Comprehension

What kinds of comprehension questions are there in English?

Students can quickly comprehend the question types by following this guidance.

Literal Questions

These questions ask for the facts. They often begin with terms like what, where, who, when, and how. You can find their answers directly in the text. Keywords in questions can lead you to the relevant part of the passage.

For example, what is a mountain system? How do hills and mountains differ from one another? In what location may one find mountains?

Inferential Questions

The judgments and presumptions you make based on the information provided by what you have read or heard are known as inferences. The solutions to the inferential questions are not explicitly supplied in the passage, though you can rely on hints to estimate them. Furthermore, your answers must be supported with facts to address these queries. You use clues from the text alongside your prior knowledge to make an educated prediction to answer these queries. Text clues + background knowledge = Inference. Examples of Inferential Questions are,

Evaluative Questions (judge the validity of arguments)

These questions push readers to think critically about the content and draw conclusions based on it. By exploring the characters’ emotions and motivations, readers think critically, form opinions, and draw conclusions from the presented information, while solving these questions. Example questions:

Applied Questions

Applied questions (guess future outcomes) highlight the relation to the real world. These questions encourage readers to connect the text to real-life situations or personal experiences. Applied questions focus on how the concepts in the text can be used beyond the story itself. Examples include:

What are the steps to solve comprehension questions?

Writing comprehension answers is not a difficult task. If you concentrate on a few key points, you can form proficient answers.

1. Before answering the questions, carefully read the paragraph two or three times, paying close attention to essential elements.
2. Determine the main idea and supporting details; highlighting or underlining them may be helpful.
3. Recognize the types of questions, including applied, evaluative, inferential, and literal inquiries. If you grasp them correctly, it will help you write responses. (Study question 2 for learning examples of the questions)
4. Identify the keywords in queries. It can direct you to the relevant section of the passage to find the correct answers. Also, you should always pay attention to synonyms and sentences that have been paraphrased. As is often the case, teachers use synonyms in exams to assess students’ language skills.
5. Underline the answers that correspond to the questions. Remember, answers are not always presented in the text in the same order as the questions. Besides, while searching for answers, it is crucial to always concentrate on meaning rather than word matching because some inaccurate answers may use exact words from the passage, distorting their meaning.
6. Occasionally, you can start your solutions with a portion of the query as a healthy strategy, but instead of duplicating the same text over and over again, compose your responses using synonyms and phrases.
7. Ensure that your responses are accurate and comprehensive. Moreover, while drafting the response, always pay attention to the tenses. Write your response in the same tense as the question.
8. Finally, review your answers one last time before submitting your classwork or exam. Make sure your answers make sense and are accurate in light of the passage.

Mention a few points to focus on that should be avoided when solving a comprehension.

Comprehension facilitates students in improving their English learning skills. By following the guidelines above, students can write well-composed comprehension answers. However, there are a few aspects that need consideration before writing, as overlooking them could spoil the answers. As a result, students can lose their marks in exams.

1. While searching for answers, do not always stick to the keywords of the questions. Because each time, the use of exact words in the text is not always necessary for the correct answers. Sometimes, it could misguide you and distort your answer.  
2. Refrain from adding irrelevant information to the solution; This can throw you off track and spoil your answer. In some topics, a few students include their opinions or feelings in the answers, even though this is not a requirement of the question. Avoid including extraneous details unless the question asks for them.
3. Additionally, avoid writing a partial response; instead, write your answers fully and accurately, making sure you meet the requirements of the question (i.e., what the question asks). It should be written in a clear, concise, and understandable manner so the reader can acquire the information they require. Always keep in mind that whether you are completing the assignment or preparing for a test, an incomplete answer may leave out crucial points, and due to insufficient details, you will not receive excellent grades. Note! This expert advice can help you study language more effectively.
4. In exams, do not waste time on tough questions if you are struggling with their answers. In this scenario, take your time to answer the remaining questions. Eventually, instead of leaving it blank, attempt to answer according to your knowledge. It might be if your answer explains a small portion of the query, you can receive some credits for it.

What is the purpose of critical questions in comprehension?

Critical questions elevate readers’ thinking abilities. It encourages the critical thinking skills of a reader. Since these questions do not offer an exact solution to the text, rather, they force the reader to ponder the topic and provide them with an opportunity to respond while keeping in mind the facts of the text.

Critical queries assist the reader in analysing arguments and diverse perspectives, too. According to these questions, the reader compares diverse viewpoints, spots logical weaknesses, and evaluates arguments. After reading the provided pieces of evidence in the text, the reader comprehends the author’s perspective and shares personal thoughts and judgments in response. As a consequence, creativity, problem-solving, and logical thinking skills are gradually enhanced, which helps in making decisions and understanding others’ points of view.
Over time, it sparks readers’ curiosity, fosters reasoning proficiency, and provides them with the courage to handle challenging situations in real life.

How to develop critical thinking skills in students?

Students should assess critical questions thoroughly before writing answers. You may say understanding its purpose (what is being asked) is essential. Next, pay close attention to the details of the topics that are required for your response.

However, it is a sensible approach to compile all facts and opinions to reach any conclusion, though. Also, you should include sceptical and challenging presumptions in your writing rather than just stating facts. Finally, a solid response might be written down by tying all the connecting ideas based on the provided information.

What is the difference between structured questions and critical thinking questions?

Structured questions include multiple-choice questions (choose the correct answer), fill-in-the-blank questions (complete the sentence), short-answer questions (provide a brief response), and True/False questions (determine accuracy). Their answers are often fact-based, which can be found straightforwardly in the comprehension text. Its objective is to assess knowledge of specific facts and details.

Critical thinking questions, on the other hand, demand analysis, assessment, and interpretation to focus on deeper knowledge. Instead of a straightforward response, they need a well-reasoned explanation. Critical thinking questions can be categorised as analytical, evaluative, inferential, or predictive (See Type of Comprehension Questions). Its purpose is to assess higher-order thinking abilities, including evaluation, comparison, and inference.