Information-transfer questions
Information-transfer questions are a common testing technique in reading tests as well. It is a testing technique where the information transmitted verbally is transferred to graphic texts in non-verbal forms, such as diagrams, charts and tables (Khalifa & Weir, 2009: 88). Generally, candidates are asked to identify the required information in the target text and then to transfer it into a table, flow-chart, diagram, map or a graph. Sometimes the answers consist of names and numbers easily found and can be marked objectively; at other times, they require phrases or short sentences paraphrased and need to be marked subjectively. The official description indicates that diagram completion, flow-chart completion and table completion are typical forms of information-transfer technique in IELTS reading tests.