Reading Comprehension.pptx.pdf

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LESSON 1

Reading

Comprehension



Types of Questions

Broadly speaking, all RC questions can be dividedinto two categories:

Big Picture Questions

Content Based Questions



Big Picture questions

1. Main idea of the passage.

The main idea is the one which covers all the ideasand aspects in the passage.

2. Primary Purpose of the passage

“ Why ”

4. Tone/Attitude of the author

5. Organization of the passage

6. Title of the passage The main idea of the passage summarized in a brief,

succinct and catchy manner.



Tone/Attitude of the author



Acerbic

Mordant

Bitter

Caustic Acidic

Barbed



Key Words

Iguacu Falls, which sits on the border between Argentina and Brazil, is said to make Niagaralook like a leaky faucet. The great cataracts stretch for two and a half miles across lushly foliagedrocky outcroppings before plunging a staggering two hundred and thirty feet into the river below.

The falls region is densely forested, and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals,includinga number of endangered ones. It is a paradise where parrots dive and swoop through the spray, butterflies cavort among the tropical plants and coatis, and giant otters and anteaters amble

through the trees. The foliage itself varies between tropical and deciduous with orchids blushingin the shade of pines and ferns nodding gracefully in the shadow of fruit trees.

The author's attitude toward Iguacu Falls can best be described as which of the following?

A. Overweening pride.B. Positive appreciation.C. Mild acceptance.

D. Apathetic objectivity.E. Cautious optimism. identify words with positive or negative connotations



Sarcastic/Satirical/Sardonic

This is a kind of tone where the author makes subtle mockery of a person or a systemin the article.

Times of India, ‘You Said It’ by R K Laxman. “RK Laxman’s satire is there for allto see-the manner in which he gently portrays the issues facing the common manand highlights the fallacy of statements made by politicians etc.,” he mentions. Heexemplifies such tone by a sentence. “’Too often sports bodies in our country

are in the hands of politicians. And you know how our politicians are.’Do you notice the somewhat subtle attack on politicians in the statement?” What matters here is not the subject per se, but how the author writes about it and

makes fun of the situation-not openly or in a blatant manner but subtly. In satire, human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to

censure by means of ridicule, irony, or other methods, ideally with the intent to bringabout improvement.]

Although satire is usually meant to be funny, the purpose of satire is not primarily

humour in itself so much as an attack on something of which the author stronglydisapproves, using the weapon of wit.



All about us, living in our families, it may be, there exists arace of curious creatures. Outwardly, they possess no markedpeculiarities; in fact, at a hasty glance, they may be readilymistaken for regular human beings. They are built after thepopular design; they have the usual number of features,

arranged in the conventional manner; they offer no variationson the general run of things in their habits of dressing, eating,and carrying on their business.

Yet, between them and the rest of the civilized world, therestretches an impassable barrier. Though they live in the verythick of the human race, they are forever isolated from it.

They are fated to go through life, congenial pariahs. They liveout their little lives, mingling with the world, yet never a partof it. They are, in short, Good Souls.



Irony

irony is the use of words to convey something otherthan, and especially the opposite of the literal meaningof the words, to emphasize, aggrandize, or make lightor a circumstance or subject. A common exampleof this use of verbal irony is the scenario of a

man staring out a window looking at a miserablymuddy rainy day and remarking, "lovely dayfor a stroll." This remark is ironic because itexpresses the opposite of the circumstances.

Tragic Irony : A perfect example is in Shakespeare's

Romeo and Juliet, when Romeo commits suicide when he believes Juliet to be dead.



Woman: I started riding these trains in the forties.Those days a man would give up his seat for a

woman. Now we're liberated and we have to stand. Elaine: It's ironic.Woman: What's ironic?

Elaine: This, that we've come all this way, we havemade all this progress, but you know we've lost thelittle things, the niceties.Woman: No, I mean what does ironic mean?

Elaine: Oh.



Descriptive or informative

when a passage contains of lot of data, figures and facts, the tone ofthat passage is descriptive. “The author’ purpose of writing thepassage/ article was to increase the reader’s knowledge of the givenissue or subject. Hence a lot of details are given.

Types of passages with Descriptive/informative tone: • Passages dealing with events in history: giving details of some

battle, dates, information about the rule of some civilization, kingetc• Passages dealing with some technology: providing details aboutsome gadget, describing the features of some instrument etc• Information about some building, landmark, historical place etc.For example, the passage may describe the Qutab Minar, giving

information about when it was built, who built it, the material usedfor its construction etc.



Mattancherry is Indian Jewry’s most famoussettlement Its pretty streets of pastel colouredhouses, connected by first-floor passages and hometo the last twelve saree-and-sarong-wearing, white-skinned Indian Jews are visited by thousands oftourists each year. Its synagogue, which was built in1568, has a floor of blue-and-white Chinese tiles anda carpet given by Haile Selassie.



