Improving Reading Comprehension Sample Questions

• What is the author attempting to do?
• How well does she/he succeed in this attempt?
• What value does the attempt have, if any?
• Has the author affected me personally?
• USE THE 4-STEP METHOD
  • acquire and understand information
  • recognize organization and style
  • interpret
  • analyze and evaluate
• PREPARE TO READ
• If you reflect on the subject before you read, you will bring more to the reading of the text and become an active reader.
  • Preread – read biography or historical information
  • 1st Read – read for information and enjoyment
  • 2nd Read – read with pen in hand, writing comments and questions
• Every time you read something you bring prior knowledge and experience of that topic to the reading. By preparing yourself to read and study a topic, you will allow your brain to make connections between what you already know about the topic and what you are about to learn.
• By connecting old information with new information, you will be better prepared to make predictions about what you will be reading and where the text is headed.
• RESPOND
• Don’t allow unfamiliar words to impede your reading of the text. Read through the entire piece before you try to look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary.
• Write down questions, thoughts or queries in the margins as you read.
• Summarize the main points into your own words in order to make sure you have understood what you just read.
• KNOW THE PURPOSE
• Find out what your teacher wants you to look for. For example, the structure of argument, opinions, organization, imagery?
• Knowing the purpose for reading the piece will help you to focus your reading and narrow in on specific aspects of the piece.