IELTS General Training Reading Task Type 2 (Identifying Information) and Task

Type 3 (Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims) – teacher’s notes

Description
An activity to introduce task types 2 and 3, identification of information or writer’s views, claims in the text,
which clarifies the instructions and suggests a strategy for answering it

Time required: 60 minutes

Additional  Any two samples of past paper questions showing a) task type 2,
materials and b) task type 3
required:
Aims:  to introduce students to task types 2 and 3 by giving practice in
using a strategy of comparing the key information in the text with the
statements

Procedure
1. Give out the examples of task types 2 and 3. Ask students to find the difference. The difference is that
one example is Yes/No/Not Given, and the other is True/False/Not Given. If the statements are
opinions or attitudes, the candidate is asked if the statements agree with or reflect the views or claims
of the writer (as in the first example). The choice of answers in this case is either ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘not
given’. If the statements concern factual information, the candidate is asked if the statements agree
with the information in the text (as in the second example). The choice of answers in this case is
‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘not given’. Students’ strategies for approaching the two variants should be the same.
2. Hand out the sample reading text and task. Direct students to the instructions first of all and check
they understand the task. In this case, the answer options are true, false or not given as the
statements are factual.
‘True’ means that the statement means the same as the information in the text, ‘false’ means that the
statement gives incorrect information, ‘not given’ means that the statement is neither confirmed nor
contradicted by the information in the text – in other words the information is not included in the text.
3. Ask students to look at the heading of the text and skim-read the text quickly to get a general idea of
what it is about. After a minute, hold a brief class check of what type of text it is and what the main
points are.
4. Direct students to the statements 1-8. Students read and underline the main factual point(s) of each
statement and decide what type of fact it is – e.g.
Q1: You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.
(a fact about time)
If students need help with this, you could give them the types of facts (see key) in random order and
ask them to match these to the statements.
5. Whole-class check
6. Students discuss in pairs which information in each statement they will scan the text for – e.g. for Q1
scan for arrive, words about starting time.

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
 Ask the students if they expect the same words to be found in the statements as in the text. Elicit that
they will be different and so they should be aware of paraphrasing. Ask students in pairs to brainstorm
possible paraphrasing of the key information in each statement – e.g. in Q1, words about starting time
could be start time, beginning of the race, etc; ‘arrive’ could be turn up, appear, etc.
7. Students now scan the text looking for key words and the facts. Remind students to only read in detail
when they have found the relevant part of the text. Ask students to underline the relevant parts of the
text for each answer.
8. Students compare answers in pairs.
9. Hand out the worksheet to the students. The a) sentences on the worksheet should match the
students’ underlined parts of the text as these are the parts that contain the answers. The b)
sentences are the statements for comparison. Students can use the worksheet to check their
answers, or to help them choose an answer if they need help.
10. Elicit and check answers.
11. Discuss any language points that came up when comparing the statements and the text.
12. Review the steps involved in this task type.

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
IELTS General Training Reading Task Type 2 (Identifying Information) and Task
Type 3 (Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims) – answer keys

Key to Procedure Step 4

1 You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.
fact about time

2 Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.
fact about time

3 Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.

fact about transport

4 Helmets are compulsory for all participants.

fact about equipment/rules

5 Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.

fact about what is provided/cost

6 If you need a rest you must get off the road.

fact about race rules

7 First aid staff can provide cycle capes.

fact about equipment

8 Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.
fact about race rules/cost

Key to the worksheet

The sections of the text containing the key information which show whether the statements are true, false or
not given are underlined.
1.a) Your Start Time ... . Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before that time.
b) You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.
True
2.a) Mechanical assistance is free when you show your Rider Identity Card.
b) Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.
Not Given

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
3.a) Although many roads are closed to oncoming traffic, this is not always the case and you should be
aware of the possibility that there could be vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
b) Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.
True
4.a) Every year we are delighted to see more riders wearing protective helmets, but we would like to see
every cyclist on the ride wearing one.
b) Helmets are compulsory for all participants.
False
5.a) Refreshment stops: Most are organised by voluntary clubs and their prices give you real value for
money.
b) Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.
False
6.a) If a motorcycle marshal slows down to help you, but you have just stopped for a rest and don’t need
help, ...
b) If you need a rest you must get off the road.
Not Given
7.a) Good waterproofs, like a cycle cape, are essential. Our first aid staff can only supply bin liners...
b) First aid staff can provide cycle capes.
False
8.a) You will be charged for all costs incurred in returning your cycle.
b) First Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.
True

Key to Sample Task

1 TRUE
2 NOT GIVEN
3 TRUE
4 FALSE
5 FALSE
6 NOT GIVEN
7 FALSE
8 TRUE

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
IELTS General Training Reading Task Type 2 (Identifying Information) and Task
Type 3 (Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims) – Student’s Worksheet

Read each pair of sentences carefully.

