Training Leesvaardigheid

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

Training Reading strategies

Tips & tricks

Signal words

Step-by-step plan for different question types

Training Reading strategies

Tips & tricks

Signal words

Step-by-step plan for different question types

The big secret

the Central Exam does not require reading skills.

It requires understanding of what CITO wants from you.

If you know that, you'll get good grades

The Recipe

- Know the signal words

- Know your words

- Know the question types

- Practice, practice, practice

Signal words

Make sure you:

• Recognize signal words
  
• Know what connection they indicate
  
• How to use them in a sentence
  
• LEARN YOUR SIGNAL WORDS!

Welk signaalwoord/functiewoord hoort bij welk tekstverband? Sleep de goede antwoorden naar elkaar toe.

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 plan

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

DO NOT READ THE ENTIRE TEXT!!

2. Read the question: Which paragraphs should you look into? 

3. What kind of question is it? Multiple choice / gap / open / assertion (beweringsvraag)?

4. Follow the steps that are still to come.

Question type

• Multiple choice questions

• Assertion questions (beweringsvragen)

• Open questions

• Gap questions

Multiple-choice question 1

Read the question, not the answers! 

1. Is there any useful information in the question?
2. In the example on the right, you can see that you have to look at paragraphs 1 and 2.
3. There is also the word relate in the question. So we have to look for a signal word and find out what the text relationship (tekstverband) is.

Multiple-choice question 2

1. Read the relevant text, and nothing more!
   
2. Tick off all signal and function words
   
3. Only then read the answers.
   
4. Pick out the obviously wrong answers.
   
5. Does the answer fit the subject of the text? (You have pre-scanned).
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 core of this paragraph is.

  

• Signal words are "yet" (r. 1) and "but" (r.3). You mark them.

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

• C says something about profits being more important than cultures. That is not 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 & 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 is at the main idea of these paragraphs.

• Signal words are "but" (r. 1), "but" (r. 4), "So... that" (r. 6).

• Answer C mentions procreation, but not at all in the text.

• Answer D refers to the male physique, but not at all in the text.

• "But" (r.1) states that the Y chromosome is decaying. "But" (v. 4) says that it is not what it once was.

• So there is a lapse of time, as is also expressed in answer A

Assertion question

How do I recognize the question? 

-> Multiple statements, numbered 1, 2 etc.

Step-by-step plan

• First of all, we highlight the piece of text where we need to look.
  

• Then we tick off the search terms we are going to work with. For example:

- Names, places
- Everything you can express in a number (the majority), and timestamps (today)
- International words (discrimination, authority)

• For example, in statement 1 we could mark 'too warm' (measurable temperature) and 'present' (time indication).

• Look for signal words. There's the answer close to that!

De Afrikaanse kuststreek is tegenwoordig te warm voor pinguïns.

FYI: The text is generally about penguins in Africa

1. Juist
2. Onjuist

Explanation

The statement was: "De Afrikaanse kuststreek is tegenwoordig te warm voor pinguïns." 

One of the search terms was warm. There is no mention of temperature in any way in this entire piece of text, so the statement is incorrect.

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

1. Juist
2. Onjuist

Explanation

The proposition was: Mr Moody's looks and manner invite people to share their private thoughts with him.

 

As a search term, you could choose private (international word).

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

In line 4 you will find the word "confidence", which in this context is equivalent to private thoughts. Reading around it, we see that this sentence is indeed consistent with the statement. 

The last sentence, which contains the concluding signal word "in short", reaffirms the statement. The statement is correct.

Open questions

With 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 look for.

In addition, it also tells you how to write down the answer, for example by quoting, or with one or two words, or in Dutch. 

Step-by-step plan

 

• Read the question and, if possible, highlight the piece of text where you need to look for the answer. If there's a quote in the question, highlight it. The answer is almost always close at hand.

• Then you look at the question of what exactly they want to know. Are they asking for an example, a contradiction or a list?
  

• With the answer to the previous question, you will search for signal words. Which reflect that textual connection.

• Near the right signal or function word, you will find the answer.
  

• Then write down the answer according to the instructions in the exam, not forgetting the language drawing rules. 

Example;

Wat is volgens alinea 1 de belangrijkste oorzaak voor het krimpen van de
aantallen rode eekhoorns? 

Geef antwoord in het Nederlands. 

• You mark paragraph 1.
  
