Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading. Parts 2, 3 & 4

Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading Parts 2, 3 & 4

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

The reading skill

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

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 3 Long, usually factual text 4 Text containing attitude and opinion 5 Short, usually factual text Specific information and detailed comprehension Specific information and disregarding redundant text Detailed comprehension, writer purpose, opinion and global meaning Understanding vocabulary and grammar

Cambridge English: Preliminary Reading Component http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/teaching-english/resourcesfor-teachers/

Part 2: Texts Candidates read short profiles of 5 people with information about: habits and lifestyle likes and dislikes age and personal interests

Part 2: Texts

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

Part 2: Reading Skills Candidates must: skim texts to identify topic and gist scan to find detailed information What s the main problem students have when doing this part? Lots of similar information to retain Working memory might be overloaded

Which of these things are candidates advised to do in Part 2? Word spotting Quick matches at word level Recognizing alternative ways of saying the same thing (paraphrasing)

Handout: worksheets A & B Worksheet A: Main aim of activity? Worksheet B: Questions in worksheet

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

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.

Part 2 Things I already do Things I ll start doing 30

Part 3 texts Factual text

Worksheet A & B: Reading styles Worksheet A: aim of doing this activity? Worksheet B: Reflection & suggestions for Part 3

Worksheet C: Paraphrasing What suggestions for candidates can you find in the worksheets?

Part 3: extended text Things I already do Things I ll start doing 60

Part 4: Texts

Type of questions Multiple choice (5 questions, 4 options each) First question writer s purpose Last question global 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.

Worksheet A: Understanding question focus

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)

Worksheet B: Classroom suggestions

Worksheet C: Understanding Part 4

Part 4 Things I already do Things I ll start doing 75

Hope you have found this workshop useful