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Day 1 INTRODUCTION TO IELTS READING

The following reading passage gives advice about IELTS reading and it also gives practice and guidance in tackling IELTS Reading questions.
The passage is divided into four paragraphs, A to D
The main topic of a paragraph is often introduced in the first sentence.
Task 1: Look for the word or phrase which introduces the main topic in the first sentence of paragraphs B-D.
A.    Skimming is a well-tried way to see if a book is relevant or not. Of course, it has limitations. You can skim to find out whether or not you are dealing with such material as information, argument or description, but not to extract deeper meaning. For that there is no substitute for careful reading that allows you time to think and question.
B.    Experimenting a little with reading speed can help you to read more efficiently. For example, you are more likely to remember the first half of a sentence if you read quickly enough to reach the second half. If you read too slowly, your short term memory does not retain information and meaning. Short term memory can, in any case, retain only about six items at any one time. The least efficient way to read is to try to understand every single word before you reach the end of the sentence. If you are a slow reader, reading slightly faster may encourage you to remember more, but can only try this for yourself to see how effective it is.
C.     One useful technique is to search the first lines of paragraphs for signaling words such as In summary, First of all, Finally or By contrast. These often show the structure of a passage of text and you can use them to grasp the general meaning and organization of what you are about to read. Signaling words are pauses in the text which point out to the reader what has just been said, what is about to come, and what is about to be explained in more detail.
D.      Every subject has its own specialist vocabulary which some readers perceive as jargon. For example, academic fields like computer sciences have developed a jargon which includes such expressions as dynamic random access memory and core dump. When jargon is used by members of the same profession, it can be efficient and effective language. For those who understand it, jargon is a kind of verbal shorthand which makes long explanations unnecessary. For the non-specialist, however, too much jargon is irritating. Your strategy should be to ignore it and continue reading. That is exactly what children do when they do not understand a word.

In IELTS reading you need to locate specific information

Task 2: Which paragraph (A to D):
  1. provides information about the short-term memory?
  2. gives examples of phrases which can help you understand a text?
  3. give example of phrases which may be difficult to understand?
  4. mentions when careful reading is important?
The word it paragraph A (line 2) refers to the word skimming in the sentence before. Linking words like this, that, these, those are often used to avoid repetition.

Task 3: Which word or phrase do the words below refer to?
  1. Paragraph A: For that … (line 3)
  2. Paragraph B: try this for yourself
  3. Paragraph C These often show …
  4. Paragraph D That is exactly what …
Identifying the main topic of a paragraph, locating specific information and recognizing reference links are all key reading skill which will help you to tackle exam reading tasks successfully.

Task 4: Complete the following advice by writing one or two words taken from the reading passage in the spaces.
Summary of Reading Advice
  • Use 1……………………… to find out what an article is about. (Paragraph A)
  • To discover the deeper meaning of a text you need to think and 2 …………………………. as you read. (A)
  • Don’t try to understand 3 …………………………. as you read. (B)
  • You may remember more if you try to read a bit 4 ………………………. . (B)
  • It’s a good idea to study the first 5 …………….. of each paragraph. (C)
  • Look out for signaling words like First of all or 6 ……………………………… , which can help you understand the general meaning and 7 ……………………………. of the text. (c)
  • The best way to deal with jargon and other vocabulary that you don’t understand is to 8……………. it. (D)

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