Judgmental

“This is typically used for passages when the author expresseshis views on some issues and takes a stand-is this personor issue right or wrong? Is this good or bad? Is someoneintelligent or dumb?

These tones mention the author’s perception or views on a

person, thing or issue. Types of passages with judgmental tone: • An expert giving his verdict on some issue-could be an

automobile expert speaking about a car and providing hisopinion on what is good or bad about the new vehicle, or aconnoisseur of food providing his opinion about a dish, for

example• A follower or fan speaking about an issue close to his heart.For example, someone writing about a particular player



Trade protectionism, disguised as concern for theclimate, is raising its head. Citing competitivenessconcerns, powerful industrialized countries areholding out threats of a lev y on imports of energy-

intensive products from developing countries thatrefuse to accept their demands. The actual sourceof protectionist sentiment in the OECD countriesis, of course, their current lackluster economicperformance, combined with the challenges posed

by he rapid economic rise of China and India – inthat order



Analytical

“The characteristic of an analytical tone is the presence of reasons or

logic/ justifications to support something. The author tries to analyzean issue, presenting the pros and cons or compares two or more thingsand tells you why he feels something is better etc.

Types of passages with Analytical tone:

• An author stating that he feels something could happen in the future andproviding reasons to justify why he feels in that manner• An analysis of some event in the past-reasons given to explain a certainevent, action etc. For example, the author could analyze why India won thelast cricket match etc.• The author comparing two or more things and justifying why he feelssomething is better

• Passages in which the pros and cons of a certain action are weighed. Forexample, should Company A acquire Company B? The decision needs to beanalyzed and reasons given both for and against the issue.



One of the rare bright spots for Wall Street recentlyhas been the issuance of junk bonds, as ultra-lowinterest rates encourage investors to seek out riskierdebt that carries a higher yield. But that will not beenough to offset the weakness elsewhere, said onetop Wall Street executive who insisted on anonymity

because he was not authorized to speak publicly forhis company, and because final numbers would not

be tallied until the end of the month.



Introspective

Most runners I know are always looking to increasetheir speed and their distance — to excel. In otheraspects of my life, I show plenty of drive. Friendshave urged me to try for a marathon. But no, I’m notgoing to try to prove anything when I run. I’m justrunning, and I want to keep doing it. Meanwhile, I

will continue to plod through my town, apparently tothe amusement of the neighbors. A friend says that

when he sees me running in the mornings, “I time you — with my calendar.”



Cynicism/Dispair

Cynicism is an attitude or state of mindcharacterized by a general distrust ofother's apparent motives, or a general lackof faith or hope in the human race. It is aform of jaded negativity , and other times,realistic criticism or skepticism.



Twenty-five years have passed since that night of terror anddeath in Bhopal, which saw a cloud of deadly gases explodeout of a faulty tank in a pesticide factory and silently spreadinto the homes of sleeping people. Although no official countof casualties has ever been done, estimates based on hospital

and rehabilitation records show that about 20,000 peopledied and about 5.7 lakh suffered bodily damage, making it

by far the world’s worst industrial disaster ever. Most peoplesuffer from the lingering effects of chemicals, with theirlivelihood and daily lives being put up on the stake. Despite of

the above facts, in the end the matter has become an adage initself: Justice denied as well as delayed , and shows how thesystem of this country is beyond any repair.



Bemoaning/Regret/Lamenting tone

A passage where the pain or anguish over the loss of something isexpressed-could be a loss of lives, values etc

A passage in which the author expresses his strong disapproval oversomething-could again be the loss of values, the prevalence of corruptionetc

This kind of tone, as the name suggests is that of grief or sadness. Thepassages with such tone depict some kind of loss The characteristic of this tone is therefore the presence of sentiments

associated with loss and the author feeling sorry or sad about something.” One could regret the loss of life in terrorist attacks or the presence of

corruption etc. A traditionalist might lament the loss of traditions, cultural values etc.”



Rupert Brooke is dead. A telegram from the Admiral at Lemnos tells us that this life has closedat the moment when it seemed to have reached itsspringtime. A voice had become audible, a note had

been struck, more true, more thrilling, more ableto do justice to the nobility of our youth in armsengaged in this present war, than any other moreable to express their thoughts of self-surrender,and with a power to carry comfort to those who

watch them so intently from afar. The voice has been swiftly stilled. Only the echoes and the memoryremain; but they will linger.



Candid

Candid literally means to be frank or open. The characteristicof the passage with such a tone are those of forthrightness,openness and being frank.

Types of passages with Candid tone: The CEO or a high-ranking official of a company admitting

that there were problems in the company/ with a particularproduct etc

A scientist admitting that his experiments were a failure or aparticular technology didn’t work

Somebody writing that he admits that he was wrong etc. Watch out for the second part of the article to know about the

other two tones of Reading Comprehension passages.



