TCF Reading Part B has six short texts from the healthcare workplace, such as policies, memos, guidelines and staff emails. Each one has one multiple-choice question with three options. The question usually asks for the main purpose of the text or a specific instruction. Parts B and C share one 45-minute block, so Part B should not take more than about 12 minutes.
Part B at a glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Texts | 6 short texts, each about 100 to 150 words |
| Questions | 6, one per text, three options |
| Time | Shared 45 minutes with Part C, aim for 10 to 12 minutes |
| Focus | Purpose, gist, or a specific instruction or rule |
Question patterns to recognise
- Purpose: "The purpose of this email is to..."
- Instruction: "According to the policy, staff must..."
- Condition: "The guideline says the procedure should be stopped if..."
A method for each text
- Read the question first. Know whether you are looking for a purpose or a detail before you read.
- Read the whole text once. They are short, and the purpose is often in the last line: "Please ensure all staff complete the form by Friday."
- Check each option against the text. The right option usually says the same thing in different words. Be wary of options that copy the text word for word.
- Watch the qualifiers. "Must", "may", "all", "only" and "unless" change the meaning. A distractor often changes one of them.
Common mistakes
- Answering from what good practice would be, instead of what the text says.
- Spending too long on one text and running short on Part C.
- Missing a condition or exception near the end of the text.
How to practise Part B
Read real workplace documents, such as hospital policies and product safety notices, and write their purpose in ten words or fewer. Then practise timed sets of six in the Exam Hero question bank, with a clock set for 12 minutes.
