Reading strategies

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Reading strategies

The what and how on reading tests

The master plan: step 1

Read globally by looking at the title, subtitle, pictures, headings, source, type of article

Ask yourself:

What does the title mean?

What do I see on the pictures?

Where is this text from? (newspaper, magazine, book, etc)

The master plan: step 2

Read the first question, but not the answers

Ask yourself:

Do I understand what I have to do?

Are there any words in the question that I don't know? 

--> If so, translate them using a dictionary!

Where in the text do I have to look for the answer? 

--> e.g., par. 1, par. 2, maybe even par. 1 AND par. 2

The master plan: step 3

Read the important part of the text 

Ask yourself:

Do I understand what the text is about?

Are there any important words that I don't know? 

--> If so, translate them using a dictionary!

The master plan: step 4

Think of an answer yourself and see if you can find evidence in the text

Ask yourself:

Can I pinpoint one or two sentences in which the answer is given?

The master plan: step 5

Choose the answer that is most like what you thought of yourself

Ask yourself:

Do I know what all the words in the multiple choice options mean?

Have I read all the multiple choice options before answering?

How long can I work on a question or text?

Total minutes

                                         ----------------    = minutes / point

 Total points

Check how many points each question is worth

Reading tips

Reading tips

1. Globally scan text

2. Read question

3. Read important part of text

4+5 Think of answer and check which fits best!

Fun little scientific facts:

- The more reading strategies you can use, the higher your reading comprehension score

- If you frequently read in English, you will have higher reading comprehension scores

- If you read the news or read for pleasure in English, you will have higher reading comprehension scores