1. COMPREHENSION
CHARMAINE KENDAL

2. Things to remember about the comprehension question
30 marks
Spend 50 minutes on it
Your success depends on how well you read the passage
Have a highlighter/ pencil ready
Active reading

3. Actively read the passage
Procedure
Scan the texts
What information can you gather at a glance
Read the questions
This will give some focus to your reading
Actively read the passage
You must engage with the text
Answer the questions
Check the mark allocation

4. SCAN THE TEXTS Scan the texts to pick up clues
What information does it give?
Title
Genre ?
Format
Style
Source
Author? Gender of author?
Illustrations
Glossary
Look for links between texts

5. READ THE QUESTIONS: NOTE!
Mark allocations
The key words
Comparisons
Levels of questions

6. ACTIVELY READ THE PASSAGE
Use a highlighter or pen
Work paragraph by paragraph
Highlight the key words / jot down notes
Make links with ideas
Summarise the essence of what is being said in your own words
See the link with the title of the passage
ACTIVELY READ THE PASSAGE

7. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS STYLE Highlight the key words
MARKS
Look at the mark allocation. Guide how much to write
LEVEL
Ascertain the level of the question
STYLE
Use the key words in the answer
Be succinct
Formal
Full sentences
Same numbering

8. SOME TIPS Sometimes the questions answer other questions
When you are asked to compare or contrast anything, always mention both things
If you do not know the meaning of a word try to break it up or think of a similar sounding word
In multiple choice questions check your answer through a process of elimination
Leave a line between questions. Write neatly.

9. An aside: Levels of questions
Level One
Usually 1 or 2 mark question
Literal (information explicitly stated in the text)
• Name the things/people/places/elements …
• State the facts/reasons/ points/ideas.
• Identify the reasons/persons/causes …
• List the points/facts/ names/reasons …
• Describe the place/person/character ...
• Relate the incident/episode/experience …
Level Two:
Usually 1 or 2 mark question
Reorganisation
(analysis,
synthesis or
organisation)
• Summarise the main points/ideas/ pros/cons/ …
• Group the common elements /factors …
• State the similarities/differences
• Give an outline of …

10. Level Three
Usually 2 mark question. Often requires justification or evidence
Inference (engagement with
information in terms of personal
experience)
• Explain the main idea, cause of…effect of
• Compare the ideas/attitudes/ actions …
• What is the writer's (or character's) intention /attitude/ motivation/reason …
• What does an action/comment/attitude (etc.) reveal about the narrator/ writer/character …
• How does the metaphor/simile/image affect your understanding
• What, do you think, will be the outcome/effect (etc.) of an action/situation …
• True/False questions – with justifications
• Multiple Choice questions
• Choose the correct option (from a given list)
• Fill in the blanks (using contextual clues)
• Questions on visual and graphic literacy
These could be level 1 depending on the question

11. Level Four
Usually a 3 mark question. Always requires justification, exploration or evidence
Evaluation (judgements
concerning the value or worth)
• Do you agree with the view/statement/observation/
interpretation that …
• In your view, is the writer/narrator/character justified in suggesting/advocating that … (Substantiate your response /Give reasons for your answer.)
• Is the character's attitude/behaviour/action justifiable or acceptable to you? Give a reason for your answer.
• What does a character's actions/attitude(s)/motives … show about him/her in the context of universal values?
• Discuss critically/Comment on the value judgements made in the text.

12. Level Five
Usually a 3 mark question. Always requires justification, exploration or evidence
Appreciation (assess the psychological and aesthetic impact
of the text. They focus on emotional responses to the content, identification with characters or incidents, and reactions to the writer's use of language (such as word choice and imagery). .
• Discuss your response to the text /incident / situation/ conflict/dilemma …
• Do you empathise with the character? What action/decision would you have taken if you had been in the same situation?
• Discuss/Comment on the writer's use of language
• Discuss the effectiveness of the writer's style/ introduction/ conclusion/imagery/metaphors/use of poetic techniques/ literary devices …
Comment critically on the use of , effectiveness of a figure of speech

13. NOW LET’S PRACTICE
CLIMAX

14. TONE: DERISIVE, CRITICAL
RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

17. Sentence by itself. Reinforces urgency.

19. Smile, happy eyes
Gender neutral – jeans, tackies
Attitude of offering, full frontal facing
Not usually a toy one associates with girls