Text work

Textbook basis

• Jenny Dooley, Bob Obee. «Excel for Kazakhstan (Grade 9) Student's book», Express Publishing, 2019, Module 1 "Hobbies & Qualities", pp. 8, 12, 15
• Dooley J., Obee B. «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 Student's Book», part 1, 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 18, 19, 74, 108, 122, 146
• Dooley Jenny, Obee Bob «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 (Science Schools) Student's Book», 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 118, 119, 121, 124, 125
• Dooley Jenny, Obee Bob «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 (Science Schools) Student's Book», 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 12, 14, 23
• Dooley Jenny, Obee Bob «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 (Science Schools) Student's Book», 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 83, 84, 86, 90
• Dooley Jenny, Obee Bob «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 (Science Schools) Student's Book», 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 55, 56, 60, 62
• Dooley Jenny, Obee Bob «Action for Kazakhstan Grade 11 (Science Schools) Student's Book», 2020, Express Publishing / Atamura, pp. 97, 99, 100

Key points

• Skimming — fast reading for the main idea: title, first and last paragraph, first sentences of paragraphs. The main idea fits into one sentence and is never a single detail (a number or a name).
• Scanning — searching for specific information: key words, names, dates, numbers; then read carefully around them.
• Meaning from context: a definition, an example, a contrast, word-building.
• Author's attitude is shown by evaluative words, modality and style: remarkably (admiration), unfortunately, it is doubtful that (doubt).
• Paragraph structure: topic sentence → supporting sentences → concluding sentence.
• Inconsistency: a conclusion that does not follow from the data, or two statements that contradict each other.
• Answer types: T / F / DS (true / false / doesn't say), multiple choice A–D, matching headings to paragraphs, filling gaps with sentences.

Theory

1. Reading for the main idea (skimming)

1. Read the title and predict the topic.
2. Read the first and the last paragraph — the last one often summarises the text.
3. Read only the topic sentences; skip examples.
4. Formulate: The text is about … For example, the main idea of a text about Sairam: an important city on the Great Silk Road that is now abandoned; of a text about the Borgen Project: an organisation that fights poverty by attracting people's attention.

2. Reading for detail (scanning)

• Underline the key word of the question; find it or its synonym in the text.
• Read the sentence before and after it.
• Check numbers and names carefully: similar dates and figures are a typical trap.
• Answer only from the text, not from your own knowledge.

3. True / False / Doesn't say

• True — the text says the same, often with other words (synonyms).
• False — the text says the opposite.
• Doesn't say — there is no information. Do not confuse "the text contradicts" with "the text does not mention".

4. Meaning of a word from context — clues: a dash with a definition (wearables — devices you wear); an example in brackets; a contrast with however / unlike; a known affix (-proof = resistant to; arthr- + -itis). Guess first, then check that the meaning fits the whole sentence.

5. Author's attitude and style

• Evaluative words: remarkably, incredible, unfortunately, sadly.
• Modality and distance: It is doubtful that …; quotation marks around a word ("natural") signal doubt.
• Distinguish fact (can be checked: The stadium was demolished in 2007) and opinion (I definitely recommend this film).
• Style: a formal, academic register shows a scientific text; a friendly tone shows a blog or a personal email.
• Never judge the attitude by one word only — look at the whole text.

6. Text structure and gapped texts

• One paragraph = one idea. The topic sentence is usually first.
• Concluding sentences often begin with Therefore, As a result, To sum up.
• For a missing sentence check linkers (contrast, cause, result) and reference words: the gap sentence must contain what the next sentence refers to (this, they, such, the latter).
• Matching headings: the heading reflects the whole paragraph, not one word from it.

7. Inconsistencies in arguments

• The claim and the evidence do not match: The text claims costs fell, but the figures show a rise.
• Generalisation from one example: one case does not prove a general rule.
• A shift from all to some without explanation.
• Useful phrases: This contradicts …; The data do not support …

Examples

1. Text: "Surfing has been Bethany's favourite hobby since she was 5 years old." Statement: Bethany started surfing as a teenager. — False (since she was five).
2. Statement: "Bethany has won a world championship." The text says nothing about competitions. — Doesn't say.
3. "It is doubtful that the new app will change education." The author's attitude is: A) enthusiastic B) sceptical C) neutral. Answer: B.
4. "Levees — natural or man-made walls that must stop rivers from flooding — broke during the hurricane." What are levees? — Walls that protect from floods (definition after the dash).
5. Gapped text: "… Many people believe that zoos protect animals. ___ They say that animals in captivity suffer." Which sentence fits? A) However, some people disagree. B) Zoos are popular with children. Answer: A — the contrast linker prepares the next sentence with They.

Common mistakes

• Translating every word and reading everything at the same speed.
• Confusing the topic of the text with a detail (a date, a name).
• Answering from memory or general knowledge, not from the text.
• Choosing False when the information is simply absent (Doesn't say).
• Judging the author's opinion by one word; confusing the author's view with your own.
• Inserting a sentence by general sense without checking pronouns and linkers.

Check yourself

1. Which parts of a text do you read when skimming? — The title, the first and last paragraph, the first sentences of paragraphs.
2. What is the difference between False and Doesn't say? — False: the text says the opposite; Doesn't say: there is no information.
3. Which word shows admiration: remarkably or doubtful? — Remarkably.
4. What is a topic sentence? — The sentence (usually first) that states the main idea of a paragraph.
5. Name one sign of an inconsistent argument. — The conclusion is not supported by the data / a general rule from one example.