The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Reading section is designed to assess your ability to understand written English in an academic context. This section includes various question types, ranging from multiple-choice to re-ordering paragraphs and filling in blanks. Success in this section requires a combination of reading speed, comprehension, and test-taking strategies. In this article, we’ll cover the key question types, strategies for improving reading efficiency, and practical tips for tackling each question type. We’ll also explore how to manage time effectively, identify main ideas, and expand your vocabulary for the test.
Types of Reading Questions in PTE
The PTE Reading section consists of several question types, each designed to test different aspects of your reading ability. Understanding the structure of each type will help you apply the right strategies for answering them.
1. Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer
In this task, you are given a passage and asked a question with several answer options. Only one answer is correct.
2. Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers
Similar to the single-answer version, this question type requires you to select more than one correct answer from the list.
3. Re-order Paragraphs
You are presented with several jumbled sentences, and your task is to reorder them so that they form a coherent and logical paragraph.
4. Fill in the Blanks
This task presents a passage with missing words. You select the correct words from a dropdown menu to complete the text.
5. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
In this variation, you fill in blanks using a word bank provided. This tests your vocabulary and understanding of how words fit in context.
Techniques for Improving Reading Speed and Comprehension
1. Skimming and Scanning
- Skimming involves quickly reading through the text to get the general idea or gist. This is useful for identifying the main themes and key points.
- Scanning is a targeted approach, where you look for specific information such as names, dates, or keywords. Scanning helps save time by allowing you to locate answers quickly.
2. Chunking Information
Instead of reading word by word, practice reading in chunks or groups of words. This helps increase reading speed while still retaining comprehension. With regular practice, you’ll find that you can process sentences more quickly without losing understanding.
3. Active Reading
To improve comprehension, engage with the text as you read by asking yourself questions. For instance, what is the main point of this paragraph? What argument is the author making? This keeps you focused and makes it easier to recall details when answering questions.
Strategies for Each Question Type
1. Multiple Choice, Single Answer
- Read the Question First: Before diving into the passage, read the question to know what information you are looking for. This helps you focus on relevant details.
- Process of Elimination: Eliminate clearly incorrect options. Narrowing down your choices makes it easier to identify the correct answer.
- Look for Keywords: Focus on keywords in the question and scan the passage for these terms or synonyms to locate the relevant information.
2. Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
- Watch for Partial Correctness: Sometimes options may contain partially correct information. Be cautious and select only those that are fully supported by the passage.
- Avoid Guessing: Incorrect answers will deduct points from your score in this question type, so it’s better to leave a question unanswered than to guess incorrectly.
3. Re-order Paragraphs
- Identify Topic Sentences: The first step is to identify the sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence is usually the starting point of the paragraph.
- Look for Logical Connections: Pay attention to linking words like “however,” “therefore,” “in addition,” or pronouns that refer to something previously mentioned. These clues help you figure out the logical sequence of sentences.
- Group Related Ideas: Look for sentences that discuss similar ideas or details and group them together to form coherent sub-points.
4. Fill in the Blanks
- Context is Key: Before choosing an answer, read the sentence before and after the blank to understand the context. This will help you pick the word that best fits grammatically and semantically.
- Eliminate Inappropriate Words: Even if you don’t know the exact meaning of a word, you can often eliminate choices that don’t fit the sentence structure or context.
5. Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
- Understand Collocations: Some words often appear together in English (e.g., “make a decision,” “take a risk”). Knowing common collocations helps you choose the right word.
- Grammar Awareness: Pay attention to the grammar of the sentence. For example, if the blank is preceded by “a” or “an,” the missing word should start with a vowel sound in the latter case.
Time Management Tips for the Reading Section
The PTE Reading section is typically around 29-30 minutes long, and time management is crucial. Here are some tips to stay on track:
- Skim the Passage First: Quickly skim the passage to get an overview of the topic and structure before answering the questions. This helps you locate answers faster.
- Prioritize Easy Questions: Answer the questions you find easiest first. This gives you more time to focus on tougher questions later.
- Set Time Limits for Each Question: For multiple-choice questions, aim to spend no more than 1-2 minutes on each. For re-ordering paragraphs or filling in blanks, allocate 3-4 minutes per task.
- Move On if You’re Stuck: Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you can’t figure out the answer, make your best guess and move on to the next question.
Identifying Main Ideas and Supporting Details
- Focus on the First and Last Sentences: The main idea of a paragraph is often stated in the first or last sentence, with supporting details in between. Pay attention to these parts to quickly identify the central theme.
- Look for Repeated Concepts: Important ideas are often repeated in different ways throughout the text. If a concept is mentioned more than once, it’s likely significant to the main point.
Expanding Vocabulary for the Test
1. Read Regularly
Read a wide variety of materials—news articles, academic journals, and fiction—to expose yourself to different vocabulary. The more words you encounter, the better prepared you’ll be for the PTE Reading section.
2. Create a Vocabulary Journal
Write down new words you come across during your reading practice. Include definitions, example sentences, and any related words (synonyms or antonyms). Review this journal regularly to reinforce your learning.
3. Learn Word Families
Understanding how words change with different prefixes and suffixes (e.g., “act,” “active,” “activity”) helps you recognize words even if you’ve never seen them in a particular form before.
4. Use Flashcards
Create flashcards for new vocabulary and use spaced repetition software (SRS) like Anki or Quizlet to review words consistently. This helps commit new words to your long-term memory.
Practice Exercises for Efficient Reading
Practice Exercise 1: Skimming and Scanning
Find a short online news article. Set a timer for 2 minutes and skim the article for the main idea. Then, try scanning the article to find specific details, such as names or dates.
Practice Exercise 2: Re-order Paragraphs
Take a paragraph from an online article, break it into individual sentences, and try to reorder them logically. Practice this exercise regularly to improve your ability to understand text flow.
Practice Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks
Choose an academic text or a reading passage and delete certain words. Then, try to fill in the blanks using context clues and your knowledge of grammar.
Elsa Says:
Mastering the PTE Reading section requires a balance of reading speed, comprehension, and strategic thinking. Focus on skimming and scanning to quickly identify key information, and use the process of elimination to narrow down answer choices. Practice regularly to improve your vocabulary and familiarity with common question types. With the right strategies, you’ll feel confident and prepared to tackle any reading task in the PTE exam.
