Key Idea: Reading skills covers the eight question types in Paper 2 Reading. Each one has its own rule, but the proof is always in the text.
Multiple choice
- One correct option from A to D, all or nothing.
- Read all options before you go to the text.
- A repeated word is not proof.
True/False + justify
- Write the decision AND the words from the text that prove it.
- The tick alone scores nothing.
- Quote only the key words, not a paragraph.
Vocabulary in context
- Two formats: say what a word means here, or find the word that means Y.
- The sentence around the word decides its meaning.
- False friends: «aktuell» does not mean actual.
Gap-fill
- Take the word from the text or the word bank.
- Copy it exactly: spelling, umlauts, capital letter.
- Use the right form: singular or plural, tense, case.
Matching
- Link two sets: people and opinions, headings and paragraphs.
- Each option is used once; usually one is spare.
- Do the sure matches first.
Sentence completion
- The ending must be true according to the text.
- An ending that sounds sensible is wrong if the text does not say it.
Reference words
- Words like er, sie, es, das, dort and sein point back to something said earlier.
- Read the lines before the word.
- It must match in gender and number: der → er, die → sie, das → es.
- Answer with the noun or idea, never the word itself.
Short answer
- A few words with the right information.
- Paraphrase when told «mit eigenen Worten».
- Never leave it blank.
Find the line first, then answer. A word you recognise is not enough.
You wrote «richtig» but no quote. How many marks? None. You need both.
What does «aktuell» mean? Current.
In matching, can you use one option twice? No. Each one only once.
«Die Stadt ist alt. Sie hat viele Kirchen.» What does «Sie» refer to? Die Stadt (the city).
The task says «mit eigenen Worten». Can you copy the line? No. Say it in different words.