SmartExamPrep - We Build the Future

Ask AI

Comrehension Tips

Home
Comrehension Tips

Comprehension Techniques

Read First - Comprehension Technique

You read the entire passage carefully first to understand the full story or topic before looking at any questions.

Good for

Kids who love stories and visualise well
Pupils who need to build comprehension depth
Practising inference, vocabulary in context, tone

Should be avoided for

Children who read slowly and feel pressure with time
Non-fiction passages with lots of data

How to Use It

Read the whole passage slowly and carefully.
- First read: Get the main idea.
- Second skim: Look out for details, feelings, and important events.
Highlight key names, emotions, or time changes.
Then go to the questions and answer them confidently, referring back to the passage.

Tips and Tricks

Comprehension Type	What It Is	What to Look For	Reading Tips	Tricks	How to Use Strategy
Narrative (Story)	A fictional story with characters, a setting, and a problem or journey.	Characters, problem, resolution, emotions, changes	Visualise like a movie; focus on feelings	Use a story mountain	Read fully to understand, underline key moments
Descriptive Writing	Vivid description of scenes	Sensory details, mood	Visualise; focus on tone	Notice theme repetition	Circle descriptive words, predict tone
Dialogue-Based	Conversation format	Feelings, tone, relationships	Read as a play, mind tone	Spot action verbs	Underline emotional cues, then answer
Diary Entry	Personal reflections	Emotions, personal reactions	Think like the writer	Emotive language	Note mood shifts, match with questions
Non-Fiction	Factual explanation	Main idea, structure	Summarise key points	Facts vs opinions	Highlight technical words
Biography	Life events account	Turning points, tone	Track journey	Challenges overcome	Highlight important names/events
Instructional	Step-by-step guide	Sequence, commands	Follow structure	Signal words	Visualise steps
Persuasive	Convincing argument	Opinions, rhetoric	Spot persuasive devices	Modal verbs	Underline reasoning
Newspaper	Report on events	5Ws and H (Who, what, when, where, why, how)	Scan headline and intro	Key facts	Box names, dates
Poem	Versed text	Imagery, rhythm, emotion	Read twice: rhythm then meaning	Highlight rhyme	Note imagery and metaphor

Question First - Comprehension Technique

This strategy involves skimming through the questions before reading the passage. It is especially helpful in improving reading focus and managing time effectively during comprehension tasks that rely on fact retrieval.

How to Use It

Skim all the questions (spend 30–45 seconds).
Note key ideas or words to look for.
Read the passage carefully — now you know what to focus on.
Go back to the questions and answer them using the passage as evidence.

Comprehension Types and Application

Comprehension Type	What It Is	What to Look For	Reading Tips	Tricks	How to Do It
Narrative (Story)	Fictional story with characters and events	Key events, character reactions	Follow the character’s journey	Match questions to plot points	Skim questions first; track emotions and events
Descriptive Writing	Imagery of a place or scene	Descriptive phrases, mood	Focus on language and tone	Underline imagery terms	Skim mood questions, then annotate adjectives
Dialogue-Based	Conversation-driven text	Emotions, tone, relationships	Read with character voice in mind	Focus on punctuation	Skim dialogue-related questions before reading
Diary Entry / Recount	Personal narrative or reflection	Emotions and opinions	Track emotional changes	Personal pronouns and emotive words	Identify feelings after skimming related questions
Non-Fiction / Informational	Facts and explanations	Names, subheadings, technical terms	Skim for structure and detail	Scan subheadings	Match question keywords to sections
Biography / Autobiography	Real-life story	Events, turning points	Follow timeline of events	Look for challenges and achievements	Skim for timeline cues
Instructional / Procedural	Step-by-step instructions	Sequence words, commands	Note transitions	Visualise process	Use order-based questions to guide reading
Persuasive / Argumentative	Opinion-based writing	Emotive language, reasoning	Identify strong claims	Spot modal verbs	Underline arguments after skimming question types
Newspaper / Report	Reporting events	5Ws and H (Who, what, when, where, why, how)	Focus on facts	Scan leads and bylines	Skim 5Ws and H questions first
Poem / Rhymed Text	Text in verse form	Figurative language, rhythm	Read twice	Mark rhyme and metaphor	Skim for tone/image questions then read

When to Use, Avoid, or Substitute

Use This Strategy When...	Avoid When...	Use Another Strategy When...
Working with non-fiction or factual articles	The passage is literary, poetic, or emotional	In-depth understanding is needed — use Read First
When time is limited	Context is easily lost or confusing	You want to combine skills — use Hybrid Strategy
Focusing on retrieval or direct-answer tasks	Text is long or emotionally layered	You want full comprehension and tone — use Read First

