Comprehension Skills Answering techniques Paraphrasing Parts of speech

Comprehension Skills

Answering techniquesParaphrasingParts of speech

TEACHER'S COPY MJC Paper II Skills 2

PAPER 2 FORMATPAPER 2 DESCRIPTION MARKS WEIGHT-

AGEDuration

Text comprises one or two passages.

Questions cover Understandin

g including literal comprehension and inference (10 - 15 marks)

Vocabulary (5 - 7marks)

Summary (8 - 10 marks)

Application (7 - 10 marks )

[Total marks: 35]

Do all questions.Questions will be set on one or two different passages that allow comparative analysis.Length of text(s) will be about 1200 words in total.

Line numbers will mark the text(s).

Content:Total 35 Use of English: 15

(A separate but holistic score based on the entire script.)

50% 1 hr.30 mins.


OBJECTIVESComprehension, interpretation and application

of a range of subject matter. This includes the ability to

• comprehend the text in detail and as a whole• infer relevant information • summarise information• evaluate information • make observations of patterns and relationships• apply understanding and interpretation in a task

derived from the text(s)

Comprehension Skills I

Answering techniquesID Main IdeaRequirements of QnTypes of QnsAnswering Qns


Identifying Main Idea in the Passage

1. Preview the Passage2. Skim through quickly3. Isolate the main idea 4. Or identify the topic sentences.5. Mind Mapping as a tool


Understanding the Requirements of the Qn

1. Read through the Qns… before the second reading of the

passage. Allows you to focus on the

passage.

2. Check for marks allocation amount of information needed.


Types of Questions

1. Content Questions Explanation of ideas/ information Explanation of writer’s attitude Articulation of main idea.

2. Vocabulary Questions3. Summary Question

≤ 150 words


Put in your own words what is meant by ‘intolerant of all speculation.’ [2]

Why do tobacco companies sponsor sport? [3]

Does the author agree or disagree with the move to legalize drugs? [2]

From paragraph 6-8, the author dignifies the mundaneness of the domestic arts. How does the author champion this argument? [8]

Content Questions: Examples


Answering Questions

Read with a pen Underline/ annotate sections

needed Avoid wholesale lifting Avoid changing the meaning of

the target phrase.

Comprehension Skills II

Paraphrasing Strategies

SynonymsDifferent Sentence PatternsChanging Order of IdeasUsing the Negative


Synonyms Use another word comparable in

meaning to the original. Insert the new word into the target

sentence; see if it makes sense. Eg: The way he behaves in class, his

parents should be required to write a note explaining his presence.

Operate?, perform?, run?, work?, act?


Different Sentence Patterns Passive to active. [Vice-versa]

Rome’s downfall was caused by various factors.

Various factors caused Rome’s downfall. The dog bit Joyce’s foot. Joyce’s foot was bitten by the dog.

Inversion of Phrases I went there in order to find out for myself In order to find out for myself, I went there. I will finish by today. By today, I will finish.


Different Sentence Patterns Using Dummy ‘it’ & ‘there’

We want your support. It is your support we want.

Sam saw John outside. It was John who Sam saw outside.

We have very little time. There is very little time.


Changing Order of Ideas A, B & C B, A, C. Let me lie in a grave dug under the wide

and starry sky. Under the wide and starry sky, dig the grave

and let me lie. [Robert Louis Stevenson] SECOND NOTICE: PLEASE PAY PROMPTLY

TO AVOID LITIGATION. To avoid litigation, please pay promptly after

the second notice.


Using the Negative You will look attractive if you get rid

of those ugly clothes. Buy yourself some attractive clothes

and you will look less dull. You must be hard at work for your

exams preparation. You must not be lazy for your exams

preparation


Danger zones

Misreading the original Leaving out important

information Including too much of the

original Inappropriate synonyms


Interpreting figurative use of language literally The poison of racial hatred infected

all levels of society. The venom* of …

The snail like pace of the lesson bores me. The slow pace…

He was like a bull in the china shop. He was clumsy…

Comprehension Skills III

Vocabulary Questions ID parts of speech

• Nouns• Adjectives• Verbs• Adverbs


NOUNS You can add a determiner in front.

a mouse, the cat, some idiots It expresses singular, plural or

possession. [genitive]

Mice, cats, dog_, Robert’s home. Special suffixes can be attached.

Participation, communism, performance


ADJECTIVES Premodify a noun

this clever man, those noisy students Acts as a complement

The lecturer is witty. Our students are dull.

Comparative vs Superlative David is smarter than Dave. You are most beautiful to me.


VERBS Indicates tense

Yesterday, Dave moved to Bishan. Sam received his posting 5 days ago.

Most important element of any main clause.


Obligatory/Compulsory verb

That old Farmer drinks beer. by the

bucketful.

That old farmer drinks beer by the bucketful.

That old farmer Drinks beer by the bucketful.

That old farmer beer by the bucketful. ×


ADVERBS Very mobile: Insert “fortunately”

MJC is in the east .

Types of adverbs Simple: just, only, soon Compound: therefore, somehow -ly: quickly, nearly


Performs a wide variety of functions. Space

We drove for fifty miles Time

Dave go there often. Process

He ate slowly. Emphasis

She was only asking Degree

I badly need a break after this lecture.


Identify the parts of speech. A student reported to the school

psychologist for an interview. Noun ‘Young man,’ said the psychologist, ‘are

you bothered by improper thoughts?’ Adjective ‘Gosh, no,’ replied the student. Verb ‘In fact, I’m rather fond of them.’ Adverb of manner.


This Term’s Work Answering inferential questions

Summary

Documents

Comprehension Skills Answering techniques Paraphrasing Parts of speech