C1 Advanced Exam Guide: Cross Text Multiple Matching
Reading & Use of English Paper
Overview
Context: Part 6 of the Reading & Use of English paper comprises four short texts linked by a common theme, followed by four multiple-matching prompts.
Task: Candidates are required to match prompts to relevant elements in the texts. This involves understanding opinions and attitudes within each text to identify similarities or differences among the writers. The focus is on identifying the subject of the opinion rather than the opinion itself, necessitating an analysis of each text to ascertain the writers' viewpoints.
Objective: To assess the ability to read across texts, understand various opinions and attitudes, and discern agreement or disagreement among different writers.
Scoring & Marks: The four questions are worth eight points, so two points for each. There are 78 points available for the whole Reading & Use of English paper.
How to Approach
- Diverse Text Exposure: Try to read texts that present various perspectives on a single theme, such as differing reviews or expert opinions.
- Analytical Reading: Read each text to identify the general stance of the writers and underline parts that express an opinion or attitude.
- Key Word Focus: Identify and underline key words in each prompt, ensuring you comprehend what aspect of the opinion is being tested.
- Comparative Analysis: Make sure you analyse all texts to determine which text aligns or contrasts with the stated opinion in the prompt.
Assessment Focus
This part emphasizes identifying and comparing opinions and attitudes across different texts.
Tips
- Develop skills in quickly identifying opinions and attitudes in various texts.
- Practise identifying key words in prompts and relating them to the texts.
- Do annotation and note-taking while reading to identify key opinions and attitudes.
- Practise with exercises that require finding connections between different texts.
How It Looks
Student Suggestion
"Studying a range of texts with differing viewpoints helped me to better understand and compare opinions, crucial for this part of the exam." - Min-ji Kim
