60 Reading Part A Practice Questions with Answers | OET
OET Reading Part A tests expeditious reading, which means reading quickly to find specific information. You read four short texts used in healthcare settings and answer 20 questions: some ask which text contains a piece of information, and some ask you to complete a note or sentence with a word or short phrase from the texts. This post gives you 3 OET Reading Part A practice sets with 60 questions and answers, 20 questions for each set. For each answer, use the exact word or short phrase from the texts. In the real test you have 15 minutes for Part A, so practise working quickly.
Reading Set 1
Text A: Guideline Extract - Why Humidification Matters
A tracheostomy bypasses the nose and upper airway, which normally warm, moisten and filter inhaled air. Without adequate humidification, secretions may become thick and difficult to clear, increasing the risk of tube blockage and airway irritation. All patients therefore require an individual humidification plan based on their clinical condition, oxygen requirements and ability to manage secretions. Adequate hydration should also be encouraged when it is clinically appropriate. Humidification does not replace routine tracheostomy care or assessment. Staff should explain that noisy airflow alone does not necessarily indicate dryness; the consistency of secretions and the patient's effort when clearing them provide more useful evidence.
Text B: Humidification Device Guide
Heat and moisture exchanger (HME): a small filter attached to the tracheostomy that captures warmth and moisture from exhaled air. Suitable for many stable, spontaneously breathing patients with light or moderate secretions. Replace every 24 hours, or sooner if visibly soiled or blocked. Do not rinse or reuse.
Heated humidifier: delivers actively warmed, humidified gas through tubing. Consider when oxygen is delivered continuously, secretions are thick, or an HME is ineffective. Check the prescribed temperature setting and water chamber level.
Tracheostomy bib: provides limited passive humidification and may be useful during daytime periods for selected patients. It should not be treated as equivalent to a heated humidifier.
Text C: Routine Observation Checklist
At each care round, confirm that the prescribed humidification device is connected correctly and that airflow is unobstructed. Observe the amount, colour and consistency of secretions, and ask whether they are harder to clear than usual. Check the skin around the neck for dampness or irritation. When a heated system is used, keep the water chamber upright, below the level of the tracheostomy, and within the marked filling limits. Inspect the tubing for pooled condensation. Drain condensation away from the patient into the designated container, following local infection-control precautions. Record the device in use, secretion findings, comfort, oxygen delivery and any action taken in the care chart.
Text D: Memo - When to Request Specialist Advice
Contact the tracheostomy specialist team if secretions remain thick despite the current plan, humidification equipment repeatedly disconnects, or the patient cannot tolerate the prescribed device. Advice is also required before changing from a heated humidifier to an HME in a patient receiving continuous oxygen. Request prompt clinical review for blood-stained secretions, increasing breathlessness, new confusion or a sustained fall in oxygen saturation. If an HME becomes saturated with secretions, remove it immediately and fit a clean replacement while arranging assessment of the underlying cause. Document whom you contacted, the time of the call and any revised instructions. Equipment faults should additionally be reported to medical engineering according to local policy.
Questions 1-7
For each question, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the information can be found in. You may use any letter more than once.
1. In which text can you find information about the normal functions of the upper airway?
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Answer: Text A
2. In which text can you find information comparing different humidification devices?
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Answer: Text B
3. In which text can you find information about where to position a heated humidifier's water chamber?
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Answer: Text C
4. In which text can you find information about symptoms requiring prompt clinical review?
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Answer: Text D
5. In which text can you find information about what should be documented during routine care?
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Answer: Text C
6. In which text can you find information about when an HME should be replaced?
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Answer: Text B
7. In which text can you find information about reporting faulty equipment?
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Answer: Text D
Questions 8-14
Answer each of the following questions using a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
8. What may become difficult to clear when humidification is inadequate? __________
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Answer: secretions
9. What should be encouraged when clinically appropriate? __________
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Answer: Adequate hydration
10. Which device captures warmth and moisture from exhaled air? __________
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Answer: Heat and moisture exchanger
11. How often should an HME normally be replaced? __________
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Answer: every 24 hours
12. What should staff inspect the heated humidifier tubing for? __________
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Answer: pooled condensation
13. Which team should be contacted if secretions remain thick despite the current plan? __________
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Answer: tracheostomy specialist team
14. Which department should receive reports of equipment faults? __________
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Answer: medical engineering
Questions 15-20
Complete each of the following sentences with a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
