Comprehension Revision

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 nouns 2.Nouns 3.Verbs 4.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.