Reading: Finding Meaning, Purpose and Evidence
What the reading test asks of you
The reading standard checks whether you can make sense of everyday and workplace texts: short articles, notices, instructions, forms, timetables, emails and simple reports. You need to locate information, work out the main idea, follow a sequence, understand vocabulary from context, and recognise why a text was written and who it was written for.
Concepts to master
Main idea versus detail. The main idea is what the whole text is mostly about; details support it. A question asking for the main purpose will not be answered by one small fact.
Purpose and audience. Ask: is this text informing, persuading, instructing or warning? Who is the reader? A council notice about bin collection is informing residents; a flyer urging donations is persuading.
Sequence and cause. Words such as before, then, once, because and so that signal order and cause. Instructions must be followed in the stated order, and conditions ("only if", "unless") change the meaning.
Vocabulary in context. Choose the meaning that fits the sentence, not the most familiar meaning of the word.
Evidence. The correct answer is supported by words in the text. If you cannot point to the line, be suspicious.
Traps to watch for
- True but irrelevant. An option may be factually correct yet not answer the question asked.
- Almost right. One word flips the meaning: all instead of some, must instead of may, before instead of after.
- Extreme wording. Options with always, never or only are often wrong unless the text says so.
- Outside knowledge. Answer from the text, even if you know more about the topic.
Rule of thumb
Read the question first, underline the key word (who, when, why, main), then scan for that information and match the option that the text actually supports. Eliminate two options before choosing.
Worked example. A notice reads: "The pool will close at 4 pm on Friday for maintenance. Swimmers who arrive after 3 pm will be admitted free." Question: why will the pool close early? Answer: for maintenance. A tempting option, "because it is Friday", is true of the day but not the reason.