Assignment paper

2019

Comprehension
Writing
 rules to read & attempt a
Comprehension passage
 an exemplary passage

English Department
Government Post Graduate College for Women
Haripur
Comprehension:
Pronunciation:

(Com·pre·hen·sion)

Word History:
The word comprehension means understanding.

When you lack comprehension of a difficult word, you will likely need to
look up its definition and usage in a cool, down-to-earth online
dictionary!

Origin:
Comprehension actually comes from the Latin term,
comprehensionem, which means "seizing".

When you have comprehension of a subject, you have seized information

and incorporated it into your own knowledge. Any kind of mental
grasping of an idea or a subject is a kind of comprehension.

Definition:
1. An ability to understand the meaning or importance of something
(or the knowledge acquired as a result).
2. The relation of comprising something (the fact of comprising;
inclusiveness).
3. Capacity to include; comprehensiveness.
4. The act of grasping with the mind
 5. (Logic) The sum of meanings and corresponding implications
inherent in a term.
6. (logic) The totality of intensions, that is, attributes,
characters, marks, properties, or qualities, that the object
possesses, that are pertinent to the context of a given discussion.
7. (Computing) a compact syntax for generating a list in some
functional programming languages.

Example:

An example of comprehension is; how well you understand a difficult

math problem.

Main Elements:
Comprehension entails three elements:

1. The reader who is doing the comprehending.

2. The text that is to be comprehended.
3. The activity in which comprehension is a part.

In considering the reader, we include all the capacities, abilities,

knowledge, and experiences that a person brings to the act of reading.
Text is broadly construed to include any printed text or electronic text.
In considering activity, we include the purposes, processes, and
consequences associated with the act of reading.
Rules to Read a Comprehension Passage
1. Do not over-emphasize trivialities:
Details are important but don't be obsessed with examples, illustrations and so
on. You just need to get a hang of the main point and not the examples.
Comprehending the overall flow and structure will help you analyze and
answer the questions.

2. Do not memorize:
You do not need to memorize every word present in the passage.
Understanding the flow, structure and the main points in the passage should
be your priority. For factual or specific point questions, you can always re-read
the passage.

3. Do not read the passage first:

Always go through the questions first and then the passage. This will prepare
you to focus on the things you need to look in the passage. Focus only on the
questions, and not on a particular answer option. A quick overview of the
questions is sufficient.

4. Do not over-emphasize on vocabulary skills for RCs:

Having a strong vocabulary is great however having Shakespearean
vocabulary will not prevent you from understanding the passage. So do not put
yourself under stress in this area, and while reading the passage, make sure
that you understand the gist of the passage and do not get stuck on particular
words.
5. Do not spend time on RCs that you cannot comprehend
at first:
At times we come across a passage that we are not able to comprehend. If you
are struggling with one such passage in the exam, make sure you have the
patience to avoid such a passage. Focus on the ones that you can manage
easily. Go back to the tricky passage in case of absolute necessity.

6. Do not think the correct option would come from outside

the passage:
Any of the options that are out of scope is never the correct answer. The right
answer is always based on the information given within the passage. Do not
focus on any of the options that distract you from the passage.

7. Do not rely on 'trigger words':

You might get trapped in the web of 'trigger words' if you don’t read attentively
through the passage. A passage may focus on one point for quite a bit of
sentences and then change it towards the end with trigger words like 'but' or
'however'. This will usually confuse readers who skim through the passage or
rush through it in haste.

8. Make Notes:
While reading obscure /abstract text, make sure you make some quick notes
for ready reference. You can write the general flow, structure, paragraph-wise
flow and important points. Remember that you do not have make really long
notes, just make a quick note of the important markers/points in the passage.

9. Try to preempt questions:

This is a really difficult skill but if you can master this, you will surely by the
'King of Reading Comprehensions'. While reading the passage, try to identify
the possible questions that could be asked, and which parts of the passage
seem the most likely candidates for question-setting.

10. Opening and Closing paragraphs require extra focus:

Questions such as the main idea question are based on the overall subject of
the passage, and majority of the times the answer for this question type lies in
the first and last paragraph of the passage. Ensure you derive the maximum
possible information from these paragraphs.

11. Constantly question yourself while reading the passage:

In order to maintain your concentration while reading, make sure that some
basic questions keep playing at the back of your mind: What is the author's
main point? Why is the author writing this? How has the author chosen to
convey his main point? How has the author organized his material?

