HANDLING COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY
Comprehension is the act
of understanding an expression fully while summary is the ability to extract
the meaning of such expression in a brief, accurate, concise and precise
sentence. Comprehension and summary accounts for about 60% of SSCE, English Language
Paper 1. Unfortunately many students score very low marks or fail this part of
their language study out rightly. The reasons for poor performance include:
· Poor reading habits that slow down reading skill such as reading
with head and lips moving, tracing with fingers, pronouncing word by word.
· Grammatical errors and ambiguous expressions.
· Writing answers on sentences when you were not instructed to do
so.
· Answers to expressions that do not perfectly represent the
meaning of the sentences in the passage.
· Supplying two answers for the same questions, usually one
correct and the other incorrect.
· Poor vocabulary and spelling mistakes.
· Lack of correct evaluation and questioning what the examiner was
looking for.
The following
hints are relevant in handling comprehension and summary:
· Read the passage carefully with speed two or three times until
you understand the meaning fully.
· Go through the questions before writing down your answers; but
do not copy the questions as part of your answer.
· Identify the needed information and write your answers precisely
in your own words.
· Read through your answers to check and correct grammatical and spelling
mistakes.
· Read the passage with complete concentration to grasp its
meaning.
· Read the passage over and over again till the meaning becomes
very clear to you.
· Make rough draft of your answers avoiding irrelevant statements.
· Transfer from your rough draft to your answer sheet.
· Go through your answers to check and correct grammatical and
spelling mistakes.
Never be satisfied with
your present state. Determine to excel and remember that when you are at your
best you can do better. The better time to start is now.
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