READING COMPREHENSION

I. Vocabulary question In context Context clues: Examples, synonyms, antonyms, general sense of the sentence/passage

Examples As teenagers grow up, they face many adversities, including loneliness and unknown future. ‘ Adversities ’ means: a. challenges b. hardships c. decision

Synonyms Peter must have innate musical talent; playing violin so well at his age requires an inborn gift. adjective

Antonyms The teacher would have achieved if she had been so quick to commend students for their successes as she was to criticize them for their failures. ‘ commend ’ means: a. blame b. grade c. praise verb

General sense of the sentence Ask a question from the sentence: One argument against capital punishment is that if an innocent person is executed, the mistake cannot be rectified. (What cannot be done about a mistake if an innocent person is executed?) a. remembered b. predicted c. corrected

II. Main ideas In para 1, the writer thinks … Which sentence best expresses the main idea in Para 2? Topic ( general subject) A main idea ( the primary point being made about the subject) Specific ideas ( supports and develop the main idea) Something that is not too broad nor too narrow to be the main idea Is this statement supported by all or most of the other materials in the paragraph?

In later adulthood, we begin to come to terms with our own mortality. Stages of human development Adolescence is typically a time of identity crisis. According to psychologists, we pass through various stages of human development throughout our lives.

III. Supporting details Reasons/examples/ steps/ factual evidence Major details ( explain and develop the main idea) Minor details ( help fill out and make clear the major details Prepare outlines/ map/ diagram Look for list words: several kinds of, four steps, a few reasons … Look for works that introduce major details: one, first, first of all, moreover, next … Look for transition words

IV. Summarising Condensing Pick up a point or example Condense ( make the sentence shorter)

V. Implied main idea Selection of supporting ideas- suggest the main point ‘ who or what is this paragraph about? ’ ‘ what is the main point the author is trying to make about that topic? ’ ‘ does all or most of the material in the paragraph support this idea? ’ Won ’ t be too narrow not too broad.

VI. Title/ Central points List outline of the passage Look at the main idea of the paragraphs

VII. Patterns of organisations Transition words : words that show addition, words that show time, words that involve illustration, words that involve illustration, words that involve cause & effect

Words that show addition Also In addition moreover One Further Furthermore First(of all) For one thing Second(ly) Third(ly) Another Next Final(ly) Last(of all)

words that show time Before Previously First, second, third Next, last, Then, now, immediately Later, after Eventually, finally While, during, as, when Soon,until Since, often, frequently

words that involve illustration For example, for instance, such as Including, one Specifically, to illustrate Once, as an illustration To be specific

words that involve illustration But, instead, still, even though Yet, in contrast, are opposed, different(ly) However, on the other hand, in spite of, differs from Although, on the contrary, despite, unlike Nevertheless, conversely, rather than, while Difference, opposite

Words that involve cause and effect Therefore, so, result, because(of), thus, as a result, effect, reason, consequence, results in, cause, explanation, consequently, leads to, if..then, accordingly, due to,since, affect, owing to

VIII Fact and opinion Fact: information that can be proved true through objective evidence Opinion: belief, judgement, or conclusion that cannot be objectively proved true. ‘ value words ’ Statement of fact may be found to be untrue Opinions may be masked as facts Value words often represent opinions(best, worst, better, worse, great, terrible, lovely, disgusting, beautiful, bad, good, wonderful) ‘ should ’ ’ ought to ’ – signal opinions Opinions 9 realistic, meaningful support) – solid support – made up of facts base on direct observation, expert opinion and research.

IX. Inferences(drawing conclusion) - Reading between the lines Pick up ideas that are no indirectly stated You used your experience and general knowledge of events and people ’ s behaviour- clues provided by the writer + our own experience + logic You made informal guesses based on the facts you observed- facts- supports, background information

X. Purpose and tone The reason why the author writes To inform? – give information about a subject ( facts – explain or illustrate a situation, topic) To persuade? – convince the reader to agree with the author ’ s point of view on a subject, may include numerous facts, but only those who support his/her point of view – should, ought to To entertain – to amuse and delight? To appeal to the reader ’ s senses and imagination Expression of author ’ s attitude and feeling Reveals the attitude he/she has towards a subject Expresses through the words and details the writer selects Irony – ironic tone means it says one thing but means the opposite

Some words that describe tone Admiring, affectionate, cruel, grateful, respectful, amused, curious, hopeful, humorous,, sorrowful, calming encouraging joyous, sympathetic, caring, enthusiastic, loving, threatening, cheerful, excited, playful, fair-minded, positive, warm, forgiving, praising, critical, frightened, regretful, self-pitying, angry, doubtful, serious, ashamed, egotistical, insulting, tragic, conceited,confused, worried

More words that describe tone – with their meanings Ambivalent – uncertain about a choice Arrogant – full of self-importance; conceited Bewildered – confused, puzzled Bitter – angry; full of hate Compassionate – deeply sympathetic Depressed – very sad or discouraged Detached – emotionally uninvolved Disbelieving – unbelieving Distressed – suffering sorrow, misery, or pain Humble – showing no arrogance; modest Hypocritical – false Impassioned – filled with strong feeling Indignant – angry about something unfair or mean Instructive – teaching Ironic- meaning the opposite of what is expressed

More words that describe tone – with their meanings Lighthearted – happy and carefree matter-of-fact – sticking to facts; unemotional Mocking – making fun of or looking down upon something Nostalgic – longing for something or someone in the past objective – not influenced by feelings or personal prejudices Optimistic- looking on the bright side of things Pessimistic- looking on the gloomy, unfavorable side of things Pleading – begging Prideful – full of pride or exaggerated self-esteem Remorseful – guilty over a wrong one has done Revengeful – wanting to hurt someone or something

More words that describe tone – with their meanings Sarcastic – sharply critical and often ironic; mocking Scheming- tricky Scornful – looking down on someone or something Self-mocking- making fun of or looking down on oneself Sentimental – showing tender feelings; romantic;overly emotional Solemn- involved with serious concerns Straightforward – direct and honest Superior – looking down on others Tolerant – respectful of other views and behaviour; patient about problems Uncertain - doubting

XI. Arguments A/CA/R Look for phrases to identify whether it ’ s the writer ’ s argument or just a /CA/ Identify arguments from supporting information.

Quick tips Read the title, 1 st, last paragraph, understand the standpoint and structure of the passage. Then read the first and lst sentence of every paragraph. (*) Number the paragraphs Label the question no. next to the passage Change the statement into a question Look for transition words