Use of English

Reading Between the Lines

You might think that doing a reading exercise is simply a matter of recognising words and choosing the right option. In reality, strong readers do something more (0) SUBTLE: they constantly test whether each sentence makes sense as a whole. When you work on a text, it helps to (1) .......... the urge to translate every phrase word for word. That habit can slow you down and, worse, it can (2) .......... you into missing the writer’s main point. Instead, try to follow the argument and notice how ideas are linked. A good strategy is to read once for gist, then go back and focus on details. If a sentence seems unclear, look at the words around it and ask what would (3) .......... naturally. Often, the correct answer is part of a fixed expression, or it (4) .......... with a particular preposition. It also pays to be aware of tone. A writer may sound neutral while actually (5) .......... at criticism, or they may use humour to soften a serious message. If you ignore these signals, you may reach a conclusion that the text doesn’t really (6) ........... Finally, don’t be discouraged if you get items wrong. The aim is to build a sense of what “sounds right” in context, and that comes (7) .......... practice. Over time, you’ll find you can (8) .......... out distractors much faster.