Mastering O-Level English Comprehension: A Guide to Understanding Question Types

Comprehension questions play a significant role in the O-Level English exams, and many students find themselves struggling to answer them accurately. The key to success lies in understanding the various question types and knowing how to approach each one effectively.
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In this post, 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

Factual questions are often the easiest to answer but can still trip students up if they don't know what to look for. These questions require you to extract specific information from the passage. They usually follow the 5W1H format: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
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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

Vocabulary questions test your understanding of specific words or phrases within the passage. The trick here is not to rely on your memory of the word’s meaning, but to use context clues to figure out what the word means in that particular sentence.

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.

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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

Rephrasing questions can be tricky, as they require you to express certain ideas in your own words while keeping the original meaning intact. These questions test your ability to restate the passage without changing its intent.

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

To excel in O-Level comprehension, follow these tips to refine your approach:

• 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.