• They are looking for an important cause/reason
  
• there is a reduction in the number of red squirrels
  
• You have to answer in your own words in Dutch!

Wat is volgens alinea 1 de belangrijkste oorzaak voor het krimpen van de
aantallen rode eekhoorns?
Geef antwoord in het Nederlands.

Explanation

The question was: Wat is volgens alinea 1 de belangrijkste oorzaak voor het krimpen van de

aantallen rode eekhoorns?

Geef antwoord in het Nederlands. 

• Signal words in the text: "yet" (r.2)
  

• If 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 drives away red squirrels.
  

• All elements of the question are reflected in this sentence. Answer: De oorzaak is dus een virus/besmettelijke ziekte.

“Can an economist dig a hole without another filling it?” (titel)
Wat wordt met deze vraag in twijfel getrokken?
Leg uit in je eigen woorden.

Explanation

The question was: “Can an economist dig a hole without another filling it?” (titel) Wat wordt met deze vraag in twijfel getrokken? Leg uit in je eigen woorden.

• There's a quote, so that's the starting point.
  
• Something is being questioned.

• If you read the text, you will see the phrase "leads me to wonder" in line 4. To wonder means 'zich afvragen'. This suggests doubt. We can assume that behind that phrase comes the reason: "what value they have etc."

• If we put that in our own words, you will get an answer;

 het nut/de waarde/bestaansrecht van they, dwz. de economen

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. Can be a gap question, but also, for example, 'how does this paragraph relate to the previous one'.
• Real gap questions

Step-by-step plan: Signal/function words

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

• Try to see what connection there is between these two sentences.
  

• Find out your answer to that.
  

• Look at the answers: Is there an answer for example? Chances are that's the right answer. Otherwise, it may be a contradiction or enumeration (opsomming)

• Translate the sentences and see if any of the answer options make sense.

Example

Antwoorden: A But then

                            B Instead

                            C Similarly

                            D Therefore 

I am reading an example of how famous Mr. Bean is before the gap. He is recognized in France. After the gap, I am reading that Mr. Bean is recognized by the Chinese. So it looks like an extension (uitbreiding) / enumeration (opsomming).

Because I've learned my signal words, I now know that the answer has to be C.

Which of the following fits the gap in paragraph 4?

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

Explanation

De antwoorden: A Consequently,

                                   B Moreover,

                                   C Similarly,

                                   D Yet 

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

In the sentence after the gap, it says that the witch hunt (here referring to the cooperation mentioned before) was ignored.

This points to a contradiction.

Because I've learned my signal words, I know the answer has to be D. 

Which of the following fits the gap in paragraph 2?

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

Explanation

Antwoorden A Obviously

                           B In other words

                           C Consequently

                           D Yet

The sentence for the gap discusses someone who believes that men should continue to earn more.

The sentence after the gap discusses that the end of man's rule is near.

There is a contradiction here.

Because I've learned my signal words, I know the answer is D.

Real gap questions

• Read the sentence before the gap (possibly a little more than 1 sentence). Also read the sentence after the gap.
• See if there are signal words in those sentences, preferably near the gap.
  
• See if you can find a contrast of a positive sentence and a negative sentence.
  
• See if there is a contradiction in the answers, e.g. between A and B.
  
• Choose the answer that is closest to the subject of the text.

Example

Antwoorden: A annoying

                            B British

                            C funny

                            D international 

In the sentence for the gap, I first see a colon ":". That gives an example. Then a list follows with the word and it is just before the gap. So we're looking for a word that fits withing that list.

Behind the gap is another colon ":". After a list, this usually results in a conclusion. That conclusion is that Mr. Bean is increasingly becoming a symbol of Britain. With that knowledge, the list may turn out to be a collection of character traits of the British. However, the British aspect has yet to 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 we read that we don't need to build new power plants if we just start using less power.
• 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 don't fit.
• A and B seem to fit, and the steps in the step-by-step plan don't help. If we scan the text quickly, we see that the author thinks that the old waste is no longer part of it. (Is wasting energy a good eample 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 don't see any signal words. The sentence that follows 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 textual relationship relates to the dimensions of what is being studied. It's getting smaller and smaller.

• So the correct answer is D.

Conclusion

To get a passing grade, you have to learn words and know tricks.

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

You'll get there in the end

Signal words, signal words, signal words!

Good luck... :)