Notes for Paper 2 (Reading) common pitfalls - IB | RevisionDojo
Paper 2 (Reading) common pitfalls Notes
Paper 2 (Reading): Common Pitfalls
Why it matters
Even strong readers lose marks in Paper 2 not because they don’t understand the text, but because they fall into avoidable traps.
Examiners look for evidence of comprehension, not just word-spotting.
Knowing the common pitfalls helps you read with purpose, manage time effectively, and turn understanding into marks.
Pitfalls to avoid
1. Lifting entire sentences without adjusting grammar
Examiners want your response, not a copy. If the sentence does not fit grammatically with the question, you will lose marks.
Solution:
Always rephrase in your own words.
If you copy part of a sentence, make sure it matches the question format (e.g., turn a statement into a noun phrase if the question asks “What is…”).
Example
“The company banned smoking inside to promote a healthier workplace.”
Why did the company ban smoking?
Wrong: “The company banned smoking inside to promote a healthier workplace.”
Right: “To promote a healthier workplace.”
2. Misidentifying tone
A neutral description is not the same as opinion. Pay attention to adjectives, adverbs, and overall context to avoid tone errors.
Solution:
Ask yourself: Is the writer simply describing, or are they evaluating/judging?
Highlight emotive words to distinguish fact from opinion.
Example
“The factory closed last year, leaving hundreds unemployed.”
Tone: Neutral description.
Wrong: “The writer is angry about the closure.”
Right: “The writer is stating a fact about the closure.”
3. Not managing time
If you spend too long on one passage, you risk rushing or leaving questions blank.
Aim for around 20 minutes per passage and move on when stuck.
Solution:
Watch the clock and set mini-deadlines.
If a question is taking too long, leave it and return later if you have time.
Example
Wrong: Spending 15 minutes struggling on one detail question, leaving no time for the last passage.
Right: Skipping the tricky question, completing the passage, and coming back with 2 minutes to attempt it.
Exam technique
Reading is about quality, not quantity.
You do not need every word, only enough to show you grasp main ideas, details, and tone.
End of article
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Note
Introduction to Paper 2 (Reading) Pitfalls
Paper 2 (Reading) is designed to test your comprehension skills, not just your ability to find words in a text.
Many students lose marks not because they don't understand the text, but because they fall into common traps.
Understanding these pitfalls can help you maximize your score and demonstrate your true reading ability.
AnalogyThink of Paper 2 like a treasure hunt - it's not just about finding the treasure (answers), but showing how you found it and understanding its value.
DefinitionComprehensionThe ability to understand and interpret what you read.
ExampleIn a recent exam, a student who understood the text perfectly still lost marks because they copied answers directly from the passage without rephrasing.
