Reading evidence: Stonehenge, CRISPR and Kandinsky

Finding an answer in a reading text is one thing. Explaining why it is right can be a bit trickier. These three B2 lessons use texts about Stonehenge, CRISPR and Kandinsky to get your students checking the evidence and talking through their answers. Read on for a few strategies and the downloadable tasks.

Contents

Understanding the task

In these lessons, learners read a text and classify six claims as supported (S), contradicted (C) or not stated (N). They underline evidence for their answers, or explain which information is missing. A four-option question then gives practice discussing why distractors do not fit.

Supported: The text agrees with the statement. It may use the same words or express the idea in a different way.
Contradicted: The text gives information that goes against the statement. You need evidence of a contradiction.
Not Stated: This can be the trickiest category. The text does not give enough information to support or contradict the statement. Stick to the text, even if you know something about the topic already.

Strategies for success

A few familiar reading strategies will help your students work through the claims. Here are some techniques to try:

Skimming and scanning

Skimming for the gist: Begin by quickly reading through the text to get a general understanding of the content and structure. Look for the main idea in each paragraph. This overview helps in anticipating what kind of information you might encounter in the statements. Choose a skimming time that suits your class.
Scanning for specifics: Once you have the gist, scan the text for specific information connected to each statement. Focus on keywords, dates, names, and any terms that link the statement to parts of the text. This systematic approach saves time and improves accuracy.

Identifying paraphrases

Understanding paraphrasing: Evidence-checking questions often restate information using different words or sentence structures. This technique is called paraphrasing. Be alert to synonyms and alternative expressions that have the same meaning as the words in the statements.
Comparing text and statements: Carefully compare the statements with the text. Look for similar ideas expressed in different words. Understanding the context in which words are used is crucial to recognising paraphrasing.
Focus on the details: The details are what will lead you to the right (or wrong) answer. Negatives, adverbs and other elements in a paraphrased sentence can completely change its meaning, which then also dictates which answer is correct.

Common challenges when checking evidence

There are two common problems to watch out for. The first is overthinking the task. The second is not knowing the difference between contradicted and not stated.

First, let’s talk about overthinking the task. Reading too much into the statements can lead to incorrect answers. Stick to the information given in the text. The evidence may be paraphrased or clearly implied, but you should not need to invent missing details. If the text does not give you enough information either way, choose ‘Not Stated’.

Secondly, one of the most common areas of confusion is distinguishing between ‘Contradicted’ and ‘Not Stated’ statements. These sometimes subtle differences can be especially tricky, so spend extra time reading and rereading to make sure. Here are examples to illustrate the difference:

Example 1:
- Text extract: “Researchers counted 50 red foxes in the area ten years ago and 30 this year.”
- Statement: “Red foxes are now extinct in the area.”
- Analysis: The text says that 30 foxes were counted this year, so it contradicts the claim that there are none. The statement is ‘Contradicted’.
Example 2:
- Text extract: “Global warming has led to noticeable changes in rainfall patterns.”
- Statement: “Global warming has caused a decrease in rainfall in tropical regions.”
- Analysis: The text mentions changes in rainfall patterns due to global warming but does not specify what these changes are or mention tropical regions. Hence, the statement is ‘Not Stated’.

Tips for avoiding common mistakes

Focus on exact wording: Pay close attention to the wording of both the text and the statements. Even slight differences in language can change the meaning.
Check for generalisations and extremes: Check whether the text supports or contradicts statements containing absolutes or generalisations. They are ‘Contradicted’ only when the text provides evidence against them; otherwise, the information may be not stated.
Practice with varied texts: Exposure to different types of texts in your preparation will help you become more adaptable in identifying nuances and varied expressions.
Regular review and self-assessment: Regularly review your practice answers, especially those you got wrong. Understanding your mistakes is key to improvement.

Practice makes perfect

As with most reading skills, practice makes a difference. Give your students time to explain their answers as well as choosing them.

To build your comprehension skills, read a wide range of texts. This includes newspapers, books, articles, and anything else you can get your hands on. Each type of text presents its own style and linguistic features. Make reading a daily habit. The more you read, the more you’ll improve in speed, comprehension, and vocabulary.

While practising reading tasks, focus on identifying main ideas, supporting details, and the author’s tone. This will help you in quickly checking the accuracy of statements. After completing a set of practice questions, take time to analyse your answers. Understand why certain answers are correct and where you might have gone wrong. This reflection deepens your understanding and improves your analytical skills.

Find a balance between speed and accuracy. You can allow time for skimming, scanning and checking each claim, then adjust the timing as learners gain confidence. Prioritise explaining the evidence before increasing the pace.

The materials

Use these three B2 reading-evidence lessons to put the strategies into practice. Each has an original text, six claims, a four-option question, an answer key with evidence explanations and teaching notes. Read and summarise, check the claims, notice a limiting expression and explain the distractors. Try one lesson on its own or use all three to practise with different types of text.