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Intermediate GEPT reading tasks

• Sentence completion• Cloze passages• Reading comprehension

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Free / Independent reading

• Correlation with reading proficiency– Amount of encouragement to read that a

student receives– Amount of time a student spends reading

independently– Number of books available for a student to

choose from– Amount of time a student spends discussing

reading content with peers

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Free / Independent reading

• Encourage students to engage in free / independent reading

• Make books available to them / help them locate sources of books

• Provide time for them to discuss reading content with their peers

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Reading activities

• Teach students to identify main ideas, details, and inferences in reading passages

• Make a habit of asking students to identify these features of reading passages

• Help them find topic sentences and transition words that signal key points and the links between ideas

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Modifying a reading passage

• Take a passage from a released GEPT Intermediate Reading Test, a textbook, magazine article, or other appropriate sources

• Alter it or add to it to suit your teaching style and your students’ needs

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Cloze passageThe life of movie director John Woo has been a typical “rags to riches” story. Born in Guangzhou in 1946, Woo moved to Hong Kong with his family (1) he was just five years old. Because his father was ill and couldn’t work, his mother had to (2) the family. After a fire destroyed their home in 1953, the Woo family was homeless for several years, and John (3) attend school until he was nine years old. Although Wu was too poor to (4) film school, he taught himself much about movies by reading books. He directed his first movie in 1973, at the age of just 26. Twenty years later, Woo (5) to work in Hollywood, and today he is considered one of the greatest directors of all time.

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Cloze passage1. A. while

B. whenC. duringD. then

2. A. satisfyB. separateC. subscribeD. support

3. A. couldn’tB wouldn’t.C. shouldn’tD. doesn’t

4. A. graduateB. establishC. affordD. sponsor

5. A. was invitedB. was invitingC. invitingD. invited

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Practice activity 1Write example sentences to demonstrate how the incorrect options are used. Explain the differences to the students or ask them to explain them to you.

Born in Guangzhou in 1946, Woo moved to Hong Kong with his family when he was just five years old.

whileWhile John was reading his book, he suddenly got a serious

headache.thenThen John moved to Hollywood to begin working as a director. duringDuring the plane ride to Hollywood, John met another film

director.

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Because his father was ill and couldn’t work, his mother had to support the family.

satisfyJohn’s mother took him to the theater to satisfy his

need to watch films.separateJohn’s parents decided to separate when he was in

his teenage years.subscribeJohn began to subscribe to several movie magazines

when he finished high school.

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Practice activity 2Write sentences which the remaining options will complete.

After a fire destroyed their home in 1953, the Woo family was homeless for several years, and John couldn’t attend school until he was nine years old.

doesn’t won’t shouldn’t

1. John’s friends told him he change careers because he loves what he does.

2. John give up making films in Hollywood because he has been so successful.

3. John remember the fire that destroyed his home.

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Although Wu was too poor to afford film school, he taught himself much about movies by reading books.

establish sponsor graduate

1. John didn’t from high school until 1965.2. John asked a friend to help him his own

production company in 1975.3. Local businessmen refused to John’s

first film.

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Practice activity 3Ask students to use the correct form of the word to complete other sentences.

Twenty years later, Woo was invited to work in Hollywood, and today he is considered one of the greatest directors of all time.

was inviting inviting invited

1. John several friends to his film when his telephone rang.

2. his mother to live with him in Hollywood, John tried to repay the kindness she had shown him when he was growing up.

3. John his brothers to work with him in his new company.

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Practice activity 4Write a paraphrase of an original passage. Ask students to pointout the different ways of expressing the same ideas.

To people who are afraid of snakes, meeting a hognose snake can be more funny than frightening. Hognoses, harmless to people, will only (1) small animals that they can eat, like frogs and mice. When this snake encounters a large animal (2) a human, it has two tricks for avoiding trouble. One is to spread its neck, raise its head, and make loud noises with its breath. This gives the hognose the appearance of a poisonous snake, and frequently its enemies make a fast exit. If this (3) isn’t effective, the hognose employs the other trick: pretending to be (4) . It rolls onto its back, hangs its tongue out of its mouth, and lies completely still. The snake won’t move (5) it is touched or picked up, and it continues the act as long as necessary. It moves away only when the danger is over.

