READING READING

COMPREHENSIONCOMPREHENSION

Irfana OmarIrfana Omar

What is Reading?What is Reading?

““Reading is more than seeing words Reading is more than seeing words clearly, more than pronouncing words clearly, more than pronouncing words correctly, more than recognizing the correctly, more than recognizing the meaning of isolated words. Reading meaning of isolated words. Reading requires to think, feel and imagine.”requires to think, feel and imagine.”

Rapid Reading Made SimpleRapid Reading Made Simple

Wainwrght .G.R (1979)Wainwrght .G.R (1979)

Reading efficiently means:Reading efficiently means:"Understanding pages of print "Understanding pages of print accurately, rapidly and enjoyably. "accurately, rapidly and enjoyably. "

Comprehension TacticsComprehension Tactics

Locate the key sentence to Locate the key sentence to

anticipate anticipate

what the passage will be aboutwhat the passage will be about

First read the passageFirst read the passage

Then read the questions Then read the questions

When asked to make inferences ,When asked to make inferences , base your answer on what the passagebase your answer on what the passage implies , not what it states directlyimplies , not what it states directly

Determine the area of the answerDetermine the area of the answer

When asked to choose a title , avoid When asked to choose a title , avoid the the

choices that are too specific or too choices that are too specific or too randomrandom

When asked about an attitude , mood orWhen asked about an attitude , mood or tone , look for words that convey tone , look for words that convey

emotions,emotions, express values or paint beliefs express values or paint beliefs

Remember……… picking one option Remember……… picking one option means dropping the othersmeans dropping the others

Kinds Of ComprehensionKinds Of Comprehension

Passage comprehensionPassage comprehension Extract comprehensionExtract comprehension Sentence comprehensionSentence comprehension Word comprehension Word comprehension

PRACTICE ONE . . . . PRACTICE ONE . . . . PASSAGE PASSAGE COMPREHENSION COMPREHENSION Each passage below is followed by a set of questions ; Each passage below is followed by a set of questions ;

you are to ENCIRCLE the correct answer from the you are to ENCIRCLE the correct answer from the choices given with each question .choices given with each question .

PASSAGE 1PASSAGE 1 One major cause of slow reading is that sometimes you One major cause of slow reading is that sometimes you

don’t focus . Your eyes keep moving down the page , don’t focus . Your eyes keep moving down the page , but your mind is out to lunch . Then bang ! you wake but your mind is out to lunch . Then bang ! you wake up from your day dream and say “Hay! What was I up from your day dream and say “Hay! What was I reading? ” And your eyes jump back to an earlier spot reading? ” And your eyes jump back to an earlier spot on the page and you wind up , rereading the whole on the page and you wind up , rereading the whole thing . Obviously , regressing _going back and thing . Obviously , regressing _going back and rereading the words or whole passages you’ve rereading the words or whole passages you’ve supposedly read , slows you down . Regressing , is a supposedly read , slows you down . Regressing , is a habit , but like any other habit you can break it .habit , but like any other habit you can break it .

1. The best possible title of the passage is (A) Causes of slow reading (B) How to avoid regressing (C) Regressing slows down reading

2 . The phrase “your mind is out to lunch” in the passage implies that

A. your mind is at rest B. you are mentally not presentC. you are hungry and want to have lunch

PASSAGE 2Precipitation , commonly referred to as rainfall , is a

measure of the quantity of water in the form of either rain , hail , or snow which reaches the ground . The average annual precipitation over the whole of the

United States is thirty-six inches . It should be understood however , that a foot of snow is not equal to

a foot of precipitation . A general formula for computing the precipitation of snowfall is that ten

inches of snow is equal to one inch of precipitation .In New York State , for example , twenty inches of snow in one year would be recorded as only two inches of

precipitation . Forty inches of rain would be recorded as forty inches of precipitation . The total annual

precipitation would be recorded as forty-two inches . The amount of precipitation is a combined result of

several factors . Location, altitude and proximity to the sea are the most important causes . In some places on

the other hand, as in United States , most of the precipitation is brought by prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean and the Great Lakes along the Pacific Coast , however , height also causes some diversity in

rain fall .

