Answers and Discussion

Starters Reading & Writing Component

Overview

The Starters Reading & Writing component lasts 20 minutes.

Part	Main Skill Focus	Input	Response	Questions
1	Reading short sentences and recognising words	5 lexical items with pictures	Indicate true with a tick, false with a cross	5
2	Reading for recognition of lexical items, numbers, location and grammar Writing one word answers	1 picture, 5 sentences	Write 'yes' or 'no' next to the sentences	5
3	Spelling single words Writing single words	5 pictures, 5 anagrams	Write words	5
4	Reading a text Writing missing words (nouns)	Cloze text, words and pictures	Choose and copy missing words	5
5	Reading questions about a picture story Writing one word answers	Story presented through 3 pictures with 5 questions	Write one-word answers to questions	5
Total				25 marks

Understanding the Tasks

To understand what is required of candidates in this part of the test, look at this sample of a Starters Reading & Writing test, and think about the questions below.

      Starters Reading & Writing sample test

Things to consider

1. What skills are being tested?
   
   
2. What support is given to children to help them complete the tasks?
   
   
3. What different kinds of responses are expected of the candidates?
   
   
4. How do the tasks take into account concentration spans and maintaining interest?