Guidelines for Answering a Comprehension Exam

Comprehension testing means testing one’s grasp on language and ideas. It is expected to test the level at which a candidate is able to understand prose, verse or a paragraph. It is imperative here that candidates improve their ability to strongly grasp the provided material with clarity and answer the questions patiently and intelligently.

Facts to bear in mind when answering questions

  • Read the paragraph, item of prose or verse carefully in a way in which you can understand it as you read.
  • If there are problems or unclear parts, try to work them out as you read instead of putting it off for later.
  • Retain in your memory the primary meaning or gist as well as any corresponding ideas you might get. If you need, note them down using arrows.
  • If there are some words or parts that you cannot comprehend, try to take the meaning as a whole without concentrating too much on those difficult parts.
  • After reading all the questions first, proceed to answering questions ensuring that you take one question at a time and reread the applicable parts that correspond to the question and formulate the relevant answer.
  • Every question may not have the answer in a single place, hence read other relevant parts to correctly form answers.
  • It is important that you answer with attention to proper grammar and structure.
  • The answer should not be too long but make sure to include all the key points.
  • When answering questions that involve antonyms or synonyms to words found in the paragraph, carefully consider the meaning of the word or the sense in which it has been used before answering.
  • When you are required to form a sentence using a word from the paragraph, do not frame a sentence using the sentences already in the paragraph but instead, be creative, produce a new sentence from your own original ideas.