Reading Comprehension

The WASSCE syllabus for English language singles out two comprehension passages as part of
the assessment package for candidates. The passages, each about three hundred words, test the
candidates ability to find appropriate equivalents for selected words and phrases; understand the
factual content; make inferences from the content of the passages; respond to the uses of English
expressions to reveal, reflect sentiments, emotions or attitudes, identify and label basic
grammatical structures and so on.

It is therefore important that candidates be grounded in the techniques required for

reading comprehension so as to be able to handle passages with the view not only to
determine the factual content but to analyse, grammatically and semantically, as well
as literarily, the details of the passage.

This module will expose candidates to reading skills and will provide tips on reading
comprehension, citing things to note or features to bear in mind when analysing a
passage. It will also focus on issues such as how to read an article, reading and
understanding texts, reading to comprehend and learn, tips for increasing reading
speed and so on.

It is hoped that at the end of this module, candidates will be in a position to meet the
requirements and expectations of the English language syllabus on Reading
comprehension.

Dealing with the Comprehension Passage:

Joseph Addison once noted that “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body”. It follows
therefore that reading forms and integral part of one’s intellectual or academic life.
At the junior or high school level, students may have problems with both the
complexity and the amount of material they have to read.

This section on reading comprehension is devoted to providing students with some of

the skills they need to facilitate comprehension when they interact with reading
materials.

Accordingly, the following syllabus subjects will be discussed:

1. Skimming and Scanning

2. Non-verbal signals
3. Structure of text
4. Structure of paragraphs
5. Punctuation
6. Author’s viewpoint
7. Reader participation: determining the meaning of words
8. Summarising

1. Skimming and Scanning

Skimming requires a quick reading of the passage to determine the general idea while scanning
requires a much slower pace of reading intended to get the main ideas or specific details. In both
readings, the reader should understand the purpose and type of text that he is reading as well the
content of the passage.

The purpose of the passage is quite important for it gives the reader a clue to
comprehension and hence makes him/her better placed to answer the questions on it.
Note whether the passage is to persuade, describe, inform, explain, etc.
2. Non-Verbal Signals

Although this may not be included in the Examination paper, it is important for students to be
familiar with this technique. The meaning of a text is not only conveyed by means of words. All
texts also contain non-verbal signs as style features like underlining, bold print, italics; or layout
features like headings, subheadings, and captions all of which could serve as pointers to
meanings.

3.The structure of the text

The structure of the text could provide a clue to its meaning. Some start with a title and subtitle.
After that there is the introduction, the body, followed by a conclusion or summary. The
introduction mostly informs the reader about what s/he can expect. The body consists of
paragraphs, each dealing with one aspect of the subject matter and linked in a logical manner.
The conclusion puts the subject matter in the right perspective.

4. The structure of paragraphs

A typical paragraph consists of three parts. The first sentence contains the topic sentence, which
is the heart of the paragraph. The topic sentence contains the new aspect of the subject of the
text. The second part of the paragraph contain sentences which develop the aspect. These
sentences may contain arguments, explanations, details, examples and other supporting evidence.
The cast sentence of a paragraph is often a summary of the paragraph. An understanding of the
structure of the paragraph is a good aid to comprehension.

5. Punctuation
Though this aspect has been treated on the module on Grammar, it is important for candidates to
note that reading according to punctuation also aids comprehension. Thus, when the reader
understands the meaning and usage of punctuation marks, it will be easier for him/her to
understand the grammatical structures, and hence come to terms with the meaning of the
passage.

6. The author’s viewpoint

Understanding the point of view of the author in relation to the treatment of his/her subject
matter is another aid to comprehension. In reading a text, the reader makes inferences or
assumptions about the position of the author. This helps in understanding the meaning of the
passage. For instance, the reader should try and deduce whether the author is neutral or biased
and whether he gave his own opinion or not.

7. Reader Anticipation: determining the meaning of words

One of the foremost obstacles to comprehension is the meaning of words used in the passage.
Under examination conditions, it is impossible to look up the meaning of words in a dictionary.
Students must therefore be able to interpret the meaning of strange or difficult words from the
context in which they are used. This is often only possible when the reader understands the
relationships between words in meaning and form.

