OBAC201: Functional English

BACHELOR OF ARTS
SEMESTER 2

OBAC201
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH
Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 1
OBAC201: Functional English

Unit 5
Reading Comprehension
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SL Fig No / Table SAQ /
Topic Page No
No / Graph Activity
1 Overview - -
3
1.1 Objectives - -
2 Introduction - - 4
3 Importance of Reading Comprehension - - 5-7
4 Reading Strategies - 1 8-11
Apply Reading Comprehension Skills to -
5 -
Understand Poems and Stories
Reading Comprehension Strategies to -
5.1 - 12-14
Understand Poems
Reading Comprehension Strategies to -
5.2 -
Understand Stories
Apply Reading Comprehension Skills in -
6 -
Professional Contexts
6.1 Comprehending News Articles - -
6.2 Comprehending Instructional Manuals - - 15-17
6.3 Effective Reading Comprehension - -
Strategies for Standardized Tests and
Academic Assessments
7 Conclusion 2 18-19
8 Summary - - 20-21
9 Glossary - - 22
10 Terminal Questions - - 23-25
11 Answers - -
11.1 Self-Assessment Questions - - 26-28
11.2 Terminal Questions - -
12 References - - 29

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 2

OBAC201: Functional English

1. OVERVIEW
This Unit discusses the significance of reading comprehension, proficient reading techniques and
suggestions for mastering the art of reading comprehension. This Unit also aims to provide a
comprehensive understanding of reading comprehension, offering insights into their application in
different reading contexts. At the end of the Unit, we shall have a better understanding of reading
comprehension as a tool for lifelong learning and a doorway to various domains of knowledge.

1.1 Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
Understand the concept of reading comprehension and its significance in effective
communication.
Identify the type of texts based on comprehension through reading.
Examine active reading strategies to improve reading speed without compromising
comprehension.
Engage with texts from various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and academic articles to
apply the strategies of reading comprehension - to identify main ideas and supporting details
within a given text, to recognize the tone and style of different texts and to understand how
these elements contribute to the overall meaning.
Apply reading comprehension skills to real-world scenarios - workplace documents, news
articles and instructional manuals.
Learn effective techniques and strategies to practice for comprehension questions in
standardized tests and academic assessments.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 3

OBAC201: Functional English

2. INTRODUCTION
Reading is a tool for lifelong learning and a doorway to knowledge, not merely a talent. Reading
comprehension is an essential ability that serves as the cornerstone of critical thinking and
effective communication. Proficiency in comprehending, evaluating, and interpreting written
material is critical for both professional and personal growth, in addition to academic contexts.
Understanding the meaning behind the text, forming connections, and drawing conclusions are all
part of reading comprehension, which goes beyond simply decoding words on a page. Academic
achievement is linked to proficient reading comprehension because it allows people to apply
critical thinking techniques, synthesise knowledge, and gather information from a variety of
sources. Beyond the classroom, being able to read well is essential for success in the workplace
because it promotes clear communication and sound decision-making.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 4

OBAC201: Functional English

3. IMPORTANCE OF READING COMPREHENSION

Understanding Reading Comprehension is a skill that forms the foundation of success in lifelong
Understanding Reading Comprehension is a skill that forms the foundation of success in lifelong
learning. It encompasses more than deciphering words. It involves comprehending and
interpreting the meaning within the text. The capacity to grasp the content one reads holds
importance in areas of life, including education, career advancement, effective communication
and critical reasoning.

• Academic Achievement
Having reading comprehension skills is essential for achieving success in academic studies
where students come across texts in different subjects. Whether it is literature, science,
math or social studies, being able to understand and analyse information plays a role in
excelling in exams and assignments. Students who possess reading comprehension skills
are better prepared to absorb concepts, engage in critical thinking and express their ideas
eloquently.

