When helping your child prepare for their PSLE or O-Levels, it is vital to equip them with practical strategies for handling English comprehension. In this guide, we’ll provide 10 basic tips to improve their test-taking skills and explain how to tackle comprehension questions effectively.
Table of Contents
Toggle1. Understand The Type Of Questions Asked
A key tip for answering comprehension questions is identifying the type of question. Different strategies work for different questions. Literal questions ask for direct answers, while inferential questions require your child to read between the lines.
Example: A question like, “What was the character’s favourite activity?” is literal, so the reader should find the direct answer in the text. However, if the question asks, “Why do you think the character was upset?” The reader needs to infer based on clues like the character’s body language or tone.
2. Use Contextual Clues To Figure Out Vocabulary
Students should use context clues when they encounter unfamiliar words in the passage. By examining surrounding words or phrases, they can infer the meaning of the word without needing a dictionary.
Example: In the sentence “The storm raged violently, but the children remained unperturbed,” your child can infer that unperturbed means calm or unaffected, even if they don’t know the word’s exact definition.
3. Phrase To The Subject Of The question Instead Of Copying Directly
A common mistake in comprehension exams is copying answers directly from the passage. Copy-pasting sentences from the passage do not showcase one’s understanding. It’s crucial to understand who/what the subject of the question is and then phrase the answer from that perspective.
4. Answer In Full Sentences And Make Them Specific
Regardless of how simple a question seems, always encourage your child to answer in complete sentences unless it’s a quotation question. This not only ensures clarity but also demonstrates their understanding. Moreover, vague answers that lack specifics can lose you marks. Always aim to be precise and provide relevant details from the text.
Example: If the question is, “How did John feel when he lost the race?” instead of writing, “Sad,” your child should answer, “John felt sad when he lost the race.”
5. Focus On Keywords In The Questions
Students often lose marks by not following the specific instructions in the question. So, when reading the comprehension questions, focus on keywords that indicate what type of answer is required.
Pay attention to the key terms in the question, such as “explain,” “describe,” or “compare.” Each requires a different approach; ignoring these terms can lead to incorrect responses.
Example: In the question “Explain why the author describes the day as peaceful,” keywords like “explain” and “peaceful” suggest that they need to provide reasons and examples from the text related to calmness.
6. Tackle Inference Questions Carefully
Inference questions require students to deduce information that is not directly stated in the passage. Encourage them to look for subtle clues within the text to answer these questions. A simple way to think about this is – what is in the text is the clue needed while what I conclude from the text is the answer required.
Example: If the passage says, “She glanced nervously at the door,” and the question asks, “How does the character feel about the visitor?” your child should infer that the character is anxious or afraid, even though it’s not explicitly mentioned.
7. Understand The Author’s Tone And Purpose
Identifying the author’s tone (e.g., sarcastic, serious, humorous) and purpose is crucial in many comprehension exams. Applying this tip to answering comprehension questions helps you interpret the passage correctly.
Example: If a passage is written sarcastically, like “Oh, how wonderful it is to be stuck in traffic for hours,” your child should understand that the author doesn’t mean it literally and is expressing frustration.
8. Manage Time Effectively
Time management is an essential tip for comprehension exams. Students should allocate specific amounts of time to reading, answering questions, and reviewing their work. This ensures they complete the entire section without rushing.
Example: If the exam is 45 minutes long, they could spend 5–7 minutes reading the passage, 10–12 minutes answering questions, and the last few minutes reviewing their answers.
9. Answer All Parts Of The Question
This tip is often overlooked among the tips on answering comprehension questions. Remember that some questions may have multiple parts. Read carefully and ensure that you address all parts of the question so you won’t lose marks unnecessarily.
Example: For a question like, “Describe the character’s mood and provide two examples from the text,” your child should describe the mood and include two examples, not just one.
10. Stay Calm And Focused
Finally, staying calm and focused is crucial during comprehension exams. Students who panic may rush through questions, leading to mistakes. Remind them to remain composed and handle each question methodically.
Example: If a student gets stuck on a tough question, it’s better to move on and return to it later than to waste time stressing over it.
Conclusion About Tips For English Comprehension Exams
With these tips for handling comprehension and answering questions effectively, your child will be better-prepared to face their exams.
Remember to reinforce the importance of reading carefully, infering accurately, and managing their time efficiently. They’ll develop the skills needed to excel in their exams with regular practice.
DOApplied Learning by Epoch Talent Academy is a trusted English tuition in Singapore. We focus on helping students excel in PSLE and O-Level English comprehension. Many of our students have achieved outstanding results with Teacher Daniel’s guidance and our Pentagon Values System.
Visit our primary and secondary English tuition centres to boost your child’s proficiency. Our book “PSLE Writing Genius—1 Main Idea, 1000 Compositions!” provides essential strategies for PSLE writing success.
Schedule a free diagnostic consultation today to identify your child’s challenges and help them achieve excellence in their exams.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Comprehension Exams
How Can Students Improve Their Vocabulary For Comprehension Exams?
Reading regularly and using a vocabulary journal to record new words can significantly help. Practising synonyms and antonyms also builds word familiarity for paraphrasing.
Should Students Answer The Questions In The Order They Appear?
Not necessarily. To manage time effectively, it’s better to answer easier questions first and return to harder ones later.
How Can Students Avoid Getting Distracted While Reading Long Passages?
Encourage annotating or underlining key points to stay focused. Taking short mental breaks can also help refocus.
How Can Students Manage Their Time During Comprehension Exams?
Set specific time limits for reading, answering, and reviewing. Tackling more straightforward questions first can help save time for more challenging ones.
How Can Students Practise For Comprehension Exams Effectively?
Using past papers under timed conditions helps build familiarity with question types and improves speed. Regular practice ensures better performance in real exams.