Home > Subjects > English > English level 1 > 1.3 Unfamiliar texts > Subject content > Approaching a text
- Subject: English
- AS: 90851
- Level: 1
- Credits: 4
- External
1.3 Read and show understanding of unfamiliar texts
Approaching a text
Close reading tests your comprehension and understanding of how language is used to communicate a message. You have to be aware of the purposes of reading each text. To gain maximum meaning from a text you must learn to use inference, which means to 'read between the lines'.
See this link for an example of inference.
Remember you are being tested on the information given in the text in front of you rather than your general knowledge.
These steps will help you with the reading process:
- Read the title and where it comes from to understand the context.
- Read the questions before looking at the text.
- As you read the text highlight areas of interest or confusion. After your first reading you should be able to answer general questions such as:
- Where and when is the text set?
- Who is involved? Who is telling the story? Who was this text written for?
- What is the text about?
For a chart to summarise these questions see: What is the purpose of this text?
- Read the text again, keeping the examination questions in your mind and read carefully over the key parts of the text.
- Answer the questions by going back to specific areas of the text. Skim read to locate the answer.
- Proofread all your answers.
