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Short Comprehension Questions

Revision of Some Common Question Types for General Paper

General Guidelines
Paraphrase accurately. Must have wide vocab. Phrase your answer to suit what the question wants. Be direct.
Help youself by annotating you text. Mark out the main points, important supporting ideas or important connectors as you attempt questions to reduce tedious re-reading of the paragraph should the need arise Always remember the writers overall direction as you attempt the questions. Everything embeded in the text is meant to drive home the authors thesis. The tone of your answers should not stray from the authors direction and meaning

SEARCH-n-RESCUE Questions
Samples :
What is the author hinting at by the use of the words .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2011) Explain how the author justifies his use of the word .......... to describe ... Use your own words as far as possible (2011) In what ways is ... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2010) Explain in your own words as far as possible how and why ... (2008)

SEARCH-n-RESCUE Questions
Technique : Follow the text very closely. Meanings and intensity of the words in your paraphrase must match the meanings and intensity in the text Pay attention to connectors and sign posts that indicate separate points Take note of the marks allocated for the question

SIMILARITY Questions
Samples : What resemblances does the author see between .......... and .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2009) What are the similarities between .......... and .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2006)

SIMILARITY Questions
Technique : Find what is common between/amongst the items compared Do not simply describe the items separately When prompted, apply search-n-rescue techniques i.e. follow the text closely + paraphrase accurately

DIFFERENCE Questions
Samples :
Explain how .......... differ from .......... Use your own words as far as possible (2004) Explain why the author thinks that .......... compared to .......... Use your own words as far as possible (2004) What are the differences between .......... and .......... Use your own words as far as possible (2006) Give three ways which show that .......... Is different from .......... Use your own words as far as possible. (2007) In what ways does .......... differ from .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2011)

DIFFERENCE Questions
TECHNIQUE : Present the two contrasting parts When prompted, apply search-n-rescue techniques i.e. follow the text closely + paraphrase accurately

EXPLAIN THE PHRASE Questions


Samples :
What does the author mean by calling fast food outlets cheap sources of refuelling ? Use your own words as far as possible (2010) Explain how specialisation has relieved us of these and similar obligatory daily tasks. (2009) Explain what the author means by gender education needs to supplement sex education (2007) It is sentiment, not reason, that fuels their fanaticism. Explain what the author is saying by bringing out the meanings of the italicised words. (2003) Students seem to have little interest in the art of communication; they are only interested in content Explain what this means. (2002)

EXPLAIN THE PHRASE Questions


Technique : Chop the phrase up into its individual parts; then paraphrase each part accurately in context
i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

EXPLAIN THE ARGUMENT Questions


Sample :
Explain, in your own words as far as possible, the three distinct arguments used to defend .... (2002) Using your own words as far as possible, explain the authors argument in this paragraph. (2009)

EXPLAIN THE ARGUMENT Questions


Technique : Identify major breaks in the paragraph by marking out connectors etc.

IRONY / PARADOX / CONTRADICTION Questions


Samples :
Using your own words as far as possible, explain the irony ... (2010) ......................... Explain why this is a paradox. (2008) Explain the contrast and in what way it is contradictory. (2004) Explain what is ironic or contradictory about .......... (2002)

IRONY / PARADOX / CONTRADICTION Questions


Technique : Present both parts of the irony
On one hand, ... Yet, on the other hand ...

METAPHOR Questions
Samples : What is the authors purpose in describing ........... as being akin to .......... ? (2011) What view about .......... can be deduced from the phrase .......... ? (2003) Explain what the author means by ...metaphorical phrase... (2004)

METAPHOR Questions
Technique : Explain what the metaphor represents in the text

VOCAB-BASED INFERENCE Questions


Samples :
What is the author implying by using the word .......... to decsribe .......... ? (2011) What does the author mean by .......... ? (2010) Explain why the author uses the word .......... (2008) Explain what the author is referring to the words .......... (2009) What is meant by .......... ? How might .......... lead to ..........? (2008) What do you understand by .......... ? (2008) What does the expression .......... suggest about .......... ? (2007) What does the word/phrase .......... tell you about .......... ? (2006) How are .......... considered .......... ? (2006) Why does the author say that .......... about .......... ? (2006) What are the justifications underlying the verbs .......... and ..........

VOCAB-BASED INFERENCE Questions


Technique : The meaning of the word/phrase in the question must come through in the answer, together with its use in context
i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

LITTLE LOADED WORDS Questions


Samples :
Explain the authors use of the word even in the phrase even the packaging and the labelling. (2010) What does the linking phrase Be that as it may tell you about the previous paragraph ? (2009) Why does the author include the word significantly ? (2005) Show how the authors use of language seeks to give an impression of ... (2005)

LITTLE LOADED WORDS Questions


Technique : Same as vocab-based inference questions The meaning/function of the word must come through in the answer, together with its use in context
i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

OTHER CONTEXT-BASED INFERENCE Questions


Samples :
What point is the author trying to make in the last sentence ? (2003) Suggest a reason for the author ending the passage this way. (2011) What examples may the author be thinking of, and how do they support his argument ? (2008) Suggest and explain three distinct consequences ... as set out in paragraph 1. (2003) The text could present ideas through questions. The text could present points through the example, or a series of examples, The text could present an idea by expressing it indirectly in the negative/opposite form The question could ask for the opposite of what is presented in the text.

Technique : Look for clues in the context Understand the point / argument that is being presented

OTHER CONTEXT-BASED INFERENCE Questions

ILLUSTRATION Questions
Samples :
How does the writer illustrate the word ..........? (2011) How does the paragraph illustrate the concept of / idea that .......... ? (2010, 2009) How does the illustration support the argument that .......... (2008) Which illustration supports the idea that .......... ? (2008) Which references justify the word .......... ? (2007) Explain how the 3 examples given show .......... (2004) Explain how the examples are used to develop the writers argument. (2003)

ILLUSTRATION Questions
Technique : Which, What requires you to locate and cite the correct example(s) Explain how / How requires you to cite the correct example(s) and explain succinctly according to the question

PUNCTUATION Questions
Samples : Why is this word in inverted commas / quotation marks ? (2010, 2009, 2003) What does the author intend you to understand by the three dots (...) ? (2004)

PUNCTUATION Questions
Technique : Show you understanding of the function of the punctuation in the given context, and if necessary, + the meaning(s) of the word(s) punctuated

Explain Connections Between Different Parts of Text Questions


Samples : Suggest a reason for the author ending the passage this way. (2011) Which aspect of the authors argument is reinforced by the quotation ... ? (2010) Suggest and explain three distinct consequences ... as set out in paragraph 1. (2003)

Explain Connections Between Different Parts of Text Questions


Technique : Always remember the writers overall direction as you attempt the questions. The tone of your answers should not stray from the authors direction and meaning

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