct (the answer) and three may seem possible but are in fact incorrect in some way (the distracters).

　　In tackling this type of question, it is very important to read the stem carefully. Candidates often make careless mistakes when they misread the stem and so choose the wrong option.

　　What is being tested

　　Multiple choice questions can be designed to test a wide variety of reading skills. The questions may require you to have an overall understanding of the main points of the text as in Question 1 of the sample task, in which case you will need to be able to read for gist. Or they may require you to have a detailed understanding of particular points as in questions 2 and 3 of the Sample Task, in which case you will need to be able to read for specific details. Multiple choice questions may also ask you to identify facts or opinions in the text.

　　How to approach summary completion questions

　　Step 1: Read the instructions carefully

　　Step 2: Skim all the questions briefly to get an idea of the topics for which you will be searching when reading the text.

　　Step 3: Read the first question again more carefully. Decide what you will need to read to answer the question. Is the question asking you for a particular detail that you need to find in the text? Or is the question asking you for an answer which requires a global understanding of the whole text?

　　Step 4: Once you have decided the best strategy for dealing with the question (as above), you will need to proceed to read the text in the appropriate manner, for example reading for gist, reading for detail etc.

四、Selecting factors

　　Task description

　　You will be provided with a number of statements some of which paraphrase or summarise what the writer said. In this task type you need to show that you know what information the writer did (and did not) mention on a particular topic.

　　What is being tested is your ability to:

　　skim and scan the text for details

　　understand paraphrase

　　understand inference

　　How to approach questions where you have to select factors

　　Step 1: Read the instructions carefully. Note that only three of the factors are correct. Note also that the instructions in this sample task tell you what topic to focus on. In this case the instructions tell you to focus on poor communication as a contributing factor in the disaster. Although other factors may have contributed to the disaster (such as A and C) only the three correct answers focus on poor communication as a contributing factor.

　　Step 2: Read through the list of factors.

　　Step 3: Scan the text and find the sections or paragraphs which discuss poor communication.

　　Step 4: Read those sections carefully and select the appropriate three factors.

五、Table completion

　　Task description

　　You will be provided with an incomplete table which summarises or paraphrases information given in the reading text. The information in table form may be organised differently from the way in which it appears in the text, for example chronologically instead of in order of importance. The task is to complete the gaps in three words or fewer.

　　What is being tested is your ability to:

　　skim for specific information

　　understand gist and paraphrase

　　How to approach table completion tasks

　　Step 1: Read the instructions carefully. Note that in the sample task you may use your own words if you wish, based on the information in the reading text. In other cases you will be instructed to use the words from the reading text only. Note also that here you may write only three words or fewer.

　　Step 2: Look at the table and especially any headings. Decide which is the most useful way to read the table. In this case you need to read it horizontally to answer the questions. Glance at the other information given in the table to get an idea of what information you will be searching for when you read.

　　Step 3: Look at the first row under the headings. Decide what key ideas you will need to search for as you skim the reading text. Decide also what information you will need to complete the first gap. For example, in the sample task you will skim for a paragraph or section discussing icebergs not being plotted because something was scattered all over the ship. What was that something?

　　Step 4: Skim the text for the appropriate paragraph or section.

　　Step 5: Read that section more carefully and decide on the best word or words to fill the gap. Remember that you will need to use the appropriate form of any verbs.