Integrated Skills: Information Transfer and Practical Reading/Writing
The final part combines reading a real-world text, such as a poster, timetable, e-mail, menu, notice or simple graph, with completing a table, form or short reply. It tests scanning for exact data, converting it into a new format, and writing a practical message with the right conventions.
Scan for the field, not the story
- Locate the exact cell you need: date, time, place, fee, deadline, what to bring.
- Copy precisely, keeping units, capital letters and the 24-hour clock if the table uses them.
- Read qualifying phrases: free for junior high students, closed on Mondays, apply by July 25.
- Check any constraint in the task: the cheapest option, the earliest possible time, the shortest route.
Writing a practical reply
Open with a greeting, answer every question in the original message, and close politely. Keep the same level of politeness as the message you are answering.
Worked example
Poster: "Gifu City Library Science Workshop. Saturday, August 3, 10:00-12:00. Free for junior high students. Apply by July 25 to [email protected]. Bring a notebook." Table: Date / Time / Cost / What to bring / Apply by. Reasoning: date is August 3, cost is 0 yen because it is free, bring a notebook, apply by July 25. The trap is putting August 3 in the deadline cell, or leaving the cost blank because no price is printed.
Traps that cost marks
- Swapping event date and application deadline.
- Missing a condition such as student-only or bring-your-own-lunch.
- Answering in Japanese when English is required.
- Replying to only one of two questions asked in the original message.