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Welcome to the first lesson in your GL 11+ English course! Comprehension is one of the most important skills you will need for the 11+ exam. It means reading a passage carefully and showing that you understand what it says — and what it means.
Comprehension simply means understanding. In the 11+ exam, you will be given a passage to read — it could be fiction (a story), non-fiction (factual writing), or poetry. You will then answer questions about it.
| Type of passage | What it might look like |
|---|---|
| Fiction | An extract from a novel or short story |
| Non-fiction | A newspaper article, diary entry, or speech |
| Poetry | A poem with verses and sometimes rhyme |
The key is not just to read the words, but to understand what the writer is telling you.
Think of comprehension like a ladder. Each rung takes you deeper into the text.
| Level | What it means | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Literal | What the text says directly | "What colour was the dog?" |
| Inferential | What the text suggests but does not say outright | "How do you think the character was feeling?" |
| Evaluative | Judging the writer's choices | "Why did the author use the word 'crept'?" |
| Deductive | Working out something from clues in the text | "What time of year is it? Use evidence." |
At the 11+ level, you need to go beyond literal answers. The best answers use evidence from the text and explain what it tells us.
Follow these steps every time you read a comprehension passage:
Do not stop to answer questions yet. Just get a feel for what the passage is about.
Look at what you are being asked. Underline key words in the questions so you know what to look for.
This time, read more carefully. As you read, look for the answers to the questions. You can underline or circle important words and phrases.
Go back to the text for every answer. Never guess — always find evidence.
Here are the most common types of questions you will see in a GL 11+ English paper:
These ask you to find information directly stated in the passage.
Example: "According to the passage, where did the family go on holiday?"
Tip: Scan the text for key words from the question. The answer will be right there in the passage.
These ask you what a word or phrase means in the context of the passage.
Example: "What does the word 'reluctantly' mean in line 5?"
Tip: Look at the surrounding sentences for clues. Even if you do not know the word, the context can help you work it out.
These ask you to read between the lines — to work out something the author has not stated directly.
Example: "How can you tell that the character was nervous?"
Tip: Look for clues in the character's actions, speech, and the descriptions around them.
These ask you why something happens or why the writer made a particular choice.
Example: "Why do you think the author described the forest as 'dark and whispering'?"
Tip: Think about the effect on the reader. What feeling or picture does the writer create?
Read this short passage:
The old house stood at the end of the lane, its windows dark and its garden overgrown with weeds. No one had lived there for years. Tom stood at the gate, his heart thudding. He told himself there was nothing to be afraid of, but his feet refused to move.
Now let us answer some questions:
Q1: How long has the house been empty?
This is a retrieval question. The passage says: "No one had lived there for years."
Q2: How is Tom feeling? Use evidence from the passage.
This is an inference question. Tom is feeling frightened or anxious. We know this because:
Notice how the best answers quote from the text and then explain what the evidence shows.
For longer comprehension answers, use the PEE structure:
| Letter | Stands for | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| P | Point | State your answer clearly |
| E | Evidence | Quote from the passage |
| E | Explain | Say what the evidence shows or means |
Question: How does the writer show that Tom is scared?
Answer: The writer shows that Tom is scared by describing his physical reactions. The text says his "heart" was "thudding", which suggests it was beating very fast — a sign of fear. Furthermore, the writer tells us that "his feet refused to move", as though his body was frozen with anxiety. This makes the reader feel sympathy for Tom because we can picture how frightened he is.
| Mistake | Why it is a problem | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Copying the whole sentence from the text | Shows you found it, but not that you understood it | Use a short quote and explain it in your own words |
| Writing "I think" without evidence | Your opinion alone is not enough | Always back up your answer with a quote |
| Not reading the question carefully | You might answer the wrong thing | Underline key words in the question first |
| Rushing through the passage | You will miss important details | Read the passage at least twice |
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Comprehension | Understanding what you have read |
| Retrieval | Finding information directly stated in the text |
| Inference | Working out something the text suggests but does not say directly |
| Evidence | A quote or detail from the text that supports your answer |
| Context | The words and sentences around a particular word that help explain its meaning |
| PEE | Point, Evidence, Explain — a useful structure for longer answers |
Comprehension is all about reading carefully, finding evidence, and explaining what it means. In the GL 11+ exam, you will need to answer different types of questions — from simple retrieval to deeper inference and evaluation. Always use the PEE structure for longer answers, and remember: the answer is always in the passage. Your job is to find it and explain it clearly.