• Lifelong Learning
In a world that is dynamic, it is crucial to highlight the significance of learning. People must
continuously gain knowledge and skills to remain relevant in their lives and adjust to societal
shifts. The ability to comprehend what we read acts as a tool that allows us to access and
grasp forms of information from academic journals to newspaper articles. This skill
empowers individuals by fostering independence in learning and equipping them with the
skills needed to acquire knowledge available from a wide array of sources such as books,
articles and online resources.

• Effective Communication
Proficiency in written communication is directly related to written comprehension. Clarity in
communication is essential in both personal and professional contexts. People who are
skilled in written and spoken communication are able to convey ideas clearly, read
communications accurately and express themselves logically. Proficiency in reading

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 5

OBAC201: Functional English

comprehension is, therefore, essential for effective communication, be it in business

proposal writing, Email writing or discussions and office presentations.

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

The ability to think critically is closely related to reading comprehension. People who
interact with written content must be able to analyse, assess and synthesise information.
They are able to create ideas, make wise decisions and find solutions to issues because of
this critical thinking process. There are a variety of professional and personal contexts
which benefit from the application of reading comprehension skills. The ability to deduce
meaning from texts, challenge presumptions and reach logical conclusions are useful in
domains of learning and research.

• Career Advancement
People with high reading comprehension abilities are better positioned for job success in
the workplace. Employees in many occupations must be able to read and comprehend
complicated documents, evaluate data and keep up with industry trends. Professionals with
strong information processing and comprehension skills have an advantage over others
because they can swiftly adjust to changing circumstances and make valuable
contributions to their organisations.

Reading Comprehension Techniques

• Previewing: Spend a few minutes perusing the text before delving into it. Go over any
headings, subheadings, and text that has been bolded or highlighted quickly. This helps
you understand the major concepts and structure.
• Annotating: Make brief notes in the margins, underline relevant passages, and circle
essential terms as you read the book. This promotes a deeper understanding and
encourages you to actively interact with the information.
• Chunking: Divide the content into more digestible, manageable sections. Before going
forward, concentrate on comprehending one paragraph or part at a time. This reduces
overload and improves understanding.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 6

OBAC201: Functional English

• Posing Questions: As you read, think of questions. Think about the contents: who, what,
where, when, why, and how. This keeps you involved and gets you ready to respond to
questions in the future.
• Summarizing: Take a moment every now and then to reflect on what you have read. This
practice reinforces comprehension and aids in retaining key information.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 7

OBAC201: Functional English

4. READING STRATEGIES
Improving the understanding of what one reads is a crucial skill that helps with both academic
success and overall cognitive development. When it comes to successful reading comprehension,
a variety of reading strategies can be adopted to enhance understanding, retention and critical
analysis of written texts.

The dynamic process of increasing reading comprehension makes use of a range of pre-reading
techniques, active reading strategies, vocabulary development, mindfulness, visualisation,
summary, questioning, and review techniques. By incorporating these strategies into their reading
routine, people can develop a more in-depth and advanced understanding of written texts.

• Pre-reading Strategies: It is important to activate prior information and establish a reading goal
before delving into a text. A road map for comprehension can be created by skimming the
content, highlighting important terms and previewing the content. It is easier to understand new
information when mental connections to previously learned material are made during this pre-
reading stage.
• Active Reading Techniques: Unlike passive absorption of information, active reading involves
actively interacting with the text. Understanding can be improved by annotating, underlining
and making notes in the margins. As they read the text, readers should reflect on the content,
formulate predictions and pose questions. This develops a stronger bond with the text while
also reiterating comprehension.
• Vocabulary Development: Understanding requires a large vocabulary. It should be the goal of
readers to actively learn and use new terms in order to increase their word knowledge. The
contextual cues in a text can frequently be used to infer the meaning of foreign terms. Frequent
vocabulary-building activities, including word games and flashcards, help develop a more
varied vocabulary.
• Mindful Reading: Diversions may interfere with understanding. Establishing a distraction-free,
comfortable reading space improves concentration. Reading mindfully requires paying close
attention to the text and being totally present. Prior to reading, methods like deep breathing

