Now-a-days all competitive examinations besides admission tests at the national and international level test the reading comprehension of candidates. Reading comprehension is a compulsory testing component of these examinations. Therefore, it is essential that candidates, aspiring to take tests such as CAT, SAT, TOEFL, GRE etc., have to learn how to crack the reading comprehension passages.
Reading comprehension passages test the analytical ability of the examinees. The test is not complex, but it is slightly tricky. It needs little extra effort and practice to score full marks in this area. Logical thinking and critical reasoning also play a major role in answering the questions. We shall firstly discuss the various strategies that students can use to crack the Reading Comprehension Test.
Reading Skills
The research conducted by Carter Alexander and Irvid Burke shows that there are five kinds of reading skills. These skills are presented here in their ascending order of signifi-cance.
. Scanning: This technique consists of locating items in a mechanical fashion. E.g., Checking railway time-table, hotel menu card, directories etc.
· Scouting: This technique is used for searching or exploring for valuable references and determining the main features of references. E.g., Selecting relevant information from encyclopedias etc.
· Skimming: This technique is used for obtaining the central thoughts for some specific purpose. This is rapid reading or speed reading, which aims at compre-hending the main idea contained in the material. E.g., Novels, short stories etc.
· Critical reading: This technique is used for intensive reading in order to grasp full meaning. E.g., Epic poetry, literary criticism etc.
· Interpreting: This technique is the toughest stage in reading. E.g., Critical prose, criticism etc.
The Pace
Then comes issue of speed. How much should be the speed of reading? According to Paul Leady, most of the people indeed read ‘slowly, laboriously and inefficiently at a speed of 100 to 200 words per minute’. However, effective reading aims at 600 to 1000 words per minute
and remembering 80% of what is read.
In this context, I wish to quote a recent news item published in The Hindu, with the heading, “Dan Brown’s blockbuster sweeps the stores”. It is about the long-awaited book, The Lost Symbol written by Dan Brown, which was launched worldwide on Tuesday, September 15, 2009. Here, my attention was drawn to the world champion speed reader, Anne Jones’ remarkable reading skills. She reads with an astounding speed. The report says, “The world champion speed reader Anne Jones claimed to have devoured the 506-page adventure in just 41 minutes and 55 seconds”. She read 506 pages in 41 minutes and 55 seconds! That means, on an average, she read each page in 5 seconds. Amazing speed indeed!
Speed and efficiency in reading increase only by way of constant practice. Many readers do slipshod reading. This kind of reading does not help the reader to comprehend the central idea contained in the passage. Reading should not be treated as a casual activity. A systematic approach and a sincere effort should be put in to attain success. Reading is not a mechanical activity but a skill that has to be cultivated by everyone. There are some useful strategies that one has to use while developing this skill.
How to Crack the Reading Comprehension Test
Reading comprehension tests the ability to understand and interpret what is being read. Normally, depending upon the examination pattern, each passage has words ranging between 500 and 800 and contains seven to 10 questions with either four or five options. Reading comprehension questions take more time than any other types of questions. The main reason behind this is that you have to first read the whole passage, understand it and then begin to answer the questions. So, this exercise is quite time-consuming. Hence, reserve these questions to the last 30 or 40 minutes of the test. Here, speed reading comes handy. If you can read the passage quickly and also remember what you have read, it will be easy for you to answer the questions without going back to the passage once again.
Since the purpose of the questions is to solely test your reading ability, there is no need to be familiar with the subject matter given in the passage. However, it will be an added advantage if you read journals and newspapers regularly. Because, usually, a passage might be on any topic pertaining to the fields of science, technology, arts, literature, sports etc. If you are in touch with the latest happenings and current events, you will be able to answer the questions effortlessly. Besides, you need to have high levels of language proficiency, good stock of vocabulary and command over grammar. Skim the passages thoroughly before you start answering the questions. Do not be tempted to read the questions first. It is going to be a major distraction if you do this. Begin to answer the questions of the passage that you are familiar with. Go from easy to complex. This will not only reduce your stress but also save your precious time in the examination. Time management is the key to success in admission tests and competitive examinations. Hence, manage your time effectively.
Reading Section Questions
Generally, the following types of questions appear in the test.
· What is the central idea contained in the passage?
· Which of the following statements best summarises the passage?
· What is the tone of the author?
· Which of the following is not cited in the passage?
· The passage is mainly concerned with…
· The author’s primary purpose in this passage is to…
· The main theme of the passage is to highlight…
· Which of the following is a true statement?
· Which of the following statements is best supported by the information in the passage?