1. A. rescue B. sacrifice C. defend D. attack2. A. of B. like C. regarding D. includes3. A. example B. explanation C. performance D. possibility4. A. die B. died C. death D. dead5. A. but also B. so C. even if D. yet

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Original ParaphraseTo people who are afraid of snakes, meeting a hognose snake can be more funny than frightening. Hognoses, harmless to people, will only attack small animals that they can eat, like frogs and mice. When this snake encounters a large animal like a human, it has two tricks for avoiding trouble. One is to spread its neck, raise its head, and make loud noises with its breath. This gives the hognose the appearance of a poisonous snake, and frequently its enemies make a fast exit. If this performance isn’t effective, the hognose employs the other trick: pretending to be dead. It rolls onto its back, hangs its tongue out of its mouth, and lies completely still. The snake won’t move even if it is touched or picked up, and it continues the act as long as necessary. It moves away only when the danger is over.

Many people fear snakes, but the hognose snake is one that makes people laugh more often than scream. The hognose snake does not attack people, only small animals like frogs and mice. If it comes across a large animal such as a human, it uses two tricks to keep safe. First, it will flatten its neck, rise up, and breathe loudly to imitate a poisonous snake. This often causes animals that threaten it to retreat quickly. If that doesn’t work, it uses its other trick. It pretends to be dead. It does this by rolling onto its back, sticking its tongue out, and lying without moving. If it is touched or handled, it refuses to respond. When the danger has passed, it will finally go on its way.

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Original ParaphraseTo people who are afraid of snakes, meeting a hognose snake can be more funny than frightening. Hognoses, harmless to people, will only attack small animals that they can eat, like frogs and mice. When this snake encounters a large animal like a human, it has two tricks for avoiding trouble. One is to spread its neck, raise its head, and make loud noises with its breath. This gives the hognose the appearance of a poisonous snake, and frequently its enemies make a fast exit. If this performance isn’t effective, the hognose employs the other trick: pretending to be dead. It rolls onto its back, hangs its tongue out of its mouth, and lies completely still. The snake won’t move even if it is touched or picked up, and it continues the act as long as necessary. It moves away only when the danger is over.

Many people fear snakes, but the hognose snake is one that makes people laugh more often than scream. The hognose snake does not attack people, only small animals like frogs and mice. If it comes across a large animal such as a human, it uses two tricks to keep safe. First, it will flatten its neck, rise up, and breathe loudly to imitate a poisonous snake. This often causes animals that threaten it to retreat quickly. If that doesn’t work, it usesits other trick. It pretends to be dead. It does this by rolling onto its back, sticking its tongue out, and lying without moving. If it is touched or handled, it refuses to respond. When the danger has passed, it will finally go on its way.

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Synonyms and synonymous phrases

• are afraid of = fear• encounters = comes across• like = such as• spread its neck = flatten its neck• raises its head = rises up• makes loud noises with its breath = breathes loudly• gives the hognose the appearance of a poisonous snake =

imitates a poisonous snake• make a fast exit = retreat quickly• isn’t effective = doesn’t work• employs = uses• hangs its tongue out of its mouth = sticking its tongue out• lies completely still = lying without moving• danger is over = danger has passed

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Practice activity 5

• After the students read the two passages, ask them to match the synonyms and synonymous phrases.

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1. are afraid of 2. encounters 3. like 4. spread its neck 5. raises its head 6. makes loud noises with its

breath 7. gives the hognose the

appearance of a poisonous snake

8. make a fast exit 9. isn’t effective 10. employs 11. hangs its tongue out of its

mouth 12. lies completely still 13. danger is over

A. breathes loudlyB. comes acrossC. danger has passedD. doesn’t workE. fearF. flatten its neckG. imitates a poisonous snakeH. retreat quicklyI. rises upJ. sticking its tongue outK. lying without movingL. such asM. uses

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Practice activity 6

Rearrange the order of sentences in a passage. Ask students to put the sentences back into the correct order. Explain why the sentences should be in that order, or ask students to do that.

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Attention

While many students consider cell phones a great convenience in their social lives, it has been decided that they are a great inconvenience for school life at St. John Senior High. Classes and auditorium meetings have been regularly interrupted by them;previous regulations about turning phones off during school hours have been ignored.

Beginning this term, students will not be allowed to use cell phones anywhere or at any time on school property, whether for making or receiving calls. If a student is found using a cell phone, or if a phone rings, the device will be taken away by the teacher, and it will not be returned until the end of the school year. Myadvice to students is to leave your cell phones at home.

Arthur ChenPrincipal

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AttentionA. Classes and auditorium meetings have been regularly interrupted by

them; previous regulations about turning phones off during school hours have been ignored.

B. While many students consider cell phones a great convenience in their social lives, it has been decided that they are a great inconvenience for school life at St. John Senior High.

C. If a student is found using a cell phone, or if a phone rings, the device will be taken away by the teacher, and it will not be returned until the end of the school year.

D. Beginning this term, students will not be allowed to use cell phones anywhere or at any time on school property, whether for making or receiving calls.

