Reading comprehension: tips
Doing a reading comprehension well is all about efficiency.
1) Begin by carefully reading all the questions in order to sharpen your focus
It is not a general knowledge test; it is a test of your ability to understand both the explicitly stated
and implied meaning contained in a written text. If you happen to be familiar with the topic, do not
guess what the answers may be based on what you already know. Answer what is in the text.
2) Skim the text to get an overview of its contents
Skimming is reading the whole text quickly to get an overview of its contents and reading the
important parts attentively. In a well-structured text, the especially important parts are the title, the
opening and closing paragraphs, and the topic sentences of each paragraph.
Do not worry if there are words you do not understand; try to guess their meaning from the context
where possible and remain focussed on what you do understand. You do not have to understand
every word.
3) Return to the questions and see whether/which ones you understand differently, having
read the text
4) Scan the text for the specific information required by the questions related to specific
sections/sentences
Scanning means looking for particular or specific aspects or information in the text.
5) Read the entire text one last time in order to:
a. Check your answers to the questions described in step 4
b. Find the information required to answer broader, overarching questions that relate
to the text in its entirety.
Doing a reading comprehension well is all about efficiency.
1) Begin by carefully reading all the questions in order to sharpen your focus
It is not a general knowledge test; it is a test of your ability to understand both the explicitly stated
and implied meaning contained in a written text. If you happen to be familiar with the topic, do not
guess what the answers may be based on what you already know. Answer what is in the text.
2) Skim the text to get an overview of its contents
Skimming is reading the whole text quickly to get an overview of its contents and reading the
important parts attentively. In a well-structured text, the especially important parts are the title, the
opening and closing paragraphs, and the topic sentences of each paragraph.
Do not worry if there are words you do not understand; try to guess their meaning from the context
where possible and remain focussed on what you do understand. You do not have to understand
every word.
3) Return to the questions and see whether/which ones you understand differently, having
read the text
4) Scan the text for the specific information required by the questions related to specific
sections/sentences
Scanning means looking for particular or specific aspects or information in the text.
5) Read the entire text one last time in order to:
a. Check your answers to the questions described in step 4
b. Find the information required to answer broader, overarching questions that relate
to the text in its entirety.