1 . What does this passage mainly discuss?1 . What does this passage mainly discuss? (A) Precipitation (B) Snowfall(A) Precipitation (B) Snowfall (C) New York State (D) Computation of Precipitation(C) New York State (D) Computation of Precipitation2 . Which of the following is another word that is often used in place of 2 . Which of the following is another word that is often used in place of

Precipitation?Precipitation? (A) Humidity (B) Wetness(A) Humidity (B) Wetness (C) Rainfall (D) Quantity of water(C) Rainfall (D) Quantity of water3 . The term Precipitation includes3 . The term Precipitation includes (A) only rain fall (B) rain , hail , and humidity(A) only rain fall (B) rain , hail , and humidity (C) rain , snow and humidity (D) rain , hail ,and humidity(C) rain , snow and humidity (D) rain , hail ,and humidity4 . What is the average annual rainfall in inches in the United States ?4 . What is the average annual rainfall in inches in the United States ? (A)thirty-six inches (B) thirty-eight inches(A)thirty-six inches (B) thirty-eight inches (C)forty inches (D) forty-two inches(C)forty inches (D) forty-two inches5 . If a state has forty inches of snow in a year , by how much does this increase 5 . If a state has forty inches of snow in a year , by how much does this increase

the annual precipitation ?the annual precipitation ? (A) by two feet (B) by four inches (A) by two feet (B) by four inches (C) by four feet (D) by forty inches (C) by four feet (D) by forty inches

6 . Which factors affect the amount of precipitation ?6 . Which factors affect the amount of precipitation ? (A) altitude, location, proximity to the sea (B) location, rainfall, proximity to the sea, (A) altitude, location, proximity to the sea (B) location, rainfall, proximity to the sea,

altitudealtitude (C) altitude, winds, proximity to the sea (D)location ,proximity to the (C) altitude, winds, proximity to the sea (D)location ,proximity to the

sea ,winds ,height sea ,winds ,height

PRACTICE TWO……..PRACTICE TWO……..EXTRACT COMPREHENSIONEXTRACT COMPREHENSIONDIRECTIONS: Follow the question with each extract/statement DIRECTIONS: Follow the question with each extract/statement

and encircle the best choice among the listed alternatives.and encircle the best choice among the listed alternatives.

EXTRACT- ONEEXTRACT- ONE

From which of the following can the statement above be properly inferred?From which of the following can the statement above be properly inferred?

(A)(A) No workers had to wear steel helmets before 1955, but all workers had to No workers had to wear steel helmets before 1955, but all workers had to wear them after 1955.wear them after 1955.

(B)(B) Construction industry workers were the first to be required to wear steel Construction industry workers were the first to be required to wear steel helmets.helmets.

(C)(C) Construction industry workers had to wear steel helmets prior to 1955.Construction industry workers had to wear steel helmets prior to 1955.

(D)(D) Some workers may have worn steel helmets before 1955, but all construction Some workers may have worn steel helmets before 1955, but all construction workers were required to wear them beginning in 1955.workers were required to wear them beginning in 1955.

(E)(E) Workers may have worn some type of helmet before 1955, but later all had to Workers may have worn some type of helmet before 1955, but later all had to wear steel-type helmets.wear steel-type helmets.

Starting in 1955, all workers had to wear Starting in 1955, all workers had to wear steel helmets if they were employed in the steel helmets if they were employed in the construction industry .construction industry .

2. By far the chief export in the 15th century was 2. By far the chief export in the 15th century was textiles. Among these woolens predominated, textiles. Among these woolens predominated, linens were far less important and silks played an linens were far less important and silks played an insignificant part. Outside this group, the only insignificant part. Outside this group, the only important item, in the first half of the century was important item, in the first half of the century was corn, though the exports of fish, lead and tin were corn, though the exports of fish, lead and tin were by no means negligible.by no means negligible.Given the above information which of the following

statements is correct? Corn, though not as important an export as textiles, was still

an important component of the export trade. (B) Corn was nearly as important an export as linen.(C) Silk was a valuable export in the 15th century.(D) Fishing was a bigger industry than wool production in

the 15th century.(E) Non textile items were one of the chief elements in the

list of products exported in the 15th century.

EXTRACT- TWO

PRACTICE THREE . . . .PRACTICE THREE . . . .SENTENCE SENTENCE COMPREHENSION COMPREHENSION

PART-APART-AWith each sentence below there is an underlined With each sentence below there is an underlined

phrase/clause followed by four answer choices . You phrase/clause followed by four answer choices . You are to ENCIRCLE the option that best replaces the are to ENCIRCLE the option that best replaces the underlined textunderlined text . .

I . If one begins to smoke at an early age , I . If one begins to smoke at an early age , it is likely that it is likely that one will go on smoking furtherone will go on smoking further..

