Language Skills: Reading and Writing Flashcards
6 cards from real TEFL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Language Skills: Reading and Writing flashcards as text
What is 'schema theory' and how does it apply to TEFL reading?
Answer: The idea that readers use prior background knowledge to make sense of new text, aiding comprehension
Schema theory explains that readers draw on stored knowledge about topics and text types; activating schemata before reading improves comprehension significantly.
What is 'coherence' in writing, distinct from cohesion?
Answer: The logical organisation and flow of ideas so that the text makes sense as a whole
Coherence is the underlying logic and organisation of ideas, while cohesion is the surface-level linguistic linking — both are needed for effective writing.
What is a 'dictogloss' activity in reading/writing teaching?
Answer: A technique where students listen to a text, take notes, then reconstruct it collaboratively to focus on form and meaning
Dictogloss requires students to listen, note key words, then reconstruct the text in groups, integrating skills of listening, discussion, writing, and grammar awareness.
What does 'guided writing' involve in a TEFL lesson?
Answer: The teacher provides models, frameworks, or prompts to support students through the writing process
Guided writing gives learners enough support (sentence frames, model paragraphs, prompts) to produce writing they could not yet manage independently.
What is a 'topic sentence' and why is it important in EFL writing instruction?
Answer: The first sentence of a paragraph that states the main idea of that paragraph
Topic sentences give readers a clear signal about the paragraph's focus and help writers organise their ideas logically.
Which reading sub-skill is being practised when students answer multiple-choice questions about specific facts in a text?
Answer: Scanning for specific information
Finding specific factual details requires scanning — moving quickly to locate the targeted information rather than reading everything carefully.