Comprehension – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Third Term)

Comprehension is the skill of reading a passage or conversation and understanding what it says. A student shows understanding by answering questions about the people, places, events and ideas in the text. Good comprehension needs careful reading, attention to detail and the use of clues to work out meanings.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• read a conversation carefully and say what it is about;
• find facts in a text and use them to answer questions;
• explain the meaning of a new word from the way it is used;
• answer questions in full sentences.

How do we read a conversation for comprehension?

A conversation is a talk between two or more people. In writing, each speaker’s name is followed by what the person says.

1. Read the whole conversation once to get the general idea.
2. Note who is speaking, where they are and what they are talking about.
3. Read the questions.
4. Read the conversation again and look for the part that answers each question.
5. Write the answer in a full sentence, using words from the text where you can.

Teachers should ask students to read the sample conversation below, using these steps.

What kinds of comprehension questions are there?

• Fact questions ask for information stated in the text (who, what, where, when).
• Vocabulary questions ask for the meaning of a word as it is used in the text.
• Inference questions ask for a reason or idea that the text suggests but does not always state directly.

Sample conversation

Bisi: Good morning, Emeka. Why are you carrying a big bag today?

Emeka: Good morning, Bisi. It is Friday, and our class is cleaning the school garden. I have a cutlass and a pair of gloves inside.

Bisi: I forgot! Our teacher, Mrs Okafor, told us to bring something too.

Emeka: You can bring a broom. There is one in my father’s shop. We can pass by and take it.

Bisi: Thank you. The shop is near the bus stop, isn’t it?

Emeka: Yes, it is. Let us hurry, because assembly starts at 8:00 a.m.

Worked examples

• Question: What is the class doing today? Answer: The class is cleaning the school garden. (fact)
• Question: Why must Bisi and Emeka hurry? Answer: They must hurry because assembly starts at 8:00 a.m. (fact, stated in the last line)
• Question: What is a cutlass? Answer: A cutlass is a long, sharp tool used for cutting grass and bush. (vocabulary)
• Question: Did Bisi bring anything for the garden work? How do you know? Answer: No, she did not. She says “I forgot!” and Emeka suggests a broom for her. (inference, because the text does not say it directly)

Evaluation

Use the sample conversation to answer in full sentences.

1. What does “hurry” mean in the last line of the conversation?
2. What day of the week is it in the sample conversation?
3. What does Emeka have in his bag?
4. Where can Bisi get a broom?
5. Which teacher is named in the conversation?

Answer key for teachers

1. “Hurry” means to move or act quickly.
2. It is Friday.
3. Emeka has a cutlass and a pair of gloves in his bag.
4. Bisi can get a broom in Emeka’s father’s shop.
5. Mrs Okafor is named.

Assignment

Read the sample conversation again and answer in full sentences.

1. Who forgot to bring something for the garden work?
2. Where is the shop?
3. At what time does assembly start?

Answers: 1. Bisi forgot. 2. The shop is near the bus stop. 3. Assembly starts at 8:00 a.m.