Aptis Reading Test Part 4: Long text Comprehension

Aptis Reading Test Part 4: Long Text Comprehension

Part 4 of the Reading Test in both Aptis General and Aptis for Teachers is long text comprehension. You have to read a text of seven paragraphs and choose the best heading for each paragraph from a list of eight. To complete the task you must select the appropriate heading from a drop-down list.

In the official exam the texts are of about 750 words, but we’re keeping our practice tests to about 600/650. This is to make the task more mobile-friendly, as we know that about half our visitors are using mobiles. Either way, you have to scroll the reading text in order to see all of it. However, we recommend doing this part on computer if possible, as it’s easier to see the text as a whole.

Preparation

As we’ve said before, the best way to prepare in general is to read as much as you can, and as many different texts as you can. This will help you with your English in every way. We’ve used various sources as inspiration for writing these texts for you, including wikipedia. As we recommend in Top Tips to Help you Pass the Aptis Reading Test, check out Simple English Wikipedia. Another great place to go is the BBC’s 6-Minute English, which deals with a different topic each time. It’s a listening exercise, but you can also download the scripts to read.

Timing

How to approach the long text comprehension task

Our advice for this part is very similar to what we advised for Part 3.

Quickly read each paragraph to get a general idea of what the text is about. This type of reading is called skimming.

Then look at the headings and read the paragraphs again, more slowly this time, with the headings in mind.

Be careful – sometimes the paragraphs contain the same words as one of the headings, but that doesn’t always mean it’s the correct answer.

Read everything again once you’ve finished. You can always go back and change your answers.

Even if you’re not sure about the answer, never leave anything blank.

Reading Practice Test Part 4:  Long text Comprehension

We advise you to do our practice tests in exam conditions so that you get used to reading under pressure. This means keeping an eye on the time. We recommend you to spend no longer than 13 or 14 minutes on this part.

No examples are done for you in this part of the test. Press ‘Check’ when you’ve finished. If you’ve made a mistake, press ‘Retry‘.  If you still haven’t got it right, you can look at the solution.