Lesson 15 – maps, diagrams, tables and flow charts
Today we are going to look at the questions which ask you to complete tables, diagrams, charts and maps
This type of question is factual and you should be able to locate the words easily once you know how the chart etc.. is constructed.
Let’s begin with some tips and advice
- Look carefully at the diagram or chart to get the sense of it.
- With maps see where things are positioned, look for any patterns.
- Don’t worry if there looks to be a lot of information or of the table seems very long – you will probably only be asked for one or two words
- Longer questions are often easier to do.
- Look at the text – is this in note form, labels, names etc.. this will help you find the right information to add.
- Get an overview of what the chart or table is telling you and how it relates to the text.
- What kind of words are used for the other items in the chart etc.. are these nouns, verbs a mix of grammatical forms?
- Is everything from one part of the text?
- Choose and underline key words
- Predict the kind of words that might fit then test this prediction using your key words as a guide
Key skills to develop:
Charts, diagrams and tables are rather like jigsaws (in fact much of the reading is like this) fitting the bits into place
- Practise looking at these types of data (they can be similar to some of the Task 1 data)
- Keep working on your key words identify the content words as well as the grammatical elements
- Choose the things that are going to be the easiest to discover in the text – these are usually names, numbers, percentages etc..
Learn to understand charts and diagrams etc.. and predict the kinds of words that will be needed
- these questions are about factual information – you may or may not have a list
Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us
Let’s have a go at a table completion exercise
Just one exercise today
Try this IELTS exercise
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/default.aspx?atk=7661
This is the end of Reading. Tomorrow we’ll start looking at the writing test.
Don’t forget, if there is anything you don’t understand or can’t find send a message via Contact us
Now you’re done!