READING EXAM TIPS

At least, read the text 3 TIMES before you begin writing your final
answers. Take notes, underline words, etc. Don’t panic if you do not understand
one word. You must understand the main idea of the text, not each and every
single word.

Answer questions 1 -4 according to the information given in the text. USE YOUR
OWN WORDS. DO NOT COPY FROM THE TEXT. (4 marks)

1. Make sure you use your own words. It is easier than it seems. You mainly
have to REWRITE the sentence in the text using another similar structure.

2. Please, do not copy LITERALLY from the text. You can take a couple of
words though.

3. Write full answers:

for example:” Why is smoking forbidden in the text?”
 RIGHT ANSWER: “Smoking is forbidden because…”

X WRONG ANSWER: “Because….”

4. Give ALL the information required. Look for it very carefully. Take your
time.

Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers based on information
from the text, rewriting the original sentences in your own way, or, at least,
quoting properly. (2 marks)

1. Think about the INTRODUCTORY SENTENCES you are using: DON’T USE
THE SAME FOR BOTH SENTENCES GIVEN!

This statement is …. because/as it appears in the text (in lines …) , “…”

This statement is …. because/as it is said in the text (in lines ….) , “…”

This statement is …. because/as we can read in the text (in lines ….) , “…”

This statement is …. because/as it is mentioned in the text (in lines ….) :“…”

This statement is …. because/as it is stated in the text (in lines ….) :“…”

This statement is TRUE/FALSE. We can find the evidence in lines … :“…”

 According to the text, this statement is … : “…”

According to the information found in the text, this statement is … : “…”

According to the writer’s words, this statement is … , “…”

YOU HAVE MANY OPTIONS: CHOOSE 2 and memorize them if you want.

2. You have two options:

- Dangerous one  you can find the evidence and rewrite it with your own
words. (However, doing this does not mean having more points, but the
opposite if making any mistake)

- Basic one  you can find the evidence and quote it from the text using
the appropriate punctuation marks:

: “…“ OR , “…”

(Make sure you include the necessary evidence. If it is too long, you could omit
ONLY THE UNNECESSARY information this way  (…)

If you are quoting the evidence, make sure you copy it correctly! Check spelling
mistakes!

Find the words or expressions in the text that mean…. (1 mark)

1. Read the text again carefully. Underline possible answers.

2. Take into account that sometimes more than one word is required.
3. Think about the type of word: do you have to look for :
- A noun? (remember verbs + -ING can be used as nouns)
- An adjective? (it can also end in –ed or -ing)
- An adverb?
- A verb? (write your option in the same FORM (TENSE, INFINITIVE, GERUND (-ING),
PAST PARTICIPLE…)

IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME, READ THE TEXT

CAREFULLY, AND WRITE COMPLETE ANSWERS TAKING
PREVIOUS TIPS INTO ACCOUNT,
YOU WILL SUCCEED FOR SURE!
 WRITING EXAM TIPS
There are many different writings you may have to face in your exam: opinion
essay, advantage/disadvantage composition, narration, e-mail, descriptions… Each
of them has some specific features, but there are some pieces of advice which are
useful for all of them:

1. Before writing anything, think carefully about the topic and organize your
ideas (an outline, schema…). Use only those good ideas you can properly
explain.

2. State very clearly which option you choose: A or B?

3. Separate your paragraphs so that they are easily distinguished.

4. Connect your ideas using linkers. This cannot look like a list of unrelated
ideas nor like a “linker salad” (meaning, do not use 5 connectors in a
sentence)

5. Try to use at least once each of the structures you have learnt in class
(one passive, one reported speech, one conditional, modal verbs, …).

6. Not repeating words is also essential in order to create a fantastic

composition. Use synonyms to avoid repetition.

7. Be clean and mind your handwriting. This is a writing exam, not an Egyptian
jerogliphic.

8. When you have finished it, relax for 5 minutes. Then, read your
composition again and try to find any mistake (mainly those you usually
had in class)

REVISE THE LINKERS CHART: MAKE SURE YOU

KNOW THEIR MEANING AND HOW TO USE THEM!