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Episode Forty-Two:
The Dos and Don’ts of English Reading Comprehension
One of the questions I get asked frequently is how English learners can improve their reading comprehension. They want to know how they can read more quickly, remember the content the first time, and stay focused.
In this lesson, we will talk about the Dos and Don’ts of Reading comprehension.
One of the big questions I’m asked is, “What do I do when I don’t understand what I’m reading?”
First, let’s talk about what to do when you find yourself getting confused while reading. Here are 10 Things to Do when you can’t understand what you’re reading:
1) Ask yourself, “What’s the last thing I remember reading?” Go back to that place and read slowly until you identify the part that caused the confusion.
2) Re-read any titles or headings to the section you’re reading. Sometimes we need to connect back to the big idea in order to understand the context of the details.
3) Slow down. Sometimes, we’re reading too quickly, and that’s why we don’t understand what we’re reading. Slow down when you get confused and try again.
4) While re-reading, picture in your mind what’s happening. Can you see it in your mind? Our minds are powerful tools for creativity. When you picture moments from the reading in your mind, you’re using more of your brain to connect language with ideas.
5) Ask yourself, is your mind on the book, or just your eyes? If your mind is having trouble focusing, ask yourself what’s causing your mind to wander. I find it helpful to make a list of what’s on my mind so I can come back to it after I’m done reading.
6) Go back to where you last were understanding what you were reading. Then retell what you remember about the article or book up until that point. Sometimes summarizing can help trigger your memory about what you were reading so you can build on that information. If something still feels unclear while you’re retelling it, go back to that part and reread it until you understand it.
7) Predict what you think will happen next. Sometimes when we let our minds think about where the author is going, we guess correctly!
8) Ask “why” questions to more deeply connect with what you’re reading. When you understand why events are happening in a story or new article, your mind thinks critically thinks about what you’re reading.
9) Change where you are sitting (or standing). Our bodies and minds are connected, and sometimes we need to move our bodies to refocus our minds.
10) Take a break and start again. Sometimes we just need a mental break with language. Take a couple minutes to walk around or listen to music. If you find yourself taking too many breaks, set a timer on your phone to keep reading until the timer goes off.
Now that I’ve given you 10 things to do when you can’t understand what you’re reading, let’s talk about what NOT to do when you can’t understand what you’re reading:
1) Do not just grab your phone and translate what you’re reading. It slows down your reading development when you’re always relying on a translator while reading. First, try the strategies I mentioned. Then if you absolutely need to, grab a translator.
2) Do not get stuck on a single word or phrase forever. In other words, make sure you’re reading at a good pace. When you go too slow while reading, you lose the “big picture”, because you’re too focused on individual definitions, and not focused enough on the overall theme or plot of what you’re reading.
3) Don’t read something that’s way too difficult for you. If something is way above your English level, you will just get frustrated and be less motivated to read. Instead, find something to read that’s at your level, or just slightly above it. That will keep you moving and keep you reading.
4) Don’t just read one genre. Mix up what you read. If it’s been a while since you’ve read an actual book, then it’s time to read a book. If you only ever read books, read social media posts in English. Variety is the key in developing your reading and vocabulary skills. And please, don’t just read textbooks and nothing else. They don’t provide enough real, everyday English.
5) Don’t quit reading. The worst thing you can do is stop reading. If you really want to develop your comprehension and vocabulary skills, you need to read as much as possible in English. Don’t just translate the page of a website. Try it in English first.
That’s it! My Dos and Don’ts of understanding what you’re reading.
Also featured in this episode was our new monthly supporter program. Monthly supporters get free audio books, 50% off all video courses, and even more fun bonus items! You can become a monthly member here.
Until next time, Happy learning!
– Andrea
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The following is a TOEFL Reading practice test to help you prepare for the Reading section of the TOEFL test.
Instructions: Read the sample passage below and then answer the questions that follow.
TOEFL Reading Practice Passage
Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forest of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas (both critically endangered), and either four or five subspecies. They are the largest living primates. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and bonobos.
Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda.
(#1) Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk upright for short distances, typically while carrying food or in defensive situations. (#2) A 2018 study investigating the hand posture of 77 mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (8% of the population) found that knuckle walking was done only 60% of the time, and they also supported their weight on their fists, the backs of their hands/feet, and on their palms/soles (with the digits flexed). (#3) Studies of gorilla handedness have yielded varying results, with some arguing for no preference for either hand, and others right-hand dominance for the general population. (#4)
The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, with the mountain gorilla being the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forest are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla. Like humans, gorillas have individual fingerprints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.
A gorilla's lifespan is normally between 35 and 40 years, although zoo gorillas may live for 50 years or more. Colo, a female western gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, was the oldest known gorilla at 60 years of age when she died on 17 January 2017.
Questions
1. According to the passage, gorillas can live in
a. a variety of altitudes.
b. several different countries in Africa.
c. thick forests.
d. lowland forests only.
2. All of the following is true about gorillas EXCEPT
a. they primarily eat smaller animals.
b. they live in a forest habitat.
c. their genetics are similar to humans.
d. their diet consists of vegetation.
3. Look at the word predominantly in paragraph 1. The word predominantly in this passage refers to
a. impulsively
b. unfortunately
c. mainly
d. lastly
4. Look at the word inhabits in paragraph 2. The word inhabits in this passage refers to
a. lives in
b. protects
c. goes
d. works
5. The author implies that
a. most gorillas prefer using their left hand over their right.
b. gorillas rarely walk on their knuckles.
c. gorillas regularly walk upright for long distances.
d. studies haven't solidly proven which hand gorillas prefer using.
6. Why does the writer mention that the eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla?
a. To validate the importance a broad chest in western gorillas
b. To define the meaning of "broad"
c. To highlight a physical difference between types of gorillas
d. To demonstrate that most gorillas are identical in physical build
7. Which of the following statements is true for BOTH eastern and western gorillas.
a. Both eastern and western gorrilas are brown with red foreheads.
b. Both eastern and western gorrilas have unique fingerprints.
c. Both eastern and western gorrilas have thin hair.
d. Both eastern and western gorrilas have light brown eyes.
8. In Paragraph 3, look at the four numbers (#1, #2, #3, #4) that indicate where the following sentence would be added to the passage.
Such a range of hand postures was previously thought to have been used by only orangutans.
Where would the sentence best fit?
(View all the correct answers below.)
Great job! If you're ready to take your TOEFL preparation to the next level, go to StudyWithAndrea.com/TOEFL.
Answers: 1. d 2. a 3. c 4. a 5. d 6. c 7. b 8. #3
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About Andrea
Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.
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