OET Reading Part C tests higher-level comprehension. Unlike Parts A and B (which focus on short texts and facts), Part C checks whether you can understand implied meaning, writer attitude, argument structure, and how ideas link together. This is why Part C often feels the hardest.

What Part C looks like (overview)

Common challenges candidates face

• Passages are long and use dense academic language.

• Multiple-choice options are paraphrased — a tempting distractor may sound correct but isn’t what the author meant.

• Distinguishing fact vs. opinion and identifying the writer’s tone (neutral, critical, positive, cautious).

• Time pressure — reading in detail wastes precious minutes.

• Over-reliance on matching keywords instead of understanding meaning.

Smart step-by-step approach (practical routine)

1. Read the title + first paragraph (30–40 seconds)

   • This gives you the topic and the writer’s main position.

2. Skim each paragraph (1–2 minutes total per passage)

   • Read the first sentence of each paragraph and note the gist.

   • Mentally map where arguments, examples, and conclusions are.

3. Read the questions before deep reading (30–60 seconds)

   • Highlight keywords in the question (topic, perspective, contrast words).

   • This focuses your detailed reading on where answers are likely to be.

4. Scan the passage for the area related to the question (20–40 seconds per question)

   • Look for ideas, not exact words. Pay attention to synonyms and paraphrases.

5. Eliminate distractors

   • Cross out options that contradict the passage or add ideas not supported by it.

6. Choose the best inference

   • Prefer answers that reflect the writer’s meaning or attitude, not just shared words.

7. If stuck, mark & move on (don’t spend too long on one question)

   • Return at the end if time allows.

Key reading techniques (what to do while you read)

• Skimming first, scanning later — get the structure, then hunt specifics.

• Underline signal words: however, therefore, in contrast, notably, unfortunately — these clue tone and logical steps.

• Look for evaluative language (adjectives/adverbs) — they reveal stance.

• Notice contrast and concession (e.g., “although,” “despite”) — often the focus of MCQs.

• Paraphrase mentally — turn complex sentences into a short plain sentence in your head.

• Map paragraph roles: claim, evidence, example, consequence, recommendation.

How to identify tone & writer attitude

• Neutral/Descriptive: facts, data, few opinions.

• Positive/Supportive: approving adjectives, forward-looking language.

• Critical/Cautious: hedging words (may, might), qualifiers (limited, unclear), negative adverbs (unfortunately).

• Look for: strong evaluative words vs. factual verbs (describe, report).

Time management plan (example)

• Skim Passage 1 (title + first sentence of each para): 2 minutes

• Skim Passage 2: 2 minutes

• Read questions for Passage 1: 1 minute

• Answer Passage 1 (scan & select for 8 Qs): 10–12 minutes

• Read questions for Passage 2: 1 minute

• Answer Passage 2 (scan & select for 8 Qs): 10–12 minutes

• Review flagged items: 3–5 minutes

Total ? 30–35 minutes (adjust to suit your reading speed).

Common traps & how to avoid them

• Trap: choosing an option with matching words.
  Fix: check whether the idea is actually stated or merely similar wording.

• Trap: confusing author’s view with cited views.
  Fix: ask: “Is the sentence the author’s opinion or someone else’s?” Look for reporting verbs (suggests, claim, argue).

• Trap: ignoring qualifiers.
  Fix: notice words like may, might, appears, suggests — these weaken claims.

• Trap: spending too long on one question.
  Fix: flag and move on; return if time allows.

Question types you’ll commonly face

• Main idea / gist — what is the passage mainly about?

• Author’s purpose — why was this written (inform, recommend, criticise)?

• Inference — what does the author imply (not directly stated)?

• Detail — where in the text is a specific fact mentioned?

• Attitude / tone — is the author positive, neutral, or critical?

• Reference — what does “this” / “these” refer to?

Practice & improvement tips

• Practice with 800-word healthcare passages (journals, reports).

• Time yourself and simulate exam conditions.

• Do focused drills: tone recognition, paraphrase practice, and eliminating distractors.

• Summarize paragraphs in one short sentence to train gist extraction.

• Review wrong answers carefully — locate why the distractor seemed plausible.

• Use official OET materials whenever possible, because wording and question style match the test.

Quick checklist before you submit answers

• Did you skim for structure first? ?

• Did you read the questions before detailed reading? ?

• Did you remove options that contradict the text? ?

• Did you favour meaning over keyword matches? ?

• Did you keep track of time and flag hard Qs? ?

Final note

Part C rewards active, strategic reading  not slow, word-for-word reading. Train your eyes to find meaning quickly, practise making paragraph summaries, and focus on tone and inference. With systematic practice and timed drills, Part C becomes manageable  and your overall OET Reading score will improve.