Buoyant

Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancéand their wedding plans.



Confrontational

Chris Christie joyfully mocked Democrats in a pressconference for a half-hour, as if the only deal he wouldever accept with such clowns is their unconditionalsurrender.He called their ideas "ridiculous" and "cute" and said

they couldn’t do math. He accused them of pandering.He said they are faking when they complain that hedoesn’t consult them. At every turn, he painted them asdemons who are determined to drive the state into theditch, not as partners with legitimate differences.

"They want bigger government, higher taxes and morespending," the governor thundered. "This is justridiculous."



Controversial tone

A controversial passage is one that takes as its topic ahighly-charged, contestable issue. Controversialessays are often argumentative essays, in that they areseeking to argue for or against one side of a controversialissue. However, not every argumentative essay is a

controversial essay, as some argumentative essays arearguing for or against issues that are not highly-chargedand contestable

Issues of controversy are issues that elicit strong andoften emotion opinions on opposing sides.

Common issues of controversy are those that consistentlyemerge in political debates, such as the subjects of gaymarriage, abortion, capital punishment, and the limits offreedom of speech.



The prohibition of gay marriage is a blatant violationof the civil liberties upon which democratic societydepends and thrives



Witty/Humorous

I met a man on the way to the theatre who said thathe hadn’t had a bite in weeks. So I bit him.



Appreciative, laudatory or extolling

Michael has lived an amazing life and I hope hecontinues to do so. Michael was and is a great friend;he is the kind of friend that stands by you when youneed somebody to be there. He once saved my life.

We were both young kids then and we weren’t veryclose. I was hastily walking across the street whenMichael saw a speeding car. If it wasn’t for Michael,I would have died right there. That’s how I becameclose to Michael. Yes, that was 10 years ago and

we’ve been inseparable ever since.



Harshly or strongly critical

I blame the Government for the Dantewadamassacre. I believe it (anti-Maoist operation) wasstarted without proper preparation. The stategovernments were not involved. Actual operationsneed to be planned by police officers on the ground.Had the chief minister been involved, the Dantewadaincident would not have happened. All in all, it wasone operation doomed for failure from the outsetand that is what we have ended up with.









Apathet

icEmotionless

Not

interested

Unconcerned Indifferent

Unresponsiv e



Belliger

ent Aggressive

Antagonistic

Bellicose,

Cantankerous

Combative

Contentious

Ornery Pugnacious

Quarrelsome



Dispara

gingCriticize

Belittle

Decry

Defame

Denigrate

Deprecate,

Depreciate

Deride,

Derogate



Dogma

tic ?? Assertingopinions inan arrogantmanner

Imperious

Dictatorial



Contemp

tuousUppity

Condescending

Derisive

Derisory,

Disdainful

Haughty

Sardonic

Scornful

Sneering



Possible tone & Meaning of the word

AcerbicHarsh/ severe; bitter, caustic

Angry/indignant

Forceful; tending towards unprovoked offensiveness

Apathetic

Emotionless; not interested/ concerned; indifferent; unresponsiveBelligerent

Aggressively hostile; bellicose

Biased

Favouring one thing/person/group over another for personal reasons.

CondescendingPatronizing; showing/implying patronising descent from dignity/ superiority

Contemptuous

Expressing contempt/ disdain



Analytical Descriptive/Factual

Judgmental

Prescriptive/Sermonizing



DisparagingSpeak slightingly; depreciating; belittling

Dogmatic

Asserting opinions in an arrogant manner; imperious; dictatorial

Emotional

Easily affected by feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear and the like Humanistic

Evincing keen interest in human affairs, nature, welfare, values

Humourous

Funny and amusing, Mirthful

IntrospectiveConsider one's own internal state of feelings

Congratulatory

Praising; extolling; applauding



RomanticFanciful; impractical; unrealistic; extravagant; exaggerated

Sarcastic

Harsh, bitter derision; taunting; sneering; cutting remarks

Satirical

Ironical; taunting; human folly held up to scorn/ derision/ ridicule Speculative

Theoretical rather than practical; thoughtful; reflective; hypothetical

Technical

Using terminology or treating subject matter in a manner peculiar to a particular

field, as a writer or a book.Vituperative

Cruel and angry criticism



MotivatingImpelling; inciting PedestrianLacking vitality, imagination, distinction Provocative

Inciting; stimulating; irritating; vexingConjectural

A hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing(usually with little hard evidence); "speculations about the outcomeof the election"; "he dismissed it as mere conjecture"

a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

CynicalDisplaying a belief that people are always self-seeking and never

altruistic in their actions



There seem to be a lot of people out there who want to tell me how to do this running thing right,and hope to profit by the telling. But I’m doing

pretty well, apparently, without their advice. WhatI do know is that I have lost the weight and gottenoff the blood pressure medication that I’d been on

when I first started running

And yet. Does poking along this way make meseem a little unambitious? Most runners I knoware always looking to increase their speed andtheir distance — to excel. In other aspects of mylife, I show plenty of drive. Friends have urged me

to try for a marathon. But no, I’m not going to tryto prove anything when I run.