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 8

OBAC201: Functional English

exercises or meditation can help to keep the mind focused, and this will enhance
comprehension and memory.
• Visualization and Imagery: Reading aloud while conjuring up images in your head can greatly
improve understanding. It should be the goal of readers to picture the concepts, characters
and scenes that are portrayed in the text. In addition to helping comprehension, this mental
imagery enhances and prolongs the reading experience.
• Summarization: Reiterating the key concepts in your own words after finishing a portion or the
full text helps comprehension. The information must be combined and narrowed down to its
essential elements in order to be summarised. This procedure not only helps with retention but
also makes it easier to find the main topics in the text.
• Questioning Techniques: Posing and responding to queries regarding the subject matter
encourages critical thought. Before, during, and after reading, readers should ask themselves
questions to stimulate their interest and promote a deeper comprehension of the material.
Better comprehension results from this exercise, which encourages an interactive conversation
with the text.
• Reread and Review: In order to enhance comprehension, it can be helpful to go over difficult
passages or the entire text again. Going over previously read content again helps with long-
term memory recall. A strong foundation of knowledge is developed by the regular revision of
key topics.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 1

I. Choose the best option for each of the questions below:

1. Which of the following reading strategies would you use to figure out what time your
favourite program is on television from the TV guide?
(a) skimming
(b) scanning
(c) intensive reading
(d) extensive reading

1. Which of the following reading strategies would you use to determine the theme of
a poem?
2. a. skimming

Unit: 53.– Reading

b. scanning
Comprehension 9
4. c. intensive reading
OBAC201: Functional English

2. Which of the following reading strategies would you use to determine the
theme of a poem?
(a) skimming
(b) scanning
(c) intensive reading
(d) extensive reading

II. Read the passage below using the skimming and scanning strategies of reading
comprehension. Identify the type of passage from the choices below:
As online learning becomes more common and more and more resources are
converted to digital form, some people have suggested that public libraries should
be shut down and, in their place, everyone should be given an iPad with an e-reader
subscription. Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns
money because libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will
encourage more people to read because they won’t have to travel to a library to get
a book; they can simply click on what they want to read and read it from wherever
they are. They could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy
physical copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital copies as they
need. While replacing libraries with digital tablets may seem like a simple solution, it
would encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite
the myriad issues surrounding them. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has
been shown to cause numerous health problems, including blurred vision, dizziness,
dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than reading print
does. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people have
come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the community
network that they could never be replaced by a simple object. Libraries have a
multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has a physical
location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving people
a way to converse with their neighbours, holding classes on a variety of topics,
providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 10

OBAC201: Functional English

3. Which statement best conveys the theme of this paragraph?

(a) The pros and cons of learning courses through online mode
(b) The importance of education
(c) Replacing libraries with digital devices
(d) The health hazards of reading

4. Identify the type of text that the passage is taken from:

(a) A romance novel
(b) An argumentative essay
(c) A travelogue
(d) A historical fiction

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 11

OBAC201: Functional English

5. APPLY READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS TO

UNDERSTAND POEMS AND STORIES
Poetry and stories can greatly improve the development of reading comprehension skills. Poetry
is distinguished by its deep emotional resonance, rich vocabulary and striking imagery. Effective
reading strategies will help to better understand the intricacies of poetry, unearth its hidden
meanings and develop a greater appreciation for its beauty and poetic expression.

