Comprehension strategies

Underline the key focus words in the question (e.g. "dangers", "benefits", "reasons"). This tells your brain what to look for as you read.

Underline or number every piece of information that relates to the question focus. Do not worry about phrasing yet -- just mark the raw material.

Aim for 15 or more. If you have fewer than 12, re-read the passage -- you have probably missed points in the introduction or conclusion, which students often skip.

Write each point as a short, clear note. You do not need full sentences, but you must not copy the passage word-for-word. Change the vocabulary and sentence structure.

Points are spread across the entire passage. If all your answers come from the first half, go back and mine the second half for content you missed.

Examiners will not credit the same point twice, even if you phrase it differently. Before writing a point, check it is genuinely new information.

The question tells you which lines or paragraphs to focus on. Re-read this section slowly, looking for powerful or unusual word choices.

Choose words that are rich in connotation -- verbs, adjectives, and figurative language. Avoid selecting whole sentences. Single words or two-word phrases give you the most to analyse.

Point (what is the writer doing?), Evidence (the quotation), Explanation (literal meaning in context), Link to effect (connotations, reader response, writer's purpose).

The literal meaning is only step one. Ask: what associations does this word carry? What mood does it create? What does it make the reader feel or imagine?

If three words all relate to violence, say so. Identifying a semantic field (a group of words with a shared meaning area) is a top-band skill.

Do not repeat "the writer uses" in every paragraph. Try: "conveys", "evokes", "implies", "establishes a mood of", "positions the reader as".

The question gives you a specific topic (e.g. "the challenges of living in extreme cold"). Underline the focus. Only information related to this topic will earn marks.

Go through each passage with a pen, numbering every relevant piece of information. Aim for 8-10 points from each passage (15-20 total).

On rough paper, group points into clusters (e.g. physical challenges, economic challenges, psychological challenges). This will give your summary a logical structure.

Do not use subheadings, bullet points, or multiple paragraphs. The mark scheme requires continuous prose. Aim for exactly 250 words -- not more, not fewer.

Rephrase every point. If the passage says "people get very cold", you might write "residents are at risk of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures."

Join points with: "furthermore", "in addition", "similarly", "equally", "moreover", "another significant challenge is". This creates a flowing paragraph rather than a list.

Underline each distinct point in your summary. If you count fewer than 15, add more. Then count your words -- trim or extend to hit approximately 250.