· The author states all of the following except…
· According to the author…
· It can be inferred from the passage that…
· The author implies that…
· The passage suggests that…
· Choose the synonym/antonym/one-word substitute…
Sample Passage
As the oceans warm and the glaciers melt, one of the definitive impacts of climate change will be a rise in sea levels. Scientists expect sea level rise (SLR) to the extent of one to several metres by the end of this century. Unfortunately, since the models for ice-sheet melting are in their infancy, more accurate estimates are not available. SLR results in an increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclones and hurricanes, storm surges, coastal inundation, salt water intrusion and damage to coastal ecosystems, all of which will make life along low-lying coasts and small islands difficult or impossible. When these areas are just a few metres above sea level, even less than a metre of SLR will make them uninhabitable and result in forced migration. Tens to hundreds of millions of people will have to move out of their homes permanently, thus becoming climate migrants or exiles.
In Bangladesh alone, where about a third of the population lives in the coastal region which is less than ten metres above sea level, up to 80 million people are likely to be forced to migrate inland or to other countries. SLR will possibly lead to internal displacement in large countries like China and India and also result in a significant number of stateless people from the smaller low-lying countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam and some atoll nations including the Pacific, Caribbean and Indian Ocean islands. The displacement is not expected to happen all at once, but will probably be spread out over time as various areas become unlivable.
If the Netherlands and other low-lying populated regions have successfully protected themselves thus far through dikes, dams and other barriers, why cannot these solutions be used for other countries? In the Netherlands, future protection is expected to require annual investments of about €1.5 billion just to protect its 200-mile coastline. However, in many delta regions of the world, dikes cannot be used effectively because of silt formation and shifting dunes. Thus, traditional adaptation strategies will not work for this one class of vulnerable people.
Small islands and coastlines of poor countries whose greenhouse gas emissions have been minimal to low, will be the ones most severely affected by SLR. Even as people, living on some small island-nations, have already started to migrate, the international community is still arguing over who is responsible for global warming and how to address it. China and India, which will become significant emitters, are also expected to experience large-scale internal displacement of people. Already, alarm is being raised by a number of those expected to be exiled as a consequence of SLR. Nevertheless, there is no need for such panic as the rise in sea levels should be slow for the most part. Preparation and a phased migration can resolve this issue. But it is important that the international community begins to address this matter at the earliest.
Questions
(1) What is one of the most striking impacts of climate change?
(a) Warming of ice-sheets
(b) Melting of dunes
(c) Depleting land masses
(d) Rising sea levels
(e) Decreasing ocean temperatures
(2) Which of the following is not true with regard to SLR?
(a) Coastal areas that are ten meters above sea level are spared from damage
(b) Hurricanes and cyclones occur more frequently and with more intensity
(c) Low-lying coasts and small islands will become unfit for habitation
(d) In low-lying coasts, even less than a meter of sea level rise will result in forced migration
(e) Storm surges, coastal inundation and salt water intrusion will take place
(3) Who are referred to as ‘climate exiles’ in the passage?
(a) People who became homeless refugees
(b) People affected by cyclones and hurricanes
(c) People displaced because of sea level rise
(d) People dwelling in coastal areas
(e) People residing in the Pacific coast
(4) SLR will perhaps lead to internal displacement in countries such as
(a) India
(b) China
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Vietnam
(e) All the above
(5) Choose the synonym of ‘atoll’ as used in the passage.
(a) A barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
(b) An island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon
(c) A low triangular area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
(d) A body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
(e) A ridge of sand created by the wind, found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
(6) What is the strategy used by the Netherlands to shield its coastline from SLR?
(a) It raised the level of shoreline by three feet
(b) It arrested the greenhouse gas emissions
(c) It constructed dikes, dams and other barriers
(d) It invested €1.5 billion and built permanent barriers
(e) It shifted vulnerable population to safe areas
(7) It can be inferred from the passage that in most parts of the world, dikes fail to work effectively owing to
(a) Silt formation and shifting dunes
(b) Low greenhouse gas emissions
(c) Stateless people in low-lying countries
(d) Climate change and global warming
(e) Imbalance in the ecosystem
(8) While the number of climate migrants is rising alarmingly around the world, the international community is
(a) Buying time
(b) Reacting positively
(c) Passing the buck
(d) Playing a proactive role
(e) Watching helplessly
(9) What opinion does the author express in the end?
(a) There is no need to hit the panic button because the sea level rise is very slow and so it may be ignored for the time being
(b) It is high time that the international community addressed this issue which is of crucial importance
(c) We have not lost the grace period yet and there is still lot of scope to revive the ecosystem
(d) The problem pertaining to climate migrants is a local one and so international community need not worry at all
(e) The damage is already done and so we have nothing to do now except waiting for another chance
(10) What could be an apt title for the passage?
(a) Global Warming
(b) The Sea Level Rise
(c) International Migration
(d) Greenhouse Gas Emissions
(e) The Climate Exile Alarm
The above passage has 482 words and contains 10 questions with 5 options. The questions test the ability to
· identify the main points
· find the specific details
· draw inference
· trace author’s opinion
· choose the false statement
· pick the synonym
· select the suitable title
These are a few tactics which you can apply while attempting the reading comprehension test.
Key of Answers
(1)D (2)A (3)C (4)E (5)B (6)C (7)A (8)C (9)B (10)E