5.1. Reading Comprehension Strategies to Understand Poems

Poems, with their concise yet vivid language, stimulate imagination. They encourage readers to
visualize and interpret abstract ideas, enhancing comprehension by promoting mental imagery.
Poetry often involves wordplay, rhythm and figurative language. This challenges readers to think
critically about the meaning of words and phrases, fostering a deeper understanding of language
nuances. Poems are emotional expressions condensed into verses. Encouraging readers to
connect with the emotions conveyed in poems helps build empathy and facilitates a more profound
understanding of the text.
Some of the effective reading comprehension strategies to understand poems are:
• Understanding Poetic Devices: Poetry uses a wide range of literary techniques to express
itself artistically. It is essential to become familiar with literary elements like metaphor, simile,
symbolism, and imagery in order to interpret a poem's multiple levels of meaning.
Understanding how poets express thoughts and feelings through words deepens your
understanding.
• Close Reading: Poetry requires thoughtful and in-depth reading. One must spend some
time reading the poem aloud several times, focusing on each word, line break and
punctuation marks. Attention must be given to the words used, their meanings and how
they affect the poem's overall tone and mood . The subtleties can be better understood
through close reading.
• Context Matters: Take into account the poem's literary, cultural, and historical setting.
Knowing history can help one get an important understanding of the poet's aims and the
subjects they choose to tackle. The poem's relevance can be understood by investigating
the poet's life, the time period in which they lived, and the dominant cultural influences.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 12

OBAC201: Functional English

• Structural Elements: The structure of the poem must be studied carefully. Analysing the
meter, rhyme scheme and form is also important for comprehending the poem. Knowing a
poem's structure will help to understand its meaning and emotional resonance. An elegy,
for instance, has a certain structure and form, which may have an impact on the grief that
pervades through the poem.
• Tapping into Emotion: Poetry is an effective tool for expressing feelings. The reader should
identify with the feelings that the poem conveys and understand how the overall emotional
tone is influenced by the language, images and rhythm. The comprehension of the
message of the poem can be strengthened if you can relate to the feelings that are depicted.
• Annotating and Analysing: As you read, make notes on your initial thoughts, inquiries and
observations. The reader can actively interact with the poem by annotating it, which
promotes a deeper comprehension. This can be done by marking important lines, symbols
or words that stand out using the margins and then the reader can record interpretations.
• Discuss and share: Discussions on poetry are often beneficial. Discuss the poetry with
classmates, professors or literary organisations. Talk about your interpretations and hear
what others have to say. The sharing of ideas might open your eyes to new possibilities
and deepen your comprehension.

5.2. Reading Comprehension Strategies to Understand Stories

Stories, with their clear narrative structure, help readers follow a sequence of events. This
structure aids in organizing information, allowing readers to make connections and comprehend
the storyline. Characters in stories provide readers with relatable experiences. Analysing
character motivations and actions enhances comprehension and encourages readers to make
predictions about the narrative. Stories often present information within a specific context. This
helps readers grasp the significance of details and encourages a holistic understanding of the
text.
There are various reading comprehension strategies to understand stories better. Story Mapping
is one where readers can create visual story maps to understand the structure of the story,
including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. This visual
representation will enable effective comprehension. Retelling and Sequencing is another strategy.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 13

OBAC201: Functional English

This is done when readers retell stories in their own words and sequence key events. This not
only reinforces comprehension but also improves communication skills.
These strategies will provide a starting point for integrating poems and stories into reading
programs. They will foster a love for literature and nurture essential reading comprehension skills
in learners of all ages.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 14

OBAC201: Functional English

6. APPLY READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS IN

PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
In our information-driven world, the ability to comprehend and interpret various types of written
content is crucial. Reading comprehension skills play a significant role in understanding news
articles and instructional manuals, both of which are prevalent in our daily lives.

6.1. Comprehending News Articles

• Active Reading: News articles often present information concisely. Readers must actively
engage with the text by asking questions, making predictions and summarizing key points.
Who, what, when, where, why, and how are effective prompts for critical analysis and
comprehension. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of the content.
• Context Awareness: Understanding the context in which news articles are written is
essential. Readers must consider the publication source, date and perspective of the
author. This helps in discerning biases and interpreting information accurately. Comparing
multiple sources will help to develop critical thinking skills by comparing news articles from
different sources on the same topic.
• Vocabulary Building: News articles may contain specialized terminology. Readers can build
a wide vocabulary by looking up unfamiliar words, which enhances comprehension and
allows for a deeper understanding of the news.
• Questioning the Text: Encourage readers to ask questions while reading news articles.

