- Sep 20, 2024 - 5 min read
Mastering O-Level English Comprehension: A Guide to Understanding Question Types
We’ll break down the three most common comprehension question types—factual, vocabulary, and rephrasing—and provide tips on how to tackle them with confidence.
1. The Factual Question
Examples of Factual Questions:
- Who: Who won the soccer match yesterday?
- Where: Where did he go after the match?
- When: When did he meet his friends?
- Why: Why did he meet his friends?
- How: How did he convince his mother to allow him to attend the party?
- What: What was the reason for him to join the soccer team? (actual Why question → Why did he join the soccer team?)
Tip: Read the question carefully and identify exactly what is being asked. Locate the relevant part of the passage and ensure your answer is concise and to the point.
2. The Vocabulary Question
Strategies for Tackling Vocabulary Questions:
- Contextual Clues: Look for hints in the surrounding sentences to understand how the word is being used.
- Avoid the Literal Meaning: Ensure your answer reflects the word’s meaning in the context of the passage, not just its dictionary definition.
Example: ‘…the beautiful scenery was worth the hike up’
In this case, “beautiful” refers to something breathtaking or spectacular, rather than the more typical use of “beautiful” to describe a person.
Tip: Always consider the word’s function in the sentence and think about synonyms that fit the context.
3. The Rephrasing Question
Example of a Rephrasing Question:
From the passage: “Being involved in major sports reduces social isolation.”
Rephrased Answer:
- Sports programmes can help girls and women to be accepted into society.
- Playing sports helps to reduce the rejection they face from the community.
Tip: When answering rephrasing questions, focus on the core meaning of the sentence. Don’t simply swap words with synonyms—restructure the sentence if necessary, but keep the meaning clear and accurate.
Final Tips for Answering Comprehension Question
- Read the Question Carefully: Ensure you understand what the question is asking before diving into the text.
- Find Evidence in the Passage: Support your answers with direct references from the text whenever possible.
- Avoid Overcomplicating Your Answer: Keep your responses clear, concise, and to the point.
- Practice Rephrasing: Get comfortable expressing ideas in your own words while maintaining the original meaning.
