Comprehension Comprehension RevisionRevision

Components• Paper 2 will consist of the following:- Short answer questions based of the

two passages given (20 marks)- Vocabulary Questions (5 marks)- Summary Questions (25 marks)

Total: 50 marks

Passages• Passage A is usually an expository

essay.• Passage B is usually a narrative/

personal recount.

Passage A• Introduction (What the essay is

about – Theme/ Stand etc)• Subsequent paragraphs (The first

sentence is usually a topic sentence. This will usually be followed by elaboration and examples)

• Conclusion

Look out for...• Linking conjunctions (To follow the

thoughts of the writer)• Punctuation• Tone of the writer (Is he biased?

Pro or Against? Balanced? Factual?)

Vocabulary • Try to guess what the word means

using the following clues:1.Proper nouns2.Nouns3.Verbs4.Adjectives 5.Adverbs

Passage B• Narrative/ Personal Recount• Usually in a chronological order –

sequence of events usually happen one after the other.

Look out for…• Character/s• Setting• Plot• Tone Try to visualise the scene and read

aloud in your head to ‘feel’ the story.

Vocabulary• Same as previous slides.• Look out for traces of descriptive

writing including the use of figurative language – imagery, irony etc.

Short Answer Questions

• These are questions which test you on your understanding of the passage itself. Each question can range from one to two marks (sometimes even more).

• As a rule of thumb, if a question awards one mark, you should have at least one point. If it awards two marks, you should have two points in your answer.

Types of Short-Answer Questions

• Factual • Inferential• Quote• Explain/ Explain fully• Use your own words• Vocabulary

* Any question can have one or a combination of these categories.

Factual• These are also known as direct

questions. • The answers can be found and lifted

from the passage.*These questions begin typically with,

“What is the …” • Unfortunately, you will not see too many

of them. QQ

Inferential Questions• These are more complicated questions

which will require you to have some understanding and do some thinking before you are able to provide a logical answer to the question.

* These questions begin typically with, “Why do you think…”

Quote• There are a few ways these questions

could be phrased: - Quote a single word- Quote a phrase- Quote a sentence- Quote (phrase/sentence), not more

than ( x ) words. E.g. Quote a sentence, not more than ten

words, ...

Quote (Single Word)• If you are instructed to quote a

single word, just lift it directly from the passage.

• E.g. The word is “ _______”.

Quote a phrase • A phrase is NOT a sentence,

meaning it is only part of a sentence. Most likely there isn’t a subject pronoun and begins with a verb instead.

E.g. The phrase is “running towards the enemy.”

Quote a sentence/ phrase, not more than (x

number) of words…• This will be a complete sentence

beginning with a subject and ending with a full-stop.

• If there is a word limit clause, example ‘not more than five words’, please count!

Explain/ Use your own words

• These are somewhat similar as they require you to replace the taboo words in the answer that you derive from the passage and substitute it with your own. Some may require you to paraphrase certain parts in the passage.

Vocabulary Questions• There will be a total of five words which you

will be required to explain or substitute.• Read the context of the sentence which the

word appears in. Try alternative words which could be used to substitute it without compromising its meaning. Alternatively, you can try to explain it to suit the context.

(In most cases, there should be an alternative word that can be used to substitute it)

Summary• Read the summary question carefully.• Underline the requirements of the question.• Note where you are supposed to take your materials from

(E.g. From paragraphs 2 to the end of the passage). • You are required to use your own words as far as possible• Take note of the word limit (150 words usually)

E.g. Using your own words as far as possible, show how animal abuse is becoming an increasing problem in society and what the government is trying to do about it. You should take your materials from Paragraphs 2 to the end of the passage.

Summary Process• Identify the criteria or parameters set by the

question. • Bracket where you are supposed to take your

materials from so that your points will be relevant)

• Underline the points that fit the criteria• Rephrase them with your own words as far as

possible• Organise and rewrite them in a SINGLE

PARAGRAPH.