STRATEGIES FOR ANSWERING READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.      First, read the passage quickly to get a general idea of what the passage is about.

2.      Then, read through all the questions. Underline the key words. Note exactly what you are being asked for each question.

3.      Read the passage carefully and try to understand what it is about, as a whole as well as what individual paragraphs are about.

4.      Read the questions again in the order in which they are given.

Note: You can expect some questions to be tricky, involving material from an unexpected part of the passage or to require some thoughtful reasoning and analysis on your part.

 

5.      For the vocabulary questions, choose the word that fits your context so that the sentence makes sense.

6.      You may use the following technique to locate answers:

·         Step 1: Skim the title the instructions and the comprehension questions and underline key words.

·         Step 2: Skim the text to identify the kind of text, the topic and the approach or the main thesis.

·         Step 3: Have another quick look at the questions. If they are difficult to understand, take your time, and underline key words. Choose the most appropriate option by working out where the others carefully.

·         Step 4: Do a first scanning to answer the easy questions. Reread the others carefully.

·         Step 5: Think over the parts you did not understand in the second scanning.

·         Step 6: Check your answers. Read your answers again, to make sure that you have answered correctly.  

7.      Time management is an important thing to be aware of. You have six texts to read and 45 questions to answer in 90 minutes. Don’t spend too much time on a difficult answer.

8.      Remember the test gets more difficult as it goes on. So, you will probably need more time for the passages at the end than for those at the start.

9.      If you have finished the exam with time to spare, check your answers again. If you have time after the check, check again.

TRUE / FALSE / NOT STATED QUESTIONS

1)      These questions focus on factual information – facts, beliefs, and opinions.

2)      To select the right option:

·         Step 1: Skim and scan the text to locate the issue in the question.

·         Step 2: Check carefully for information on the issue.

·         Step 3: Decide whether the information is given in the text. If the information is not found, choose ‘Not Stated’.

·         Step 4: Compare factual information in the text with what is given in the question if the information is found.

·         Step 5: Decide whether the statement in the question agrees or disagrees with the factual information in the text.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1)      Multiple-choice questions in MUET Paper 3 consists of either three-answer options (A, B and C) or four-answer options (A, B, C, and D).

2)      These questions focus primarily on main ideas, supporting details, vocabulary or the writer’s opinion.

3)      The questions follow the order of information in the text.

4)      To select the right option:

·         Step 1: Read the question carefully and underline the key words.

·         Step 2: Skim through the text to locate key words and the specific section needed to answer the question.

·         Step 3: Read the question again and check answer options carefully.

·         Step 4: Delete unlikely responses.

·         Step 5: Choose the most suitable response to the question.

INTERPRETING INFORMATION IN NON- LINEAR TEXT AND TRANSFERRING INFORMATION FROM NON – LINEAR TO LINEAR TEXT

1)      Non – linear texts may include graphics such as pictures, maps, diagrams, charts, photographs, drawings, sketches, graphs, schedules, timelines and tables.

2)      in order to understand the graphics, you need to be able to interpret these non-linear texts.

3)      Interpreting a graphic means understanding its purpose and the information it shows, not just what it looks like.

4)      When you interpret a graphic, study it carefully to discover important details about it, and understand the significant, or importance of the details.

5)      When analysing linear text, take note of the title, subtitles, headings, sub-headings, legend, and the source of the stimulus.

6)      Identify and relate relevant information to the stimulus.

7)      Look at the vertical and horizontal scales and values.

8)      Study the highest and lowest values, and the trend.

9)      Provide probable reasons and suggest plausible solutions if necessary.

Thinking Skills

1)      Read critically and evaluate the intention of the writer.

2)      Probe the writer’s underlying purpose before agreeing or disagreeing with what the writer written.

Paraphrasing

1)      A paraphrase includes both the main and supporting ideas of the original passage.

2)      A paraphrase may be about the same length, longer than the original, or it may be shorter.

3)      When paraphrasing, restate ideas in the original passage clearly and more simply using your own words.

4)      The paraphrase should be clear, concise and easy to understand, communicates the ideas of the original passage, and does not contain any ideas not found in the original passage.

5)      A good paraphrase analyses the underlying ideas in the original passage and the rewords those ideas as clearly and concisely as possible.

6)      In order to paraphrase accurately, you must read and understand the original passage throughly.

7)      When paraphrasing, avoid as much of  the original phrasing as possible and try to create something new.

Drawing Conclusions

1)      Drawing conclusions refers to information that is implied or inferred – the information is never clearly stated.

2)      When you read, you draw conclusions based on information from the text and your own experience.

3)      Look for signal words such as in conclusions, to conclude, concisely, in short, to sum up, finally, as a result, therefore, hence, thus, that indicate, the conclusions of the paragraph or passage.

4)      Draw conclusions by logical reasoning, based on the facts or evidence available in the texts.

5)      You can draw conclusions by :

·         the general sense of its contexts

·         examples

·         an antonym or by a contrasting thought in a context.

( Adapted from : Dr. Hooi Carol (2015). Mastering MUET Fifth Edition. Johor Baru : Penerbitan Pelangi Sdn Bhd. )