❖ Methodology ❖ Section I ❖ Reading Comprehension ❖

Reading Comprehension (15 pts)

The first section: a 250-400 word text on a unit theme, followed by 6-8 questions testing your global understanding, specific details, vocabulary, and references.

The four-step method

Read the text twice: first for global meaning, second for detail.
Read the questions before re-reading: knowing what to look for saves time.
Answer in the order given: each question targets a specific part of the text.
Justify with the text: every answer must be based on what is written, not on your opinion.

Question types and strategies

① True / False — Justify (3-4 pts)

Each statement requires two answers: T or F, AND a quote.

If you write only "True" or "False" → ZERO points.
The justification should be a short quote from the text (one sentence max).
Use quotation marks: "…"

Example

Statement: "Rowling enjoyed her job as a secretary."

Answer: FALSE. Justification: "She quit as she wasn't happy with her job."

② Wh- questions — Open answers (3-4 pts)

Read the question carefully — answer ONLY what is asked.
Use complete sentences (not just one word).
Paraphrase when you can. Copying word-for-word is risky.

Example

Question: "Why did the students set up a Club for Citizenship?"

Answer: They set it up to promote the values necessary for a person to act as a good citizen.

③ Synonyms / Antonyms (2 pts)

The paragraph number is given — focus only on that paragraph.
Look for a word with similar meaning (or opposite).
Pay attention to the part of speech: a noun must replace a noun.

Example

Find a synonym of "started" (paragraph 3).

Answer: "launched"

④ Reference words (2 pts)

The question asks: "What does X refer to?" (where X is in bold/underlined in the text).

"It / he / she / they" → look at the noun JUST before.
"This / these / there" → think about what was just mentioned.
Always answer with a noun phrase, not a pronoun.

Example

"The book" (paragraph 4) refers to: → "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"

⑤ Best title / Main idea (1-2 pts)

Choose the title that covers the ENTIRE text, not just one paragraph.
Read all options carefully — sometimes 2 look correct but 1 is too narrow.

⑥ Sentence completion (1-2 pts)

The start of a sentence is given — complete it based on the text.

Re-find the answer in the text.
Make sure your completion is grammatically correct (continuation of the sentence).

⑦ Putting events in order (1-2 pts)

Read the events listed.
Find each in the text and note the paragraph.
Order them by paragraph/date as they appear in the text.

Time strategy — 45 minutes for 15 pts

0 - 8 min: Read the text twice.
8 - 12 min: Read all the questions and underline keywords.
12 - 40 min: Answer each question (about 3-5 min per question).
40 - 45 min: Re-read all your answers, check spelling and grammar.

Common mistakes

Answering from personal opinion rather than the text. The corrector marks only what comes from the text.
Forgetting the justification in T/F. Even if your T/F is right, no justification = no point.
Copying entire long sentences in synonyms/references. Just give the WORD or short phrase.
Confusing similar words: "immigrate" vs "emigrate", "borrow" vs "lend", "affect" vs "effect".
Leaving a question blank: even a partial answer earns partial points.

❖ Pro tip

If you don't understand a word, don't panic. Look at the context — what is the sentence about? What part of speech is the word? You can often guess the meaning. The exam does not require knowing every single word.