Reading and understanding a text | Year 4 English PDF Download

What is comprehension?

• When you read a text and demonstrate your understanding by answering questions, this is called comprehension.
• You use comprehension skills regularly in daily life. For example, when you interpret a sign, watch a film, or listen to a podcast.
• You often need to connect facts and clues to fully comprehend (understand) what’s happening in a text.

Reading strategies

There are various strategies you can use to help you understand a text and answer questions about it.

• Read the text actively. Do not skim. Read each word carefully and take in the entire text.
• Use context to help you understand what is happening in the text. Different types (or genres) of texts will have different events.
• For example: A fairy tale might have dragons and giants, but a story about a normal day at school wouldn’t.

Summarise the facts – identify the important parts of the text that the reader needs to know.

• For example: The character’s footsteps made the ground shake. His head is in the clouds.

Visualise what is being described in the text. What can you see in your mind?

• For example: His head is in the clouds. You can picture a very tall man, as clouds are very high up.

Ask yourself questions about what you have just read.

• For example: Why is he making the ground shake? Could it be because he is so heavy?

Combine all the clues to get the bigger picture.

• For example: Both facts mentioned above indicate that the character is very tall.

How to answer comprehension questions

• Here's a simple illustration of how to respond to comprehension questions:
• Tommy is described as wearing a grey jumper, round glasses, and a blue hat.
• Question: What color hat is Tommy wearing?
• If you can answer 'Tommy is wearing a blue hat,' you've effectively utilized your comprehension skills, demonstrating a clear understanding of the sentence.
• As texts grow longer, comprehension becomes more intricate. Active reading is crucial - think about what you're reading as you read it.

Enhancing Comprehension Skills

• Visualize the Details: Create mental images of the story's elements to better grasp the narrative.
• Question Everything: Interrogate the text by asking why, how, and what if to delve deeper into its meaning.
• Connect the Dots: Combine different pieces of information to form a coherent understanding of the text.
• Stay Engaged: Actively participate in reading, constantly reflecting on and analyzing the content.