Question Types and Execution Tips

Question Type	What It's Asking	Tricks & Tips	What to Do	What to Avoid
Retrieval	Find specific phrases	Use keywords	Skim for keywords then read around	Don't read every word
Vocabulary in Context	Meaning from usage	Read before/after sentence	Use context not dictionary	Don’t guess typical meaning
Inference	Implied meaning	Focus on tone/actions	Look for textual clues	Avoid unsupported guesses
Author's Purpose	Why it was written	Check tone/style	Look for intention clues	Don't assume entertainment only
Character Feelings	Emotions and causes	Check actions and dialogue	Explain feelings with proof	Don’t ignore text cues
Sequencing	Order of events	Use time signals	Highlight sequence terms	Don’t follow question order
Fact vs Opinion	Evaluate accuracy	Spot opinion markers	Double-check text	Don’t guess or assume
Summarising	Main ideas	Read topic/conclusion	Write one-sentence summary	Avoid excess detail
Quotation-Based	Explain a quote	Ask “why was it said?”	Paraphrase and link to theme	Don’t just copy
Language Features	Identify technique	Explain effect, not just name	Connect to meaning	Don’t list only devices
Tone / Mood	Feeling created	Spot emotive words	Name and justify tone	Don’t be vague
Suitable Title	Choose best heading	Think thematically	Summarise entire passage	Don’t choose based on drama
MCQs	Select best choice	Eliminate wrong answers	Confirm by rereading	Don’t rely on memory
Open-Ended	Full explanation	Use P.E.E. format	Include evidence	Don’t quote without context

When to Use Each Strategy

Use Read First When…	Use Questions First When…
You need deep understanding	You're under time pressure
Working with literature, poems	Reading fact-heavy texts
Practicing inference or tone	Doing retrieval-based tasks

Avoid Read First When…	Avoid Questions First When…
The student reads slowly	Full comprehension is required
The passage is factual and long	Text is emotionally complex

Common Question Types and How to Handle Them

Type	What It Asks	How to Tackle It	What to Avoid
Retrieval	Find and copy facts	Match keywords and copy carefully	Don't paraphrase unless asked
Vocabulary in Context	Define a word in the text	Use context clues before/after	Don't assume default meaning
Inference	Read between the lines	Look for evidence, tone, action	Avoid wild guesses
Author’s Purpose	Reason for writing	Evaluate tone and intent	Avoid generic responses
Character Feelings	Emotions and reactions	Link feelings to actions	Avoid unsupported guesses
Sequencing	Order of events	Use time markers	Don’t trust question order
Fact vs Opinion	Verify truthfulness	Look for signal words	Don’t assume—check text
Summary / Main Idea	Central theme	Use concise statements	Don’t over-detail
Quotation Analysis	Meaning of a quote	Rephrase and interpret	Avoid copying without explanation
Language Effects	Author's use of technique	Identify and explain effect	Don’t just name devices
Tone / Mood	Emotional atmosphere	Cite word choices	Don’t be vague
Title Choice	Choose best heading	Reflect whole theme	Don’t focus on a minor detail
MCQs	Choose the correct option	Eliminate wrong choices first	Don’t rush
Open-Ended	Give detailed explanation	Use P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explain)	Don’t quote without commentary

Comprehension Question Types

Question Type	What It's Asking	Tricks & Tips	Recommended Strategy	Avoid Strategy When...
1. Retrieval (Find and Copy / Direct Answer)	Locate specific facts or phrases	Use keywords in the question to scan the passage	✅ Questions First: Helps focus on details early	❌ Avoid Read First if under time pressure
2. Vocabulary in Context	Determine the meaning of a word based on how it’s used	Read surrounding sentences and substitute synonyms	✅ Read First: Full understanding helps with context clues	❌ Avoid Questions First if word usage is subtle
3. Inference	Understand what is implied but not stated	Focus on actions, tone, and implied emotions	✅ Read First: Needed for emotional or nuanced inference	❌ Avoid Questions First unless inference is simple
4. Author’s Purpose	Identify the reason the author wrote the passage	Assess tone, structure, and content	✅ Read First: Required for full comprehension of tone/style	❌ Avoid Questions First if tone shifts occur
5. Character Feelings / Reactions	Understand how a character feels and why	Link emotional cues with actions or words	✅ Read First: Helps track emotional development	❌ Avoid Questions First if feelings evolve throughout
6. Sequencing / Ordering Events	Place events in correct chronological order	Look for temporal signals (e.g. then, later)	✅ Questions First: Efficient when used with skimming	❌ Avoid Read First if student loses track of order
7. True or False / Fact or Opinion	Distinguish between factual statements and viewpoints	Identify signal words (e.g. believe, always)	✅ Questions First: Ideal for direct matching	❌ Avoid Read First if facts are scattered and unrelated
8. Summarising / Main Idea	Capture the main point in brief	Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph	✅ Read First: Understanding the big picture is crucial	❌ Avoid Questions First if summary spans multiple paragraphs
9. Quotation-Based	Explain or interpret a quote	Rephrase and link to theme or character	✅ Read First: Context is essential	❌ Avoid Questions First unless quote is self-contained
10. Literary Techniques / Language Effects	Identify and explain similes, metaphors, etc.	Name the technique and its impact	✅ Read First: Needed for spotting subtle effects	❌ Avoid Questions First if devices build gradually
11. Tone / Mood	Identify the atmosphere or emotional tone	Focus on emotive language and style	✅ Read First: Allows you to feel the passage fully	❌ Avoid Questions First unless tone is explicit
12. Suitable Title / Heading	Choose the best title for the passage	Reflect on the full theme, not just part	✅ Read First: Requires holistic understanding	❌ Avoid Questions First unless summary is given early
13. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	Choose the correct option from a set	Eliminate incorrect answers first	✅ Questions First: Focused reading leads to efficient answering	❌ Avoid Read First if time is short and MCQs are simple
14. Open-Ended / Extended Answer	Write a detailed response with evidence	Use P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explain) structure	✅ Read First: Needed to craft thoughtful responses	❌ Avoid Questions First if interpretation is required