How to keep an English reading error notebook

Keep the decision, not just the answer letter

A useful error note makes your next reading action explicit. Record what the question asked, the sentence you relied on, and the mismatch between them. A single response is evidence about one attempt; it is not a diagnosis of your overall ability.

Try an original example

Nora first rejected the trip because the train tickets were expensive. Later, a group discount became available, and she joined her friends. Why did Nora first reject the trip? A: The tickets cost too much. B: A discount became available. Choose and underline your evidence before reading on.

Check the time condition

A answers the question. The discount is a true event, but it belongs to the later change. If you chose B, a precise note is: “I found a related sentence but did not match its time to first.” This tells you what to check next.

Use a four-line template

Question condition: first rejection. My evidence: the sentence I actually used. Mismatch: first versus later. Next action: mark the time word before choosing a reason. Keep an independent first answer separate from a correct answer after a hint.

Transfer to a different passage

Owen initially worked at home because the office was being repaired. When repairs finished, he returned to the office. Explain why he initially worked at home without looking at the previous answer. The repair in progress is the evidence; its later completion describes a change.

Practise with ReadTrace

The authored sample lets you answer, compare evidence and retry. Photo OCR currently brings in text for correction and saving; it does not promise a complete lesson for every image. For turning a reading idea into a written argument, explore EssayStep.

Further reading

Background and primary sources, not evidence of this product’s effectiveness.

• British Council · Reading practice