When we talk about reading IELTS, we talk about the use of some
techniques used in answering questions. However, it seems that these
techniques are just not enough for upgrading test taker score. So, is
there any other actions that test taker can do to improve his or her
score? Well, test taker could also take some other actions to support
his or her effort to up grade reading score through improving his or her
reading skill.
The first thing is making reading as a habit. It
means that test taker could have some sources of reading such as
magazine, English books, or newspaper to read regularly.
The
second is learning to look at several words at one time of reading.
Sometimes, test taker loves to fixate only at one word when he or she
reads a book. This kind of action is slowing down his or her ability in
reading because it takes longer time to get the content. That is why
test taker needs to learn on how to fixate a larger group of words at a
time to maximize the reading activity itself.
Elements of reading
can also be mastered by test taker by providing some regular fixed time
to read. Test taker should provide more time to enlarge his or her scope
of reading, especially to some topics about academic subject. This will
enrich test taker’s bank of vocabulary related to the topic that is
usually taken in reading IELTS at the same time improving his or her
skill to have a better reading comprehension.
Test taker should
also avoid a habit in moving lips in reading because this action tends
to slow down eye movement that will give consequence on the reduction of
test taker’s reading speed. Reading speed will get better when test
taker maximize his or her eye movement and mind while reducing his or
her lip movement.
Test taker could also improve the level of
reading comprehension by summarizing things that he or she has read
previously. This exercise will be good to train test taker’s ability in
memorizing the point of the reading text as well. Whenever test taker
has been able to do this action well, he or she can try to read in a
faster speed and check his or her comprehension again. Test taker can
set a time, for example 30 minutes to read daily then do word count for
one minute-reading. This note can be a guideline for him or her as a
starting to keep improving the number.
Bringing a pocket
dictionary with a test taker is also a positive action to take. Test
taker can look at the dictionary right away after getting difficult
word. Making a list of some new words can also help him or her not to
forget the meaning of some new words they have met.
The last thing
is sharpening the focus in reading. Focus is very important because
without it, test taker will find it difficult to get the main thing
which is discussed in the text. So, instead of reading fast without
focus, test taker could insert this important point as well to maximize
the improvement of this receptive skill.
Reference: http://ieltsreadingskills.wetpaint.com/
