1Reading With Purpose
Do not read the materials like a novel. Read to answer specific questions: what is the problem, who are the players, what are the options, what does the data show.
An Active Reading Method
- Read with guiding questions in mind rather than passively absorbing every line.必考
- Annotate as you go — mark facts, figures and conflicting claims for quick retrieval.
- Distinguish hard facts from opinions and assumptions embedded in the sources.易錯
- Note the source and possible bias of each viewpoint — who says it and why.比較
Note-taking
A one-page scratch summary — problem, key facts, options, stakeholders — is worth the time. It becomes the backbone of your answer and stops you re-reading the pack.
2Handling Data and Contradiction
Materials often include tables and figures, and sources may disagree. Reading the numbers correctly and reconciling contradictions is where many candidates slip.
Reading Numbers and Conflicts
- Check what each figure actually measures — units, time frame, and what is excluded.必考
- Look for trends and comparisons, not just single values, to see the bigger picture.數字位
- When sources conflict, note it explicitly and consider which is more reliable or relevant.易錯
- Avoid over-reading the data — do not claim more than the figures support.
Critical reading
If two sources conflict, do not silently pick one. Acknowledging the conflict and explaining your choice shows the critical judgement markers reward.
3Turning Reading Into Structure
The goal of reading is not comprehension for its own sake but building the raw material for your analysis. Organise what you find so it maps onto your answer.
From Notes to Outline
- Group your notes under problem, options, and impacts so they feed the analysis directly.必考
- Identify the two or three decisive facts that will drive your recommendation.
- Discard irrelevant detail — not everything in the pack needs to appear in your answer.易錯
- Let the structure of your notes preview the structure of your essay.
Prioritising
Ask which facts, if removed, would change your recommendation. Those are the ones to foreground; the rest is background.
