Entry Level 3 English: Inference, Structure, and Control
Entry Level 3 English tests reading longer texts for main ideas and inference, writing structured paragraphs for different purposes, and controlling punctuation and grammar. You may be asked to read a short article or notice, answer questions, and write a short text such as a letter, report, or description.
Core rules and concepts
- Reading: skim for gist, scan for detail, and infer meaning from context. Identify the purpose: inform, persuade, or instruct.
- Distinguish the main point from supporting detail; a topic sentence often states the main point.
- Plan before writing: list ideas, order them, and use one paragraph per point.
- Apostrophes: singular possession (the boy's coat), plural possession (the boys' coats), irregular plurals (children's). 'Its' shows belonging; 'it's' means it is.
- Commas separate items in a list and follow introductory phrases: 'After the meeting, we left.'
- Subject-verb agreement: 'The list of items is long', not 'are long'.
- Use standard English: avoid double negatives such as 'I didn't see nothing'.
- Choose formal language in formal tasks: 'cannot' rather than 'can't'.
- Link ideas with connectives: however, therefore, although, meanwhile.
Worked example
Sentence: 'The ___ books were on the shelf', where two girls own the books. Reasoning: 'girls' is a plural noun ending in s. To show possession, add an apostrophe after the s: 'the girls' books'. For one girl, write 'the girl's books'. Do not write 'the girls's books'. Ask 'who owns what?' to check.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing 'it's' for possession: 'The dog wagged it's tail' should be 'its'.
- Putting the apostrophe before the s in plural possession.
- Comma splices: 'I was late, I missed the bus.'
- Double negatives: 'I haven't got no money.'
- Ignoring the required number of points or paragraphs.
- Using slang or abbreviations in a formal letter.
- Copying large parts of the source text instead of using your own words.