Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension in simple words can be defined as one’s ability to make meaning out of a given text. To determine the meaning of a text, the reader needs to make personal connections with the text. The person must know the meaning of the vocabulary used. The reader should be clear with the purpose of reading. The reader must know the text structure. 

“The ability to understand in the written form is called reading comprehension.”

Way to learn comprehension skills: 

One’s comprehension skills depend upon recognising words quickly and efficiently. The comprehension skills are also determined by the person’s cognitive development responsible for constructing one’s thought processes. Individuals must work on their cognitive ability to develop comprehension skills.

Types of reading comprehension: 

Reading comprehension can be divided into two broad categories: factual passage and descriptive passage. 

Factual passage: The type of passage that involves some background knowledge is called a factual passage. Under factual passage, it is clearly stated which topic is being discussed. Factual passages directly convey information about one particular subject. Case-based unseen factual passages are those that are never read by the reader before. Such passages are to be read on the spot and then answered. 

Descriptive passage:  The type of passage that talks about several topics at random and usually these topics do not have any connection with each other is called descriptive passage. They do not give clarity to the reader. While reading such a passage reader usually stays confused.

Reading strategies: 

The reading methods for comprehension are the strategic plans that allow good readers to make sense of text quickly. Given below are the key comprehension strategies: 

Use prior knowledge for predicting: After reading the heading of the passage or initial lines, the reader must try to understand the text they are about to read and try to relate with the prior knowledge.

Summarisation: After reading the text, the reader must determine the summary of the passage and try to understand the writer’s purpose of writing the text.

Questioning: Students must try to answer the questions given under passage at this stage.

Make inferences: When something is not clearly stated in the text, students must try to use their knowledge to acquire clues from the text.

Conclusion: 

Reading comprehension is the ability of an individual to derive meaning out of a text. There are two main types of reading comprehension: factual passages and descriptive passages. Reading comprehension tests the cognitive ability of a person. One should be careful and practised in effective reading to be able to answer questions from reading passages.