15. A humidification plan should consider the patient's condition, oxygen requirements and ability to manage __________.
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Answer: secretions
16. A heated humidifier may be considered when an HME is __________.
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Answer: ineffective
17. The water chamber should remain within the marked __________.
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Answer: filling limits
18. Condensation should be drained away from the patient into the __________.
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Answer: designated container
19. A sustained fall in __________ requires prompt clinical review.
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Answer: oxygen saturation
20. An HME saturated with secretions should be replaced with a __________.
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Answer: clean replacement
Reading Set 2
Text A: Immediate Cooling Checklist
Move the person away from the heat source and check that the area is safe. Remove rings, watches and loose clothing near the burn, but leave anything that is stuck to the skin. Cool the burn under cool running tap water for 20 minutes. Begin cooling as soon as possible; it can still help if started within three hours of the injury. Keep the rest of the person warm with a blanket, especially when treating a child or older adult. Do not apply ice, butter, toothpaste or skin cream. These may damage the skin or make later assessment difficult. After cooling, gently pat the surrounding skin dry without rubbing the burn.
Text B: Severity Check Guide
Estimate the size of the burn using the injured person's palm, including the fingers, as roughly 1% of their body surface. A small, superficial burn is usually red, painful and dry. Blisters may suggest a deeper injury and should not be opened during assessment. Seek clinical assessment for any burn larger than the person's palm or for a burn involving the face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint. A burn that goes completely around a limb also needs assessment. Electrical and chemical burns are not managed as simple thermal burns. Call emergency services if the person has breathing difficulty, confusion, collapse or signs of smoke inhalation.
Text C: Dressing and Comfort Advice
Once cooling is complete, cover the burn loosely with a sterile non-stick dressing. If this is unavailable, place a clean layer of household cling film lengthwise over the area. Do not wrap cling film around a limb because swelling may develop. A clean plastic bag can be used temporarily for a minor burn on the hand. Keep the affected limb elevated when practical. Paracetamol may be taken for discomfort if it is suitable for the person and used according to the packet instructions. Do not burst blisters. Keep the dressing clean and dry, and replace it if it becomes wet, dirty or loose. Avoid adhesive material directly on the burn.
Text D: Review and Follow-up Memo
Advise the person to check the burn each day. Arrange prompt clinical review if pain increases, redness spreads beyond the original area, swelling worsens or cloudy fluid appears. Fever or feeling generally unwell also requires review. People with diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system should contact a clinician even when the burn appears minor. Check whether the person's tetanus vaccination is up to date. Most uncomplicated minor burns improve steadily and heal within 14 days. If healing has not occurred within this period, request assessment by a burn service. Urgent help is needed if new numbness develops or the skin becomes pale after the initial first aid.
Questions 1-7
For each question, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the information can be found in. You may use any letter more than once.
1. In which text can you find information about substances that should not be put on a burn?
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Answer: Text A
2. In which text can you find information about using a person's palm to estimate burn size?
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Answer: Text B
3. In which text can you find information about a temporary covering for a burned hand?
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Answer: Text C
4. In which text can you find information about health conditions that require clinical advice?
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Answer: Text D
5. In which text can you find information about body areas where burns need assessment?
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Answer: Text B
6. In which text can you find information about when a dressing should be replaced?
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Answer: Text C
7. In which text can you find information about the expected healing time for a minor burn?
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Answer: Text D
Questions 8-14
Answer each of the following questions using a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
8. For how long should a minor thermal burn be cooled? __________
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Answer: 20 minutes
9. What should remain in place if it is attached to the burned skin? __________
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Answer: anything that is stuck
10. What may indicate that a burn is deeper? __________
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Answer: Blisters
11. What medicine may be taken for discomfort when suitable? __________
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Answer: Paracetamol
12. What type of dressing is recommended after cooling? __________
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Answer: sterile non-stick dressing
13. Which vaccination should be checked after a minor burn? __________
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Answer: tetanus vaccination
14. Which service should assess a burn that has not healed in the expected period? __________
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Answer: burn service
Questions 15-20
Complete each of the following sentences with a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
