L31: Using the reading time before each part

Before each part of the Listening test, and sometimes in the middle of a part, you get a short time to look at the questions. Most students use it badly. They read slowly from the top, or they go back to check the last part. Strong students use it to prepare the next part like a plan. This lesson shows you exactly what to do with those seconds.

Why this matters

The reading time is free preparation. If you use it well, you know what's coming before the audio starts. If you waste it, you go into each part blind. Those few seconds can easily be worth three or four marks across the whole test.

The golden rule: always look forward

When a part ends, don't go back and worry about the last answers. On the computer test, you'll have about 2 minutes at the very end to check. Use the reading time only for what's coming next.

What to do, in order of priority

You may not have time to do everything. So do these in order:

1. Read the instruction and the word limit. ONE WORD? TWO WORDS? Note it.
2. Read the title or the topic. Who is talking, and about what?
3. Find the anchors. The strong words before each gap or in each question.
4. Predict word types. Noun, number, verb? Singular or plural?
5. For multiple choice, paraphrase the options. Think of other ways to say each one.
6. For maps, find the starting point. Entrance, gate, "You are here".

A sample 30 seconds

Here's what good use of 30 seconds looks like before a Part 1 form:

• Seconds 1 to 5: Instruction says ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER. Title is "Bike Hire Booking".
• Seconds 6 to 20: Read each gap. Name (spelling!), phone number, date, type of bike, price.
• Seconds 21 to 30: Mark anything tricky. "Type of bike" might have a distractor, like mountain bike vs city bike. Price might have a student discount.

When the audio starts, your brain is ready.

The mid-part pause

Some parts have a short pause in the middle. The voice says something like, "Now look at questions 15 to 20." This is new reading time. Use it the same way: look forward to 15 to 20, not back to 11 to 14.

Common mistakes

• Reading every word of every question slowly. Skim for the key information instead.
• Checking the last part. You can't change what you didn't hear. Look ahead.
• Using the time to relax. It feels nice to rest, but this is the most valuable time you have.

Try it yourself

You have 30 seconds before this question block. What would you note?

Choose TWO letters. Which TWO facilities does the speaker say are new?

• A) café
• B) car park
• C) swimming pool
• D) shop
• E) children's area

Honest note

The exact amount of reading time is set by the recording, not by you. It can feel very short. That's why you need a priority order. Do the most important things first.

Your task today

In your next practice test, pause the audio at each reading time and write down what you did with it. Was it useful? Then do the next test without pausing.