Ways to comprehend comprehension

An understanding of the general idea of a passage in an easy and useful manner and remembering the context is what we usually define as a comprehension. There are a lot of effective solutions to one’s problem towards reading, understanding and delivering the desired and accurate answers.

Ø    Mechanics and effects of comprehension:

Before jumping into the problems, let’s see how comprehension clicks in our brain. When a sentence or phrase is read the brain tries to portray a picture of the elements present in those words.

         Unfortunately some of us are incapable of making mental pictures effectively, so if comprehension and understanding suffer.

          Poor imagining frequently causes problems amongst individuals. The one with the poor imagining ability has to struggle organizing their thoughts. They tend to be scattered or fragmented when they relate events or stories. Therefore the listener tends to ask a lot of questions to arrange stories together. Thus the listener and speaker gets frustrated. As, the speaker has no idea how to fix the problem and falls into the illusion that “why isn’t that person getting it? “ This also happens the other way around, from the listeners end.

Ø    Comprehension Levels:

      Literal: stated with facts, memorization by repetition, Surface understanding only. This level is mainly based on objective type questions. Questions for this level are mostly who, what, when, and where.

      Interpretive: meaning and implication rather than what is stated, finding opinions, brushing experiences, leveling up English, making logical thoughts and guesses. This level is mainly based on subjective type questions. Questions for this level are mostly thought-provoking questions like why, what if, and how.

      Applied: Combining both literal and interpretive and extending the context by applying analytical and synthesizing various ideas into one. In this level we are analyzing or synthesizing information and applying it to other information.

Ø    Types of questions and method to answer:

      Direct Questions: Answers will be stated plainly in the passage.

      Inferential Questions: Direct answer cannot be found, prompt decision is needed to be made from general knowledge and write answer through infer from given words or phrases.

      Rephrasing Questions: Describe in your own words and rewriting them but keeping the meaning intact.

      Vocabulary Questions: Explaining word or phrase meaning

Ø    Issues regarding comprehension:

      Insufficient reading habit: Generally people have the tendency to skim over the texts rather giving it a proper reading, thus creating no sense.

      Selection of the reader: Most people are fascinated by the fiction type passage but in reality fiction type passages are very rare to appear.

      Incorrect process of reading: Reading slowly declines speed, therefore time for other questions has to be compromised.

      Deficient vocabulary: As many of us has to abandon reading due to some circumstances we lack in proper vocabulary. While reading a passage what hampers our speed is a term of word which we are not acquainted of. So, we waste most of our time in guessing what could be the meaning of this particular word in a particular passage.

      Boredom: Readers who are acquainted to fictions gets bored quite easily over a non-fiction passage. So, importance towards the development of other categories must be given a fair thought.

Ø    Remedy regarding the comprehension:

      Developing habit over reading: Reading book, newspapers, story books, magazines and even instruction manuals greatly increases the habit of reading.  

      Enhancing vocabulary: Reading new sophisticated books and novels increase your library of words and even turning the pages of dictionary now and then adds new word in your head.

      Holding patience: Reading long passages can be tiring and wearisome, so finish it all at once rather one part a time. That way the whole idea will be built up in your brain.

      Will to feel: Always have a strong will power while reading a passage.  Always remember that you are paying with your time and patience in return for knowledge.

      Visualization and recording: Always try to visualize what is in the context and picturize with sounds and environment and also keep track of the time of reading and of course set a goal first.

      Attachment of the parts: Reading the whole passage in such a way that the first paragraph compliments the second paragraph and so on.

      Practice and determination: Sheer determination and hard work with proper knowledge of grammar and spelling will bring healthy answers to the comprehension.

Ø    Tips during examinations:

      ‘Point’, ‘Evidence’ and ‘Explain’-make point, show evidence and explain how it all adds up and make sense.

      Thoroughly and carefully study the passage, familiarize with the context.

      Read the questions then highlight the keywords that might help to find evidence might come.

      Then again read the passage and highlight keywords, phrases which are related to the questions.

      View the marks for each questions and then distribute time and effort.

      Pre- plan your writings by assigning achievable time to each passage.

      Use quotation marks while quoting from passage. Direct copy from the passage may lead to deduction in marks.

      Double reading the questions after finishing with the answers ensures a correct answer and rechecking the answers to make sure no points are left out

Comprehension is a major part in the English language structure. It not only defines the level of integrity of an individual but also takes that individual in a new height. A worthy challenge defining new promise of fluency and communication between each other and enhancing one’s derelict mind into a better and efficient mind.

            All in all comprehensions should not be looked as a bridge to pass any examination rather it should be looked as road to a better knowledge and theory.