Finally, don't expect to be stimulated. In fact expect the opposite! Majority of

the times you would be bored by RC topics and you should not allow this to
drain your energy. Maintain an impartial attitude towards the passage, and do
not get mentally hassled by obscure content.

The above form some of the basic points that should be kept in mind while
approaching reading comprehensions. These would improve your focus,
increase your grasp of the subject matter and deliver greater understanding. If
you achieve these, your task is more or less done.

Rules for Attempting a Comprehension Passage:

1. Read the passage fairly quickly to get the general idea.
2. Read again, a little slowly, so as to know the details.
3. Read the questions thoroughly. Turn to the relevant portions of the
passage, read them again, and then rewrite them in your own words,
neatly and precisely.
4. Use complete sentences.
5. If you are asked to give the meaning of any words or phrases, you
should express the idea as clear as possible in your own words.
Certain words require the kind of definition that is given in a
dictionary. Take care to frame the definition in conformity with the
part of speech.

Types of Comprehension Strategies:

There are six main types of comprehension strategies (Harvey and

Goudvis; 2000):

1. Make Connections:

Readers connect the topic or information to what they already

know about themselves, about other texts, and about the world.

2. Ask Questions:
Readers ask themselves questions about the text, their reactions to
it, and the author's purpose for writing it.
3. Visualize:
Readers make the printed word real and concrete by creating a
“movie” of the text in their minds.

4. Determine Text Importance:

Readers
a. distinguish between what's essential versus what's
interesting,
b. distinguish between fact and opinion,
c. determine cause-and-effect relationships,
d. compare and contrast ideas or information,
e. discern themes, opinions, or perspectives,
f. pinpoint problems and solutions,
g. name steps in a process,
h. locate information that answers specific questions, or
i. summarize

5. Make Inferences:
Readers merge text clues with their prior knowledge and determine
answers to questions that lead to conclusions about underlying
themes or ideas.

6. Synthesize:

Readers combine new information with existing knowledge to form

original ideas, new lines of thinking, or new creations.
 Exemplary Passage:

Read the passage below & then answer the questions which follow it.

It has been part of Nelson’s prayer that the British fleet might be distinguished
by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an example himself, he
twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoubtable, supposing that she
had struck because her great guns were silent; for as she carried no flag, there
was no means of instantly ascertaining the fact.

From this ship, which he had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball
fired from her mizzen-top which, in the situation of the two vessels was not
more than fifteen yards from that part of the deck where he was standing,
struck the epaulette on his left shoulder about a quarter after one, just in the
heat of action. He fell upon his face on the spot which was covered with his
poor secretary’s blood.

Hardy, who was a few steps from him turning round, saw three men raising
him up. “They have done for me at last, Hardy!” said he. “I hope not!” cried
Hardy. “Yes”, he replied; “my back-bone is shot through!” Yet even now for a
moment losing his presence of mind, he observed as they were carrying him
down the ladder, that the tiller-ropes which had been shot away, were not yet
replaced and ordered that new ones should be roped immediately. Then that he
might not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief and covered his
face and his stars.

Had he but concealed these badges of honor from the enemy, England perhaps
would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of
Trafalgar.

The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men; over whose bodies he
was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen’s
berth. It was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal.
This, however, was concealed from all, except Captain Hardy, the chaplain,
and the medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the sensation in his
back, and the gush of blood he felt momently within his breast, that no human
care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him and attend to
those to whom he might be useful.

Questions:
1. What is meant by ‘supposing that she had struck’?
2. How can Nelson be said to have been partly responsible for his
own death?
3. What do you understand by the ‘mizzen-top’?
4. Why did Nelson insist that the surgeon should leave him and
attend to others?
5. What qualities in Nelson’s character are revealed by the passage?

Answers:
1. ‘Supposing that she had struck’ means ‘thinking that the men in the ship
had surrendered’.
2. Nelson ordered his men two times to cease firing on Redoubtable during
the war. He concluded too early that the shipmen have surrendered. From
the same ship, a ball was fired at him and brought about his death. He
was thus partly responsible for his death.
3. The ‘mizzen-top’ is the platform round the lower part of the mast nearest
the stern.
4. Nelson was certain that it would be impossible to save his life. He,
therefore, insisted that the surgeon should attend to other wounded
people rather wasting time on him.
5. Nelson’s patriotism, his humanity, and his power of endurance are
revealed by this passage.