E. My advice to students is to leave your cell phones at home.

Correct order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. .

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Practice activity 7

Separate each of the sentences in a reading passage into two parts. Ask students to match the separate halves to make logical, grammatically correct sentences. When they are finished, ask them to explain how they got their answers.

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1. While many students consider cell phones a great convenience in their social lives,

2. Classes and auditorium meetings have been regularly interrupted by them;

3. Beginning this term, students will not be allowed to use cell phones anywhere or at any time on school property,

4. If a student is found using a cell phone, or if a phone rings, the device will be taken away by the teacher,

5. My advice to students is

A. whether for making or receiving calls.

B. to leave your cell phones at home.

C. it has been decided that they are a great inconvenience for school life at St. John Senior High.

D. and it will not be returned until the end of the school year.

E. previous regulations about turning phones off during school hours have been ignored.

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Practice activity 8

Write questions that ask students about the main idea, key details, and implications of a letter or other reading passage. Have students read the letter, answer the questions, and then discuss their answers in groups or as a class.

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Books To Go2332 Linden Drive

Vancouver, British Columbia(602) 798-3160

www.bookstogo.com

Feb. 15, 2003

Jane Meadows1440 Kilbridge Ridge DriveVancouver, B.C.

Dear Ms. Meadows,

As a loyal customer of Books To Go, the largest travel bookstore in Vancouver, I’m sure you will want to know more about some exciting improvements that are coming soon to our store.

You no doubt know that our store has been closed for remodeling and expansion since February 1. When we reopen on March 1, you will find an even larger selection of books, magazines, maps, and travel items. Also, you will find a wonderful, new coffee bar at the back of the store – just the place to read or meet friends!

To celebrate our new look, everything in Books To Go will be 15% off during the month of March. Bring your Books To Go Membership Card with you and enjoy an additional 10% discount. See you in March!Sincerely,Dan WilliamsOwner and Manager

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Comprehension questionsShort-answer questions

What is the purpose of this letter?______________________________________________

What type of books can be found at Books To Go?______________________________________________

What change will take place at Books To Go?______________________________________________

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Comprehension questionsMultiple-choice questions

What is NOT the purpose of the letter?A. To inform Jane Meadows about the sale in MarchB. To promote the new coffee bar in the bookstoreC. To keep Jane Meadows as a regular customerD. To respond to an inquiry from Jane Meadows

Which of the following books would you most probably expect to find at Books To Go?A. Basics of Computer ScienceB. How to Be a Successful PersonC. Traveling by Train in JapanD. Health Food and You

What does the writer say about the bookstore?A. The bookstore will move to a different location.B. Card holders can save extra money on purchases in March.C. Business hours will be longer after the bookstore opens.D. There will be discounts in the new coffee bar.

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Practice activity 9Use a model letter to demonstrate how to write a letter and format it on a page.

Explain how the sender’s address is written.

Explain where the date goes.

Explain how the recipient’s name and address are written.

Explain how the salutation is written and what punctuation to use.

Books To Go2332 Linden Drive

Vancouver, British Columbia(602) 798-3160

www.bookstogo.com

Feb. 15, 2003

Jane Meadows1440 Kilbridge Ridge DriveVancouver, B.C.

Dear Ms. Meadows,

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Explain how the writer starts the letter and decides what information to include.

Explain how the key details in the letter are found in the body paragraphs.

Explain how the writer concludes the letter and how the letter is closed.

As a loyal customer of Books To Go, the largest travel bookstore in Vancouver, I’m sure you will want to know more about some exciting improvements that are coming soon to our store.

You no doubt know that our store has been closed for remodeling and expansion since February 1. When we reopen on March 1, you will find an even larger selection of books, magazines, maps, and travel items. Also, you will find a wonderful, new coffee bar at the back of the store – just the place to read or meet friends!

To celebrate our new look, everything in Books To Gowill be 15% off during the month of March. Bring your Books To Go Membership Card with you and enjoy an additional 10% discount. See you in March!

Sincerely,Dan WilliamsOwner and Manager

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It’s time for 15-minute tea break!

We will start the next session at 3:00.

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GEPT Intermediate writing tasks

• Translating a passage• Writing an essay

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Translating

• Avoid word-for-word translation• Use collocations and language

structures encountered in reading and listening activities

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Practice activity 10

• Writing letter chains – Part 1– Provide students with a sample letter– Put them in groups and ask them to discuss

the main idea and details of the letter– Review their ideas

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• Writing letter chains – Part 2– Point out key features of the letter

• Format• Purpose• Collocations

– As a class, decide how to answer the letter– Have one student collect ideas and write the

letter on the board

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• Writing letter chains – Part 3– Divide students into two groups– Give the members of each group a different

letter to answer– Have the groups brainstorm how best to

answer their letters– Ask the students to answer their letters– “Send” the letters of one group to the

members of the other group

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• Writing letter chains – Part 4– Have the students read the two letters they

received– Ask them to respond to the second letter– Collect all three letters from each student– Read the students’ letters and give

appropriate feedback

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• Subject: Anniversary• Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 09:30:47 +0800• From: mark106@netmail.com• To: tom.smith@funmail.com

• Dear Tom,

• I tried to call you last night, but apparently you were out, so I decided to try contacting you by email instead.

