Text A: Written Extract (Grade 10 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Text A: Written extract
What is Text A?
Text A is a written extract that forms part of the comprehension section in your exam. You will read a passage of text and then answer questions about it. To tackle this section successfully, you need to follow a systematic approach that helps you understand the text deeply and answer questions accurately.
The key to success in Text A is not just reading—it's reading strategically. By following a structured process, you can ensure you extract all the information needed to answer questions confidently and accurately.
The three-step reading process
Success in comprehension depends on using an effective reading strategy. The three-step process helps you work through the text methodically, from getting a quick overview to reading carefully and finally answering questions with confidence.
Step 1: Skim and scan the text and questions
The first step is about getting a quick overview of what you're dealing with. This helps you understand the text's structure and what the questions require before you dive into detailed reading.
Skimming the text
Skimming means quickly looking through the text to understand its general structure and content. Here's what to look for:
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Number of paragraphs: Count how many paragraphs the text contains. This gives you an idea of the text's length and helps you locate information later.
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The title: The title provides important clues about what the passage discusses and its purpose. It often hints at the main theme or subject.
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Headings and sub-headings: These break the text into sections and show you how ideas are organised. They act like signposts guiding you through the content.
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Who wrote the text: Check if the author's name is given and where the text was published. This context can help you understand the text's purpose and perspective.
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Key words, names, and topic sentences: Look for words that appear frequently or seem important. Names of people and places are particularly significant. Topic sentences (usually at the start of paragraphs) tell you what each paragraph is about.
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Difficult or unfamiliar words: Note any words you don't understand. You might need to work out their meaning from context when you read more carefully.
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Introductory paragraph: The opening paragraph usually sets the tone for the entire text. It introduces the main idea or situation.
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Final paragraph: The closing paragraph often summarises the main points or provides a conclusion. It brings the text's ideas together.
Scanning the questions
After skimming the text, look quickly through the questions to determine what information you need to focus on:
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Names of people or places: Questions often ask about specific individuals or locations mentioned in the text.
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Question words and instructions: Identify what type of answer each question requires. Words like "explain", "describe", "identify" or "quote" tell you exactly what to do.
Time management tip: Spend approximately 5 minutes on this first step. Don't rush, but don't get stuck on details either—this is just your initial survey. Using your time wisely here sets you up for success in the remaining steps.
Step 2: Read the text carefully
Now that you have an overview, it's time to read the text with full attention. Your goal is to understand every detail, from the basic facts to the writer's purpose and style.
Use the WH questions
As you read, ask yourself these six questions to ensure complete understanding:
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WHO: Who are the characters (in fiction) or people discussed (in non-fiction)? Understanding who the text is about helps you follow events and relationships.
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WHAT: What is the main idea of the text? What events, situations, or concepts does it describe? This is the core content you need to grasp.
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WHERE: Where does the event take place? The setting can be important for understanding context and meaning.
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WHEN: When does the action happen? Time can affect how you interpret events and their significance.
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WHY: Why was this text written? What is the author's purpose? Are they trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or something else?
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HOW: How does the writer express their ideas? Consider the tone (is it serious, humorous, sad?), the style (is it formal or informal?), and the language choices (which words create particular effects?).
The WH questions act as a comprehensive checklist for understanding. If you can answer all six questions after reading, you have a solid grasp of the text's content, context, and purpose.
Understanding literal and figurative meanings
As you read, pay attention to both literal and figurative language:
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Literal meaning: The actual, dictionary definition of words and phrases. For example, "the sun rose at 6am" means exactly what it says.
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Figurative meaning: Language used in a non-literal way to create an effect or convey emotions.
Understanding Figurative Language
Consider the phrase: "the story touched my soul"
This doesn't mean physical touching. Instead, it expresses that the story had a deep emotional impact. The writer uses "touched" figuratively to convey how powerfully the story affected them emotionally.
Recognising whether language is literal or figurative is crucial for understanding the text's full meaning and answering questions correctly.
Step 3: Answer the questions
You've skimmed, read carefully, and now understand the text. It's time to demonstrate that understanding by answering the questions effectively.
Preparation
Before you start writing answers:
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Read all questions carefully: Make sure you understand exactly what each question asks.
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Make rough notes: Jot down initial ideas or key points you want to include. This helps organise your thoughts before writing full answers.
Tips for answering comprehension questions
Follow these important strategies to maximise your marks:
- Mark allocation: Pay close attention to how many marks each question is worth. If a question carries 2 marks, you need to provide two separate points or pieces of information. The marks guide you on how much detail to include.
Common Mistake to Avoid
Students often lose marks by not matching their answer length to the mark allocation. If you only provide one point for a 2-mark question, you can only earn 1 mark—even if your single point is correct. Always count your points and match them to the marks available.
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Key words and topic sentences: These reveal the main idea of a paragraph. When answering questions about paragraph content, focus on these elements.
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Use your own words: Unless a question specifically asks you to quote from the text, rephrase the information in your own words. This shows you truly understand the content rather than just copying.
Rephrasing demonstrates comprehension. When you can express an idea in different words, it proves you've understood the concept rather than simply memorised the text.
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Synonyms and antonyms: When answering questions about synonyms (words with similar meanings) or antonyms (words with opposite meanings), make sure your answer uses the same part of speech as the original word. For example, if the given word is a noun, your answer should also be a noun.
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Avoid conjunction starters: Don't begin your answers with words like "but" or "because". Start with the main point directly. These words create incomplete sentences when used at the beginning.
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TRUE/FALSE questions: When answering true/false questions, always justify your answer by explaining why it's true or false—unless the instructions state otherwise. Simply writing "True" or "False" without explanation usually won't earn full marks.
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Consecutive words: If a question asks you to quote specific consecutive words from the text, provide the exact phrase as it appears. Don't add extra words or change the order. "Consecutive" means words that follow one another directly in the text.
By following this three-step process systematically, you can effectively understand and answer comprehension questions in Paper 1. Practice using this method with different texts to build your confidence and skills.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
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Follow the three-step process: Skim and scan first (5 minutes), then read carefully, and finally answer strategically. This structured approach ensures you don't miss important information.
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Use the WH questions framework: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, and HOW help you understand every aspect of the text from characters to purpose.
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Pay attention to literal versus figurative language: Words can mean exactly what they say (literal) or express ideas in creative, non-literal ways (figurative). Both types are important for full comprehension.
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Match your answer to the mark allocation: The number of marks tells you how many points to make. Two marks = two points. This prevents you from writing too little or too much.
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Use your own words unless asked to quote: Rephrasing shows understanding. Only copy directly from the text when the question specifically instructs you to quote or provide consecutive words.