Comprehension (Prose & Poetry) | English Olympiad for Class 8 PDF Download

What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, interpret, and derive meaning from written text. It involves not just reading the words but also comprehending the ideas, arguments, and information presented.

In the context of English, reading comprehension typically includes:

1. Literal Understanding: Grasping the basic facts and details explicitly stated in the text.
2. Inferential Understanding: Making logical deductions and inferences based on information that is implied but not directly stated.
3. Critical Analysis: Evaluating the text, understanding the author's purpose, tone, and perspective, and forming opinions about the content.
4. Synthesis: Integrating information from the text with prior knowledge to form a coherent understanding of the overall message.

How to Solve Reading Comprehension Questions

To effectively solve reading comprehension questions in English, follow these steps:

1. Skim the Passage:
   • Quickly read through the passage to get a general idea of the content and structure.
   • Note the main topic, key themes, and the overall flow of information.
2. Read the Questions First:
   • Before diving into a detailed reading, glance over the questions to understand what information you need to look for.
   • This helps you focus on relevant parts of the text while reading.
3. Detailed Reading:
   • Read the passage more carefully, paying attention to important details and concepts.
   • Highlight or underline key points, names, dates, and any information that directly relates to the questions.
4. Answering Different Types of Questions:
   • Factual Questions: These questions ask for specific information directly stated in the text. Look for keywords in the question and find the corresponding part of the passage.
     Example: "According to the passage, who knew the most ways to deal with a fire?"
   • Inference Questions: - These require you to read between the lines and make logical deductions based on the text. Consider what is implied by the author's statements.
     Example: "What can be inferred about the jackal’s attitude towards the fire?"
   • Vocabulary in Context: These questions ask about the meaning of a word or phrase as used in the passage. Look at the surrounding sentences to understand how the word is being used.
     Example: "What is the meaning of the word 'sneer' in the passage?"
     
5. Author's Purpose and Tone: These questions require understanding why the author wrote the passage and the attitude expressed. Consider the choice of words, style, and any persuasive elements. Example: "What is the author's tone in the passage?"
6. Review Your Answers: Double-check your answers to ensure they accurately reflect the information in the passage. Ensure that your answers are supported by evidence from the text.
   
   

Example: There was a huge haystack near a village. Several small animals had made their homes in it. Among them was a tortoise, a cobra, a mongoose and a jackal. One day as these four were enjoying an afternoon chat, the other residents of the haystack came running to them in a state of panic. "Our haystack is on fire!" they screamed. "A fire is it?" said the tortoise, "Please stay calm. I know a hundred thousand ways of dealing with a fire." "And I know only a thousand ways," said the cobra, modestly. "As for me, I know only a hundred," said the mongoose, "But they're all tried and tested methods." "And you, Sir," said the residents to the jackal, "How many do you know?" "Only one," said the jackal, sniffing the smoke - laden air. "When the fire is this close there's only one thing to do. That is to run!" Moreover, with that he jumped from the haystack and ran away. "Stupid creature," the tortoise sneered. "He ran away because he has not studied fire like I or my friends here have. Listen
to the first method of escaping a fire..." However, he never got beyond that. A tongue of flame leapt out from the centre of the haystack and consumed him and his two knowledgeable friends. The other animals leapt from the haystack as they had seen the stupid jackal do and ran for their lives.

Question 1: Which 'all' of the following also lived in the haystack? A. Cobra, Python, Mongoose and Hyena
B. Tortoise, Hen, Cow and Mongoose
C. Tortoise, Cobra, Mongoose and Jackal
D. None of these

Answer: C. Tortoise, Cobra, Mongoose and Jackal

Explanation: According to the passage, the animals that lived in the haystack were a tortoise, a cobra, a mongoose, and a jackal. Hence, option C correctly lists all these animals.

Question 2: Who knew the most ways to deal with a fire? A. Cobra
B. Tortoise
C. Mongoose
D. Jackal

Answer: A. Cobra

Explanation: In the passage, the cobra claims to know "only a thousand ways" to deal with a fire, which is more than the tortoise's hundred ways and the mongoose's hundred tried and tested methods.

Question 3: When the fire is so close, what is the only thing to do? A. Study the fire and its causes
B. Wait and strategize
C. Run
D. Preach

Answer: C. Run

Explanation: The jackal said, "When the fire is this close there’s only one thing to do. That is to run!" This indicates that running is the only action to take when the fire is very close.

Question 4: What is the meaning of the word 'sneer'? A. Scoff
B. Laugh at
C. Mock
D. All of these

Answer: D. All of these

Explanation: The word 'sneer' can mean to scoff, laugh at, or mock someone, indicating a feeling of contempt or disdain. Therefore, all the options are correct.

Question 5: According to the story, whose method of escaping the fire was the best? A. Cobra
B. Tortoise
C. Mongoose
D. Jackal

Answer: D. Jackal

Explanation: The jackal's method of running away when the fire was close proved to be the best, as the passage describes how he escaped while the tortoise and his two knowledgeable friends were consumed by the fire.