A DETAILED GUIDE TO BEC VANTAGE BEC VANTAGE TEST OF READING Time: 1 hour Number of PART Main Skill Focus Input Response Questions 1 Reading – scanning and gist One longer or four shorter Matching 7 informational texts (approx. 250 – 350 words in total) 2 Reading – understanding text Single text: article, report, etc. with Matching 5 structure sentence level gaps (text plus 7 option sentences approx. 450 – 550 words in total) 3 Reading for gist and specific Single text (approx. 450 – 550 words) 4-option multiple 6 information choice 4 Reading – vocabulary and structure Single informational text with lexical 4-option multiple 15 gaps (text including gapped words choice cloze approx. 200 – 300 words) 5 Reading – understanding sentence Short text (approx. 150 – 200 words) Proof reading 12 structure / error identification Identification of additional unnecessary words in text A DETAILED LOOK AT THE TASKS Part Two This is a matching task, comprising a text that has had six Part One sentences removed from it and a set of seven sentences This is a matching task. There are four short texts on a labelled A – G. Candidates are required to match each gap related theme (. descriptions of a group of products, or with the sentence which they think fits in terms of meaning advertisements for jobs) or a single text divided into four and structure. The first gap is always given as an example so sections. Although the context of each text will be similar, that candidates have five gaps left plete. When they there will also be information that is particular to each text. have finished this part there will be one sentence left which The texts are labelled A – D. Candidates are presented with a they have not used. set of seven items which are statements related to the texts. They are expected to match each statement with the relevant The texts for this part will have been chosen because they text. have a clear line of thought or