6.2. Comprehending Instructional Manuals

• Scanning and Skimming: Instructional manuals often contain detailed information. Readers
must scan for headings, subheadings and keywords to identify the main points quickly.
Skimming helps to get an overview before looking into specifics.
• Following Instructions: Emphasize the importance of following instructions in sequence.
Readers should break down complex instructions into manageable steps, ensuring a
systematic approach to tasks outlined in the manual.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 15

OBAC201: Functional English

• Visual Elements: Many manuals include visual aids such as diagrams and charts. Readers
should learn to interpret these visual elements in conjunction with the text, as they often
provide additional information and clarification.
• Annotation and Note-Taking: Readers must learn to annotate manuals by underlining key
points, circling keywords and jotting down notes. This active engagement enhances
comprehension and serves as a quick reference during tasks.
• Hands-On Practice: For manuals related to practical tasks, hands-on practice reinforces
comprehension.

6.3. Effective Reading comprehension strategies for Standardized

tests and Academic Assessments
Comprehension questions are a common component of standardized tests and academic
assessments. It requires test-takers to demonstrate their ability to understand, analyse and
interpret written information. Developing effective techniques for tackling comprehension
questions is crucial for success in these evaluations.
Some of the effective reading comprehension strategies or tips for students appearing for tests
and assessments are:
• Active Reading Techniques:
A key element of successful comprehension is active reading. By making annotations,
underlining important passages and taking notes, you can practise actively engaging with
the reading. This serves as a rapid reference when responding to inquiries in addition to
reiterating your comprehension.
• Previewing the Passage:
Spend a few minutes reading the passage or text before starting the questions. Examine
headings, subheadings and any content that is in bold or highlighted. This previewing
procedure offers a road map for comprehending the key terms, ideas and concepts in the
passage.

• Identifying Main Ideas:

Concentrate on recognising the passage's primary concepts and important elements.
These key ideas are often the focus of comprehension questions. Focus on the main

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 16

OBAC201: Functional English

themes and develop the ability to discern between primary and secondary sources of
information.
• Question Analysis:
Go over each comprehension question carefully, making a note of the keywords. Recognize
if the inquiry is asking for the core idea, inferences or specifics. You can answer the
question with the appropriate mindset if you do a comprehensive analysis of it.
• Context Clues for Vocabulary:
You might come across unexpected terms in academic exams as well as standardised
testing. Determine the meaning of these terms by using context clues. Pay attention to the
phrases or paragraphs surrounding the unfamiliar term, as they may provide more context.
• Skimming and Scanning:
Gain proficiency in scanning for precise facts and skimming for a brief summary. While
scanning makes it easier to find material pertinent to certain issues, skimming enables you
to understand the general organisation of the passage.
• Time Management:
Spend as little effort as possible on comprehension areas. Count the amount of readings
and questions and divide your time accordingly. This guarantees that you will have enough
time to carefully read, understand and respond to each set of questions.
• Elimination Technique:
The elimination strategy should be applied when answering multiple-choice questions. To
help you focus, cross out any answers that are obviously wrong. This makes it more likely
that you will choose the right response even if you're not sure.
• Practice with Timed Mock Tests:
Timed mock tests can be used to practise under test settings. This aids in the development
of both comprehension abilities and time management skills for the evaluation itself.
• Reflect and Learn:
Once practise tests are finished, go over both right and wrong answers. Recognize the
logic behind each right response and evaluate any errors. Your ability to comprehend
information better and how you respond to similar queries in the future are both improved
by this reflecting process.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 17

