Activity 2: Reading for specific information

Aims
To review the test format and also give learners useful skills practice in reading for specific information.

Level
Can be adapted for all levels.

Preparation


Some common questions about Paper 2: Writing
Go to the Information for Candidates booklet for the exam you The questions on the test paper will

are teaching. Use the information from the booklet and create
tell you how much to write. You
can use this information to help you
plan your answer. If you write too
much, you will only lose marks if you Do …
What if I write too much, or
have included details which aren’t
if I don’t write enough?

a worksheet. Write eight to ten questions that require the learners

important or which confuse the ✔ Read every part of the question car
reader. If you write a shorter answer underline important parts.
which includes all the required
information, this is OK. ✔ Allow enough time to plan, write and
work for each answer. It’s OK if you

to scan for specific information. Simple ‘How long’/’How many’

corrections – just make sure they a
examiner can understand what you h

No, the set text question is optional. ✔ Add detail to the points in Part 1, us

questions using the exam format sections (see image) work

The book offered is in a simplified and information.
Do I have to study the set text form. It can also be very helpful to
✔ Use a range of vocabulary, even if yo
for Question 5? watch a film version of the book.
Please don’t attempt the question if completely sure about the correct s

well for lower levels e.g.:

you haven’t read the book.

 ✔ Check your grammar, especially the e

irregular past tenses, plural forms, q
and word order.

✔ Use formal or informal language in t

you should know which is best for th

• How long is the Writing paper? Where do I write my answers?

In the candidate answer booklet.
Your test centre will also provide
paper for your plan, notes, etc.
✔ Choose a Part 2 question that you f
can write about.

✔ Write clearly so your answers are cl

read. However, it is not important if

• How many parts are there to the Speaking paper?

CAPITALS, in lower case, or if your w
up or not.

Don’t worry – raise your hand and

indicate that you need more paper.
Just remember at the end of the

You can use more sections of the booklet and add more complex
exam to submit all the paper you
used. This includes your final answer
What happens if I need sheet, the question paper and any
more paper? notes which you made to plan or

questions for higher levels e.g.:

prepare your answer.

12

• How many parts of the Listening paper have only one speaker?
• What should you do if you can’t hear the audio?
Make a copy of the parts of the booklet you want learners to look at. A fun option that also saves
paper, is to create a treasure hunt and cut the booklet into different sections and stick these around the
classroom so learners have to walk around to search for the answers.

Step 1
Hand out the worksheet with your questions on it and give learners time to read and think about what
kind of information they need to look for.

Step 2
Set a time limit or make the activity a competition so that it encourages learners to read quickly.
Start the activity.
When the time is up, you could get learners to write the answers on the board and check them together.

Copyright ©UCLES 2021 | CER/6684/V1/FEB21

Activity 2: Reading for specific information
Alternative or follow-up activities to consider


Paper 1: Reading and Use of English

Paper 1: Reading and

Use of English
• Create listening comprehension tasks using the Speaking Parts 1–3
Three short texts (one text for each part), with different tasks. You must
complete the gaps with different kinds of words.

test videos. 1 hour Part 4 No text. You must rewrite sentences in a different way.
15 minutes Part 5 One long text with six multiple-choice questions.
7 parts Part 6 One text with six gaps. You must choose the correct sentence for each gap.

One text or several short texts, with 10 questions. You must match

• The Information for Candidates booklets already include

Part 7
each question to something in the text(s).

There are many different types of text in To improve your reading skills, it’s really

common questions and answers. Learners can compare the exam: newspaper and magazine articles, important to read many different types of
reports, fiction, advertisements, letters, text which you really enjoy. If you have a
messages and informational material (such special interest or hobby, try reading about
as brochures, guides, manuals, etc.). They’re it in English as much as you can. You can 
 read anything: blogs, books, magazine

what they already know in pairs before they read the text
all about topics which are interesting to
teenage students. Before you take the exam, articles, social media, informational
it’s important that you have seen these kinds websites or encyclopaedias. The important
of text before and that you know how to do thing is just to read as much as possible and
the kind of tasks which appear in the exam. to enjoy it!

to find out more.

Extra help online For this paper you need to study things
You can find a sample test and like collocations (words which often go
self-study lesson plans on our website to together), phrasal verbs, linking words
practise different parts of the Reading and and to understand how writers use different
Use of English paper. words to express similar meanings. (All of
these are important for the Writing paper,

• Learners use the exam-day information to make their own

too!) When you’re preparing for the exam,
keep a notebook and write down vocabulary
which you see often. You could use this to
test yourself later.

exam-day checklist.
• Learners can use the Information for Candidates booklet to
prepare quizzes for each other in groups.
7

• Use an online quiz maker like Kahoot to make a quiz about the
test format. First-time Kahoot users can go here for a tutorial.

Copyright ©UCLES 2021 | CER/6684/V1/FEB21