Reading

Comprehension 
IT'S ALL ABOUT PRACTICE
Different tools of reading comprehension

• Skimming and scanning: Generally for those who wish to use

analytics along with English,this trick helps as it avoids the reading of
long texts and thus saves time.
• But if one is preparing for any competitive exam, one need to
first know the kind  of passages that have  been asked by that agency
in the past and frame  strategy accordingly.
What is skimming and scanning?

• If you have a long passage and less time ,this technique helps to churn
relevant information from the passage.
• The various steps included in it are :-
• Brainstorming
• Skimming 
• Scanning
Brainstorming

• The first line of the passage  generally

gives you an idea about what the passage
is all about.
• Then you gather in your mind all prior
knowledge  that is related to the
topic.Remember,this process takes only
a few seconds.
• But ,it gives you a strong  idea about the
passage and you are able to relate  to it.
What is skimming?
Next, you straightaway move to
the questions and  identify 
 keywords from the question.
Keywords are sort of content Step 2 : Skimming
words that give meaning to the
question.
Lets study with the help of an
example.
Nature writing is nonfiction or fiction prose or poetry about the natural environment. Nature writing encompasses a wide
variety of works, ranging from those that place primary emphasis on natural history facts (such as field guides) to those in
which philosophical interpretation predominate. It includes natural history essays, poetry, essays of solitude or escape, as
well as travel and adventure writing.

Nature writing often draws heavily on scientific information and facts about the natural world; at the same time, it is
frequently written in the first person and incorporates personal observations of and philosophical reflections upon nature.
Modern nature writing traces its roots to the works of natural history that were popular in the second half of the 18th
century and throughout the 19th. An important early figure was the "parson-naturalist" Gilbert White (1720 – 1793), a
pioneering English naturalist and ornithologist. He is best known for his Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne
(1789).

Q.Based on the passage what is period to which the modern nature writing can be traced to
a)    1850 till 1999
b)    1850 to 1899
c)    1750 till 1899
d)    1750 till 1900
What are the keywords in this question?
​
The keywords can be  period, modern nature writing, traced

Q.Based on the passage what is period to which the modern nature writing can be traced to​

a)    1850 till 1999​

b)    1850 to 1899​
c)    1750 till 1899​
d)    1750 till 1900​

Once you have identified the key words, you will look for them in the passage by doing a quick scroll of the passage.
This is called as skimming.You are actually finding the place in the passage out of the  whole passage where your answer
might be located.So it is called as skimming of the text.
​
Note that sometimes not the exact word but a synonym of the word would be used in the passage. So your knowledge of
vocabulary is essential.
​
​
Nature writing is nonfiction or fiction prose or poetry about the natural environment. Nature writing encompasses a wide variety
of works, ranging from those that place primary emphasis on natural history facts (such as field guides) to those in which
philosophical interpretation predominate. It includes natural history essays, poetry, essays of solitude or escape, as well as travel
and adventure writing.​​
Nature writing often draws heavily on scientific information and facts about the natural world; at the same time, it is frequently
written in the first person and incorporates personal observations of and philosophical reflections upon nature.​​
Modern nature writing traces its roots to the works of natural history that were popular in the second half of the 18th century and
throughout the 19th. An important early figure was the "parson-naturalist" Gilbert White (1720 – 1793), a pioneering English
naturalist and ornithologist. He is best known for his Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789).​​
​
​Q. Based on the passage what is period to which the modern nature writing can be traced to​​
a)    1850 till 1999​​
b)    1850 to 1899​​
c)    1750 till 1899​​
d)    1750 till 1900​​
​
Finally, you have  examination of only that particular area where you have found  the key words.​This is called as scanning.
It is like having a bird's eye view of the passage.

Finally your answer appears in front of you ,C option in this case.

​
​
​
Poll question

• The process of having a thorough read of that particular section of the

passage which we have found out with the help  of key words is called
as :
A.Brainstorming
B.Skimming 
C.Scanning
D.Photocopying
Questions that check your understanding as a whole.

• For such comprehension based questions,You need to go through the entire passage
• Example: Lets answer this question relating to the same previous passage.
• Nature writing emphasizes on 
• i.    Historical facts about the nature
ii.    Philosophical interpretations of the nature
iii.    Scientific information and facts
• Choose the most appropriate
• a)    None of the above
b)    Only (i) and (ii)
c)    All the above
d)    Only (i) and (ii)
The correct answer will be C and one has to go
through the entire passage.