(A)(A) it is likely that he will go on smoking in future .it is likely that he will go on smoking in future . (B) it is hard to stop one from smoking more .(B) it is hard to stop one from smoking more . (C) one is likely to continue smoking .(C) one is likely to continue smoking . (D) one will probably have a tendency to continue smoking .(D) one will probably have a tendency to continue smoking . 2 . The aircraft could not take off ; it was all 2 . The aircraft could not take off ; it was all because of because of

poor visibility.poor visibility. (A) because nothing could be seen.(A) because nothing could be seen. (B) because nothing could be seen at long distances.(B) because nothing could be seen at long distances. (C) because things were not clearly visible.(C) because things were not clearly visible. (D) because things at long distances were all invisible.(D) because things at long distances were all invisible.

3 . He maintained that his scholastic record 3 . He maintained that his scholastic record was better than was better than or at least as good as hers.or at least as good as hers.

(A) was good or better as hers.(A) was good or better as hers. (B) was better or at least as good as hers.(B) was better or at least as good as hers. (C) was at its least as good as hers.(C) was at its least as good as hers. (D) none of the above(D) none of the above4 . We’d better allow plenty of time for the journey 4 . We’d better allow plenty of time for the journey in case in case

there are traffic hold-ups.there are traffic hold-ups. (A) due to traffic hold-up reasons.(A) due to traffic hold-up reasons. (B) for the reason that there are traffic hold-ups.(B) for the reason that there are traffic hold-ups. (C) because there may be traffic hold-ups(C) because there may be traffic hold-ups (D) because there is the case of traffic hold-ups .(D) because there is the case of traffic hold-ups .55.The compulsive urge to unburden myself.The compulsive urge to unburden myself became so became so

overwhelming that I had to break my promise of not overwhelming that I had to break my promise of not telling about Albert’s critical situation.telling about Albert’s critical situation.

(A) The obsessive desire to free myself(A) The obsessive desire to free myself (B) The compelling need to unburden myself(B) The compelling need to unburden myself (C) The pressurizing need to unburden myself(C) The pressurizing need to unburden myself (D) The compulsory desire to free myself(D) The compulsory desire to free myself6. 6. His inclinationHis inclination to obesity might hinder his way. to obesity might hinder his way. (A) His affection (A) His affection (B) His liking (B) His liking (C) His fondness (C) His fondness (D) His tendency(D) His tendency

PART – BPART – B

Each sentence below is followed by four choices ; you are Each sentence below is followed by four choices ; you are to ENCIRCLE the option that best replaces the original to ENCIRCLE the option that best replaces the original text .text .

1 . The stranger was affable , well-mannered and keen-witted .1 . The stranger was affable , well-mannered and keen-witted . (A) The stranger was affable , with good manners and a keen wit .(A) The stranger was affable , with good manners and a keen wit . (B) The well-mannered and keen witted stranger was affable . (B) The well-mannered and keen witted stranger was affable . (C) The stranger was easy to speak to , had good manners and a (C) The stranger was easy to speak to , had good manners and a

keen wit .keen wit . (D) The stranger was affable , having good manners and a keen (D) The stranger was affable , having good manners and a keen

wit .wit . 2 . Low blood sugar is no more a disorder of unknown origin.2 . Low blood sugar is no more a disorder of unknown origin. (A) Low blood sugar is a disorder ; its causes are not known.(A) Low blood sugar is a disorder ; its causes are not known. (B) Low blood sugar is a disorder ; its causes are no more hidden(B) Low blood sugar is a disorder ; its causes are no more hidden (C) Low blood sugar is a disorder that has its own causes(C) Low blood sugar is a disorder that has its own causes (D) Low blood sugar is a disorder and its causes are known.(D) Low blood sugar is a disorder and its causes are known.

3 . This habit makes you susceptible to disease3 . This habit makes you susceptible to disease (A) Only because of this habit you will catch the disease.(A) Only because of this habit you will catch the disease. (B) you are likely to catch disease because of this habit.(B) you are likely to catch disease because of this habit. (C) You will catch this disease because of the habit.(C) You will catch this disease because of the habit. (D) You can save yourself if you give up this habit.(D) You can save yourself if you give up this habit.

4 . Iqbal’s poetry will always be admired.4 . Iqbal’s poetry will always be admired. (A) Iqbal’s poetry will always be read.(A) Iqbal’s poetry will always be read. (B) Iqbal’s poetry will always be recited (B) Iqbal’s poetry will always be recited (C) Iqbal’s poetry will always be venerated.(C) Iqbal’s poetry will always be venerated. (D) Iqbal’s poetry will always be repeated.(D) Iqbal’s poetry will always be repeated.

