Comprehension and summary
English Studies · BECE · JSS (BECE)
Read the questions before the passage. You will then read with a purpose.
What you need to know
- Literal question: the answer is in the line. Copy the sense, not necessarily the words.
- Inference: the writer did not say it straight. Use the clues. Start with “This suggests…”
- Vocabulary-in-context: replace the word with your answer and see if the sentence still means the same.
- Summary: drop examples, stories and repetition. Keep the main point of each paragraph in one line.
- Do not begin a summary with “The passage talks about.” Start with the topic itself.
The mistake to avoid
Lifting whole sentences from the passage into a summary loses marks. Recast in your own short sentences.