The Reading paper does not test word-for-word translation; it tests understanding a text quickly and accurately: the main idea, details, the writer’s view, the meaning of a word in context and the logic between sentences. In the exam, texts usually move from simple (A2–B1: notices, letters, short messages) to complex (B2–C1: popular-science articles); the exact format and number of questions are published in the official sample (uzbmb.uz). This lesson covers the task types, reading strategies, recognising paraphrase, the logic of True/False/Not Given and time management, step by step.
§1. What Reading tests and the task types
Reading tests several skills: finding the main idea, locating specific information, identifying the writer’s opinion and purpose, working out word meaning from context and understanding text structure (which sentence fits where).
Typical tasks:
Gap completion — one or two words in a sentence or summary; keep to the word limit (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS).
Matching headings — the main idea of each paragraph.
Matching information — which paragraph contains which fact.
True / False / Not Given — the statement agrees with the text, contradicts it, or is not mentioned.
Multiple choice — details, inference, the writer’s purpose.
Inserting sentences or paragraphs — logical and grammatical cohesion.
Reading = main idea + detail + writer’s view + meaning in context + structure.
Skimming — a fast read for the general idea: the title and the first and last sentences of each paragraph. The aim is to know what the text is about and where things are.
Scanning — searching for specific information (a number, name, date or term): your eyes do not read; they hunt for the target. Capital letters and figures stand out.
Detailed reading — careful reading of the relevant part, paying attention to every word.
An efficient sequence:
Read the questions and underline the key words.
Skim the text (one or two minutes).
For each question, scan for the key word or its synonym.
Read that part in detail.
Confirm the answer against the text.
In many task types the answers come in order in the text (the answer to question 1 comes before the answer to question 2), but matching headings does not follow this order.
§3. Paraphrase — the key skill
Questions almost never repeat the words of the text exactly; they use synonyms, a different part of speech or a different structure.
Text: The number of tourists rose sharply in 2023.
Question: There was a significant increase in visitors in 2023.
Here rose → increase (verb → noun), sharply → significant, tourists → visitors.
Types of paraphrase:
Synonyms: buy → purchase, begin → start, help → assist.
Part of speech: decide → decision, important → importance.
Active/passive: Scientists discovered it → It was discovered.
Negation: cheap → not expensive.
If an option repeats words from the text exactly, be careful: it is often a distractor with the same words but a different meaning.
Worked example
Text: Although the project was expensive, the council approved it because it would create jobs. Question: Why did the council support the project? A) because it was cheap B) because it would provide employment C) because it was expensive.
The key word support appears in the text as its synonym approved.
The reason follows because: it would create jobs.
create jobs = provide employment — a paraphrase.
Option C repeats a word from the text (expensive), but that is not the reason — a trap.
Answer: B.
§4. True / False / Not Given
True — the text says the same thing (even in different words).
False — the text says the opposite; the statement contradicts it.
Not Given — the text has no information on this; it can be neither confirmed nor denied.
“Not mentioned” (Not Given) ≠ “the opposite is stated” (False)
Rely only on the text, never on your own knowledge. Watch for strong words: all, always, never, only, most, some — one word can change the answer.
Worked example
Text: Samarkand was an important stop on the Silk Road, where merchants exchanged silk, spices and paper. Statement: Samarkand was the largest city on the Silk Road.
The text mentions Samarkand’s importance (important stop).
It says nothing about its size or about comparisons with other cities.
The text neither confirms nor contradicts the statement.
Answer: Not Given.
Worked example
Text: Most students in the survey preferred online classes. Statement: All students in the survey preferred online classes.
The text says most; the statement says all.
most means not all, so the statement contradicts the text.
Answer: False.
§5. Unknown words and text structure
You do not need to know every word. Guess the meaning of an unknown word from:
Word formation: un- (not), -less (without), re- (again), -able (can be done).
Definitions or explanations: that is, in other words, an explanation in brackets.
Worked example
Text: The desert plant is remarkably resilient: even after months without rain, it recovers within days. What does resilient mean: A) beautiful B) able to recover quickly C) weak?
The colon after the word introduces an explanation.
The explanation: even after months without rain, the plant recovers within days.
This quality is coping with hardship and recovering quickly.
“Weak” contradicts the context and “beautiful” is unrelated to it.
Answer: B.
In structure tasks (inserting sentences or paragraphs), linkers and pronouns help: However contrasts with the previous idea; This or These refer to a noun in the previous sentence; For example follows a general statement.
§6. Time management and practice
Divide your time: less on the easier texts, more on the final, hardest one.
Do not get stuck on one question — mark it and come back. Never leave a question unanswered.
Do not leave transferring answers to the answer sheet until the last minute.
Read one English article a day (popular science, news) and write its main idea in one sentence.
Analyse every mistake: did you miss a paraphrase, overlook a strong word, or run out of time?
Check yourself
Which technique do you use to find an exact date quickly?
Text: Most students prefer online classes. Statement: All students like online classes. Answer?
Text: The museum opens at 9 a.m. Statement: The museum is free on Sundays. Answer?
Which technique do you use to get the general idea of a text quickly?
With NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, can you write the old city walls?
Text: The bridge was completed in 1998. Statement: Work on the bridge finished in 1998. Answer?
Which is a simple synonym of purchase: buy or sell?
A paragraph begins with However. How does it relate to the previous idea?
Common mistakes
Slowly translating the whole text from start to finish — you will run out of time.
Answering from your own knowledge — rely only on the text.
Exceeding the word limit or misspelling — the answer is marked wrong.
Confusing Not Given with False.
Overlooking strong words such as all, always, never, only.
Choosing an option because it repeats words from the text without checking the meaning.