ELT365 · D173 — Gist Questions for Reading: What Works and What Doesn’t

Idea — One gist question, answered in one sentence. Common mistake: setting multiple-choice for gist. True gist is open: ‘What is the writer’s main point?’ Answer in your own words.

Example — Poor gist: ‘Circle the correct summary A, B, or C.’ Strong gist: ‘What does the writer want us to do? Write one sentence.’

Try — Take three gist questions from a textbook. Are they truly asking for the overall message, or are they disguised detail questions?

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