Reading strategies

Reading strategies

English Week 18

Welcome to Preparation Class for English BA

Objectives

• To understand the reading skills of doing

• True False and Not Given tasks

• Multiple choices tasks

Poll

Have you ever done a True False and Not Given reading test before?

• Yes, I have

• No, I haven't

Open Ended

What's on your mind if you hear True False and NOT given reading test?

Read this passage carefully

The scientists are using a technique from electronics to control specific plant properties.

Poll

The scientists are using a technique from electronics to control specific plant properties.

• True

• False

• Not Given

TRUE

This is the first question, so answer to it should be somewhere in the first (or second) paragraph. The first sentence of the first paragraph tells us about electronics, and then we have:

"Biologists are creating this same modularity in – wait for it – plants, by designing gene "circuits" that control specific plant characteristics – color, size, resistance to drought, you name it."

^{same modularity = same technique as in electronics}

^{control specific plant characteristics = control specific plant properties}

So this statement just summarizes the first paragraph. It is obviously true.

What does TRUE FALSE NOT GIVEN mean? 😕

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

Useful information:

• Questions follow the order of the text.

• Questions repeat key words from sentences.

• If question contains information NOT stated in the text, it has "Not Given" answer.

Answering strategy:

• Read the first passage.

• Look up for answers for the first few questions.

• If you found an answer - read the whole sentence carefully, and only then answer the question.

• When there are no answers left - move on to next paragraph, and repeat this strategy.

• If you prefer, you can read the whole text and only after that answer the questions.

Tips:

• This type of questions needs attention to details. Don't just look for key words - read the whole question and the whole sentence with answer.

• Words like often, always, never, some can completely change the meaning of the question. Be careful!

• The order of questions can help you. Answer for question 4 will be between answers for questions 3 and 5 in the text.

• If you can't find answer for some question, don't spend too much time on it and return to it in the end. Probably, this information is just not given in the text.

Let's Try

Most of synthetic biologists work with mammals.

Poll

Most of synthetic biologists work with mammals.

• True

• False

• Not Given

Not given

The second passage only tells us that

Most of today's synthetic biologists work with simple microorganisms, like E. coli or yeast.

But we don't know anything about some biologists.

Maybe some biologists work with mammals, maybe not. So the answer is not given.

Some synthetic biologists work with genetic circuits of mammals.

Poll

Some synthetic biologists work with genetic circuits of mammals.

• True

• False

• Not GIven

False

The word some from the previous question was changed to most of, and this completely changed the meaning of the question! Now, this statement is clearly false as it contradicts the text:

"Most of today's synthetic biologists work with simple microorganisms, like E. coli or yeast."

This example shows how important is it to read the questions carefully, as one word can drastically change the meaning of the whole question.

Open Ended

How's that exercise?

Multiple Choice

Passage: The Thames Tunnel

When it opened in 1843 the Thames Tunnel was described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. People came from far and wide to see the first tunnel under a river. On the first day, fifty thousand people descended the staircase and paid a penny to walk through the tunnel. By the end of the first three months there were a million people, or half the population of London. This was the most successful visitor attraction in the world. In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches, people came long distances and bought souvenirs and listened to the entertainment in the cross-tunnel arches. The idea, of course, was not entertainment but to move cargo and turn a profit.

1 - People were drawn from all over to see the Thames Tunnel.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• NOT GIVEN

Multiple Choice

Passage: The Thames Tunnel

When it opened in 1843 the Thames Tunnel was described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. People came from far and wide to see the first tunnel under a river. On the first day, fifty thousand people descended the staircase and paid a penny to walk through the tunnel. By the end of the first three months there were a million people, or half the population of London. This was the most successful visitor attraction in the world. In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches, people came long distances and bought souvenirs and listened to the entertainment in the cross-tunnel arches. The idea, of course, was not entertainment but to move cargo and turn a profit.

2 - People were able to travel by sea or land in those days.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• NOT GIVEN

Multiple Choice

Passage: The Thames Tunnel

When it opened in 1843 the Thames Tunnel was described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. People came from far and wide to see the first tunnel under a river. On the first day, fifty thousand people descended the staircase and paid a penny to walk through the tunnel. By the end of the first three months there were a million people, or half the population of London. This was the most successful visitor attraction in the world. In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches, people came long distances and bought souvenirs and listened to the entertainment in the cross-tunnel arches. The idea, of course, was not entertainment but to move cargo and turn a profit.

