Understanding Reading Comprehension with Examples
Reading comprehension questions are designed to assess a reader's understanding and interpretation of a given text. They are used to evaluate a reader's ability to comprehend and analyze the information presented in a passage, as well as their skills in drawing logical inferences and making connections within the text.
Although there are no particular rules for reading comprehension to follow while answering questions, one can learn to crack such questions in placement exams with the help of examples and expert tips.
Read these examples of reading comprehension to understand the concepts better:
Example 1
The education system is a crucial aspect of any society, shaping the future of its citizens. With increasing competition and evolving industry requirements, higher education plays a pivotal role in preparing individuals for the professional world. However, the affordability and accessibility of higher education have become major concerns in recent years. Rising tuition fees and the burden of student loans have created barriers for many deserving students.
In light of this situation, several countries have taken initiatives to address these challenges. For example, in 2020, Germany abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students at public universities. This move aimed to make higher education accessible to a larger population and reduce financial burdens. Similarly, some countries have introduced scholarship programs and loan forgiveness schemes to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Such efforts highlight the importance of equitable access to quality education. It is essential for governments and institutions to prioritize and invest in affordable higher education, ensuring that deserving individuals have equal opportunities to succeed in their chosen fields.
Question 1:
Which of the following words can be best replaced with "essential" as used in the passage?
a. crucial
b. concerns
c. evolving
d. pivotal
Answer: a. crucial
Explanation:
The word "essential" means important or necessary. In the passage, it is used to emphasize the significance of equitable access to quality education.
The word "crucial" has a similar meaning and can be used interchangeably.
Question 2:
What is the main idea of the passage?
a. Rising tuition fees are a global issue.
b. Germany has made higher education free.
c. The importance of affordable and accessible higher education.
d. Governments should prioritize scholarship programs.
Answer: c. The importance of affordable and accessible higher education.
Explanation:
The passage discusses the significance of higher education, particularly focusing on the challenges of affordability and accessibility.
It mentions initiatives taken by countries like Germany to address these challenges and emphasizes the need for equitable access to quality education.
Therefore, the main idea of the passage is the importance of affordable and accessible higher education.
Example 2
The theory of existentialism, popularized by philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, delves into the depths of human existence and the freedom individuals possess in shaping their own lives. According to existentialist thought, human beings are confronted with the inherent meaninglessness of life, and it is their responsibility to create meaning and purpose for themselves. This philosophy emphasizes the significance of personal choice, authenticity, and the acceptance of uncertainty.
Existentialism also explores the concept of "bad faith," which refers to the act of individuals deceiving themselves and denying their freedom. By succumbing to societal expectations, individuals lose touch with their true selves and become alienated from their own existence.
Moreover, existentialist thinkers emphasize the importance of individual responsibility and the consequences of one's actions. They argue that every decision made has an impact on one's own life as well as the lives of others. This notion of responsibility highlights the ethical dimensions of existentialism.
Question 1:
According to the passage, what is the concept of "bad faith" in existentialism?
The denial of personal freedom
The search for meaning and purpose
The acceptance of uncertainty
The act of deceiving oneself
Answer: (d) The act of deceiving oneself
Explanation:
The passage states that "bad faith" in existentialism refers to the act of individuals deceiving themselves and denying their freedom.
It explains that by conforming to societal expectations, individuals lose touch with their true selves and become alienated from their own existence. Therefore, the correct answer is option d.
Question 2
What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
(a) To explain the philosophy of existentialism
(b) To discuss the impact of societal expectations
(c) To critique the concept of personal freedom
(d) To analyze the ethical dimensions of existentialism
Answer: To explain the philosophy of existentialism (Option a)
Explanation:
The passage primarily focuses on providing an explanation of the theory of existentialism. It discusses key concepts and ideas associated with existentialist thought, such as personal choice, the search for meaning, and individual responsibility.
The author's purpose is to elucidate the philosophy of existentialism, making option a the correct answer.
Tips and Tricks to Solve Reading Comprehension Questions
Selecting Words questions can be easily solved by learning reading comprehension tips and tricks. These tips and tricks are very useful in finding the correct answer quickly and effectively, saving a lot of time.
Follow these tips and tricks while solving reading comprehension questions:
1. Analyze Your Reading
Understand and evaluate your current reading process. It's important to understand your current reading levels and limitations. To improve reading comprehension, first work on those issues. Start with the unfamiliar text from any content you find hard to read.
2. Engage in Active Reading
Avoid passive reading. When you actively engage and interact with texts, you retain them better. It also improves your comprehension skills and your ability to extract information and meaning.
3. Preview Text Before Reading
Engage with the text before reading to improve comprehension. Try to analyze the theme and main ideas in the text while previewing it.
4. Keep Your Mind Alert
Keeping your brain engaged while reading can help retain more information. Keep the questions in mind while reading and look for points/sentences that help answer those questions.
5. Summarizing is Crucial
Summarizing a text after reading it can help you pull out the main points and recall what you've learned from it.
6. Enhance Your Reading Speed
Keep increasing your reading speed with consistent reading. A better word per minute can be a game changer for reading comprehension. You can try learning this from the book " How to Read Better and Faster by Norman Lewis."
FAQsFAQs
Why is understanding the concepts of reading comprehension important?
Understanding the concepts of reading comprehension is crucial because it forms a significant portion of the verbal ability section in various placement exams. It is not only about understanding the text but also interpreting, analyzing, and deriving inferences from it.
Understanding these concepts helps to answer different types of verbal ability questions accurately, ranging from direct facts to complex inference-based questions.
How do understanding examples assist in solving reading comprehension questions more effectively?
Understanding examples is a powerful tool in effectively solving reading comprehension questions. Examples in reading comprehension often illustrate how topics and themes are developed in the text.
By studying these examples in the reading comprehension topic, learners can understand how ideas and arguments are constructed, which helps in breaking down complex passages during exams.
Do we have rules to solve questions on reading comprehension?
No, there are no specific rules that students need to learn to solve the reading comprehension topic in verbal ability. However, there are certain tips and tricks for reading comprehension that students must know to solve the questions on this topic in a verbal ability exam.
What are some of the helpful tips to learn reading comprehension?
Here are some tips to improve and learn reading comprehension:
- Understand your current reading abilities and limitations.
- Engage with challenging texts to expand your skills.
- Practise active reading to immerse in the text.
- Preview the text to identify its structure and main ideas.
- Stay mentally active while reading to retain more information.
- Summarise the text post-reading to consolidate your understanding.