Does sentence a) have the same meaning as sentence b)? This means you answer ‘True’.
Does sentence a) have some information that is different from sentence b)? This means you answer ‘False’.
Do the two sentences talk about different things? This means you answer ‘Not given’.
1. a) Your Start Time ... . Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before that time.
b) You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.

2. a) Mechanical assistance is free when you show your Rider Identity Card.
b) Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.

3. a) Although many roads are closed to oncoming traffic, this is not always the case and you should be
aware of the possibility that there could be vehicles coming in the opposite direction.
b) Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.

4. a) Every year we are delighted to see more riders wearing protective helmets, but we would like to
see every cyclist on the ride wearing one.
b) Helmets are compulsory for all participants.

5. a) Refreshment stops: Most are organised by voluntary clubs and their prices give you real value for
money.
b) Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.

6. a) If a motorcycle marshal slows down to help you, but you have just stopped for a rest and don’t
need help, ...
b) If you need a rest you must get off the road.

7. a) Good waterproofs, like a cycle cape, are essential. Our first aid staff can only supply bin liners...
b) First aid staff can provide cycle capes.

8. a) You will be charged for all costs incurred in returning your cycle.
b) First Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
IELTS General Training Reading Task Type 2 (Identifying Information) and Task
Type 3 (Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims) – Sample Task

Sample Task
Read the text below and answer Questions 1-8

London to Brighton Bike Ride

The start
The bike ride starts at Clapham Common tube station.
• Your Start Time is indicated by the colour of your body number in this pack. It is also printed on the address label of
the envelope. Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before that time.
• We allocate an equal number of cyclists for each Start Time to ensure a steady flow. Please keep to the time you've
been given so we can keep to our schedule and avoid delaying other riders and prevent 'bunching' further down the
route.
• An Information Point, toilets and refreshment stands will be open from very early in the day.

Ride carefully
We put together as many facilities as possible to help ensure you have a trouble-free day. But we also rely on you to ride
safely and with due consideration for other cyclists and road users. Although many roads are closed to oncoming traffic,
this is not always the case and you should be aware of the possibility that there could be vehicles coming in the opposite
direction. Please do not attempt reckless overtaking whilst riding – remember it is NOT a race.

Follow all instructions

Every effort is made to ensure that the route is well signed and marshalled. Please obey all directions from police and
marshals on the route. If you hear a motorcycle marshal blow his/her whistle three times, move left.

Wear a helmet
Every year we are delighted to see more riders wearing protective helmets, but we would like to see every cyclist on the
ride wearing one. More than half of reported injuries in cycling accidents are to the head, and a helmet gives the best
protection when the head hits the ground.

Attracting assistance
If you have an accident, ask a marshal for help; they are in contact with the support/emergency services. To call for help
from our motorcycle marshals, give a 'thumbs down' signal. The marshal will do all he/she can to help, providing he/she
is not already going to a more serious accident. If a motorcycle marshal slows down to help you, but you have just
stopped for a rest and don't need help, please give a 'thumbs up' signal and he/she will carry on. Remember – thumbs
down means 'I need help'.

In case of breakdown
Refer to your route map and make your way to a Mechanics Point. Mechanical assistance is free when you show your
Rider Identity Card; you just pay for the parts.

Refreshment stops
Look out for these along the route. Most are organised by voluntary clubs and their prices give you real value for money.
They are also raising money for their local communities and the British Heart Foundation, so please give them your
support.

Rain or shine – be prepared

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions
In the event of very bad weather, watch out for signs to wet weather stations en route. Good waterproofs, like a cycle
cape, are essential. Our first aid staff can only supply bin liners and by the time you get one you may be very wet.
However, the English summer is unpredictable – it may also be hot, so don't forget the sun protection cream as well!

If you have to drop out

We will try to pick up your bike for you on the day. Call Bike Events (01225 310859) no more than two weeks after the
ride to arrange collection. Sorry, we cannot guarantee this service nor can we accept liability for any loss or damage to
your bike. Bike Events will hold your bike for three months, after which it may be disposed of. You will be charged for
all costs incurred in returning your cycle.

Questions 1 – 8

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text on pages 1 and 2?
In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1 You should not arrive more than half an hour before your allocated starting time.

2 Your Rider Identity Card will be sent to you before the event.

3 Some roads may have normal traffic flow on them.

4 Helmets are compulsory for all participants.

5 Refreshments are free to all participants during the ride.

6 If you need a rest you must get off the road.

7 First aid staff can provide cycle capes.

8 Bike Events will charge you for the return of your bike.

© UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom
use provided no charge is made. For further information see our Terms and Conditions