To help disclose the meanings of unknown words it is important to determine the word class, i.e.
part of speech to which it belongs, its function in the sentence, its use in certain contexts and its
relationship with other words in the sentences.

8. Summarizing

It is important that the reader make s a good summary of the main or key points obtained from a
reading of the passage. S/he must familiarize him/herself with the passage, determine the main
points made about the topic or subject matter and then write these points in his own words when
answering the questions on the passage.

Reading to comprehend

There are as many different types of reading materials as there are purposes for reading. While
one can read for exam purposes or for mere entertainment, the material varies from a newspaper,
novel, journal or magazine to a passage for an examination. In all of these cases, the degree of
attention – which largely determines the efficiency of the reading – differs from one reading
material to another.

In this discussion, an attempt will be made to highlight certain tools or techniques to be adopted
when reading a passage to comprehend and learn. In this regard the PSQ5R formula will be
introduced.

1. Purpose

This relates to the reason for reading the material and the objective to be achieved. Readers need
to first establish their purpose for reading a material and this will prompt them into using a
reading method that will get what they want

in the minimum amount of time.

2. Skimming
It is important to do a quick reading of the passage in order to get a general picture of what the
author is saying. Skimming a passage provides the reader with the focus of the writing, that is,
the central theme or subject; and perhaps the perspective, that is the approach or manner in
which the author treats the theme.

3. Question

At times to get at the heart of the passage and deduce meaning, it is proper for questions to be
composed about the topic, title of the passage or heading. For instance, a title of a passage that
reads “The effects of smoking” can be turned into “What are the effects of smoking?” in order to
guide the reader to determining the answer or focus on the main issues in the passage.

4. Read Selectively

This implies that the reader must read to find the answers to the question. At times, it is
necessary to read the questions on the passage before the passage itself so that as the reader does
his reading, s/he is able to pinpoint relevant sections of the passage that answer the question.

5. Recite

Without looking at the passage, try to recite the answers to the questions, using your own words
as much as possible.

6. Reduce, Record

The reader is advised to make a brief outline of the questions and their answers in keywords or
phrases before writing them down on the answer sheet.
7. Reflect

For a constructive and well-organised answer to a question to be given, it is important that the
reader reflects and meditates on the issues dealt with in the passage before putting down the
answers. This, at times, may involve comparison and contrast with personal experience,
organization and reorganization of ideas and so on.

8. Review

Before writing the answers, check over the points that have been selected, their relevance, link
with other points made and grammatical constructions in which they are expressed. This should
be to provide the reader with the overall organization of the writing and the picture of the whole.

This technique, known as the PSQ5R is a formula that stands for basic steps in learning from
reading in an efficient manner. P stands for Purpose, S for Survey, Q for Question, and the 5Rs
for Read selectively, Recite, Reduce- Record, Reflect and Review.

Tips on answering comprehension passages

Since in the examination hall there is limited time at the disposal of the student and in
recognition of the volume of work that has to be done, it is important that some kind of approach
be adopted, in this case for Comprehension, that will enable him/her to get at the meaning of the
passage in the minimum time.
The following tips could be helpful:

 Skim the passage to get the general idea.

 Focus on understanding the passage.
 Locate the main ideas, as well as important sub-points.
 Work on the meanings of strange or difficult words.
 Scan the passage to get a closer picture of what it is saying and its specific details.
 Write down these details in your own words.
 Reflect on them, review and revise them before putting down the final answer on the
answer sheet.
 Do not copy information directly from the passage. Paraphrase your points.

How to read a comprehension passage

This discussion makes an attempt at providing some useful guides to the student when reading a
comprehension passage.

It is important to note the following strategies and their applications:

 Background Information

1. What is the title of the passage? What does it tell you about the subject? What do you
already know about the subject? What do you expect the essay to say about I?
2. When was the essay written? Do you know anything about the historical circumstances
surrounding the writing of the passage? Does the passage reflect that historical condition?
If so, how?
3. Who wrote it? Are you familiar with the author’s other works? Is there any relationship
between the passage and these other works? How does this help you understand the
passage?

 Factual Information
1. Read the passage, marking the information that is given to you. What exactly is the
subject? How does it correspond to or educate/explain the title? What are the main points
in the passage? What is the evidence that the author gives to sustain the main points or
theses of the passage?