Reading Comprehension
1. Tips for reading
-Read for pleasure
-NCERT books - Polity(class 6-10), Economics(class 9-12)
-Newspaper
TOI<HT<IE<ET<HINDU
*****While relaxed practice will involve merely letting yourself read and enjoy
reading without pressure for at least one to two hours a week.(Read for pleasure)
*****Guided practice will involve structure and focused attention, like learning
new vocabulary words and testing yourself on them.
*****Write a summary of about 100 to 150 words everyday on the editorial/article as
it will help build the thought process. Make a note of the diffcult words and their
meanings from a standard English dictionary.
*****Sometimes, we can form a sort of "mental block" that can halt our reading
progress for whatever reason (maybe the sentence looks complex or awkward, maybe
you're tired, maybe you feel intimidated by the words choice, or are simply bored).
*****Reading these problematic passages aloud can often help circumvent that block
and help you to form a visual of what the text is trying to convey
2. Tips for solving RC
*****Do not read the passage first
Always go through the questions first and then the passage. This will prepare you
to focus on the things you need to look in passage. Focus only on the questions,
and not on a particular answer option. A quick overview of the questions is
sufficient.
*****Constantly question yourself while reading the passage
In order to maintain your connection while reading, make sure that some basic
questions keep playing at the back of your mind: What is the author's main point?
Why is the author writing this? How has the author chosen to convey his main point?
How has the author organized his material?
Finally, don't expect to be stimulated. In fact expect the opposite! Majority
of the times you would be bored by RC topoics and you should not allow this to
drain your energy. Maintain an impartial attitude towards the passage, and do not
get mentally hassled by obscure content.
***** Stop when you get confused and try to summarize what you just read
As you read, let youself stop whenever you lose focus or feel confused. Just stop.
Now, without re-reading, summarize aloud or in your head what you've comprehended
so far (before the place where you became confused).
Skim back through the text and compare how you've summarized it with what's written
on the page. Do you feel you've captured the sailent points? Do you feel a little
more focused on what's going on now that you've put the material into your own
words?
*****Makes Notes/ key points
While reading obscure/abstract text, make sure you make some quick notes for ready
reference. You can write the general flow, structure, paragraph-wise flow and
important points. Remember that you do not have to make really long notes, just
make a quick note of the important markers/points in the passage.
*****Opening and closing paragraphs require extra focus
Questions such as the main idea question are based on the overall subject of the
passage, and majority of the times the answer for this question types lies in the
first and last paragraph of hte passage. Ensure you derive the maximum possible
information from these paragraphs.
*****Do not spend time on RCs that you cannot comprehend at first
At times we come across a passage that we are not able to comprehend. If you are
struggling with one such passage in the exam, make sure you have the patience to
avoid such a passage. Focus on the ones that you can manage easily. Go back to the
tricky passage in case of absolute necessity.
3. How to read a passage?
*****Concentrate. Shrug off your hiccups and distractions and get ready to read the
passage.
*****Don't rely too much on your prior information and knowledge. Although you may
know a lot about the subject, yet answer the questions using the information
available in the passage.
*****Read the question first.
The point is why read the questions before reading the passage?
It is because of the fact that it saves time. You already know what you are reading
for.
*****Make sure you understand the question.
What kind of information will you need to gather when you read? Will you be looking
for facts? Or will you be using the passage to come up with your own answer?
*****Read the passage as fast as you can.
Read the passage as quickly as you can. Look for the answer as you read. When you
find it, take notice of it, or underline it but, don't stop reading! Read to the
end. In this way you can be sure that yours is the best and most complete answer
possible.
*****Reconfirm the answer.
Feel free to look back at the passage to double-check your answer.
*****If you don't find the answer
-Try again. Re-read the question and now skim the passage. Be sure you know what
you are being asked to answer.
-Skip the question. If you still can't find or figure out the answer, skip the
question. You can come back to it after you've finished the rest of the test.
FINAL TIPS
*****In order to excel in the Reading Comprehension section, you need to follow the
certain guidelines. You should improve you word power, be able to read fast and
comprehend faster, understand what is asked in the question and answer
appropriately.
*****The common solution to improve all these section is READING READING & READING.
In order to improve on your RC you need to broaden your background knowledge by
reading newspapers, magazines and books.
*****Try discussing one topic of the paper with your parents or friends. This will
help you to develop interest in reading and understand and analyse the content
properly.
*****Followed by your reading habit, you should also develop the habit of
practicing a lot. Try to have more practice reading, particulary reading dense
materials fast.
The more is the speed the more is the comprehension
You need to manage your time while solving passages. So even if it is a long
passage, you cannot spend much time in the Reading Comprehension section.
TYPES OF QUESTION ASKED IN BANK EXAMS
1. VOCABULARY
2. MAIN IDEA
3. TITLE
4. TONE AND STYLE
5. LOGICAL REASONING
6. INFERENCE
7. APPLICATION BASED
8. IMPLICIT
9. EXPLICIT