5 . The phenomenon of public education is another example 5 . The phenomenon of public education is another example of the workings of democracy.of the workings of democracy.

(A) The phenomena of public education is another example of (A) The phenomena of public education is another example of the workings of democracy.the workings of democracy.

(B) The phenomena of public education is yet another example (B) The phenomena of public education is yet another example of democracy at work. of democracy at work.

(C) The phenomenon of public education is another example of (C) The phenomenon of public education is another example of democracy at work.democracy at work.

(D) Public education, a phenomena, is another working example (D) Public education, a phenomena, is another working example of democracy.of democracy.

PART –CPART –CENCIRCLE the option that best reflects the ENCIRCLE the option that best reflects the

meaning of the sentencemeaning of the sentence..1 . When television is good , nothing is better ; but when television is 1 . When television is good , nothing is better ; but when television is

bad nothing is worse.bad nothing is worse. (A) Television is a good invention. (A) Television is a good invention. (B) Television is a bad invention. (B) Television is a bad invention. (C) The writer stresses the need for quality programs. (C) The writer stresses the need for quality programs. (D) The writer admires television programs.(D) The writer admires television programs.

2. My watch is 8 minutes slow and my train goes at 10:45 a.m but it 2. My watch is 8 minutes slow and my train goes at 10:45 a.m but it is 5 minutes late. I got to the station at 10:45 a.m by my watch.is 5 minutes late. I got to the station at 10:45 a.m by my watch.

(A) I am just in time .(A) I am just in time . (B) I missed the train by 3 minutes.(B) I missed the train by 3 minutes. (C) I have to wait for 13 minutes.(C) I have to wait for 13 minutes. (D) I have to wait for 3 minutes.(D) I have to wait for 3 minutes.

3 . Which of the following statements is the most appropriate?3 . Which of the following statements is the most appropriate? (A) Only winter brings really pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan.(A) Only winter brings really pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan. (B) Winter only brings really pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan.(B) Winter only brings really pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan. (C) Winter brings only pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan.(C) Winter brings only pleasant weather to the people of Pakistan. (D) Winter really brings pleasant weather only to the people of Pakistan.(D) Winter really brings pleasant weather only to the people of Pakistan.

4 . A day before Monday I told my friend that I would start for 4 . A day before Monday I told my friend that I would start for Karachi day after tomorrow and reach there the day after Karachi day after tomorrow and reach there the day after that day. On which day would I reach Karachi?that day. On which day would I reach Karachi?

(A) Tuesday (A) Tuesday (B) Wednesday (B) Wednesday (C) Thursday(C) Thursday (D) Friday(D) Friday

5 . About 20 percent of the total number of American 5 . About 20 percent of the total number of American households are single people. How many single people are households are single people. How many single people are identified?identified?

(A) one-third (A) one-third (B) one-fourth(B) one-fourth (C) one-fifth(C) one-fifth (D) less than one-tenth(D) less than one-tenth

6 . In May 1966, the World Health Organization was 6 . In May 1966, the World Health Organization was authorized to initiate a global campaign to eradicate authorized to initiate a global campaign to eradicate smallpox. The goal was to eliminate the disease in one smallpox. The goal was to eliminate the disease in one decade.What was the goal of the campaign against decade.What was the goal of the campaign against smallpox?smallpox?

(A) to initiate worldwide projects for diseases like smallpox(A) to initiate worldwide projects for diseases like smallpox (B) to provide mass vaccination against small pox worldwide(B) to provide mass vaccination against small pox worldwide (C) to eliminate smallpox worldwide in ten years(C) to eliminate smallpox worldwide in ten years (D) to decrease the spread of smallpox worldwide(D) to decrease the spread of smallpox worldwide

PRACTICE FOUR . . . . PRACTICE FOUR . . . . WORD COMPREHENSION WORD COMPREHENSION Each sentence below has one or more than one blanks followed by four answer Each sentence below has one or more than one blanks followed by four answer

choices . You are to ENCIRCLE the choice that best fits the meaning of the choices . You are to ENCIRCLE the choice that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole .sentence as a whole .

