Reading Comprehension Tips: Narrative Text 

( Part 2 )

In our previous lesson on excelling in the Reading Comprehension Test, we talked about non-fiction texts. Now, let's move on to answering questions about stories and figurative language.

What is a Narrative?

First, Let us define what a narrative is. Narratives are stories. They refer to the story's events and details. It can also describe the manner in which the story is told.   

A narrative consists of several parts, including:

1. Setting

This refers to where and when the story happened. Pay attention to the location and time period mentioned in the text.

2. Theme

The theme is the main message or the kind of morals/ideas that the story touches upon. Look for clues about the theme throughout the narrative.

3. Characters

People in a story. Some characters are more important than others. These are called "major characters," and they have a big impact on the story. On the other hand, minor characters have smaller parts in the story and don't affect the plot.

4. Plot 

The plot is what happens in the story. It can be divided into four parts:

Problem: This is the central issue or conflict in the story. Identify what the problem is that the characters are facing.

Response: How do the characters respond to the problem? Look for the actions and decisions they make in response to the conflict.

Action: What do the characters do about the problem? Pay attention to the events and actions that take place in the narrative.

Result: What happens at the end? Find out how the characters' actions and decisions lead to a resolution or outcome.

5. Resolution

The resolution is the end of the problem. It shows the end of the conflict, giving the story a sense of completion.

Sample Narrative 

Example: "The Lost Key"

Setting: In a small village in the mountains, there was an old cottage with a hidden garden.

Theme: The importance of perseverance and determination.

Characters: Sarah (a curious young girl), Mrs. Thompson (the owner of the cottage) and Mr. Johnson (a wise elderly neighbour).

Plot:

Problem: Sarah accidentally dropped the key to the hidden garden down a crack in the floorboards of the cottage.

Response: Sarah panics and seeks help from Mrs. Thompson, who suggests asking Mr. Johnson for advice.

Action: Sarah approaches Mr. Johnson, who advises her to use a magnet to retrieve the key.

Result: Sarah follows Mr. Johnson's advice and successfully retrieves the key, unlocking the hidden garden.

Resolution: The problem is solved when Sarah sees how important it is to keep going and how beautiful the secret garden is.

Using the Components to Locate Information

Understanding the different parts of a story can help you find the answers to questions. Pay attention to each part and where you can find the information in the text.

Literal: Literal parts are when you say what you mean. Focus on finding the details in the text to answer literal questions and use scanning to find the answer quickly. 

There are often questions about details on the QASMT reading comprehension test.

Figurative: Figurative language is when what you say means something else. Some examples of these are similes, metaphors and other writing devices. 

Figurative questions are harder and you may need to think about what the words really mean to you.

Figurative Language in Reading Comprehension Test

 Figurative language is a writing technique used to create vivid imagery and convey deeper meanings beyond the literal interpretation of words. 

There are four main types of figurative language that you may see in your reading comprehension test. These are similes, metaphors, hyperboles and personifications. 

Let's talk about each of these and give examples to help you understand them better.

1. Similes

Similes compare two things using the words "like" or "as." They create a picture in your mind by showing similarities between the two objects being compared:

"The moon hung in the sky like a silver pendant." In this example, comparing the moon to a silver pendant emphasizes its brightness and beauty.

"She walked into the room like a breath of fresh air." This simile suggests that the person's entrance had a positive and refreshing effect on the environment.

"His words flowed smoothly, like a gentle river." The simile implies that the person is well-spoken by comparing the smoothness of their words to the steady flow of a river.

2. Metaphors

Metaphors describe one thing as if it were something else without using the words "like" or "as." They create a direct comparison between two objects or concepts:

"Her laughter was music to my ears." This metaphor compares the sound of laughter to the joy and pleasantness of music.

"The fog swallowed the city and any signs of life in it." By describing the fog as a swallowing force, this metaphor emphasizes its density and ability to obscure everything in its path.

"Time is a thief that never stops." This metaphor characterizes time as a thief, implying that it can steal precious moments and opportunities from us.

3. Hyperboles

Hyperboles involve exaggerated statements for emphasis or dramatic effect:

"The suitcase weighed a ton!" This hyperbole emphasizes how heavy the suitcase was, making it seem much heavier than it actually was.

