Reading Comprehension
UNIT 1: UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
- Begin by scanning the text to get an idea of its overall structure and topics.
- Concentrate on finding the main idea of each paragraph or section - it's usually expressed early on.
- Hunt for synonyms or definitions in the text that can help figure out any unfamiliar Portuguese words.
- Pay attention to transition words such as "however", "in addition", "on the other hand", etc. They usually signal a change or addition in ideas.
UNIT 2: WORKING WITH THE DETAILS
- Answering detail-oriented questions requires thorough reading and re-reading of the text. Don't skip this part.
- Make good use of context clues. Often, the surrounding sentences will provide hints.
- Highlight or underline important information as you go along. This allows for easier reference and review.
- Be cautious with inferring information. Make sure your assumptions are grounded in textual evidence.
UNIT 3: ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
- Analyse the author's purpose. What is he/she trying to persuade, inform, or entertain the reader about?
- Notice the tone, mood, and stylistic choices. They offer important insights into the text.
- Evaluate the validity, objectivity and reliability of the text, especially when dealing with non-fiction.
UNIT 4: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
- Don't rush. Take your time to comprehend each sentence instead of merely 'getting the gist'.
- Use a dictionary wisely, but don't rely on it for every unfamiliar word. Try to understand words in context first.
- Practice frequently with varied text-types. The more you read in Portuguese, the better your comprehension skills will become.
- Lastly, don't panic if you don't understand everything. Focus on what you CAN understand and build your understanding from there.