Reading strategies

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k, g, t, mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4-6

Reading strategies

Tips & Tricks

News flash.....

The Central Examination does not only require reading skills.

It requires understanding what CITO wants from you.

If you know this, you have a better chance of getting a good grade

The recipe 

- Know your signal words`Leiden Lijst')

-Know the most common vocabulary

- Know the various question types

- Practice, practice, practice (with a physical dictionary). 

Signal words

Make sure you:

A) recognize signal words

B) Know what connection they indicate between paragraphs

C) Know how to use them in a sentence

D) LEARN YOUR SIGNAL WORDS!!!!!

E) Keep the list on hand while practicing reading texts

VWO Glossary: ​​https://sslleden.nl/files/voorvorming/V_EN_Woordenlijst.pdf

Which signal word belongs to which context? Drag the correct answers together.

As well as

In short

To praise

To criticize

For instance

Uitbreiding/Opsomming

Gevolg/Conclusie

Ondersteunen (positief)

Tegenstelling

Voorbeelden

He should not be doing this job, ... he was not trained for it.

1. despite
2. however
3. since
4. such as

Which signal word in the text indicates a contradiction?

Step by Step

1. Scan: Title, images, intro, source -> What is the text about?

DO NOT READ THE WHOLE TEXT!!!

2. Read the question: Which paragraphs should you look at? -> mark

3. What type of question is it: (multiple choice/cloze/open/true-false statement)

4. Follow the steps to come.

Question types

- Multiple choice question

- True/false statement question
 - Open question

- Cloze/gap question

Multiple choice question: Step-by-step plan

Read the question, not the answers! Is there useful information in the question?

  

In the example on the right you can see that you need to look in paragraphs 1 and 2.

The question also contains the word "relate". So we have to look for a signal word and find out which text context it concerns.

Multiple choice question

1. Read the relevant text, and nothing more!

2. Mark all signal and function words

3. Then read the answers (formulate the answer yourself first)

4. Remove the wrong answers

5. Look for 'evidence' in the text for possible correct answer: synonyms

6. Does the answer fit the topic of the text? (You have pre-scanned) / Does it make sense?

6 Choose your answer

Which of the following is in line with the main idea of paragraph 4?

1. A country’s economy is dependent on its culture.
2. Cultural diversity should preferably be preserved.
3. Local cultures are readily sacrificed in the quest for profit.
4. The significance of cultural differences is underestimated.

Explanation

The question is what the main idea of this paragraph is.

- Mark the signal words yet (1st line) and but (3rd line). 

- Answer A said something about a country's economy. This isn't actually in the paragraph.

- C says something about Profits being more important than Cultures. Which is not stated in the text either.

- That leaves B and D.

- B is positive, D is negative. The sentence behind the signal word Yet is negative, and so is the sentence after But. So D is the correct answer.

What is the point made in paragraphs 1 and 2?

1. In the past the male Y chromosome used to be more substantial.
2. Men are hardly able to cope with challenges of their male pride.
3. Procreation may one day be realised without male participation.
4. The male physique is deteriorating at an alarming pace.

Explanation

The question is what the main idea of these paragraphs is.

- Signal words are but (1st line), But (4th line), So...that (6th line).

- Answer C mentions procreation, but this is not mentioned in the text.

- Answer D talks about the male physique, which is also not mentioned in the text.

In the 1st line the signal word But states that the Y chromosome is perished. In line 4 the signal word But states that it is not what it once was.

So there is a time lapse, as is also stated in Answer A

True/false statement question

How do I recognize the question? -> Multiple statements, numbered 1,2 etc.

Step by step

First of all, we highlight the text where we need to search.

Then we search and underline the words that we need to understand the text.

Think about:

- Names, places

- Everything you can express in a number (the majority), and time indications (today)

- International words (discrimination, authority)

For example, in statement 1 we could mark 'too hot' (measurable temperature) and 'current' (time indication).

Look for signal words. The answer is right there!

The African coastal region is now too warm for penguins.

FYI: The text is about penguins in Africa

1. True
2. False

Explanation

The statement was: The African coastal region is now too warm for penguins.

One of the search terms was warm. This entire piece of text does not mention temperature in any way, so the statement is incorrect.

Mr Moody’s looks and manner invite people to share their private
thoughts with him.

1. True
2. False

roguish = gluiperig (negatief), guitig (positief)

unsullied: onbedorven, smetteloos

Vigour: kracht, energie

gullibility: goedgelovigheid

guile: bedrog

voluble: spraakzaam

to broker: bemiddelen

Explanation

The statement was: "Mr Moody’s looks and manner invite people to share their private thoughts with him."

You could choose private as a search term..

In the text you will find the following signal words: as a consequence  (4th line), or (5th line), in short (6th line), and (7th line).

In lines 4 and 5  you will find the word confidence, which in this context is equivalent to private thoughts. We see that that sentence indeed matches the statement. The last sentence, which contains the concluding signal word in short, confirms the statement once again. The statement is correct.

Open questions

When answering an open question, it is important that you take the time to read the question carefully.

The question often tells you where to look and what to pay attention to.

It also explains how to write down the answer, for example by quoting with one or two words, or writing  in Dutch.

Step by step

- Read the question and, if possible, highlight the part of the text where you need to look for the answer. If there is a quote in the question, highlight it. The answer is almost always near that part of the paragraph. 

- Then you look at the question to see what the exact question is. Do they ask for an example, a contrast or a summary?

- With the answer to the previous question you have to search for signal words. 

- You will find the answer near the correct signal word.

- Then write down the answer according to the instructions in the exam.

Example

According to paragraph 1, what is the main cause for the shrinkage of the

numbers of red squirrels? Answer in Dutch.