"I've told you a million times!" This figure of speech exaggerates the number of times something has been said, expressing frustration or irritation.

"His smile could light up the whole room." This hyperbole emphasizes the brightness and positive impact of the person's smile on the atmosphere of the room.

4. Personification

Personification gives human qualities or actions to non-human objects, adding depth and emotion to the narrative:

"The flowers danced in the gentle breeze." By assigning the ability to dance to the flowers, personification makes the scene more lively and vibrant.

"The old house groaned under the weight of its secrets." This metaphor suggests that the house has secrets to hide by giving it the ability to groan like a person.

"The waves whispered secrets to the shore." This personification gives the waves the ability to whisper, creating a sense of intimacy and connection between the waves and the beach.

Now that you understand the four main types of figurative language let's apply this knowledge to a sample passage and answer some related questions.

Reading Comprehension Sample Passage

Read the passage below and analyze the questions:

"The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sleepy town. The houses stood like sentinels, their roofs adorned with snow as pure as freshly fallen feathers. Winter had wrapped its icy arms around the landscape, painting it in shades of white and blue. The air was crisp and biting, with each breath creating a small cloud of mist. It was a scene straight out of a winter wonderland, where time seemed to slow down and the world held its breath."

What does the line "the sun hung low in the sky" imply about the time of day?

a) It was morning.

b) It was midday.

c) It was late afternoon.

d) It was evening.

Answer: d) It was evening. The phrase "the sun hung low in the sky" expresses that the sun was low, which usually happens during the evening as the day turns into night.

In the phrase "the houses stood like sentinels," what does the word "sentinels" imply about the houses?

a) They were small and cramped.

b) They were old and dilapidated.

c) They were tall and imposing.

d) They were colorful and vibrant.

Answer: c) They were tall and imposing. The word "sentinels" suggests that the houses were standing as guards or protectors, conveying a sense of strength and vigilance.

What does the phrase "winter had wrapped its icy arms around the landscape" suggest about the weather?

a) It was warm and sunny.

b) It was cool and breezy.

c) It was icy and cold.

d) It was rainy and wet.

Answer: c) It was icy and cold. The phrase personifies winter by giving it the ability to wrap its arms around the landscape. This imagery suggests that the weather was very cold, creating a wintry atmosphere.

Which phrase from the passage is an example of personification?

a) "The sun hung low in the sky."

b) "The houses stood like sentinels."

c) "Winter had wrapped its icy arms around the landscape."

d) "The air was crisp and biting."

Answer: c) "Winter had wrapped its icy arms around the landscape." Personification refers to attributing human qualities or actions to non-human entities. In this case, the phrase personifies winter by giving it the ability to wrap its arms around the environment.

What is the overall atmosphere or feeling conveyed in the passage?

a) Warmth and comfort.

b) Excitement and adventure.

c) Serenity and stillness.

d) Chaos and busyness.

Answer: c) Serenity and stillness. The passage describes a winter scene with a golden glow, pure snow and a crisp and biting air. These elements create a tranquil surroundings which creates a sense of peace and stillness.

Remember, when you see questions about figurative language, try to figure out what it  means and what thoughts or ideas it evokes. Look for keywords in the passage related to the figurative language being used. Additionally, pay attention to words and pieces of information that may help you find the correct answer.

Winning Strategies for the Reading Comprehension Test

Now that you know what makes up a narrative and what kinds of questions you might be asked, here are some tips to help you ace the selective school reading comprehension test:

Read carefully: Focus on the details and make sure you understand the main ideas and themes presented in the narrative.

Scan for answers:When faced with detail questions, scan the text to find the relevant information quickly. Focus on keywords and phrases that match the question.

Summarize:For main idea questions, try to summarize the overall topic, tone, or mood of the story. Look for keywords in the answer choices that align with the main ideas presented in the narrative.

Seek Professional Assistance: Consider seeking help from a professional tutor. They can provide expert guidance and additional strategies to aid in your preparation and help further improve your comprehension skills.

Final Words

In order to excel in the Reading Comprehension Test, it's important to understand the components that make up a narrative, including setting, theme, characters, plot and resolution.

Figurative language is also frequently used in narratives and it's important to understand the different types, such as similes, metaphors, hyperboles and personifications.

By focusing on these key elements and practicing your comprehension skills, you can improve your performance on the test and achieve success.