Reading comprehension: global understanding
Domain 1 - Reading comprehension: global understanding. In the Galicia PAU Lingua Estranxeira: Inglés, you choose Opción A or Opción B, read a text of about 300–350 words and answer a set of questions. Global-understanding items ask for the main idea, the best title, the author's purpose, the tone, or the function of a paragraph. They are not answered by copying one line.
What is being tested
- thesis versus supporting detail
- text type: expository, argumentative, narrative, advert, review
- purpose: inform, persuade, warn, entertain
- tone: neutral, critical, optimistic, ironic
- audience and register
Method
- Read the title, the first paragraph and the last paragraph completely.
- Skim the first sentence of each remaining paragraph and note its topic.
- Write a five-word summary in the margin.
- Compare each option with that summary. Reject options that are too narrow (one detail), too broad (beyond the text) or contradictory.
- For tone, underline evaluative adjectives and adverbs; the tone must fit them.
Worked example
Text: 'Many cities are converting empty offices into flats. Supporters say this eases housing shortages and brings life back to city centres. Critics warn that conversions are expensive and that affordable office space disappears.' Question: What is the main idea? A) Office-to-flat conversions are controversial but are spreading. B) Every empty office should become a flat. C) Housing shortages are caused by office buildings. D) City centres are always revived by conversions. Reasoning: A covers both sides and the trend. B is an absolute prescription not stated. C reverses the causal relation mentioned. D overgeneralises with 'always'. A is the only option that matches the whole text.
Traps
- choosing a true detail as the main idea
- falling for absolutes: all, never, only, always
- confusing the author's view with a view the author reports
- picking a clever title that covers only the first paragraph