OBAC201: Functional English

7. CONCLUSION
Understanding reading comprehension is a prerequisite for success in many other facets of life,
not just the classroom. Anybody pursuing education, navigating through the obstacles in the
workplace or engaging in lifelong learning needs to have a strong foundation in reading
comprehension. It gives people the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and adapt to
the dynamic and ever-changing field of knowledge, which paves the road for long-term success.
In summary, developing reading comprehension is a complex skill that calls for preparation,
practice, and deliberate thought. Employing effective reading strategies can help to improve
comprehension skills and confidently navigate the demands of academic and professional reading.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS - 2

Read the passage and answer the comprehension questions that follow:
When people learn to play video games, they are learning a new literacy. Of
course, this is not the word “literacy” is normally used. Traditionally, people think
of literacy as the ability to read and write. Why, then, should we think of literacy
more broadly, in regard to video games or anything else, for that matter? There
are two reasons. First, in the modern world, language is not the only important
communication system. Today, images, symbols, graphs, diagrams, artifacts and
many other visual symbols are particularly significant. Thus, the idea of different
types of “visual literacy” would seem to be an important one. For example, being
able to “read” the images in advertising is one type of visual literacy. And, of
course, there are different ways to read such images, ways that are more or less
aligned with the intentions and interests of the advertisers. Knowing how to read
interior designs in homes, modernist art in museums and videos on MTV are other
forms of visual literacy. Furthermore, very often today words and images of various
sorts are juxtaposed and integrated in a variety of ways. In multimodal texts (texts
that mix words and images), the images often communicate different things from
the words. And the communication of the two modes communicates things that
neither of the modes does separately. Thus, the idea of different sorts of
multimodal literacy seems important .

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 18

OBAC201: Functional English

5. The traditional definition of ‘literacy’ is that it is:

(a) the ability to analyse literature
(b) the ability to comprehend basic cultural cues
(c) the ability to read and write
(d) the ability to compose poetry

6. In the passage, all are mentioned as being types of “visual literacy” EXCEPT
(a) Musical tones
(b) Interior Design
(c) Advertisements
(d) Modern Art

7. The author says that in its broader sense, _______________ means not just to
read and write but includes even video games.

8. In ___________________ texts, a combination of two or more communication

modes like print and image appear together.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 19

OBAC201: Functional English

8. SUMMARY
• Reading is a tool for lifelong learning and a doorway to knowledge, not merely a talent.
• Reading comprehension is an essential ability that serves as the cornerstone of critical
thinking and effective communication.
• Proficiency in comprehending, evaluating, and interpreting written material is critical for
both professional and personal growth, in addition to academic contexts.
• Understanding the meaning behind the text, forming connections, and drawing conclusions
are all part of reading comprehension, which goes beyond simply decoding words on a
page.
• Understanding Reading Comprehension is a skill that forms the foundation of success in
lifelong learning. It encompasses more than deciphering words.
• It involves comprehending and interpreting the meaning within the text.
• The dynamic process of increasing reading comprehension makes use of a range of pre-
reading techniques, active reading strategies, vocabulary development, mindfulness,
visualisation, summary, questioning, and review techniques.
• Poetry and stories can greatly improve the development of reading comprehension skills.
• Poetry is distinguished by its deep emotional resonance, rich vocabulary and striking
imagery.
• Effective reading strategies will help to better understand the intricacies of poetry, unearth
its hidden meanings and develop a greater appreciation for its beauty and poetic expression.
• In our information-driven world, the ability to comprehend and interpret various types of
written content is crucial.
• Reading comprehension skills play a significant role in understanding news articles and
instructional manuals, both of which are prevalent in our daily lives.
• Comprehension questions are a common component of standardized tests and academic
assessments.
• It requires test-takers to demonstrate their ability to understand, analyse and interpret
written information.
• Developing effective techniques for tackling comprehension questions is crucial for success
in these evaluations.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 20

OBAC201: Functional English

• Employing effective reading strategies can help to improve comprehension skills and
confidently navigate the demands of academic and professional reading.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 21