• Types of questions in RC:

• First ,you have the main idea questions.
• Generally the question will be a paraphrase of the same.
• Like,
• Which of the following best summarizes the passage?‖ 
• What is the author attempting to illustrate through this passage?‖
•  What is the thematic highlight of this passage?‖  
• Which of the following best states the central idea of the passage? 
• The gist of the passage is: 
•  Which of the following is the principal topic of the passage?
For example,if we consider the same RC, 

• Q.Which statement summarizes the above passage​

• a)    The passage talks about the life and lessons of Gilbert White, a profound naturalist and ornithologist.​
•
b)    The passage talks about how the nature writing is missing in the modern era and needs to be revived.​
•
c)    The passage talks about from where the writers draw inspiration for nature writing, and how
its importance is diminishing in the modern era.​
•
d)    The passage talks about what nature writing is, the different types of nature writing, its style, and
about the roots and pioneer of modern nature writing.​
This was of a kind of main idea question.

• The correct answer to the question will be "D" option.

• Many a times ,the first sentence of the passage gives an idea about the main idea of it.
• But it is very possible that one might have to go through the entire passage to understand the main
idea.
• Sometimes the last sentence also gives an idea about the passage.
• Look for repetitions in the passage. Which point is being stressed again and again?
• What do you think should be the heading of the passage?That will also give you an idea about the
main idea of the passage.
Read the passage and answer the question that
follows:
• For a player once considered India’s best all-format batsman after Virat Kohli, the last few years have been
less than stellar for Ajinkya Rahane. He is holding on to a place in the middle order in the Test team, but last
played white-ball cricket for the country in February 2018. To make matters worse, the 32-year-old has
experienced diminishing returns in the longest format as well.
• His last assignment before the world went into lockdown produced a mere 91 runs from four innings in New
Zealand. However, it seemed a case more of a cluttered mindset than any apparent technical discrepancy.
• Fear of failure and losing his Test spot seemed to be weighing heavily on Rahane’s mind. He seems a shadow
of the batsman who scored more overseas Test hundreds in his first 10 Tests than managed by 
Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid.
• As he gears up for the Indian Premier League – now in Delhi Capitals after a dozen years with Rajasthan
Royals – Rahane will hope the enforced break will have given him a chance to reassess his game and
recharge his batteries.
•
What is the main idea of the passage?

1. Ajinkya Rahane is a player who has lost his position in the Indian
Cricket team.
2. Ajinkya Rahane has not performed upto the mark in the recent outings
but he has got another chance to prove himself.
3. Ajinkya Rahane was a better player than Sachin ,Virat or Laxman if we
consider the stats of the first 10 test matches played by each player.
4. Players who make a mark in the beginning lose their momentum with due
course of time.
 Ans:2
And that chance is the IPL
Supporting idea questions

• A study has found that using ultraviolet C light with a wavelength of 222 nanometres (1 nanometre is a
billionth part of 1 metre) effectively kills SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
• Ultraviolet light of wavelengths between 200 and 280 nm is known as ultraviolet C light, of UVC. Using 222
nm UVC light is safe around humans, said the researchers from Hiroshima University, who have published
their study in the American Journal of Infection Control.
• As in vitro experiment by the researchers showed that 99.7 per cent of the SARS-CoV-2 viral culture was
killed after a 30-second exposure to 222 nm UVC irradiation. Tests were conducted using a UVC lamp. A
solution containing the virus was spread onto a plate. The researchers allowed it to dry before placing the
UVC lamp 24 cm above the surface of the plates.
• A wavelength of 222 nm UVC cannot penetrate the outer layer of the human eye and skin, so it won’t harm
the cells beneath. But 254 nm UVC germicidal lamps harm exposed human tissues, and can only be used to
sanitise empty rooms.
• The researchers suggest further evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of 222 nm UVC irradiation in
killing SARS-CoV-2 viruses in real-world surfaces.
Further experiments need to be conducted to prove the
efficacy of uv light to kill coronavirus because:

• A.The experiments have been conducted on a random basis and there

is no consistency still.
• B.Just like Covid vaccine,three stage trials need to be conducted
before reaching any final conclusion.
• C.The experiments were conducted in lab inside controlled
environment.
• D.None of these.
 Ans :C
The term "In vitro" virtually
means "in glass" that is in lab
conditions.
Vocab in context

