What these tasks measure

• Can you reduce a passage to key ideas
• Can you supply the missing idea in the right word form
• Can you follow sequence and cause effect links

Gold rules for answers

1. Obey the limit: ONE WORD, TWO WORDS, or TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.
2. Take from the text unless the test says choose from a box.
3. Word class fit: noun, verb, adjective, number, or date must fit the grammar.
4. Spelling must match the passage.
5. Hyphenated words count as one. Contractions count as one. Numbers can be digits or words.
6. If two possible forms fit, pick the one that appears in the text closest to the proof line.

Gap Fit Template Cards

Grammar fit card

• Before the gap is a/an or the → likely noun
• After be or become → likely adjective
• After to → likely base verb
• After numbers or adjectives → likely plural noun
• After preposition of, in, for → likely noun

Meaning fit card

• Replace the gap with your predicted word.
• Read the full sentence aloud quietly.
• If meaning or grammar breaks, try a synonym from the passage line above or below.

Proof Line Workflow

1. Read the instruction and target lines on the question page.
2. Skim the passage title and first lines for topic and structure.
3. Convert 2 keywords to 3 synonyms each.
4. Land on the likely paragraph in 15 to 25 seconds using anchors such as names, dates, rare nouns.
5. Read two lines above and below. Copy a 6 to 10 word proof phrase.
6. Apply Grammar fit and Meaning fit. Write the answer exactly.

Paraphrase ladders you can reuse

• cause → reason, lead to, result in
• effect → outcome, consequence, impact
• aim → goal, purpose, intention
• increase → rise, grow, expand
• reduce → cut, lower, decrease
• advantage → benefit, gain, upside
• problem → issue, obstacle, challenge

Numbers and units bank

Write common pairs in your notes so you copy them exactly.

• percentage, percent, %, ratio, fraction
• km, kg, kWh, tons, million, billion
• years, months, weeks, days, decade, century

Mini Labs with Keys

A) Summary completion

Text
Early buses were unreliable in winter because engines cooled quickly. Engineers added insulated fuel lines and a preheating system. After these changes, cold starts took less time and breakdowns fell.

Summary
Buses failed more often in winter due to fast engine cooling. Fixes included insulated fuel lines and a [1] system. As a result, [2] were faster and there were fewer breakdowns.
Limit: ONE WORD ONLY

Keys
[1] preheating
[2] starts
Rationales
[1] Matches the exact term in text and fits noun slot.
[2] Plural noun fits after faster and repeats meaning of cold starts.

B) Note completion

Text
The museum trialed shorter labels. Each label had two sentences plus an optional QR for detail. Visitors reported less fatigue and more time in the final rooms.

Notes
Label format

• length → [1] sentences
• extra info via [2] code
  Visitor effect
• lower [3]
• longer time in final rooms
  Limit: NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS

Keys
[1] two
[2] QR
[3] fatigue
Rationales
[1] Number from text, word class noun.
[2] Exact abbreviation used.
[3] Noun matches lower and the reported effect.

Flow chart completion

Text
The team surveyed commuters, then mapped delays on a timeline. Next they tested earlier bus departures on two routes. After four weeks, they compared average wait time with baseline and kept the better schedule.

Flow chart
survey commuters → map [1] → test earlier departures → compare [2] with baseline → keep better schedule
Limit: ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER

Keys
[1] delays
[2] wait time
Rationales
Both are lifted from the text and fit the sequence words map and compare.

Timing targets

• Locate zone: 15 to 25 seconds
• Proof capture: 20 to 30 seconds
• Gap decision: 10 to 15 seconds
• Skip at 45 seconds and return later

Common traps and fixes

• Keyword echo: Same word near the gap but wrong meaning. Fix: confirm with the full sentence.
• Wrong word class: A verb where a noun is needed. Fix: run the Grammar fit card.
• Scope slip: all vs most, only vs some. Fix: check quantifiers around the proof line.
• Number mismatch: singular vs plural. Fix: match article and verb agreement.
• Unit miss: missing km or %. Fix: copy the unit from the text if the sentence requires it.

Error log

• WF = word class wrong
• SP = spelling error
• NG = no proof line
• QF = quantifier or scope fail
• UN = unit missing or wrong
• TM = time wasted over 45 sec

Log format: Q no | your answer | correct | code | fix action

Daily 12 minute circuit

• Minute 1: Read instructions and limits.
• Minutes 2 to 4: Build 6 paraphrase pairs from the passage.
• Minutes 5 to 9: Do six gaps with full workflow.
• Minutes 10 to 11: Check answers and write one line rationale each.
• Minute 12: Update error codes and one fix rule.

One page toolkit to print

• Grammar fit card
• Meaning fit card
• Paraphrase ladders
• Numbers and units bank
• Error code log

Final reminder
Prove every answer with a line. Fit the grammar, respect the limit, and mirror the author’s wording where needed. If the sentence reads smoothly and the proof line matches the idea, you have the right completion.