--> You highlight paragraph 1.

--> They are looking for an important cause/reason

--> there is a reduction in the number of red squirrels

--> You must answer in your own words in Dutch

According to paragraph 1, what is the main cause for the shrinkage of the
numbers of red squirrels? Answer in Dutch.

Explanation 

The question was: According to paragraph 1, what is the most important cause for the shrinking of the

numbers of red squirrels? Answer in Dutch.

- Signal words in the text: yet (2nd line)

- When we read the sentence that starts with yet we see the word "predominantly", which means 'most important'.

- The sentence as a whole shows that there is a virulent virus that is driving away red squirrels.

- All elements of the question are traced back to this sentence. The cause is therefore a virus/infectious disease.

“Can an economist dig a hole without another filling it?” (title)
What is questioned in the title?
Explain in Dutch, in your own words.

Explanation

The question was: “Can an economist dig a hole without another filling it?” (title). What is questioned in the title?

Explain in your own words.

- There's a quote, so that's the starting point.

- Something is being questioned.

- When you read the text you see the phrase leads me to wonder in line 4. This suggests doubt. We can assume that the reason behind that phrase will be explained in the same sentence. 

- If we put that in our own words, you will get an answer that has to do with the usefulness/value/right to exist of the economists.

Cloze/Gap questions

The fear of many students, but secretly not that difficult if you know your (signal) words.

There are 2 types:

-gap questions with signal/function words

-gap questions without signal words but where you need to fill in a word that fits the gap.

Step by step: gap questions with signal words

- Read the sentence before the gap (possibly a little more than 1 sentence). Also read the sentence after the gap.

- Figure out what connection there is between these two sentences. 

- This might help you find the correct answer. 

- If this doesn't work, look at the answers: If one of the answers is an example? There's a good chance that's the right answer. Otherwise look for possible contradiction or summary.

- If this doesn't work either, translate the sentences and see if one of the options of the answers makes sense.

Example

Answers:         A But then

                            B Instead

                            C Similarly

                            D Therefore 

Before the gap an example is given of how famous Mr. Bean is. He is recognized in France. After the gap you can read that Mr. Bean is recognized by Chinese. So it looks like an extension/summary.

Hence, the signal word "Similarly" from answer C fits the best. 

Which of the following fits the gap in paragraph 4?

1. Consequently,
2. Moreover,
3. Similarly,
4. Yet,

to concoct = verzinnen

Explanation

Answers:    A Consequently,

                       B Moreover,

                       C Similarly,

                       D Yet 

The sentence before the gap states that we must be critical (raise concerns) about programs where authorities and journalists work together.

The sentence after the gap states that the witch hunt (here referring to the aforementioned collaboration) was actually ignored. This indicates a contradiction which fits answer D.

Wat context geven: Ramsay's dodgy fishing trip was `fake news'.  Dus ook niet eerlijk weergegeven.

Which of the following fits the gap in paragraph 2?

1. Obviously
2. In other words
3. Consequently
4. Yet

Explanation

Answers:        A Obviously

                           B In other words

                           C Consequently

                           D Yet

- The sentence before the gap is discussed by someone who believes that men should continue to earn more.

- The sentence after the gap discusses that the end of male rule is near.

- There is a contradiction here, hence answer D is correct.

Gap questions without the signal words.

-Read the sentence before the gap (possibly a little more than 1 sentence). Also read the sentence after the gap.

- Check whether those sentences contain signal words, preferably near the gap.

- Didn't find the answer? See if you can find a contrast between a positive sentence and a negative sentence.

- Didn't find the answer yet? See if there is a contradiction in the answers, e.g. between A and B.

- Still no answer? Choose the answer that is closest to the topic of the text.

Example

Answers:   A annoying

                      B British

                      C funny

                      D international 

- In the sentence before the gap there is a colon. That means an example is given. Then follows a summary with the word and just before the gap. So we are looking for a word that fits in that list.

- Behind the gap there is another colon. After a summary, this usually results in a conclusion. That conclusion is that Mr. Bean is increasingly becoming a symbol of Great Britain. With this knowledge, the list may turn out to be a collection of character traits of the British. However, the word British has yet to actually be named. So the answer is B

 

Which of the following fits the gap in the text?

1. has become unpopular
2. is no longer justifiable
3. is understandable
4. may finally catch on

Explanation

Which of the following fits the gap in the text?

A has become unpopular

B is no longer justifiable

C is understandable 

D may finally catch on 

-Before the gap is says that we do not have to build new power stations if we simply use less electricity.

- The sentence after that describes the attitude that people think you can waste more if you can afford it. We see a contradiction here, so answers C and D do not fit.

- A and B seem to fit, however, when we quickly scan the text, we see that the author believes that the old waste no longer belongs. (Is wasting energy a good example to set?)

So the answer is B

Which of the following fits the gap in paragraph 1?

1. numerous significant discoveries
2. our closer analysis of metadata
3. radical changes in the field
4. the ever-shrinking size of our focus

Explanation

Antwoorden: A numerous significant discoveries

                             B our closer analysis of metadata

                             C radical changes in the field

                             D the ever-shrinking size of our focus 

- In the sentence before the gap we see no signal words. The subsequent sentence gives two: Long ago, but now . There is a passage of time and a contradiction.

- If we look at the content, we see that this text context relates to the dimensions of what is being studied. It's getting smaller and smaller.

So the correct answer is D.

In conclusion

To pass or score better for your reading tests, you need to know (signal) words and tricks.

Know what CITO asks of you and you can answer enough questions correctly.

Practice makes perfect!!!

So Practice, practice, practice! 

Goodluck!