Advanced and Post Reading Material (APRM)

ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES I (BELH 2003)

SEMESTER III TERM II 2024-25
Module II: Reading Comprehension

Tackling reading comprehension (RC) passages can Is the tone formal, critical, optimistic, or neutral?
significantly enhance our ability to understand, Understanding the author’s tone helps in answering
interpret, and analyze texts effectively. Here’s a inference and attitude questions.
structured approach to navigate RC passages, 2-Supporting Details and Examples:
focusing on essential skills, elements to notice, and Notice details that back up the main points. Often,
typical question types. questions target these specifics, so it’s useful to
identify supporting facts or statistics.
Key Strategies for Solving RC Passages 3-Transitions and Flow of Ideas:
1-Skim First, Then Read Thoroughly: Recognize how ideas are connected within the
● Skim the passage briefly to get a general idea of passage. Words like "but," "although," and
its structure and main points before diving "consequently" reveal relationships between
deeper. sentences and ideas.
2-Identify the Main Idea and Structure: 4-Point of View and Purpose:
● Try to identify the central theme or argument, Understanding why the author wrote the passage (to
paying attention to the passage’s introduction, inform, argue, entertain, or persuade) can clarify the
conclusion, and topic sentences of each passage’s main argument and help with
paragraph. purpose-related questions.
● Recognize the passage's structure: Is it a
narrative, descriptive, argumentative, or Common Types of Questions in RC Passages
expository text? (The teacher should try to talk 1-Main Idea/Theme Questions:
about the different types of passages). Questions about the overall purpose or the main
3-Underline or Take Notes: point of the passage, such as "What is the primary
● While reading, we/students should underline key argument of the passage?"
points, mark transitions (such as however, 2-Detail Questions:
therefore, for example), and jot down brief notes These ask about specific facts or details, often
on complex ideas. If we are working on a tablet requiring students to return to the passage to locate
or a laptop, we can highlight the key points. and confirm details.
4-Focus on Context Clues: 3-Inference Questions:
● The teacher can train students to infer the Questions that require students to read between the
meaning of difficult vocabulary from context and lines and infer information not directly stated, based
to interpret nuanced or implied meanings. on context and subtle hints.
4-Vocabulary in Context Questions:
Elements to Notice in RC Passages These test the ability to deduce the meaning of a
1-Tone and Author’s Attitude: word as it is used in the passage, focusing on
contextual interpretation.
 Advanced and Post Reading Material (APRM)
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES I (BELH 2003)
SEMESTER III TERM II 2024-25
Module II: Reading Comprehension
5-Tone or Attitude Questions: "According to the passage, what is/does…?"
These explore the author’s attitude or mood in the "What information does the passage provide
passage, often requiring an understanding of about…?"
language nuances. "The author mentions [specific detail] to
6-Structure and Organization Questions: illustrate..."
These questions examine how the passage is "Which of the following is mentioned as a
structured and how each part contributes to the characteristic of…?"
whole. "According to the author, which statement is true
7-Purpose of Sentence or Paragraph: about…?"
Questions that ask why a particular paragraph or 3. Inference Questions:
sentence is included, assessing the student’s "It can be inferred from the passage that..."
understanding of how parts of the passage relate to "Which of the following would the author most
the author’s purpose. likely agree with?"
Note: These are the most frequent types of "What does the author suggest about…?"
questions that are asked in any RC passage. "The passage implies that…"
"Based on the passage, what can we conclude
Practice and Reinforcement about…?"
Regularly practice by using various passages and 4. Vocabulary in Context Questions:
apply these strategies consistently. Reviewing "In the context of the passage, the word '[word]'
answers, especially incorrect ones, can help us most likely means..."
refine our/ students’ comprehension approach and "Which of the following is closest in meaning to
recognize common question traps. '[word]' as used in the passage?"
"What does the author imply by using the term
Here are some useful question stems for each '[word]'?"
common type of RC question. These stems can help "In line X, '[word]' suggests that…"
us/ students anticipate the type of response "The word '[word]' as used in the passage refers
expected: to..."
1. Main Idea/Theme Questions: 5. Tone or Attitude Questions:
"What is the primary purpose of this passage?" "The author’s tone in the passage can best be
"Which of the following best summarizes the main described as..."
idea of the passage?" "Which of the following best describes the author’s
