What to initially read in reading part A.
For reading part A, because you really don’t have much time to waste in 15 minutes, I would advise you to read only a few select things first before attempting to answer the gap fills.
Firstly, read the text stimulus headings, taking note of the key words and what aspect of the overall topic it is covering. For instance, if the entire topic is on vasectomy, then text A may be on the associated risks of prostate cancer in those who have undergone vasectomy, text B may be on the incidence of vasectomy over age and years, text C on the complications of vasectomy and it’s reversibility, text D on the reversibility of vasectomy. By noting this, when in the question it mentions vasectomy reversal, you can be aware to refer to either text C or D for the answer.
Furthermore, as the question passage is of a reporting form, it will often refer to the sources from which it is drawing information from before going onto speak about its content. Therefore, these will be cues for you to know which text to locate your answer. It is important to take note not only of the headings but also what text type it is. For example, is it a study, a research abstract, a literature review, a case study, a statistic, a newspaper journal, a report, a Q&A patient brochure etc? So in the question sheet it might say “according to a case study performed…” and if you had noted that text B was a case study then you can refer to that text to scan for the answer.
I think you get the idea so I will list the features to look out for before you begin attempting to answer the questions from Part A reading.
- Heading: and key words/topics in that heading/subheading (n.b. subheadings can be the questions in a Q&A, the aims of a research abstract)
- Text type: study, report, experiment, survey, statistic, case study, literature review
- Authors: e.g. Wilson et al.
- Year of publication: e.g. the 2008 study.
- Place/country/name of publication/study: e.g US study, Canadian report, the Age newspaper.
After having glanced for this information, which should only take you a few seconds, then you go on to attempt the questions.
Good luck.
Example of a Writing Task OET for students to practice during Christmas holiday
You are a health professional at the Royal North Shore Hospital. Read the case notes and complete the writing task as follows:
Patient: Mr James Naismith
DOB: 25.12.1940
History:
1.1.2010
Symptom A, symptom B, symptom C
Examination shows sign A and sign B
Diagnosis: disease A
Prescribe drug A 25mg tid
1.1.2011
Reports compliance with therapy A
Symptoms B and C are worse
Examination shows sign C
Increase dosage of drug A 50mg tid
PMHx:
Chronic condition A since 2002
Surgery A in location A – 1996
Episode of acute condition A in 1995, resolved
FMHx:
Father died of disease B at age 65
Social history:
Widower, lives alone in Sydney Retirement Solutions
Quit smoking in 2005
Emergency contact is son who lives in Homebush, mobile: 0555 555 555
Plan: refer to specialist to discuss possibility of therapy A
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral for further investigation and discussion of a new management plan to the specialist Dr Michael Jordan, at 55 Main Street, Newtown.
In your answer:
– Expand on the relevant notes in complete sentences
– DO NOT use point form
– Use letter format
The body of the letter should be approximately 180-200 words
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