Identify the tone that the author of the passage adopts.

1. Gloomy

2. Mirthful

3. Introspective4. Dogmatic



Suggest an appropriate title for the passage?1. Happy to Be the Tortoise in the Race to Fitness.

2. Happy to Be the Hare in the Race to Fitness

3. I shall Beat my own self in the Race to Fitness4. The Laggard in the Race to Fitness



A career in computer science makes you see the world inits terms. You start to see money as a form ofinformation display instead of as a store of value. Moneyflows are the computational output of a lot of peopleplanning, promising, evaluating, hedging and scheming,and those behaviors start to look like a set of algorithms.

You start to see the weather as a computer processing bits tweaked by the sun, and gravity as a cosmiccalculation that keeps events in time and spaceconsistent. This way of seeing is becoming ever morecommon as people have experiences with computers.

While it has its glorious moments, the computationalperspective can at times be uniquely unromantic.



Identify the tone that the author of the passageadopts.

1. Ambitious

2. Analytical3. Whimsical

4. Dogmatic



I met a man on the way to the theatre who said that he hadn’t had a bite in weeks. So I bithim.

Use a large saucepan, two-thirds filled with salted water. Boil the water and add spaghettito it, using 200 grams per person. Bring the water back to the boil and simmer, stirringoccasionally. The spaghetti should be simmered for about 15 minutes. Longer cooking

makes the spaghetti softer. Taste a piece to see if it is the texture you refer. When thespaghetti is ready, drain it carefully, and make sure that as much water as possible isremoved. Return the spaghetti to the pan (but not over heat), add a generous portion of butter and allow this to melt evenly among the spaghetti. The spaghetti can be served as itis or with tomato sauce. Sprinkle cheese freely over the spaghetti on the plate.

Michael has lived an amazing life and I hope he continues to do so. Michael was and is agreat friend; he is the kind of friend that stands by you when you need somebody to bethere. He once saved my life. We were both young kids then and we weren’t very close.I was hastily walking across the street when Michael saw a speeding car. If it wasn’t forMichael, I would have died right there. That’s how I became close to Michael. Yes, that was 10 years ago and we’ve been inseparable ever since.



I blame the Government for the Dantewada massacre. I believe it (anti-Maoistoperation) was started without proper preparation. The state governments

were not involved. Actual operations need to be planned by police officerson the ground. Had the chief minister been involved, the Dantewadaincident would not have happened. All in all, it was one operation doomedfor failure from the outset and that is what we have ended up with.

Twenty-five years have passed since that night of terror and death in Bhopal, which saw a cloud of deadly gases explode out of a faulty tank in a pesticidefactory and silently spread into the homes of sleeping people. Althoughno official count of casualties has ever been done, estimates based onhospital and rehabilitation records show that about 20,000 people died andabout 5.7 lakh suffered bodily damage, making it by far the world’s worstindustrial disaster ever. Most people suffer from the lingering effects of

chemicals, with their livelihood and daily lives being put up on the stake.Despite of the above facts, in the end the matter has become an adage initself: Justice denied as well as delayed , and shows how the system of thiscountry is beyond any repair.



Advice to Youth by Mark Twain (1835-1910) Being told I would be expected to talk here, I inquired what sort of talk I ought to make. They

said it should be something suitable to youth--something didactic, instructive, or something inthe nature of good advice. Very well. I have a few things in my mind which I have often longedto say for the instruction of the young; for it is in one’s tender early years that such things will best take root and be most enduring and most valuable. First, then. I will say to you my youngfriends--and I say it beseechingly, urgingly--

Always obey your parents, when they are present. This is the best policy in the long run, becauseif you don’t, they will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you cangenerally make more by humoring that superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment.

Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any, also to strangers, and sometimes to others. If aperson offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort toextreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. That will be sufficient. If you shall find that he had not intended any offense, come out frankly and confess yourself in the wrong when you struck him; acknowledge it like a man and say you didn’t mean to. Yes, alwaysavoid violence; in this age of charity and kindliness, the time has gone by for such things. Leavedynamite to the low and unrefined.



1. Humorous. 2. Instructional or factual.

3. Appreciative, laudatory or extolling.

4. Harshly or strongly critical 5. Cynical or despairing.



Content Based questions

1. Fact based questions2. Inference based questions

3. Detail & Purpose questions

4. Vocabulary based questions

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