How to read comprehension passages effectively?

Reading comprehension is one of the important components in any exams in which English is a component. There are some examinations which will have very less time for reading these passages which were very lengthy. So we have to follow some tips and tricks and also some basic methods to read a passage successfully.

One of the most important things that we have to find is the tome of the passage which means that which message will best describes the passage in brief. This also refers to the general attitude of the author towards the topic that is given in the passage.

How to classify a tone?

Tones of passages can be broadly classified as positive, negative and neutral. Negative tones are further divided into very negative and mildly negative.

Identifying a tone in passage:

This can be done by studying the nature of the adjectives or nouns or verbs that the author uses to express his views on the topic under discussion. So we have to focus on the statements that the author makes in the passage carefully but not on the statements that the author quotes somebody else as saying.

After identifying the verbs, adjectives, nouns they should be analyzed carefully. Some of the tips are:

1. Try to find out that the word is a negative word or positive word.
2. Is it a mild word or strong word?
3. Does the author mean what he says or is he being sarcastic or ironic?
4. Is the pattern in the nature of adjectives or nouns or verbs used in the passage? Are they all negative or positive? If all the key adjectives or nouns or verbs used in the passage are negative, then it can be safely concluded that the tone is negative.

Let’s know some of the words that reflect the strength of the words.

1. Adjectives used to describe very negative tones:
   1. Acerbic, scathing, cutting, biting, vituperative, vitriolic, searing, trenchant, harsh, vicious or caustic – All these are used to express very harshness towards someone.
   2. Belligerent, bellicose, aggressive – These are used to express very hostile towards somebody or something.
   3. Derisive, contemptuous, ridiculous, scornful, mocking, disparaging – These are used to express fun of something or somebody with a view to belittle it or to show it in poor light.
   4. Incendiary or inciting – These are used to express the stirring up strife.
   5. Provocative – This word is used when author is trying to irritate or annoy somebody.