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Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand Text A: Written Extract quickly and effectively.
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The comprehension section includes a written extract followed by questions. To answer effectively, follow this three-step reading process:
Skim the text to get a general idea of its content:
Identify the number of paragraphs.
Read the title for clues about the passage's content and purpose.
Observe headings and sub-headings.
Check who wrote the text and where it was published (if given).
Look for key words, names, and topic sentences.
Identify difficult or unfamiliar words.
Note the introductory paragraph (sets the tone) and final paragraph (summarises the extract). Then, scan the questions to determine what information to focus on:
Look for names of people or places.
Identify question words and instructions.
Spend about 5 minutes on this step.
Read attentively to fully understand the text. Consider the 'WH' questions:
Tip: Consider both literal and figurative meanings. For example, 'the story touched my soul' is figurative, meaning it had an emotional effect.
✅ Mark allocation: If a question is worth 2 marks, provide two points.
✅ Key words/topic sentences: These indicate the main idea of a paragraph.
✅ Use your own words unless asked to quote.
✅ Synonyms & antonyms: Use the same part of speech as the given word.
✅ Avoid conjunction starters like 'but' or 'because'.
✅ TRUE/FALSE: Always justify answers unless stated otherwise.
✅ Consecutive words: If asked to quote, provide the exact phrase without adding extra words.
By following these steps, you can effectively understand and answer comprehension questions in Paper 1.
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