Reading Comprehension of Unseen Prose
Reading comprehension of unseen prose
This domain tests literal retrieval, inference, vocabulary in context and response to the writer's craft in a passage you have never seen. Marks are awarded per point, so the number of marks tells you how many separate ideas to give.
Method
- First read for gist: who, where, and what changes.
- Second read with the questions; mark line or paragraph references.
- Answer in your own words when instructed; lift only for quotation questions.
- For inference, state the point and add "because" plus textual evidence.
- For impression questions, name the quality and the words that create it.
Worked example
The passage says: "Mr Fernando stacked the ledgers neatly, though his hands shook each time the door opened." Question: What does this suggest about Mr Fernando? Answer: He is anxious because his shaking hands show fear, yet he tries to appear calm by arranging the ledgers neatly. Reasoning: "shook" signals fear; "neatly" signals an attempt at control. Joining both points earns two marks; a one-word answer earns one.
Traps that cost marks
- Copying whole sentences instead of selecting the relevant clause.
- Ignoring "in your own words".
- Answering only half of a two-part question.
- Guessing beyond what the text supports.
- Giving one point when the question is worth three.
- Retelling the passage instead of answering the question.