Assistance for PTE Academic: Reading

Introduction of Reading Section

The reading part consists of several types of questions, for example MCQ, Re-order paragraph, Fill in the blanks.

1. Multiple-choice, choose single answer:
In this section, you read a text (300 words). You are given a multiple choice question with 3- 5 answer options. You choose the one correct answer option. There can be 2 or 3 of these items.

2. Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers:
In this section, you read a text up to 300 words. You will be given a multiple-choice question with five to seven answer options. 2 or 3 questions may appear.

3. Re-order paragraph:
You will be given a text divided into paragraphs in the wrong order. You will be asked to correct the order. Items 2 or 3.

5. Reading: Fill in the blanks:
You read a text up to 80 words which has blanks in it. You drag words from a box and drop each word onto the correct blank to complete the text. Items 4- 5

6. Reading and Writing: Fill in the blanks:
You read a text up to 300 words which has blanks in it. You click on each blank and a drop down list appears. You have to choose the correct word from each list to complete the text. Items 5- 6

Solving Multiple-choice:

First read the question and get the idea what you have to look for, for example, summary, writer's opinion or certain things. Then, read the passage and get the whole idea and understand the content. Then, look at the options and get the answer. You can also apply the eliminate approach.

In case of multiple answer, read the option first and understand each properly. It will save your time as you do not need to read the options and look for the answer in the paragraph again and again. Then, eliminate the wrong answers. Finally when you get the final answers select it and go to the next option. Do not spend too much time on one question.

One example has drawn here-

In this question, the information we are looking for is main purpose of the paragraph. Read the paragraph and understand the content. The answer is C as the paragraph is about the potential benefits. Still if you are not sure, use the eliminate method.
A- paragraph is no about the common use of power
B- Its not about problems
C- ?
D- No info about how it produced.
So, the final answer is only C

Multiple answer example:

Clue of information to find- what statements are true about the lake?
Ans-
B- in paragraph floating trees
E- Travels quite extensively......rapidity
F- Pilots communicate.....matter of safety.

Practice source:

http://englishteststore.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241&Itemid=285

2. Re-order Paragraph:

Skim the sentences, and look for the topic sentence which introduces the topic. Topic sentence stands alone and does not contain any reference to any information.
Look for linking words- however, in addition, pronoun- he/she, it, and article, the (a for first mention, the afterwards).
Remember, sentences with these linking words cannot be the first sentence.
Attention to the structure. For example- It is any cause or effect paragraph. 1st sentence- topic, 2nd sentence cause, 3/4 sentences effect, and last sentence- conclusion.