READING COMPREHENSION

1. READING COMPREHENSION

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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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? II. Main ideas

8. specific idea • 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. topic specific idea main idea

9. 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

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

11. 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.

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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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 X. Purpose and tone

22. 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 Some words that describe tone

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Quick tips • Read the title, 1st, 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