OBAC201: Functional English

9. GLOSSARY

Annotating - To add a short explanation or opinion to a text or image

Array - An ordered series or arrangement

The grouping together of a number of items by the mind, after which

Chunking -
they can be remembered as a single item

Hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can

Context clues -
use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words

Extensive Involves learners reading texts for enjoyment and to develop general
-
reading reading skill

Intensive reading - Learners reading in detail with specific learning aims and tasks

Scanning - Reading rapidly in order to find specific pieces of information

Strategic, selective reading method in which you focus on the main

Skimming -
ideas of a text

Standardized Tests that are given in the same manner to all test takers and graded
-
tests in the same manner for everyone

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 22

OBAC201: Functional English

10. TERMINAL QUESTIONS

Short-Answer Type Questions

1. Define the terms – Skimming, Scanning, Active Reading

2. Discuss the importance of reading comprehension.
3. Explain strategies that are effective in mastering reading comprehension.
4. Describe the steps that one must follow while comprehending news articles.
5. Read the passage and choose the best option.
Genealogy is fun. Just as a piece of furniture or a picture takes on much more interest if
you know its history, so does an individual become more real once the ancestral elements
that shaped us are known. An in-depth family history is a tapestry of all those to whom we
owe our existence.
Which statement best conveys the theme of this paragraph?
(a) Finding out about our ancestors is more interesting than researching the history of
objects.
(b) Genealogy is a study of people and their belongings in the past.
(c) Genealogical research can bring meaning and life to a family’s history.
(d) Most genealogies are a waste of effort.

Long-Answer Type Questions

1. “Reading comprehension is an essential ability that serves as the cornerstone of critical

thinking and effective communication”. Comment.
2. “When it comes to successful reading comprehension, a variety of reading strategies can
be adopted to enhance understanding, retention and critical analysis of written texts”.
Discuss some of the effective reading strategies discussed in this Unit.
3. Explain the Reading Comprehension Skills in Professional Contexts
4. Examine the Effective Reading comprehension strategies for Standardized tests and
Academic Assessments
5. Apply the rules of reading comprehension and analyse this poem.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 23

OBAC201: Functional English

Read the poem below and answer the comprehension questions that follow:
Where The Mind Is Without Fear – Rabindranath Tagore
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

1. By ‘narrow domestic walls’, the poet means:

(a) generation gap between parents and children
(b) concrete walls that divide houses
(c) barriers of caste, creed and religion that divide people
(d) walls that are narrow in size between apartments

2. What does the poet emphasise when saying that “knowledge is free”?
(a) free access to knowledge for all
(b) free education for girls
(c) free computer education in schools
(d) free scholarships for all

3. What are ‘reason’ and ‘dead habit’ compared to?

(a) rough sea and desert
(b) mountains and rivers
(c) desert and calm lake
(d) clear stream and desert

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 24

OBAC201: Functional English

4. Identify the poetic device in the underlined part of the line ‘Where tireless striving stretches its
arms towards perfection’
(a) Simile
(b) Personification
(c) Alliteration
(d) Metaphor

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 25

OBAC201: Functional English

11. ANSWERS
5. Analyse the relationship of sociology with History and political science.

11.1. Self-Assessment Questions

1. (a) skimming
2. (c) intensive reading
3. (c) Replacing libraries with digital devices
4. (b) an argumentative essay
5. (c) the ability to read and write
6. (a) Musical tones
7. literacy
8. multimodal texts

11.2. Terminal Questions

Short-Answer Type Questions

Answer 1: Define the terms – Skimming, Scanning, Context Cues for Vocabulary

Skimming and Scanning:

Gain proficiency in scanning for precise facts and skimming for a brief summary. While scanning
makes it easier to find material pertinent to certain issues, skimming enables you to understand
the general organisation of the passage.