1. The thieves unable to open the safe, ______ it from its frame.1. The thieves unable to open the safe, ______ it from its frame. (A) pulled (B) snatched (A) pulled (B) snatched (C) wrenched (D) held(C) wrenched (D) held2 . When he heard the news of his selection to the college team he felt 2 . When he heard the news of his selection to the college team he felt

______ .______ . (A) effervescent (B) enamoured (A) effervescent (B) enamoured (C) elated (D) embittered(C) elated (D) embittered3. His actions had ______ pain and suffering on thousands of ______ people. 3. His actions had ______ pain and suffering on thousands of ______ people. (A) imposed (B) inflicted (A) imposed (B) inflicted (C) affected (D) eliminated (C) affected (D) eliminated 4. Her statements were so ______ that we were left in doubt as to her real 4. Her statements were so ______ that we were left in doubt as to her real

intentions.intentions. (A) equitable (B) equivocal (A) equitable (B) equivocal (C) dogmatic (D) incisive(C) dogmatic (D) incisive5. Spending our money on an expensive restaurant meal will ______ our 5. Spending our money on an expensive restaurant meal will ______ our

going to the going to the movie.movie. (A) debunk (B) evoke (A) debunk (B) evoke (C) concede (D) preclude(C) concede (D) preclude

TRY IT NOW………TRY IT NOW……… PASSAGE 1 :PASSAGE 1 : The effect of science upon our view of man’s The effect of science upon our view of man’s

place in the universe has been of two divergent kinds ; it place in the universe has been of two divergent kinds ; it has at once besmirched and exalted him .The latter effect is has at once besmirched and exalted him .The latter effect is generally assumed as outweighing the former. This generally assumed as outweighing the former. This assumption can be justified through varied kinds of assumption can be justified through varied kinds of favorable effects that science has earned . There are direct favorable effects that science has earned . There are direct intellectual effects ___ the dispelling of many traditional intellectual effects ___ the dispelling of many traditional beliefs , and the adoption of others suggested by the success beliefs , and the adoption of others suggested by the success of scientific method . Then there are technical effects___ the of scientific method . Then there are technical effects___ the advancement in industry and war. Still then , there are advancement in industry and war. Still then , there are profound effects on human health ___ remarkable decrease profound effects on human health ___ remarkable decrease in death rate owe its existence to wonderful medicines. in death rate owe its existence to wonderful medicines. Though the future effects of science are yet a matter of Though the future effects of science are yet a matter of conjecture ; the study of its effects hitherto may make the conjecture ; the study of its effects hitherto may make the conjecture complimentary conjecture complimentary

1. How has science affected man?1. How has science affected man?

(A) It has degraded and deprived man at the same time.(A) It has degraded and deprived man at the same time.

(B)It has at once dishonored and tainted man. (B)It has at once dishonored and tainted man.

(C)It has debased and dignified man at the same time. (C)It has debased and dignified man at the same time.

(D)It has at once high-ranked and glorified man.(D)It has at once high-ranked and glorified man.

2. The nature of the direct intellectual effects of science on man 2. The nature of the direct intellectual effects of science on man implyimply

(A)(A) the dismissing of many traditional beliefs. the dismissing of many traditional beliefs.

(B) the embracing of many traditional beliefs.(B) the embracing of many traditional beliefs.

(C) the approval of many traditional beliefs.(C) the approval of many traditional beliefs.

(D) the implementation of many traditional beliefs.(D) the implementation of many traditional beliefs.

3. The writer’s mode of approach is3. The writer’s mode of approach is

(A) emotional (C) expository(A) emotional (C) expository

(B) descriptive (D) logical (B) descriptive (D) logical

4. Which of the following is true according to the passage.4. Which of the following is true according to the passage.

(A) The future effect of science is yet a matter of supposition.(A) The future effect of science is yet a matter of supposition.

(B) The future effect of science is yet a matter of suggestion. (B) The future effect of science is yet a matter of suggestion.

(C) The future effect of science is yet a matter of analysis. (C) The future effect of science is yet a matter of analysis.

(D) The future effect of science is yet a matter of reasoning. (D) The future effect of science is yet a matter of reasoning.

5. The phrase ‘ the study of its effects hitherto’ means5. The phrase ‘ the study of its effects hitherto’ means

(A) the study of its effects in future(A) the study of its effects in future

(B) the study of its effects described here(B) the study of its effects described here

(C) the study of its effects up till now(C) the study of its effects up till now

(D) the study of its effects hereby(D) the study of its effects hereby

6. The most appropriate title of the passage is6. The most appropriate title of the passage is

(A) The advantages and disadvantages of science(A) The advantages and disadvantages of science

(B) The impact of science on man(B) The impact of science on man

(C) Achievements of science(C) Achievements of science

(D) Science __ a great boon for man(D) Science __ a great boon for man