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The four reading parts and how to approach each

By Michael Ukwuma

Correspondence, diagram, information and viewpoints: what each part asks and the best first move.

Part 1: Reading correspondence

You read an email or letter and answer questions about details, the writer's purpose and sometimes the tone. Begin with the first lines to find out who is writing and why. Then read the questions before you read the rest, so you know what to look for.

Part 2: Reading to apply a diagram

Here you match a situation to a chart, a schedule or a set of options. The skill is careful comparison. Do not trust your memory. Return to the diagram for each question and check every condition, such as age, day, price and date.

Part 3: Reading for information

This is an article with a clear structure. Notice the first sentence of each paragraph, because it usually states the main idea. Questions often ask for the writer's purpose, a word in context or a detail that the passage supports.

Part 4: Reading for viewpoints

You read a short article and replies from different people. Keep track of who thinks what. A quick margin note in your mind, such as Cho supports, Haddad has doubts, Kim wants choice, makes the questions far easier.

A rule for all parts

Read the questions first, skim the text for the matching area, and then read that area closely. Wrong options are often true statements that do not answer the question. Check that your choice answers exactly what was asked.

Key points

• Read the questions before the text.
• Return to the text for every answer.
• Wrong options are often true but off topic.