3 - Statues of the tunnel could be purchased as souvenirs.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• NOT GIVEN

Multiple Choice

Passage: The Thames Tunnel

When it opened in 1843 the Thames Tunnel was described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. People came from far and wide to see the first tunnel under a river. On the first day, fifty thousand people descended the staircase and paid a penny to walk through the tunnel. By the end of the first three months there were a million people, or half the population of London. This was the most successful visitor attraction in the world. In the age of sail and horse-drawn coaches, people came long distances and bought souvenirs and listened to the entertainment in the cross-tunnel arches. The idea, of course, was not entertainment but to move cargo and turn a profit.

4 - The aim of building the tunnel was make money as a tourist attraction.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• NOT GIVEN

Multiple Choice

Chilies originate in South America and have been eaten for at least 9,500 years. Organised cultivation began around 5,400 BC. Christopher Columbus was the first European to encounter chilies, when he landed on the island of Hispaniola in 1492. He thought it was a type of pepper and called it the “red pepper”, a name still used today. After their introduction to Europe they were an immediate sensation and were quickly incorporated into the diet. From there they spread to Africa, India and East Asia.

Question: Chilies became popular as soon as they were brought into Europe.

• True

• False

• Not Given

Multiple Choice

The smaller chilies tend to be the hottest. This may reflect the fact that they tend to grow closer to the ground and are therefore more vulnerable to animals. The heat of a chili is measured on the Scoville scale. The hottest types such as the Habenero and the Scotch Bonnet rate between 100,000 and 300,000, the world famous Tabasco sauceÒ rates at 15,000 to 30,000, about the same as the Thai prik khee nu, while the popular Jalapeno is between 5,000 and 15,000. Powdered chili is 500 to 1,000 and the mild capsicins and paprikas can range between 100 and 0.

Question: People breed chilies for their heat.

• True

• False

• Not Given

Multiple Choice

The smaller chilies tend to be the hottest. This may reflect the fact that they tend to grow closer to the ground and are therefore more vulnerable to animals. The heat of a chili is measured on the Scoville scale. The hottest types such as the Habenero and the Scotch Bonnet rate between 100,000 and 300,000, the world famous Tabasco sauceÒ rates at 15,000 to 30,000, about the same as the Thai prik khee nu, while the popular Jalapeno is between 5,000 and 15,000. Powdered chili is 500 to 1,000 and the mild capsicins and paprikas can range between 100 and 0.

Question: All large chilies grow high off the ground.

• True

• False

• Not Given

Let's watch a video to help us have a better understanding

That's all for today's meeting

Tomorrow we will continue with Multiple Choice Reading strategies !

Thank You

Multiple Choice Test

Poll

It's a very common test, what do you think about this kind of test?

• Easy

• Medium

• Difficult

Useful information about multiple choice questions:

Questions follow the order of the text.

Questions repeat key words (or their synonyms) from the text.

Multiple choice questions have 4 or 5 answers, only one of which is correct. Usually, there are such types of answers:

• A. Irrelevant answer that gives information, which is not stated in the text.

• B. Answer that gives completely opposite information.

• C. Answer that gives completely opposite information.

• D. Answer that gives information that figures in the text, but not what you're asked about.

• E. Correct answer.

Answering strategy:

• Read the first question and underline the key words.

• Read the text from the beginning, simultaneously scanning it for the information that relates to the question.

• Once you found the key words or their synonyms in the text - look for the answer (it should be somewhere close).

• One you've found the answer, read the next few lines of the text to make sure that it is correct.

• Also, reread the question. Repeat this strategy with other questions, but now read the text from the place where you stopped the last time.

If you prefer another strategy, you can use it too. Remember:

there is no 'right' strategy for answering Reading questions. In fact, you can try different answering strategies and figure out which one works the best for you.

Tips:

• Scan text for the key words and their synonyms.

• Cross out the answers which are obviously wrong. This will help you to identify the correct answers more quickly.

• The order of questions can help you. Answer for question 4 will be between answers for questions 3 and 5 in the text.

• Don't rely on your own knowledge, the correct answer contains ONLY information stated in the text.

