All you want to know about Paper 1: Reading

• Reading
  Available as a paper-based test
  Available as a computer-based test
  Download a free pack of sample papers (zip file)
  

  What’s in the Reading paper?

  The Cambridge English: First Reading paper has different types of text and questions. In one part, you may have to read one long text or two or more shorter, related texts. 
  

  Summary

  Time allowed:	1 hour
  Number of parts:	3
  Number of questions:	30
  Marks:	20% of total
  Lengths of texts:	550–700 words per text: about 2,000 words to read in total
  Texts may be from:	newspaper and magazine articles, reports, fiction, advertisements, letters, messages, informational material (e.g. brochures, guides, manuals, etc.)

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  Parts 1–3

  Part 1 (Multiple choice)

  What's in Part 1?	A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D) and you have to decide which is the correct answer.
  What do I have to practise?	How to understand the details of a text, including opinions and attitudes.
  How many questions are there?	8
  How many marks do I get?	Two marks for each correct answer.

  Practise Part 1
  Now try Part 1 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
  

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  Part 2 (Gapped text)

  What's in Part 2?	A text with some empty spaces (gaps). After the text there are some sentences taken from the text. You have to choose the correct sentence for each gap.
  What do I have to practise?	How to understand the structure and follow the development of a text.
  How many questions are there?	7
  How many marks do I get?	Two marks for each correct answer.

  Practise Part 2
  Now try Part 2 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
  

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  Part 3 (Multiple matching)

  What's in Part 3?	A series of questions and a long text or several short texts to read. For each question, you have to decide which text or part of the text mentions some specific information.
  What do I have to practise?	How to find specific information in a text or texts.
  How many questions are there?	15
  How many marks do I get?	One mark for each correct answer.

  Practise Part 3
  Now try Part 3 from the sample Cambridge English: First Reading paper.
  

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  DOs and DON’Ts

  DOs

  1. Read the sources, titles and subtitles of the texts where given; they are there to help you.
  2. Read each text carefully before you answer the questions to get an overall impression and understanding of it. This includes Part 3, the multiple matching task.
  3. Remember, the missing word(s) may be forming part of an idiom, fixed phrase or collocation, so always check the words around the gap carefully. (Part 2)
  4. Remember, the missing sentence must fit the context of the passage, so always check that the completed paragraph makes sense in the passage as a whole. (Part 2)
  5. Keep an overall idea of the development of the text. You will need to check that the sentences chosen to fit the gaps in the base text fit the progression of the argument or narrative as a whole. (Part 2)
  6. Read the questions carefully and check each option against the text before rejecting it. (Part 2)

  DON'Ts

  1. Don't try to answer any questions without referring carefully to the text.
  2. Don't spend too much time on any one part of the paper.
  3. Don't forget to record your answers on the separate answer sheet.
  4. Don't assume that if the same word appears in the text as well as in an option, this means you have located the answer.

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  FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

  What aspects of reading are tested in this paper?

  You will need to show that you can understand specific information, main idea, text organisation and structure, tone, gist, opinion, attitude, detail and purpose. You will also need to be able to deduce meaning (work out the meaning of unknown vocabulary).
  

  How many marks is the Reading paper worth?

  Reading, Writing, Listening, Use of English and Speaking are each worth 20% of the total score for the Cambridge English: First exam.
  

  How long should I spend on each part?

  There is no time limit for each task; some tasks may take longer than others and you should be aware of how long you need for different tasks. However, remember that each part (1–3) is worth approximately the same number of marks overall.
  

  How do I answer the Reading paper?

  In this paper, you need to put the answers on an answer sheet by filling in a box in pencil.!!
  

  What is the range of text types in each part of the paper?

  It is possible for any of the text types listed above to appear in any part of the paper. Make sure you are familiar with any text type that might appear in the exam and with the different test focuses for each part. Appropriate tasks are selected to suit the individual text.
  

  What if I make a mistake on the answer sheet?

  If more than one lozenge has been completed for one question, the computer rejects the answer sheet, which is then dealt with on an individual basis. Checks are in place to identify incomplete answer sheets, which are also then checked.
  Cases where all the answers have been entered incorrectly, e.g. by putting answer 1 to question 2, answer 2 to question 3, etc., cannot be identified.
  You should be careful when filling in your answer sheet.