Reading Comprehention Tips?

[CheshireCat150]

Anyone else find reading comprehention on tests difficult?

I'm looking for tips to improve. Help?

[MsRowdyRedhead]

When you have a passage to read followed by questions, read the questions first. This will give you a good idea of what to look for as you read the passage.

When you are asked to choose a definition for a word in the passage, the word will usually be italicized. Scan the passage to find the word. Reading the sentence before, the sentence containing the word, and the sentence following the word will usually give you enough information to answer the question correctly.
Always look back at the passage to answer questions rather than relying on memory.

Look for key words such as first, then, next, finally, and after when sequencing events.

Always read all the choices before answering a question.

The main idea of a passage is most often at the very beginning and it may be stated again at the very end.

If you are asked about cause and effect, look for key words such as since, because, as a result of, and therefore.

Do not be discouraged by very long passages.
Do not spend too much time on any one item...skip an item if necessary, leave it blank, and come back to it later. Focus on the questions that come quicker and easier first.

Go online and find practice tests to take.
Do as many as possible. Soon you will be a bit more relaxed when taking them.
When you are relaxed, the answers will come more easily.

[KnightsFan]

Read a book and write about what it means afterwards. If you know anyone who'll do it, discuss the book and what you think it means afterwards. Find a new book and repeat (many times).
When talking about what a book means, get into the details. Pick a paragraph and figure out what every word means and, more importantly, why that particular word was used. For example, why "enormous" instead of "large?"

Eventually, you'll not only find the tests easier but you'll actually be better at reading. I think tricks like reading questions before the passage (as MsRR said) may help with grades, but I don't think they will help as much in the long run. Maybe that's just me, though.

[MsRowdyRedhead]

Indeed, my tips were only meant for tests.. tho thorough reading of questions or instructions is valuable for the process of obtaining a job as well.

[CheshireCat150]

Thanks MsRR and KnightsFan!!
Both suggestions were very helpful. =)

[elliwhi1008751]

Ah, thank you MSRR and Knightfan

I struggle with comprehension a lot, so I will try to take your advice on board Knightsfan  

[MsRowdyRedhead]

=)