36. Reading Skills

​36. English
11+ Reading Skills

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Teacher Note:
1. Understand and discuss each skill with the students.
2. Answer skill based questions from verses of a poem which the children will read as part of their comprehension quiz.
3. The example answers are in small at the bottom of each question slide for you to zoom in on if necessary

Skill 1 – Finding Information (Literal Understanding)

• Definition: Finding facts directly from the text

• Example: “What color was the car?”

• Tip: Scan for keywords

• The car was a deep purple, like a prune.

• Answer: It's purple.

By noon I crossed a golden glade, Where shadows danced and sunlight played. A fox appeared, its eyes like flame— It nodded once and spoke my name.

What color is clearing in the forest (glade)?

​Answer: golden/gold/yellowy

Skill 2 – Inference

• Definition: Reading between the lines

• Example: “Why do you think the girl's heart stopped?”

• Tip: Look for clues, not just what is stated. Think why your heart might stop.

It had been months since I'd seen my family. So, when I saw Carmen at the bus stop my heart stopped and tears welled in the corner of my eyes.

Answer: She may have been excited, shocked or didn't realise she had missed them so much.

A fox appeared, its eyes like flame— It nodded once and spoke my name. "Go onward, child, the path is long, But every step will make you strong.

Why does the fox tell the traveller that "every step will make you strong"?

Answer: The fox’s words suggest that the journey isn’t just physical but also a learning experience. It implies that through every challenge and step, the traveller will grow stronger in character and spirit.

Skill 3 – Understanding Vocabulary in Context

• Definition: Working out the meaning of unfamiliar words

• Example: “The girl was elated after hearing the good news.” (What does elated mean?)

• Tip: Use the words around it for clues - how would you feel if you received good news? Happy/proud/overjoyed

"Go onward, child, the path is long, But every step will make you strong. The world is wide, and time is fleet— Adventure waits in each heartbeat."

What does the word 'fleet' mean?

​Answer: "Quick" or "fast-moving."The poet is saying that time passes quickly.

Skill 4 – Identifying the Main Idea

• Definition: What is the paragraph or passage mostly about?

• Example: “What is the main idea?” "What is the verse about?"

• Tip: Look at the first and last sentences

The rivers sang of distant lands,
The trees reached out with leafy hands.
The wind would whisper in my ear,
Of secrets far and wonders near.

Answer: The elements are communicating and telling stories of the environment.

Answer: The speaker continues their journey with hope and courage, trusting in their dreams despite not knowing what lies ahead.

​What is main idea of this verse?

So on I walked, my soul alight, With dreams to chase and stars in sight. The road ahead I could not see, But still, I walked—forever free.

Skill 5 – Author’s Purpose and Tone

• Definition: Why did the author write this? What is the tone?

• Example: Persuade, Inform, Entertain, Explain

• Tone words: serious, humorous, formal

What is the purpose of this verse and what tone is it written in?

By noon I crossed a golden glade, Where shadows danced and sunlight played. A fox appeared, its eyes like flame— It nodded once and spoke my name.

​Answer: To inspire and encourage a sense of adventure, courage, and curiosity about the world. It's an uplifting and adventurous tone

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Skill 6 – Sequencing and Summarising

• Sequencing: Order of events

• Summarising: Shortening key points

• Example: “What happened first?” / “Which summary is best?”

Summarise the verse:

The rivers sang of distant lands, The trees reached out with leafy hands. The wind would whisper in my ear, Of secrets far and wonders near.

​Answer: The speaker imagines nature as a guide, sharing mysterious and enchanting messages about the world beyond.

Skill 7 – Fact vs Opinion

• Fact: Can be proven

• Opinion: What someone thinks or feels

• Example: “Apples are the best fruit.” (Opinion)

• Tip: Watch out for emotional words

Read the lines from the poem and choose which are facts and which are opinions.

A) "By morning light I set my pace."
B) "With satchel packed and heart so bold."
C) "Adventure waits in each heartbeat."
D) "The world is wide, and time is fleet."

Answer: ​A/B Fact C/D Opinion

​Skill 8 – Comparing and Contrasting

• Look for similarities and differences between characters, settings, or ideas

• Example: “How are the two characters alike?” "How does the setting change from start to end?"

​First verse:
By morning light I set my pace, Through forests wide and mountain face. With satchel packed and heart so bold, I chased the tales the elders told.
Last verse:
So on I walked, my soul alight, With dreams to chase and stars in sight.
The road ahead I could not see, But still, I walked—forever free.

How does the tone change from the first to the last verse?

​Answer: The speaker is just beginning their journey, full of anticipation and excitement. There's a sense of adventure and wonder about the stories they've heard and now want to explore.
By the end, the speaker has grown. The tone is more mature and thoughtful. Even though the future is unclear, the speaker walks with confidence, freedom, and inner light—no longer chasing tales, but living their own.