Read all four extracts first and write one line for each. Then for each question, find the key words, pick a locator word, find the echo in the text, and check the sentence.
- 1Key Words and Locator Words7:34
- Now playing: 2Reading the Writer9:16
Matching Info: Reading the Writer
Methods in this video
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- 1
Key words and locator word
When to use it: A question asks which extract says something: work out how many things it asks for, then pick the most specific one to decide where to look first.
- Every part of the question is a key word, and every one must match.
- Pick the most specific one as your locator word. It tells you where to look first.
- General words like vital or important make poor locator words.
- 2
Find the echo
When to use it: The question's words aren't in the text, or the text says it another way.
- Look for the idea, not the same word.
- An echo is the same idea in different words. It can even be said the other way round.
- Key words are in the question. The echo is in the text.
- 3
Read the writer
When to use it: The question asks about the writer's attitude or job, or what a sentence or example is doing (mocking, invites, illustrate, a detail which…).
- Look at what the writer does and how they say it.
- Ask what this sentence or example is doing here.
- Note the writer's attitude on your scrap paper as you read.
- 4
Check the sentence
When to use it: The question's word appears in the text, or you've found a line that looks right.
- The same word is only a clue.
- Go back to the sentence and see what it's saying.
- It has to do everything the question asks.
- 5
Compare the most specific word
When to use it: Two extracts are left and both seem right.
- With two left, go back to the most specific word in the question.
- Compare which one says exactly that.
Practise exam-style questions with these methods
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