iBT Speaking Question 4: Split The Reading Split the reading into two pieces of information. Get the main idea which will probably be in the first sentence. Then scan the rest of the paragraph for another detail that stands out. Usually, this detail is in the last sentence. With two pieces of information, you’ve got two chances to speak about the reading during your response. In addition to that, there might be a connection between your detail from the reading and one in the lecture. Since you’ve only got forty-five seconds to take notes on the reading, setting a goal of two pieces of information will help you relax and focus on two things rather than scattering your attention all over the passage. Don’t even try to get it all if you’re slower at this task. Just split the reading into two pieces. Then, during the preparation time, thirty seconds, you can figure out where to fit that extra reading detail with lecture points. If there isn’t a fit then go ahead and just summarize the reading quickly before describing the points from the lecture. POSTED BY TOEFL TIGER AT 6:06 AM LINKS TO THIS POST LABELS: IBT SPEAKING QUESTION: 4 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007