• Regarding Mom and Dad’s 50th anniversary celebration, Marie and I have been thinking about having a surprise dinner at our house. We both know they don’t like big parties, but we could invite a few of their friends and have a barbecue outside if the weather is nice.

• Since their anniversary is on a Tuesday this year, we think it would be best to have the dinner on the preceding weekend – either Saturday, June 8th, or Sunday the 9th. Which of these days is most convenient for you?

• Finally, have you thought about what time to buy them as a gift? Marie has suggested that maybe we should give them money. I’m sure they’d appreciate having a little extra to spend on their trip to Europe in September. What’s you opinion?

• Let me know what you think. Talk to you soon!

• Mark

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Feedback on writing

• Use editing symbols to indicate errors• Ask students to repair the errors in their

writing• Re-collect the letters and read them

again• Indicate whether repairs are correct, and

if not, correct them for the writers

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Editing symbols^ = insert a word or letter¶ = new paragraphadj = adjectiveadv = adverbart = articleC/c = Upper-case / lower-

casedel = deletefrag = sentence fragmentn = nounn/c = non-countpl = plural

reph = rephraserun-on = run-on sentencesg = singularsv = subject verb

agreementtrans = include a transitionunclear = unclear ideav = verbvt = verb tensewf = wrong word formww = wrong word

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Practice activity 11

• Writing essays– Give students a sample essay question and

ask them to read it– Show them an outline of an essay that

answers the question and discuss that with them

– Provide students with a copy of the essay and have them read it

– Discuss the language used in the essay

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Essay question

• Explain the importance of night markets in Taiwan

• Discuss the reasons why people enjoy going to night markets and what they do there

• Finally, discuss your own feelings about night markets

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OutlineI. Introduction

A. common and popular in TaiwanB. Taiwanese cultureC. everyone enjoys going to them

II. Reasons why night markets are popularA. good place for shopping

1. toys, clothing, shoes, pets2. bargains

B. relaxing1. play games2. try different kinds of food

III. Why I like night marketsA. the vendors advertising their productsB. cheer me upC. help me forget unpleasant things

IV. ConclusionA. good place to spend spare time with familyB. and friends

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Sample essayNight markets are very common and popular in Taiwan. They are considered part of Taiwanese culture. Almost everyone, from adults to children, likes to look around in the night markets. Night markets are popular with people for two reasons.

First, a night market is a good place for shopping. The vendors sell toys, clothes, shoes, and even pets. It would be a pity of we missed the bargains at night markets. Moreover, people get relaxed when spending time at night markets. We can play fun games, and most important of all, we can try different kinds of tasty food there!

Just like anyone else, I like to go to night markets very much. I particularly love to hear the vendors loudly advertising their products. Night markets always make me cheer up and let me forget unpleasant things. They are indeed a good place for us tospend our spare time with family and friends.

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• Writing an essay as a class– Give students a sample essay question– As a class, brainstorm how to answer the

question and create an outline for the essay– Have students write the essay from the

outline in class– Collect the essays and give feedback on

them in a later class

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• Writing an essay in groups of two or three– Give each group the same essay question– Have them brainstorm the essay question and

create an outline– Monitor the groups’ outlines and give feedback– Have students write an essay on the outline their

group has created– Collect and give feedback later

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Essay questions• Write an essay in which you describe your hometown. Explain

where it is located and what the weather is like. Discuss your feelings about your hometown.

• Write an essay in which you describe how you spent last weekend.

• Write an essay in which you describe a dream vacation. Discuss where you would go and what you would do there.

• Write an essay in which you discuss your favorite performer or athlete. Give the reason you like this person. Explain what you would say to this person if you had the chance to meet him or her.

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Conclusion• Test preparation does not have to be repetitive and

uninteresting• Analyzing test tasks can give teachers useful ideas for

classroom activities• Teaching students to identify main ideas and details in

reading and listening passages improves comprehension

• Communicative activities that integrate language skills contribute to overall proficiency development

• Feedback on language use should be specific and positive

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For further information

GEPT www.gept.org.twLTTC www.lttc.ntu.edu.tw

Thank you