What is the negative effect of rice?

Multiple Choice

What is the negative effect of rice?

• It is regular part of more than half of the world population’s diet.

• Rice paddies emit more methane than coal mining industry.

• Its plantations produce 17% of the world’s total methane emissions.

• Rice has genetically modified sort SUSIBA2, which is harmful for health.

Answer A gives us true, but completely opposite information from what we're looking for.

The first sentence tells us that

More than half the global population relies on rice as a regular part of their diet.

But it is a positive effect! And we're looking for the negative one. So this answer is false.

Answer A gives us true, but completely opposite information from what we're looking for.

The first sentence tells us that

More than half the global population relies on rice as a regular part of their diet.

But it is a positive effect! And we're looking for the negative one. So this answer is false.

Answer B also gives us true information, but it is not what you’re asked about.

Look at the third sentence, which contains information that answer B uses:

That is even more than coal mining emissions, which make 10 percent of total!

This sentence is used only to highlight the negative effect, not to state it.

Answer C is correct. The second sentence clearly states the negative effect:

But rice paddies have a downside for the planet too: they produce as much as 17 percent of the world's total methane emissions.

^{downside = negative effect}

As you see, it's very important to search key words or their synonyms in the text.

Answer D is irrelevant: it was not written anywhere that SUSIBA2 is harmful.

This answer uses some words from the text just to confuse you.

Don't be caught by irrelevant answers! If you see that answer contains information that contradicts the text or was not stated at all, it's an irrelevant answer.

Multiple Choice

Read the story and answer the question !

In a huge pond, there lived many fish. They were arrogant and never listened to anyone. In this pond, there also lived a kind-hearted crocodile.

He advised the fish, “It does not pay to be arrogant and overconfident. It could be your downfall." But the fish never listened to him. “There is that crocodile, advising us again," they would say.

One afternoon, the crocodile was resting beside a stone near the pond, when two fishermen stopped there to drink water.

The fishermen noticed that the pond had many fish. “Look! This pond is full of fish. Let’s come here tomorrow with our fishing net," said one of them. “I am surprised we have not seen this place before!" exclaimed the other.

The crocodile heard all this. When the fishermen left, he slowly slipped into the pond and went straight to the fish. “You all had better leave this pond before dawn. Early morning those two fishermen are going to come to this pond with their net," warned the crocodile.

But the fish just laughed and said, “There have been many fishermen who have tried to catch us. These two are not going to catch us either. Do not you worry about us, Mr. Crocodile," they said in a mocking voice.

The next morning, the fishermen came and threw their net in the pond. The nets were big and strong. Very soon all the fish were caught. “If only we had listened to Mr. Crocodile. He had only wanted to help. For our arrogance we have to pay with our lives," said the fish.

(Source: http://www.english-for-students.com/The-Foolish-Fish.html)

What happened to the fish at the end of the story?

• The fish live happily ever after.

• The fish met the crocodile and thanked the crocodile.

• The fish were caught by the fishermen.

• The fish live happily with the crocodile and the fishermen.

Multiple Choice

Read the text bellow and choose the correct answer!

Being able to speak English allows you to communicate effectively in numerous countries, and this opens up lots of possibilities for you in terms of the countries you could choose to seek work in one day – not to mention travel to as a tourist. You won’t have to worry about getting lost when you travel to an English-speaking country, as you’ll easily be able to ask for directions, and taking guided tours, ordering food and chatting to the locals will no longer be a source of stress.

(Source: https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/articles/reasons-learn-english.html)

These are the benefit of learning English, except ...

• Be able communicate effectively in numerous countries.

• Have no worry about getting lost when travelling in English-speaking country.

• Open up lots of job opportunities.

• Have difficulties in ordering foods and chatting to the locals.

Multiple Choice

Read the text below and choose the correct answer!

Being “Twitterpated” is a thing. The word "twitterpated" doesn’t just mean to be infatuated. The Twitter-related version sounds like constipation for a reason. As Dorsey explains, it's “when you’re overwhelmed with information or you’re just so excited that you forget to tweet or forget to share.” We know the feeling.

(Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/272803#)

The word infatuated means ...

• Obsessed

• Hatred

• Disgusted

• Dissapointed

Multiple Choice

Read the following text and choose the best answer to the question!