15. Cooling can still be helpful if it begins within __________ of the injury.
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Answer: three hours
16. A small, superficial burn is generally red, painful and __________.
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Answer: dry
17. Cling film should be placed __________ over the burned area.
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Answer: lengthwise
18. The affected limb should be kept __________ when practical.
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Answer: elevated
19. The appearance of __________ is one reason to arrange prompt clinical review.
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Answer: cloudy fluid
20. Most uncomplicated minor burns should heal within __________.
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Answer: 14 days
Reading Set 3
Text A: Assessment Guide for New Confusion
Delirium should be suspected when attention, awareness or thinking changes suddenly and fluctuates during the day. Risk is increased by older age, dementia, recent surgery, infection, dehydration and sensory impairment. Ask someone who knows the person whether the behaviour differs from their usual presentation; this collateral history helps establish the time course. Complete the 4AT screening tool and record both the score and observed changes. Assessment should include possible reversible contributors such as pain, constipation, urinary retention, poor oxygenation and disturbed sleep. Escalate an acute change promptly for clinical review while continuing supportive orientation measures.
Text B: Communication Checklist
Approach from the front, introduce yourself at every interaction and explain your role. Address the person by their preferred name and use a calm, even tone. Give one-step instructions, allowing enough time for a response before repeating or rephrasing the message. Remind the person where they are and why care is being provided, but avoid testing their memory or arguing about mistaken beliefs. Keep eye contact at a comfortable level. Ensure glasses and hearing aids are available, clean and working. Reduce competing noise by turning off the television during conversation. If the person becomes distressed, acknowledge the emotion and offer simple reassurance.
Text C: Environmental Measures
Provide a large-print clock and an easy-to-read calendar within the person's sightline. Open curtains during the day to provide natural daylight, then dim lights and limit interruptions overnight. Keep the bed space or care-home room uncluttered, with essential items in consistent locations. Avoid unnecessary room moves and display the names of the staff caring for the person. During waking hours, encourage safe mobility, meals out of bed where appropriate, and access to usual daytime activities. At night, minimise alarms and corridor noise without compromising observation. Check that call bells, walking aids and drinking water remain accessible.
Text D: Guidance for Family and Carers
Family members can support orientation by sharing the person's preferred name, normal routines, interests and usual communication needs with staff. Bring familiar photographs or a clearly labelled personal item if permitted. Use short visits with one or two visitors at a time, as a crowded room may increase confusion. Talk about familiar people and recent events without repeatedly correcting inaccurate statements. A named staff member should explain changes in the care plan and provide consistent updates. If the person becomes tired or distressed, pause the visit and seek staff support. After transfer home or to another care setting, maintain normal routines and report any new or worsening confusion promptly.
Questions 1-7
For each question, decide which text (A, B, C or D) the information can be found in. You may use any letter more than once.
1. In which text can you find information about factors that increase the risk of delirium?
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Answer: Text A
2. In which text can you find information about introducing yourself whenever you approach the person?
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Answer: Text B
3. In which text can you find information about reinforcing the difference between day and night?
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Answer: Text C
4. In which text can you find information about personal objects that visitors may bring?
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Answer: Text D
5. In which text can you find information about a screening tool for delirium?
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Answer: Text A
6. In which text can you find information about reducing distractions during a conversation?
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Answer: Text B
7. In which text can you find information about what visitors should do if the person becomes distressed?
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Answer: Text D
Questions 8-14
Answer each of the following questions using a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
8. What type of history can help staff establish when a person's behaviour changed? __________
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Answer: collateral history
9. Which screening tool should staff complete? __________
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Answer: 4AT
10. What type of instructions should staff give? __________
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Answer: one-step instructions
11. What timekeeping aid should be placed within the person's sightline? __________
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Answer: large-print clock
12. Which hearing devices should be checked and made available? __________
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Answer: hearing aids
13. What visual items can family members bring to support orientation? __________
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Answer: familiar photographs
14. Who should explain changes in the care plan to the family? __________
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Answer: named staff member
Questions 15-20
Complete each of the following sentences with a word or short phrase from one of the texts.
15. Staff should speak using a __________.
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Answer: calm, even tone
16. During the day, open curtains to provide __________.
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Answer: natural daylight
17. To maintain a consistent environment, staff should avoid __________.
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Answer: unnecessary room moves
18. To prevent overstimulation, relatives should make __________.
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Answer: short visits
19. Following transfer to another care setting, carers should maintain __________.
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Answer: normal routines
20. Assessment should consider __________ as a potentially reversible contributor to delirium.
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Answer: pain