Secondary Comprehension Question Types

Secondary Comprehension Question Types

by Michelle Liew

​Direct/Factual Questions

​Direct/Factual Questions

These types of questions are the simplest and require students to get answers from the passage.

They will typically start with :

• Give two examples of…

• Quote a word/sentence/phrase

• Explain how

• Write an expression which shows

​Inferential Questions

​Students must read between the lines to get answers to these questions.

These typically start with

• Explain clearly

• Suggest…

• Why do you think…

• What impression….

There are two types of inference- logical and empirical

Logical inference bases itself on definition

Eg. She cried as she stood beside the grave.

Q: Where was she when she was crying?

Answer: A cemetery

Empirical Inference bases itself on observation

Eg. Why was she crying?

Ans: Her mother had died.

​Rephrasing

​Students must rewrite the phrases or sentences and keep their meanings

• Explain the phrase/term…..

​Vocabulary Question

​These types of questions require students to explain certain words from the passage. They may require students to infer some details from the passage.

​Explain fully questions

​Explain fully questionsThese require complete answers. Students often forget to consider all information.

​Proof of Evidence•

​These usually require students to quote from the text•

They are the only sorts of questions that do not require rephrasing