Reading Comprehension

Students’ Workbook

Contents:
q Introduction
q Reading for facts
q Guessing meaning from context
q Scanning
q Skimming
q Inferring meaning
 q Critical Reading

Introduction
The purpose of reading is to connect the ideas on page to what you already know. If we don’t know
anything about a subject, then pouring words of text into our mind is like pouring water into our hands.
We don’t retain much. For example, try reading these numbers
7516324 ---------- This is hard to read and remember
751 – 6324 ------- This is easier because of chunking
123 – 4567 ------- This is easy to read because of prior knowledge and structure
Similarly, if you like a sport, then reading the sports page is easy. You have a framework in mind for
reading, understanding and storing information.

Reading Comprehension ---- Comprehending information ---- Understanding given information

Why do we need to comprehend information?
Everyone reads something at some point in his or her day, even if it’s a NO ENTRY sign at a cross
road. Very few of us, are required to read aggressively as part of our daily lives. In fact, reading for
adults usually falls into two categories.
1. Reading for work : This involves skimming newspapers, trade publications, customer
requirements, specialized magazines, and internal correspondence (e-mails, memos etc)

2. Reading for pleasure : When we read something that is interesting to us at our ideal place
like fashion magazines, novels etc
In future, when each of us work for a corporate, there are various situations where one needs to read,
write and understand business proposals, client or customer requirements and also be able to convert
that information into the required format. This helps in matching customer requirements and eventually
leading to customer satisfaction.

Why is reading comprehension included in various competitive examinations?

The main reason for reading comprehension being included as a part of various competitive
examinations such as GRE, GMAT, CAT, TOEFL, firstly is to test a student’s ability to comprehend or
decode written information and secondly, is to test the student on his/her ability to read and digest in a
quicker way.

Reading for Facts

Improving skill on reading comprehension begins with these two words – MINIMIZE RE-READING.
We all spend too much of time reading paragraphs again and again, mainly it is hard to concentrate on
subject matter when there is time constraint.
Have you ever noticed that reading is a lot easier when the text is broken into a lot of paragraphs?
That’s why the average paragraph in a news paper story is not more than seven or eight lines of text.
Rather than reading the reading comprehension passage as a large mountain of information, look at it
as a sum of several smaller parts. If you take smaller bits of information at a time, you will be able to
read and understand it really well.
Once a paragraph is read, try to extract the facts present in the paragraph. Identify what each sentence
could mean, where it is applicable, to whom it is applicable, why should someone write this, when it
will be applicable and how it will be used.
Try your hands on the following poem.

1. Who might the poet is addressing?

2. Do you think this is a Thanksgiving Day poem? Why?

Guessing Meaning from Context

Use the context to help you determine the meaning of each highlighted word.
1. Your cousin claimed to be late because the doors of his house were frozen shut. Even though I
have my doubts, his explanation is plausible. It got really cold last night. I'll just have to take his
word for it.
If a statement is plausible, __________.
a. you must always believe it
b. you should never believe it
c. it's hard to understand because it makes no sense
d. it's believable enough to possibly be true
2. If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!
Which word is a synonym of "curtail"?
a. reduce
b. follow
c. behind
d. buy
3. No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a clandestine operation in
order to succeed.
Which word is a synonym of "clandestine"?
a. family
b. useful
c. dangerous
d. secret
4. Put this medicine on your arm and rub it into your skin until it's invisible. It will inhibit the
infection's attempt to spread.
What does “inhibit” mean?
a. lives in a certain place
b. block or slow down
c. itch or burn
d. help to do something important

4. Fortunately, the dizzy spell was transient. He was able to continue playing within seconds and
had no trouble winning the match.
When you describe an event as “transient,” you are saying that __________.
a. it sounds like a train
b. it is quite harmful
c. it helps you win
d. it doesn't last long
5. Brea and Elizabeth are having a dispute over which radio station to play at work. It would be
so much simpler if they both liked the same kind of music.
A dispute is a __________.
a. musical instrument
b. choice of music
c. discovery
d. disagreement
6. When they heard the good news about the court’s decision, the angry crowd cheered and then
began to disperse. “It looks like everyone is going home,” one reporter stated.
Which would be the opposite of “disperse”?
a. come together
b. smile
c. fly like a bird
d. sing
7. it’s a wonder to me how anyone can still be undecided about this election. These two
candidates are certainly distinct. Each would lead our nation in opposite directions.
What does “distinct” mean?
a. needing a bath
b. dishonest
c. clearly different
d. about the same age

Note: Please refer to a dictionary to check the correct meaning of the words after you
finish the above exercise.

Scanning and Skimming

Many people consider skimming and scanning search techniques rather than reading strategies.
However when reading large volumes of information, they may be more practical than reading. For
example, you might be searching for specific information, looking for clues, or reviewing information.
Skimming is used to quickly identify the main ideas of a text. When you read the newspaper, you're
probably not reading it word-by-word; instead you're scanning the text. Skimming is done at a speed
three to four times faster than normal reading. People often skim when they have lots of material to
read in a limited amount of time. Use skimming when you want to see if an article may be of interest in
your research.

There are many strategies that can be used when skimming. Some people read the first and last
paragraphs using headings, summarizes and other organizers as they move down the page or screen.
You might read the title, subtitles, subheading, and illustrations. Consider reading the first sentence of
each paragraph. This technique is useful when you're seeking specific information rather than reading
for comprehension. Skimming works well to find dates, names, and places. It might be used to review
graphs, tables, and charts.

Scanning is a technique you often use when looking up a word in the telephone book or dictionary.
You search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're
concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the
page seeking specific words and phrases. Scanning is also used when you first find a resource to
determine whether it will answer your questions. Once you've scanned the document, you might go
back and skim it.
 When scanning, look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words,
first, second, or next. Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or
color. Sometimes the author will put key ideas in the margin.

Inferring Meaning
Inferring Meaning
Usually referred to as "reading between the lines”. This strategy usually involves:
q Forming a best guess using evidence -- context clues, picture clues, etc.
q Making predictions
q Drawing conclusions
q Finding meaning of unknown words

Critical Reading
As readers make sense of what they read, they use various relationships of ideas to aid recognition and
fluency. Critical reading as a goal includes the ability to evaluate ideas socially or politically.
Critical reading skills are the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize what one reads. They are the
ability to see relationships of ideas and use them as an aid in reading. Here are some examples of
critical reading skills:
1. Seeing questions and expecting answers
2. Seeing cause and effect: Being able to supply the correct word in a clause such as this one:
“If you drop it, it will b…..”
3. Seeing steps in a process: Being able to supply the correct word in a clause such as this
one:
“Pull up a chair and s...”
4. Seeing comparisons: Being able to supply the correct word in a phrase such as this one:
“As big as an e...”
5. Seeing generalization and itemization: Being able to supply the correct word in a phrase
such as this one:
“Fruits that grow in our village are ...”

Note: The following notes have been prepared in line with the JNTU syllabus for the III
year Engineering Students.
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