Section A of IGCSE English Language (both Paper 1 and Paper 2) is a comprehension section: you read one or more passages and answer questions about them. But “comprehension” covers a range of very different skills, and the most common mistake students make is answering every question in the same way.
Different question types require different approaches. Here’s how to handle each one.
1. Retrieval and Identification Questions
Example: “List four things the writer tells us about the school.” / “Identify two ways in which the factory affected the local community.”
These questions test whether you can find and extract information. The skill is selection, not analysis. Do not explain or analyse — simply find the relevant information and write it clearly.
Key tip: match the number of points to the marks available. If the question asks for four things and is worth 4 marks, give exactly four distinct points. Don’t pad; don’t repeat the same point in different words.
2. Inference Questions
Example: “What does the passage suggest about the writer’s feelings towards her childhood home?”
Inference questions test your ability to read between the lines — to deduce something that isn’t stated directly. This is where weaker students lose marks by simply quoting the text rather than interpreting it.
Key tip: the word “suggest” is your signal that inference is required. You need to say what the text implies, not just what it states. Back up your inference with evidence from the text, but don’t let the quote do all the work — explain what it tells you.
3. Language Analysis Questions
Example: “How does the writer use language to convey the tension in this paragraph?” / “Explain how the writer makes the description of the storm vivid.”
These are the questions that separate grades. They ask you to analyse specific language choices — vocabulary, imagery, sentence structure — and explain their effect on the reader.
Key tip: quote a specific word or phrase, name what type of language it is (if relevant), and then — most importantly — explain the effect. “The word ‘thundered’ is an example of personification” earns some credit. “The verb ‘thundered’ personifies the crowd, creating a sense of overwhelming, elemental force that the protagonist cannot resist” earns much more. Always move from the language choice to its effect.
4. Summary Questions
Example: “Using information from both passages, write a summary of the arguments for and against online shopping.”
Summary questions test your ability to identify relevant information, organise it, and express it concisely in your own words. The key phrase is “in your own words” — direct copying from the passage is penalised.
Key tip: read the question carefully to understand exactly what you need to summarise. Plan briefly — decide what points you’ll include — before writing. Write in continuous prose, not bullet points, unless the question specifically asks for a list. Stay close to the allocated word count.
5. Vocabulary in Context
Example: “Explain the meaning of the word ‘perfunctory’ as it is used in line 14.”
These questions reward broad vocabulary and contextual reading. If you know the word, give its meaning clearly. If you don’t, use context: what does the surrounding sentence tell you about what this word must mean?
Key tip: always address the context in your answer. “Perfunctory means done without care or effort” is a good answer. “Perfunctory, used here to describe the teacher’s response, means done without genuine interest or care — reflecting the teacher’s dismissive attitude towards the student” is a better one.
The Golden Rule
Read the question carefully before reading the passage. Know what you’re looking for before you start looking. This makes your reading purposeful and your answers more focused.
At Thorogood English, comprehension technique is a core part of the IGCSE English Language programme. Join the waiting list for January 2027.
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