Text A: Written Extract (Grade 10 NSC Matric English HL): Revision Notes
Text A: Written Extract
Introduction to comprehension
Your Paper 1 exam includes a comprehension section based on a written passage. You'll need to read this extract carefully and answer questions about it. To tackle this effectively, use a structured three-step approach that helps you understand the text and respond accurately.
This guide presents a systematic three-step method for comprehension:
- Skim and scan the text and questions
- Read carefully with purpose
- Answer thoughtfully using evidence from the text
Mastering this approach will help you tackle comprehension questions with confidence.
Step 1: Skim and scan the text and questions
Skimming the passage
Start by quickly reading through the extract to get an overall sense of what it's about. This initial read-through helps you understand the general content before diving into details.
During your skim, look for these important features:
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Number of paragraphs: Count how many paragraphs the text contains. This gives you a sense of the text's length and structure.
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Title: The heading often reveals the passage's main focus and purpose.
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Headings and sub-headings: These signpost the text's organisation and main ideas.
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Author and publication details: Note who wrote the piece and where it appeared (if this information is provided). This context can help you understand the text's purpose.
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Key words, names, and topic sentences: These highlight the main ideas in each paragraph. Topic sentences typically appear at the start or end of paragraphs.
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Difficult or unfamiliar words: Mark any words you don't know so you can work out their meaning from context later.
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Introductory paragraph: This sets the tone for the entire passage and often introduces the main theme.
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Final paragraph: This usually summarises or concludes the writer's argument.
Scanning the questions
After skimming the text, quickly read through all the questions. This tells you what information you need to focus on when you read more carefully.
While scanning questions, notice:
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Names of people or places: These tell you which parts of the text are most important.
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Question words and instructions: Words like "explain", "describe", "identify", or "quote" tell you exactly what type of answer is needed.
Exam tip: Allocate about 5 minutes to this initial skimming and scanning phase. This time investment pays off by helping you locate information quickly during the exam.
Step 2: Read the text carefully
Now read the passage again, but this time read slowly and attentively. Your goal is to fully understand the content, purpose, and techniques used by the writer.
The 'WH' questions approach
As you read, consider these critical questions:
The 5Ws and H Framework:
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WHO are the characters (in fiction) or people discussed (in non-fiction)?
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WHAT is the main idea or central message?
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WHERE does the event or discussion take place?
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WHEN does it happen? Is there a specific time frame?
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WHY was the text written? What is the author's purpose?
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HOW does the writer express ideas? Think about tone, style, and language choices.
These questions help you extract and organise key information systematically.
Understanding literal and figurative meanings
Pay attention to both types of meaning in the text:
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Literal meaning: The straightforward, dictionary definition of words and phrases.
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Figurative meaning: The implied or symbolic meaning that creates deeper impact.
Understanding Figurative Language:
If a writer says "the story touched my soul", this is figurative language.
Analysis: It doesn't mean the story physically touched anything; rather, it expresses that the story had a powerful emotional effect.
Key insight: Figurative language adds depth and emotional resonance to writing beyond literal dictionary meanings.
Exam tip: Always consider whether language is being used literally or figuratively, as questions may test your understanding of both. Misinterpreting figurative language as literal (or vice versa) can lead to incorrect answers.
Step 3: Answer the questions
Once you've read and understood the text, you're ready to tackle the questions. Take your time and answer thoughtfully.
Preparation before writing
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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 before writing your final answer. This helps you organise your thoughts.
Essential tips for answering comprehension questions
Follow these guidelines to maximise your marks:
Mark allocation: If a question is worth 2 marks, you need to make two distinct points in your answer. Match the number of points to the marks available. This is one of the most common ways students lose marks unnecessarily.
Key words and topic sentences: These reveal the main idea of each paragraph. Use them to locate relevant information quickly.
Use your own words: Unless the question specifically asks you to quote, rephrase information from the text in your own words. This demonstrates understanding and is often a requirement for full marks.
Synonyms and antonyms: When asked for these, ensure you provide words that are the same part of speech as the given word. For example, if asked for a synonym of the noun "happiness", don't give the adjective "happy".
Avoid conjunction starters: Don't begin answers with words like "but" or "because". Write complete, clear sentences that can stand alone.
True/False questions: Always justify your answer with evidence from the text unless the question states otherwise. Don't just write "true" or "false".
Consecutive words: When asked to quote consecutive words, write the exact phrase from the text without adding or removing any words.
By following this systematic three-step process, you can approach comprehension questions with confidence and accuracy.
Key Points to Remember:
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Spend about 5 minutes on Step 1 (skim and scan) to get oriented before reading in detail.
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Use the 5Ws and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How) to guide your careful reading.
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Always consider both literal and figurative meanings when interpreting language.
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Match the number of points in your answer to the marks allocated.
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Rephrase information in your own words unless specifically asked to quote.
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Read questions carefully and look for instruction words like "explain", "describe", "identify", or "quote".
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Justify all True/False answers with evidence from the text.