cambridge english: preliminary reading · pdf file•to give information about the...

© UCLES 2013

Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading

Parts 2, 3 & 4

© UCLES 2013

Learning intentions of the seminar

• to give information about the Cambridge English:

Preliminary Reading Test Parts 2, 3 & 4

• to look at these reading tasks in detail

• to suggest classroom teaching ideas & give guidance

on preparing candidates

© UCLES 2013

The reading skill

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The reading skill

Challenges

Time (1hour 30 minutes to do 5 reading tasks and 3

writing tasks)

Lack of training

Lack of awareness that different reading tasks test

different sub-skills

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Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading Component

Task Text type Task focus

1 5 short texts Understanding ‘real-world’ notices and messages

2 5 descriptions and 8 short texts

Specific information and detailed comprehension

3 Long, usually factual text

Specific information and disregarding redundant text

4 Text containing attitude and opinion

Detailed comprehension, writer purpose, opinion and global meaning

5 Short, usually factual text

Understanding vocabulary and grammar

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Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading Component

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/resources-

for-teachers/

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Part 2: Texts

Candidates read

short profiles of 5

people with

information about:

•habits and lifestyle•likes and dislikes•age and personal interests

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Part 2: Texts

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Part 2: Texts

• Candidates read 8 short

adapted authentic texts

• Factual material

• Topics: e.g.: visiting museums,

staying in hotels, buying books,

choosing holidays, etc

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Part 2: Reading Skills

Candidates must:

• skim texts to identify topic and gist

• scan to find detailed information

• Lots of similar information to retain

• Working memorymight be overloaded

What’s themain problemstudents havewhen doingthis part?

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Which of these things are candidatesadvised to do in Part 2?

Word spotting

Quick matches at word level

Recognizing alternative ways of saying the same thing

(paraphrasing)

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Handout: worksheets A & B

Worksheet A: Main aim of activity?

Worksheet B: Questions in worksheet

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Answers worksheet A

Raise awareness of the importance of reading quickly, of

scanning for information and of short-term memory.

Highlight the importance of paraphrasing

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Answers worksheet B

The personal profiles include lots of information points (4–6 in

this example), several of which are redundant

In a correct answer three information points match

In a nearly correct answer one or two information points

match.

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Part 2

Things I already do Things I’ll start doing

30

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Part 3 texts

Factual text

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Worksheet A & B: Reading styles

Worksheet A: aim of doing this activity?

Worksheet B: Reflection & suggestions for Part 3

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Worksheet C: Paraphrasing

What suggestions for candidates can you find in theworksheets?

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Part 3: extended text


60

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Type of questions

Multiple choice (5 questions, 4 options each)

First question writer’s purpose

Last questionglobal meaning

1 of the other three attitude or opinion

This is the part of the test which demands the

widest range of reading skills and the most complete understanding of text.

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Answers

1. writer's main purpose

2. facts about … (options A and C) likes and dislikes (options B

and D)

3. likes and dislikes (options A and C) opinions (options B and D)

4. likes and dislikes (options A and C) facts about … (option B)

opinion (option D)

© UCLES 2013

Learning intentions of the seminar

• to give information about the Cambridge English:

Preliminary Reading Test Parts 2, 3 & 4

• to look at these reading tasks in detail

• to suggest classroom teaching ideas & give guidance

on preparing candidates

cambridge english: preliminary reading · pdf file•to give information about the...

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