Short Comprehension

QuestionsRevision of Some Common

Question Types for General Paper

General Guidelines• Paraphrase accurately. Must have wide vocab.• Phrase your answer to suit what the question

wants. Be direct.• Help youself by annotating you text. Mark out the main points,

important supporting ideas or important connectors as you attempt questions – to reduce tedious re-reading of the paragraph should the need arise

• Always remember the writer’s overall direction as you attempt the questions. Everything embeded in the text is meant to drive home the author’s thesis. The tone of your answers should not stray from the author’s direction and meaning

SEARCH-n-RESCUE QuestionsSamples :• What is the author hinting at by the use of the words

“..........” ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2011)• Explain how the author justifies his use of the word

“..........” to describe ... Use your own words as far as possible (2011)

• In what ways is ... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2010)

• Explain in your own words as far as possible how and why ... (2008)

SEARCH-n-RESCUE Questions

Technique :• Follow the text very closely.• Meanings and intensity of the words in your

paraphrase must match the meanings and intensity in the text

• Pay attention to connectors and sign posts that indicate separate points

• Take note of the marks allocated for the question

SIMILARITY Questions

Samples :• What resemblances does the author see

between .......... and .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2009)

• What are the similarities between .......... and .......... ? Use your own words as far as possible. (2006)

SIMILARITY Questions

Technique :• Find what is common between/amongst the

items compared• Do not simply describe the items separately• When prompted, apply search-n-rescue

techniques i.e. follow the text closely + paraphrase accurately

DIFFERENCE QuestionsSamples :• Explain how .......... differ from .......... Use your own words

as far as possible (2004)• Explain why the author thinks that .......... compared

to .......... Use your own words as far as possible (2004)• What are the differences between .......... and .......... Use

your own words as far as possible (2006)• Give three ways which show that .......... Is different

from .......... Use your own words as far as possible. (2007)• In what ways does .......... differ from .......... ? Use your own

words as far as possible. (2011)

DIFFERENCE Questions

TECHNIQUE :• Present the two contrasting parts• When prompted, apply search-n-rescue

techniques i.e. follow the text closely + paraphrase accurately

EXPLAIN THE PHRASE Questions

Samples :• What does the author mean by calling fast food outlets “cheap sources of

refuelling” ? Use your own words as far as possible (2010)• Explain how “specialisation has relieved us of these and similar obligatory

daily tasks.” (2009)• Explain what the author means by “gender education needs to

supplement sex education” (2007)• “It is sentiment, not reason, that fuels their fanaticism.” Explain what the

author is saying by bringing out the meanings of the italicised words. (2003)

• Students “seem to have little interest in the art of communication; they are only interested in content” Explain what this means. (2002)

EXPLAIN THE PHRASE Questions

Technique :• Chop the phrase up into its individual parts;

then paraphrase each part accurately in context– i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

EXPLAIN THE ARGUMENT Questions

Sample :• Explain, in your own words as far as possible, the

three distinct arguments used to defend .... (2002)• Using your own words as far as possible, explain the

author’s argument in this paragraph. (2009)

EXPLAIN THE ARGUMENT Questions

Technique :• Identify major breaks in the paragraph by

marking out connectors etc.

IRONY / PARADOX / CONTRADICTION Questions

Samples :• Using your own words as far as possible, explain the

irony ... (2010)• “.........................” Explain why this is a paradox.

(2008)• Explain the contrast and in what way it is

contradictory. (2004)• Explain what is ironic or contradictory about ..........

(2002)

IRONY / PARADOX / CONTRADICTION Questions

Technique :• Present both parts of the irony– On one hand, ... Yet, on the other hand ...

METAPHOR Questions

Samples :• What is the author’s purpose in

describing ........... as being akin to “..........” ? (2011)

• What view about .......... can be deduced from the phrase “..........” ? (2003)

• Explain what the author means by “...metaphorical phrase...” (2004)

METAPHOR Questions

Technique :• Explain what the metaphor represents in

the text

VOCAB-BASED INFERENCE QuestionsSamples :• What is the author implying by using the word “..........” to decsribe .......... ?

(2011)• What does the author mean by “..........” ? (2010)• Explain why the author uses the word “..........” (2008)• Explain what the author is referring to the words “..........” (2009)• What is meant by “..........” ? How might “..........” lead to ..........? (2008)• What do you understand by “..........” ? (2008)• What does the expression “..........” suggest about .......... ? (2007)• What does the word/phrase “..........” tell you about .......... ? (2006)• How are .......... considered “..........” ? (2006)• Why does the author say that “..........” about .......... ? (2006)• What are the justifications underlying the verbs “..........” and “..........”

VOCAB-BASED INFERENCE Questions

Technique :• The meaning of the word/phrase in the

question must come through in the answer, together with its use in context– i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

LITTLE LOADED WORDS Questions

Samples :• Explain the author’s use of the word ‘even’ in the

phrase ‘even the packaging and the labelling’. (2010)• What does the linking phrase ‘Be that as it may’ tell you

about the previous paragraph ? (2009)• Why does the author include the word ‘significantly’ ?

(2005)• Show how the author’s use of language seeks to give an

impression of ... (2005)

LITTLE LOADED WORDS Questions

Technique :• Same as vocab-based inference questions• The meaning/function of the word must come

through in the answer, together with its use in context– i.e. MEANING + CONTEXT

OTHER CONTEXT-BASED INFERENCE Questions

Samples :• What point is the author trying to make in the last sentence ? (2003)• Suggest a reason for the author ending the passage this way. (2011)• What examples may the author be thinking of, and how do they support

his argument ? (2008)• Suggest and explain three distinct consequences ... as set out in

paragraph 1. (2003)• The text could present ideas through questions.• The text could present points through the example, or a series of

examples,• The text could present an idea by expressing it indirectly in the

negative/opposite form• The question could ask for the opposite of what is presented in the text.

OTHER CONTEXT-BASED INFERENCE Questions

Technique :• Look for clues in the context• Understand the point / argument that is

being presented

ILLUSTRATION Questions

Samples :• How does the writer illustrate the word “..........”? (2011)• How does the paragraph illustrate the concept of / idea

that .......... ? (2010, 2009)• How does the illustration support the argument that ..........

(2008)• Which illustration supports the idea that .......... ? (2008)• Which references justify the word “..........” ? (2007)• Explain how the 3 examples given show .......... (2004)• Explain how the examples are used to develop the writer’s

argument. (2003)

ILLUSTRATION Questions

Technique :• Which, What – requires you to locate and cite

the correct example(s)• Explain how / How – requires you to cite the

correct example(s) and explain succinctly according to the question

PUNCTUATION Questions

Samples :• Why is this word in inverted commas /

quotation marks ? (2010, 2009, 2003)• What does the author intend you to

understand by the three dots (...) ? (2004)

PUNCTUATION Questions

Technique :• Show you understanding of the function of

the punctuation in the given context, and if necessary,

+ the meaning(s) of the word(s) punctuated

Explain Connections Between Different Parts of Text Questions

Samples :• Suggest a reason for the author ending the

passage this way. (2011)• Which aspect of the author’s argument is

reinforced by the quotation ... ? (2010)• Suggest and explain three distinct

consequences ... as set out in paragraph 1. (2003)

Explain Connections Between Different Parts of Text Questions

Technique :• Always remember the writer’s overall

direction as you attempt the questions. The tone of your answers should not stray from the author’s direction and meaning