Context Clues for Vocabulary:

You might come across unexpected terms in academic exams as well as standardised testing.
Determine the meaning of these terms by using context clues. Pay attention to the phrases or
paragraphs surrounding the unfamiliar term, as they may provide more context.

Answer 2: Understanding Reading Comprehension is a skill that forms the foundation of success
in lifelong learning. It encompasses more than deciphering words. It involves comprehending and
interpreting the meaning within the text. The capacity to grasp the content one reads holds
importance in areas of life, including education, career advancement, effective communication
and critical reasoning.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 26

OBAC201: Functional English

Answer 3: Improving the understanding of what one reads is a crucial skill that helps with both
academic success and overall cognitive development. When it comes to successful reading
comprehension, a variety of reading strategies can be adopted to enhance understanding,
retention and critical analysis of written texts.

Answer 4: In our information-driven world, the ability to comprehend and interpret various types
of written content is crucial. Reading comprehension skills play a significant role in understanding
news articles and instructional manuals, both of which are prevalent in our daily lives.

Answer 5: (c) Genealogical research can bring meaning and life to a family’s history.

Long-Answer Type Questions

Answer 1: Reading is a tool for lifelong learning and a doorway to knowledge, not merely a talent.
Reading comprehension is an essential ability that serves as the cornerstone of critical thinking
and effective communication. Proficiency in comprehending, evaluating, and interpreting written
material is critical for both professional and personal growth, in addition to academic contexts.
Understanding the meaning behind the text, forming connections, and drawing conclusions are all
part of reading comprehension, which goes beyond simply decoding words on a page. Academic
achievement is linked to proficient reading comprehension because it allows people to apply
critical thinking techniques, synthesise knowledge, and gather information from a variety of
sources. Beyond the classroom, being able to read well is essential for success in the workplace
because it promotes clear communication and sound decision-making.

Answer 2: Improving the understanding of what one reads is a crucial skill that helps with both
academic success and overall cognitive development. When it comes to successful reading
comprehension, a variety of reading strategies can be adopted to enhance understanding,
retention and critical analysis of written texts.

Answer 3: In our information-driven world, the ability to comprehend and interpret various types
of written content is crucial. Reading comprehension skills play a significant role in understanding
news articles and instructional manuals, both of which are prevalent in our daily lives.

Answer 4: Comprehension questions are a common component of standardized tests and

academic assessments. It requires test-takers to demonstrate their ability to understand, analyse
and interpret written information. Developing effective techniques for tackling comprehension
questions is crucial for success in these evaluations.

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 27

OBAC201: Functional English

Answer 5: Poetry and stories can greatly improve the development of reading comprehension
skills. Poetry is distinguished by its deep emotional resonance, rich vocabulary and striking
imagery. Effective reading strategies will help to better understand the intricacies of poetry,
unearth its hidden meanings and develop a greater appreciation for its beauty and poetic
expression.

1. (c) barriers of caste, creed and religion that divide people

2. (a) free access to knowledge for all

3. (a) clear stream and desert

4. (b) Personification

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 28

OBAC201: Functional English

12. REFERENCES
• Carver, Ronald P. “What Do Standardized Tests of Reading Comprehension Measure in
Terms of Efficiency, Accuracy, and Rate?” Reading Research Quarterly 27, no. 4 (1992):
347–59. https://doi.org/10.2307/747674.
• Close Reading a Text and Avoiding Pitfalls. 2024.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_about_fict
ion/index.html
• Practice Reading Tests
http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/practicereading.html
• Reading Practices for Assignment Prompts. 2024.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/multilingual/multilingual_students/understanding_writing_assig
nments/reading_practices_for_assignment_prompts.html
• Reid Smith, Pamela Snow, Tanya Serry & Lorraine Hammond (2021) The Role of
Background Knowledge in Reading Comprehension: A Critical Review, Reading
Psychology, 42:3, 214-240, DOI: 10.1080/02702711.2021.1888348

Unit: 5 – Reading Comprehension 29