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, PewDiePie originally pursued a degree in industrial economics and technology management at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. In 2010, during his time at the university, he registered a YouTube account under the name PewDiePie. The following year, he dropped out of Chalmers after losing interest in his degree field, much to the dismay of his parents. After failing to earn an apprenticeship with an advertising agency in Scandinavia, he then decided to focus on creating content for his YouTube channel. In order to fund his videos, PewDiePie began selling prints of his Photoshop art projects and worked at a hot dog stand. PewDiePie soon gathered a rapidly increasing online following, and in July 2012, his channel surpassed one million subscribers.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PewDiePie)

According to the text, PewDiePie ...

• Registered a Youtube account around 2011

• Funds his videos by selling prints of his Photoshop art projects.

• Dropped out of Chalmers in 2010

• Surpassed one billion subscribers in 2012

Multiple Choice

Read the text below and answer the question !

The Dutch are on average the tallest people in the world. Men are six feet tall (182.5 cm) and women are 5 feet 7 inches (170.5 cm). Researchers point to a healthy diet and good medical care as the main factors that lead to a tall population.

(Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/netherlands/#netherlands-tulip-fields.jpg)

The main idea of the text is ...

• The Dutch are the tallest people in the world.

• Diet is the main factor that lead to a tall population.

• Men and women in Netherlands have the same height.

• The Dutch are as tall as other countries population.

Multiple Choice

Read the text below and answer the question !

As a South Korean ferry came to a shuddering halt and rapidly began to sink, some of those on board sent harrowing text messages to their loved ones.

With almost 300 people still unaccounted for one day after the accident, reports of desperate text messages from some of those trapped on board have surfaced in local media.

"This might be the last chance to say I love you," one student named as Shin Young-Jin is reported to have texted his mother.

"Why's that," his mother texted back, clearly unaware of the crisis engulfing the vessel. "I love you anyway."

According to the Korea Herald, he was among the 179 people rescued from the ship so far.

(Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27045924)

According to the text we know that Shin Young-Jin ...

• Has one daughter that joined the trip with that ferry

• Is having some fortunate event

• Texted her mom when the ferry began to sink

• was taking the ferry with her mom.

Multiple Choice

Read the text below and answer the question !

As a South Korean ferry came to a shuddering halt and rapidly began to sink, some of those on board sent harrowing text messages to their loved ones.

With almost 300 people still unaccounted for one day after the accident, reports of desperate text messages from some of those trapped on board have surfaced in local media.

"This might be the last chance to say I love you," one student named as Shin Young-Jin is reported to have texted his mother.

"Why's that," his mother texted back, clearly unaware of the crisis engulfing the vessel. "I love you anyway."

According to the Korea Herald, he was among the 179 people rescued from the ship so far.

(Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27045924)

The underlined words mean ...

• shivering and careful

• shaking and unconscious

• stuck and blind

• shaking and cautious

Multiple Choice

Read the paragraph below !

There are two main types of alpacas, the huacaya and the suri (sometimes spelled suriya depending on where you are). The main difference between the two is price and appearance. Huacayas are more common which makes them cheaper to buy. They are also easier to take care of because their coats require less maintenance. Suris are more expensive due to their rarity and the fact that their wool can be sold for more because it is more luxurious and thicker. Their coats require more daily maintenance.

(Source: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca)

The paragraph talks about ...

• The characteristics of Alpaca

• The description of Huacayas

• The price of Alpaca

• The differences between Huacayas and Suris

Multiple Choice

Read the passage below and answer the question !

Generation Unlimited is a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to ensure all young people are in school, training or employment by 2030. It will focus on skills for learning, employment and empowerment, especially for girls. Young people will be central to every aspect of this initiative.

(Source: https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19234.doc.htm)

From the text above, we know that ...

• Generation Unlimited aims to ensure young people to be unemployed by 2030

• All young people should go to school before 2030

• Young people will be the core of Generation Unlimited.

• Generation Unlimited is not for girls.

Multiple Choice

Read the underlined sentences, then choose the best answer to the question.

I never brush my teeth.

I have cavities.

What does the second sentence do?

• It states an effect.

• It states an example.

• It describes the previous sentence.

• It restates the previous idea.

Thank you !

Let's finish up your Speaking project and submit !