As a parent, you undoubtedly want your child to achieve academic success in all areas, and that includes mastering the English language and improving their comprehension skills. One important component of the English paper is the Cloze Passage section, where students must fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete a given text. This task requires a good understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and contextual clues. However, many students struggle with comprehension cloze, especially in Primary school.
In this article, educators share how to improve comprehension cloze for primary school students by highlighting the top five mistakes that can hinder your child's success in the Comprehension Cloze section. By avoiding these common mistakes, your child can secure their marks and score better in exams.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Cloze Passage
1. Not Reading the Entire Passage Before Filling in the Blanks
When it comes to the Comprehension Cloze section of an English paper, many students find it challenging to select the most appropriate word to fill in the blanks. One of the biggest mistakes students make is rushing through the passage and filling in the blanks without fully understanding the context. This approach can lead to the use of unsuitable words, resulting in lower scores.
To avoid this, students must read the entire passage first and try to grasp the underlying message. By doing so, they can identify clues in the passage and select a suitable word that matches the tone and theme of the text. Taking a moment to understand the context can go a long way in helping students achieve higher scores in the Comprehension Cloze section.
2. Filling in the Blanks With Unrelated Words
Another common mistake is filling in the blanks with unrelated words. Students should avoid choosing words that do not fit the context of the passage or do not make sense in the sentence.
There are different types of blanks in Cloze Passages such as:
Contextual Clues
Collocations
Connectors
Synonyms/Antonyms
Summary
Grouping
Prior knowledge
3. Not Paying Attention to Grammar and Syntax
In the Comprehension Cloze section of an English paper, students must not only select suitable words to fill in the blanks but also pay attention to sentence structures. When filling in the blanks, students should make sure that the word they choose fits into the grammatical structure of the sentence. This means taking into account subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, and other common questions of syntax.
Students should also think carefully about the rest of the passage to make sure that the word they choose makes sense in the context. Also, they should pay attention to punctuation and make sure that the sentence is punctuated correctly since this can change the overall meaning of the sentence.
4. Not Considering the Overall Meaning
Students should consider the overall meaning of the passage when filling in the blanks. The missing word should make sense in the context of the passage and contribute to the overall meaning. It is important for students to always check their work and ask themselves if the word they have filled in makes sense.
5. Rushing Through the Passage
Rushing through the passage can lead to careless mistakes and misunderstandings of the context. Students should take their time and read the passage thoroughly to understand the context and choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blanks.
In conclusion, the comprehension cloze section is an important part of the English paper that requires a good understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and contextual clues. Students may improve their scores in this section by avoiding common mistakes.
By reading the entire passage first, selecting suitable words, paying attention to grammar and syntax, considering the overall meaning, and taking their time, students can improve their comprehension skills. With these essential tips, students can achieve higher scores on exams and attain greater academic achievement.
AGrader Learning Centre's Primary English Tuition Programme offers the expertise of experienced tutors who are well-known for their ability to help students improve their grammar, comprehension, and English language skills. Our proven strategies and guidance can help your child excel in all the different sections of the PSLE English exam and help them score with flying colours.
Enrol your child in our programme today!
Comments