"The author’s main argument is that..." attitude towards…?"
"What is the passage primarily concerned with?" "How does the author feel about…?"
"Which title best captures the central theme of this "The tone of the passage is primarily..."
passage?" "What attitude does the author display towards…?"
2. Detail Questions: 6. Structure and Organization Questions:
 Advanced and Post Reading Material (APRM)
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES I (BELH 2003)
SEMESTER III TERM II 2024-25
Module II: Reading Comprehension
"Which of the following best describes the 2. Read Regularly Across Various Genres
organization of the passage?" Diversify Reading Materials: Reading different
"How does the author structure the argument in the types of content—fiction, nonfiction, articles,
passage?" essays, and reports—can improve comprehension
"The passage is organized primarily by..." skills.
"What function does paragraph X serve in the Challenge Reading Levels: Occasionally choose
passage?" slightly more complex texts that introduce new
"The author’s approach to developing the argument vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
can best be described as…" Summarize After Reading: After finishing a
7. Purpose of Sentence or Paragraph: passage, try summarizing it in a few sentences. This
"What role does paragraph X play in the builds retention and clarity about the main ideas.
development of the passage?" 3. Practice Active Reading
"The primary purpose of the sentence beginning Underline Key Points: Highlight or underline
with '[sentence]' is to..." important details and concepts as you read.
"Why does the author include the example of…?" Annotate the Margins: Write brief notes,
"The mention of '[detail]' serves primarily to..." questions, or thoughts in the margins to engage with
"What is the author’s purpose in including [detail or the text actively.
section]?" Ask Questions: Ask yourself questions about the
Using these question stems in practice passages can text as you read (e.g., “What is the author’s
help students become more familiar with the types purpose?” “Why is this example here?”).
of reasoning required for each question type. 4. Develop Critical Thinking Skills
Evaluate Arguments: Practice identifying
Improving reading comprehension: arguments and whether the supporting evidence is
It takes consistent practice and focused strategies. strong or weak.
Here are some effective methods a student can use Look for Implications: Think about what the text
to enhance their reading comprehension skills: implies but doesn’t directly state—this helps with
1. Build a Strong Vocabulary inference questions.
Practice Contextual Vocabulary: Learning new Practice Summarizing and Paraphrasing:
words in context helps students remember them Summarizing and paraphrasing passages helps with
better and understand their nuanced meanings. understanding the main points and improves
Use Vocabulary Apps: Apps like Quizlet or memory retention.
Memrise can help expand vocabulary with regular 5. Focus on Main Ideas and Supporting Details
practice. Identify the Main Idea First: Focus on the overall
Keep a Vocabulary Journal: Write down new argument or theme of the passage. Knowing the
words, their meanings, and example sentences to main idea helps in understanding the supporting
reinforce learning. details.
 Advanced and Post Reading Material (APRM)
ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES I (BELH 2003)
SEMESTER III TERM II 2024-25
Module II: Reading Comprehension
Pay Attention to Topic Sentences: In paragraphs, Read Aloud: This can help improve focus and is
the first sentence often gives an idea of what the especially useful when tackling complex or dense
paragraph is about. texts.
Understand the Structure of a Passage: Visualize What You’re Reading: Try to picture
Recognize introductions, body paragraphs, and scenes, concepts, or arguments in your mind.
conclusions. These parts have different purposes Visualization helps with memory retention and
and often contain different types of information. deeper comprehension.
6. Practice Comprehension Questions 8. Stay Curious and Patient
Practice with Question Types: Regularly practice Set Realistic Goals: Start with a few pages each
answering main idea, detail, inference, and day and gradually increase. Improvement in
vocabulary questions. Practicing various question comprehension is a gradual process.
types builds familiarity. Choose Topics of Interest: Starting with material
Reflect on Incorrect Answers: After answering, that interests you makes comprehension practice
review any incorrect answers to understand why more enjoyable and effective.
they were wrong, helping to avoid similar mistakes By implementing these strategies and practicing
in the future. consistently, students can build stronger
Timed Practice: Practicing with a timer can help comprehension skills and develop confidence when
build speed without sacrificing comprehension, reading complex texts. Practicing with patience and
especially useful for exams. curiosity will ultimately lead to measurable
7. Read Aloud and Visualize improvements.