CELPIP Tips: Reading Part 4 - Reading Comprehension
During the last fours weeks we looked at the different parts of the Reading test. Today we’ll do a close reading of the passage in Part 4 with tips on how to improve reading comprehension.
It can be difficult and challenging to answer questions based on passages that we don’t fully understand. The best way to improve your reading comprehension is by reading as much as possible with a focus on learning and understanding new vocabulary. But of course, that takes time!
Below is the passage for Reading Part 4 that we looked at last week. Here are some tips on how to find ways to create meaning when what you’re reading isn’t entirely clear.
English-learners may not be able to understand every word in the sentence. Therefore, it’s important to look at the whole paragraph to spot keywords that could help fill in the gaps.
In paragraph 1, the word “funding” is mentioned twice. If you’re unsure about the definition, it could be confusing, but in the last sentence of the paragraph, it says “public money”. These two words, especially money, are basic vocabulary words that most of us are more likely to know.
Also, consider the context of the paragraph which mentions the government three times. This is also a hint because we often associate the government with providing money or funding for public programs.
In addition to the keywords, government, money, and funding which recur throughout the passage, another major point is art and artists.
Another hint that can help is to identify the tone of the passage. The passage is organized in such a way that Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 express the viewpoint of a different person. We can assess the tone and their opinion by keywords.
The author’s viewpoint is also evident in the first sentence of Paragraph 3: “Understandably, artists have resisted.” Even if you are unsure of the meaning of the word, resisted, the word, understandably links to the previous paragraph and shows an agreement.