Reading Academic – Session 6 – Labeling Questions (LQ)

This is a type of Detailing question. Labeling questions require you to locate specific information to fill out a form, diagram, or flowchart. Each answer usually has a word limit ranging from one to four words.

There are four key elements of LQs.

1. Questions are often put in categorized groups, so the answers are related only to the category of the group they belong to. For example, in the example below, questions 22-23 belong to the “Forms” group, and question 24 belongs to the “Most Common Form” group.
2. Most possible answers: nouns, names, numbers.
3. Less possible answers: verbs, adjectives, adverbs.
4. The remaining word types are not possible.

Tips

• Apply all the Reading rules.
• The groups’ categories are normally unchangeable keywords, which means they stay the same between the text and the questions.
• Information in the text that can be used to answer the questions also comes in the same groups as the questions. 
• DO NOT exceed the number of words allowed for each question. If two words are allowed, you can write one word or two words, but not three words. If you write three words, the answer is considered incorrect.
• Put the same words that you see in the texts in the answers. No change is needed.
• Both American spelling and British spelling are accepted.
• Always check your spelling after finishing the questions. Correct words but wrong spelling are still considered wrong answers.

Step-by-step strategy

Step 0: Look at the questions and identify the type of questions.

Step 1: Read and memorize at least the first questions in the first group of questions.

• Pay special attention to the group’s category. In the example above, make sure you memorize the word “Form”, and take note of two questions in this group. In this example, there are other words in the questions. But in many other cases, there are no other words in the questions.
• If there is more than one question in the group, you must remember at least the first two questions in the group.

Step 2: Read the text and find the answers for the first group.

• The answers appear only after the group’s category is mentioned. All the earlier details are mere distractions.
• Scan the text until you see the group’s category for the first time. That is when you can begin your search for answers.
• Remember to mark the “location” of each answer, that is, which line and paragraph the answer belongs to.

Step 3: Reread the unanswered questions and go back to the text, if needed, to answer them.

• Reread the questions, if needed, to refresh your memory
• Complete the first group questions before moving on.

Step 4: Repeat all the steps with the next groups and continue to read where you have left off.

Step 5: Check spelling and word limit.