English: Tips for Solving Reading Comprehension Passages in Competitive Exams

Tips for Solving Reading Comprehension Passages

Practical Techniques to Improve your Reading Comprehension

After reading the passage once, write down the time you have taken to complete the passage at the top of the page. (keep a separate page for each passage you read). Now count the number of words in the passage. Number of words divided by the number of minutes taken to read the passage given you your speed of reading in "Words per Minute". After this calculation, enter the same in a table. A formate of this table is given below. Maintaining a record of your reading speeds will give you a clear picture of how you are progressing in your reading practice over a period of time.

Table to Enter Reading speeds (in words per minute)
 

Topic (Enter your speed in WPM under the type of topic you have read)
SL.No	Date	Economic	Political	Social Science	Pure Science	Others
1	1-12-2014	5	3	8	6	8
2	2-12-2014	3	2	8	2	2
3	3-12-2014	2	1	3	1	1

     Make a conscious attempt to read a wide range of topics to develop your reading speed. You will note that your speeds will be higher in areas/topics with which you are familiar. Keep a copy of this table at the back of your exercise note book and observe the gradual improvement.

Make an entry of at least two passages in this table daily. A sample entry of speeds of three passages read on two days is shown in the table. After you read each passage and enter your speed in the table above, you should write down a few points about the passage just read. We already mentioned that you should use a separate page for each passage you read. You have already written down the number of words the passage has on this page. Your speed in WPM that you entered in the table should also be entered on this page because it pertains to this passage.

Now, write the following details on that page:

• Title of the passage
• Main idea of the passage in one sentence
• Important points from the passage (as a summary of the passage)
• Words given in the passage whose meanings you do not know.

These Important points can range from 10 to 20 depending on the length of the passage. After the important points are written down, check back with the passage and see whether all important points have been covered.

Check below Links for: 

Reading Comprehension Passages for Practice

• Reading Comprehension Practice Paper Set 1
• Reading Comprehension Practice Paper Set 2
• Reading Comprehension Practice Paper Set 3