Practice Reading

R1

Task 1: Correspondence

A practical written exchange — an email, a letter, or a short message. You need to understand the purpose of the message, the tone the writer is using, and the specific details they include or leave out.

TipMatch tone first. Many questions ask whether the email is formal or informal, or what the writer's attitude is. Look at word choice — "I regret to inform you" vs "Just wanted to let you know" signal completely different registers.

R2

Task 2: Apply a Diagram

A passage paired with a visual — a schedule, a form, a chart, or a table. You must read both the text and the visual and use them together to answer questions.

TipRead the passage first, then check the visual as you answer each question. Most questions require combining information from both. Do not answer from the visual alone — the text almost always adds a condition or exception.

R3

Task 3: Information

A longer informational passage on a general topic — a magazine article, a consumer guide, or a report. Questions test main idea, supporting detail, vocabulary in context, and inference.

TipDo not re-read the whole passage for every question. Identify which paragraph each question points to and focus there. For vocabulary questions, substitute each option into the sentence — the right answer fits the meaning of the full paragraph.

R4

Task 4: Viewpoints

Two or more texts presenting different perspectives on the same topic. You must understand each position independently, then compare them to identify agreement, disagreement, and the reasoning behind each stance.

TipDraw a quick two-column table before you start: Speaker A says / Speaker B says. The hardest questions are about subtle agreement — a point where both writers share a concern despite disagreeing on the solution.