Definition of Comprehension

Comprehension is the ability to read and understand unfamiliar text matter, to answer questions based on that. You will be presented with passages drawn from a variety of subject areas, including humanities, the sciences, latest happenings in society etc. The questions will ask you to analyze what is stated in the passage and would have to identify underlying assumptions and implications. Although nothing is still clear but most probably the passage length in CSAT will vary from 300-800 words. The passage may be followed by 3-10 questions to check the thorough understanding of the contents. The questions will be objective type with each question followed by four answer options out of which the most appropriate one is to be chosen on the basis of the information given in the passage. No outside information or data should be used while answering the questions and answers should simply be marked keeping in mind the author’s viewpoints on the topic.

The passages could be written in the following styles

1. Analytical: The analytical way of writing usually presents the pros and cons of the issue at hand. It discusses both sides of the issue and the author may after analysis, present his final viewpoint in the end. The questions are usually about the main idea and the author’s viewpoint.

2. Discursive: A discursive style of writing is where the author discusses various aspects of certain issues in brief and superficially. Hence, the questions that follow are simple and basic questions on theme and the facts presented therein.

3. Argumentative: The argumentative style of writing is where the author supports his viewpoint on an issue by presenting facts and data which support his viewpoint. Unlike the argumentative style, he does not present both sides of the issue. The questions that follow are mostly about the author’s tone and whether he would agree or disagree with certain points on the issues as discussed in the passage.

4. Descriptive/Narrative: When the passage describes a certain event or phenomenon chances are it uses the descriptive style of writing. In simple words descriptive style of writing uses story telling format. It is lucid and easy to understand and is usually followed by easy questions on the main theme or the facts stated in the passage.

Suggestions

1. Use only the information given or implied in a passage. Do not consider outside information, even if it seems more accurate than the given information.

2. You are looking for the best answer, so be sure to read all the choices.

3. If you don’t know the answer, try to eliminate some choices and then take an educated guess. 4. Because you may refer to the passage, don’t try to memorize everything in the passage. 5. Read the passage focusing on the main point or purpose and the structure of the passage.