How to Attempt Comprehension
1. First read: Read the entire passage for general understanding. Do not stop at difficult words. 2. Second read: Read again carefully, noting key facts, names, and ideas. 3. Read the questions: Understand exactly what is being asked. 4. Locate and answer: Find the relevant section of the passage and answer in your own words. 5. Vocabulary: If asked for a word meaning, look for context clues around the word.
Practice Passage 1 — The Solar System
The solar system consists of the Sun and eight planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The Sun is a star at the centre of our solar system, providing light and heat to all planets through nuclear fusion. Earth is the only known planet to support life, due to its distance from the Sun, liquid water, and protective atmosphere. Jupiter is the largest planet — it is so massive that 1,300 Earths could fit inside it. Saturn is famous for its spectacular ring system made of ice and rock. Scientists continue to explore the solar system through space missions like NASA's Voyager and India's Mangalyaan.
Questions: 1. How many planets are in the solar system? (8) 2. What makes Earth unique among the planets? (Distance from Sun, liquid water, protective atmosphere) 3. What is the source of the Sun's energy? (Nuclear fusion) 4. Why is Saturn well-known? (Its ring system made of ice and rock) 5. Name two space missions mentioned. (Voyager, Mangalyaan) 6. Find a word in the passage meaning "huge." (Massive) 7. True or False: Jupiter is smaller than Earth. (False)
Practice Passage 2 — Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He is widely regarded as the Father of the Nation for leading India's independence movement against British rule. Gandhi's weapon was non-violence — a philosophy he called "Satyagraha," meaning truth-force or soul-force. His greatest campaigns include the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), and the Salt March to Dandi. Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948. His birthday, October 2nd, is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations.
Questions: 1. Where was Gandhi born? (Porbandar, Gujarat) 2. What does "Satyagraha" mean? (Truth-force or soul-force) 3. Name any two campaigns led by Gandhi. (Non-Cooperation Movement / Civil Disobedience Movement / Salt March) 4. When was Gandhi assassinated? (30 January 1948) 5. How does the UN honour Gandhi's birthday? (International Day of Non-Violence) 6. Find a word meaning "murder of an important person." (Assassinated) 7. Why is Gandhi called the "Father of the Nation"? (He led India's independence movement against British rule)
Practice Passage 3 — Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While natural factors have always influenced climate, human activities since the Industrial Revolution have accelerated the process dramatically. Burning fossil fuels — coal, oil, and natural gas — releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the Sun, causing global temperatures to rise — a phenomenon called the greenhouse effect. Consequences include melting polar ice, rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. Scientists warn that if no action is taken by 2030, some of these effects will become irreversible.
Questions: 1. What is climate change? (Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather) 2. What human activity is primarily responsible? (Burning fossil fuels) 3. What is the greenhouse effect? (Greenhouse gases trapping heat, causing temperatures to rise) 4. Name three consequences of climate change. (Melting polar ice / rising sea levels / extreme weather / loss of biodiversity) 5. What is the deadline mentioned by scientists for taking action? (2030) 6. Find a word meaning "cannot be reversed." (Irreversible) 7. What was a turning point in worsening climate change? (The Industrial Revolution)
Answering Tips by Question Type
| Question Type | How to Answer |
|---|---|
| "What is..." | Give a direct definition or description from the passage |
| "Why..." | Give the reason using the passage — start with "Because..." |
| "How..." | Describe the process or method mentioned |
| "Find a word meaning..." | Look for a word near the defined concept in the passage |
| "True or False" | Write "True" or "False" and add a brief reason |
| "Give your opinion" | State your view clearly + support with 1 reason from the passage |