What it is: You answer a question with a few words from the text. No full sentences needed.
The instruction on the paper: Answer the following questions. → Write a short answer from the text.
Example: Text O — The repair café
Every second Saturday, volunteers in the town hall fix broken household items for free. Visitors bring anything from toasters to torn jackets, and they are expected to help with the repair rather than simply wait. The organisers say this is the point: people learn skills and are less likely to throw things away. Last year the café saved an estimated two tonnes of rubbish from landfill.
Answer the following questions. What must visitors do while their item is repaired?
The answer
Your turn
- Answer it yourself first, then check.
- Answer the following questions.
- write short answers
- Give one example.
- one is enough
- According to the text, …
- only what the text says
- Which word between lines 1–7 means…?
- copy one word
- (paragraphs 3–5)
- look only in these paragraphs
Remember: An answer that is incomplete or adds wrong detail gets no mark.
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The short answer
1
Read the question word
It tells you the answer type.
2
Locate the idea
Often in other words.
3
Trim the answer
Keep only what answers it.
4
Check it is complete
A missing key word = no mark.
Question word → Locate → Trim → Check
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Text P — The return of film cameras: Sales of film cameras have risen sharply among people under 25, many of whom grew up with smartphones. Second-hand shops report that models from the 1980s now sell within days, often for three times their price a decade ago. Young photographers say film forces them to slow down: with only 36 shots on a roll, every picture has to count. The cost is a drawback, however. Developing a single roll can cost more than £15, and few cities still have a lab that does it.
Answer the following questions. 1. Which age group is buying more film cameras? 2. Why do young photographers slow down with film? 3. Give one drawback of film photography.
The answer
Your turn
- Answer it yourself first, then check.
Do
- Answer the exact question word.
- Keep the key detail.
- Give one example when asked.
Don't
- Write an incomplete answer.
- Add irrelevant detail.
- List several guesses.