11-Plus English: Reading Comprehension

Understanding Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is a crucial skill for success in the 11-plus exams. It involves understanding and analysing written texts to answer questions about content, meaning, and inference. This skill set is essential for students aiming to excel in selective school entrance exams.

Essential Comprehension Skills

Students will develop several key comprehension skills, including:

• Identifying Main Ideas: Recognising the central theme or argument presented in a text.
• Understanding Context: Grasping the circumstances surrounding a text, including the setting and background information.
• Making Inferences: Drawing conclusions based on the information provided, even when it is not explicitly stated.
• Recognising Author's Purpose and Tone: Understanding why the author wrote the text and the attitude conveyed through their choice of words.
• Summarising Content: Condensing the main points of a text into a brief overview.
• Answering Retrieval Questions: Finding specific information within the text to respond to direct questions.

Reading Between the Lines

Effective reading comprehension requires students to read between the lines. This means they must not only understand the literal meaning of the text but also interpret underlying messages and themes. Supporting answers with textual evidence is vital, as it demonstrates a deeper understanding of the material.

Worked Example

Text Excerpt: "The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the landscape, as the birds settled in for the night."

Question: What mood does the author create in this excerpt?

Answer: The author creates a peaceful and serene mood, as indicated by the imagery of the golden hue and the settling birds. This suggests a calm transition into night.

By mastering these skills, students will enhance their reading comprehension abilities, which are essential for performing well in the 11-plus exams and beyond.