Comprehension Skills

Presentation Transcript

Reading Comprehension and Listening Comprehension
We study Reading Comprehension

This Skill is important because there is a great demand for this skill in practical life.– One needs to read and understand and write reports etc.

Answer questions about what you have read. Give information to others)
Every exam is a comprehension test.

Comprehension skills involve 3 things:

(test 3 skills)

Speedy reading
Quick Understanding
Precise Reproduction

Reading comprehension requires the following:

an ability to understand the meaning of what is put forth
as well as to express it clearly and accurately.

Comprehension is dependant not merely on the sum-total of the meaning of individual words that are written in the text but also on the context in which it is written.

the intention of the writer

and

the sequence in which ideas are presented i.e. linking between individual words, one sentence and another, between sentences and paragraphs and also between paragraphs and paragraphs.

This skill like every other skill can be acquired through practice.

Process of Comprehension

Reading for a comprehension is done in two stages:
Skimming and
Scanning.

Skimming – Reading quickly to get the general idea of the passage is called skimming. When skimming one’s eyes should be focused on the ‘content’ or the important words and the structure or joining words may be glossed over.

E.g. Today’syoung students are very intelligent and can understand things faster.
The threats to fisherman during the monsoon are many

Scanning-looking for specific information in a text is called scanning. While scanning one is asking the questions: who, what, where, how, etc. During the process of scanning one can also find other qualities of the text like disagreement, approval, etc. Scanning can also be done after reading the questions.

The kinds of questions asked in a comprehension deal with:

1 Identification of information

2 Collection or reordering of relevant information.

3 Separation of fact from opinion.

4 Aspects of Language.

Identification of information - Pinpointing the message/argument of the passage and the various points of the message

In purely descriptive/narrative passages. This is difficult but in informative and reflective passages one can pick out the important ideas

Collection or reordering of relevant information-

Important points may be spread out in different places in the passage. One should be able to collect it and re-order it in a logical sequence.

Separating Fact from opinion/Fiction –

Quite often facts and opinions are mixed in a passage. Separating the two often requires skill and sharp mind.

E.g. Many tourist visit Mahabaleshwar because there is a big shopping mall in this hill station.

First part of the statement is fact but the latter part may be true for some only. It is the opinion of the writer.

4 Aspects of Language include:

Vocabulary and Grammar
Synonyms and antonyms
One word substitutions
Word formation
Textual organization

Vocabulary – the meanings of the words in the given context.

E.g. This is a baffling problem. I cannot find a solution to it.

Specialized words/difficult words.

E.g. Rank, Barrage, Guerilla Warfare etc. – Used by the armed forces.

Synonyms

Contradict – deny, dispute

Question – query, inquiry, interrogative statement

Antonyms

Talkative – quiet

Villain – hero

One-word substitution:

Eats only grass – herbivorous – An elephant

Eats only meat – carnivorous – A lion

Eat both meat and grass – omnivorous – A dog

Fairly good-looking and well dressed – presentable

Word-formation

Textual Organization –

Linking of words within the sentences and linking of sentences with each other. E.g. The children of poor parents have to work for their living. This prevents them from going to school

Practical Hints

Read the passage quickly once to get the general meaning.
Go through the passage once more to isolate the important points.
Then read the question and look for the specific information asked in the question.