• US President Donald Trump kept alive the speculation about a coronavirus vaccine becoming available
before the November 3 Presidential elections, saying the United States could be “getting it” within four
weeks.
• “The previous administration would have taken perhaps years to have a vaccine, because of the FDA and all
the approvals. We are within weeks of getting it. You know, could be three weeks, four weeks,” he said at a
townhall event, according to a Bloomberg news report.
• Three vaccine candidates are currently undergoing last-stage clinical trials in the United States. Of these, the
trials of the one being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been put on hold because an
incident in which a trial participant in England had developed severe illnesses. The trials in England have
since resumed after an independent expert committee had analysed the incident, but, in US, the pause on the
trial remains.
Poll question: What is the meaning of the word
"speculation" as used in the passage:

A.Confirmity
B.Absurdity
C.Surety
D.guesswork
 The correct answer is D as
everywhere in the passage we see
the use of the word "could" which
means America could get a
vaccine before elections or it
could just be a political stunt.
Questions based on function of the passage.

In 2018, Netflix announced an original web series based on the blockbuster franchise, Baahubali. Titled
Baahubali: Before the Beginning, the series is a prequel to Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali:
The Conclusion (2017). Now Netflix and Arka Media Works are re-envisioning the series with a new creative
approach.

Netflix on Friday said it wants to do justice to the fandom the Baahubali franchise enjoys.
The streaming platform’s statement read, “Baahubali is one of India’s most beloved stories. To bring this
universe to life in the scale and manner it deserves, we’re re-envisioning the story along with our amazing
partners. Together we want to make sure we do justice to the expansive vision, depth of storytelling, and
complex characters.”
Why does Netfix want to make a prequel to
Bahubali?
A. It wants to make use of the  limited fan following associated with
the bahubali series.
B. It sees a lot of potential in the craze behind bahubali series and
wants to do justice to its vast and diverse plot.
C. It thinks anything and everything it makes for the digitally savvy
country like India will be a hit.
D. The director of Bahubali ,SS Rajamouli has asked it to do so.
Ans: B
Inference based questions

• These questions want you to understand the author's point of view

like:
• What does the author imply by this...........?
• What would the author most likely to do in another situation?
• What does the author suggest?
• What does he hint at?
Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

Almost 33 years after it first stepped into online retail, Apple will launch its online store in India on September 23 with its
“full suite” of products and direct customer support. It will also bring in unique experiences like product customisations,
packaging and counselling sessions. Last year, Apple had announced that its first offline store will come at the Bandra Kurla
Complex in Mumbai.

Apple has tied up with Blue Dart for logistics and is promising free delivery within 24 to 72 hours from date of purchase
depending on the remoteness of the location. The deliveries will cover about 13,000 PIN codes across the country to start
with, but the exact number could be impacted by local lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What can you infer from the passage?

A.Apple is going to make a lot of profits out of this venture.
B.Apple is going to deliver exceptional customer service and satisfaction once the online store is launched.
C.Apple is going to stop working with its resellers in India.
D.Apple phone prices are going to come down as a result of this venture.
 Ans : B
All the various features that
will be added once online
stores start would enhance
customer experience.
 • A. Implication
Poll Question • B.Conclusion
What do you • C.summary

mean by • D.synopsis

Inference?
Ans: Implication.
Inference is what the author means by
saying what he has said in the
passage.It is not the conclusion or the
summary of the passage.
Questions based on tone of the passage.

• Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

•  Jawaharlal Nehru had some unique advantages. Considered to be Mahatma Gandhi’s political heir, he
became the first PM and continued for 17 long years without any challenge.  His daughter, Indira Gandhi,
also had charisma, a sizable part of which she inherited from her father. Besides her decisive leadership,
being the first woman PM of India also contributed to her charisma. 
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the other most charismatic PM. However, post-Vajpayee, it can be reasonably
argued that the era of charismatic leadership is over. The millennial voter of the 21st century is more
business-like in her approach. This approach demands good intent coupled with honest and intelligent efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi satisfies these criteria completely. Add to this, his innovative ideas for good
governance and his mind-boggling ability to work extraordinarily hard. He has taken the leadership discourse
in India beyond charisma.
What is the tone of the author in the preceding passage?

A. Laudatory
B. Cynical
C.Sceptical
D.Persuasive

The tone is laudatory as the author praises the current and a few
previous prime ministers of the country.
Thank you