Finding the Answer in the Text
Use comprehension strategies such as visualising, predicting, connecting, summarising, monitoring and questioning to build literal and inferred meaning, to expand topic knowledge and ideas, and evaluate texts.
Read this first
The answer is in the text. Your job is to go back and find it.
Words you need
- Literal
- The answer is written there. You can point to it.
- Skim
- Read fast. Look for one thing only.
- Evidence
- The exact words that prove your answer.
Worked example
e.g. Read the question. Then find the answer in the text.
- Read the question first. Underline the key word.
- The key word tells you what to hunt for. Here it is when.
- Go back to the text. Skim for that word or one like it.
- Found it. Now read the whole sentence around it.
- Write the answer. Use words from the text.
- Check. Does your answer match the question word?
Never answer from memory. Go back and look every time.
Practice
Find the key word. Then hunt for it in the text.
1The text says: Sam fed the dog at six. Who fed the dog?with a picture
AnswerSam.
2The text says: The bus was late because of rain. Why was the bus late?with a picture
AnswerBecause of rain.
3The text says: Mia won the race on Friday. When did Mia win?with a hint
Need a hint?
Hunt for the time word.
AnswerOn Friday.
4The text says: The old shed stood behind the house. Where was the shed?with a hint
Need a hint?
Hunt for the place word.
AnswerBehind the house.
5The text says: Tom packed his bag and left early. What did Tom pack?on your own
AnswerHis bag.
6Why should you go back to the text?on your own
AnswerBecause the answer is there. Memory can be wrong.
Think about it
1
A friend answers without looking back. Why is that risky?
One good answerThey may remember it wrong. The text is the proof.
2
Why underline the key word first?
One good answerIt tells you what to hunt for. You skim faster.
Common mistakes
The answer must be in my own words.
For a literal question, use the words from the text. That is the safest answer.
I read the whole text again for every question.
You do not need to. Skim for the key word instead. It is much faster.