ESL 151 - Reading and Composition » Spring 2023 » Comprehension Check Critical Reading

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Question #1
What does critical reading mean?
A.   Reading to understand not only what the author is saying, but why and how they are saying it.
B.   Reading to find reasons to disagree with the author.
C.   Reading to evaluate the author's use of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
D.   Reading something serious, such as a textbook or academic article, rather than something fun like a novel.
Question #2
All of the following are good strategies for critical reading EXCEPT…
A.   Read the text more than once, because you will gain a better understanding each time you read.
B.   Ignore any passages that you do not understand.
C.   Ask yourself questions, such as "Why does the author include this example?" and "Who is the author's target audience?"
D.   Read a paper copy, and use colored pens to make notes and mark important passages.
Question #3
Which of the following should you do before you begin reading a text for the first time?
A.   Nothing; you should just begin reading, and form opinions after you read.
B.   Make notes in the margins and ask questions about the text.
C.   Learn some background information, such as who the author was and when the text was published, and think about what you know about the topics of the text.
D.   Read the title, and decide whether you agree with the author or not.
Question #4
When you read a text for the first time, what should you do when you see a word you do not know?
A.   Underline it or write it down, but try to wait until you finish reading to look up the definition.
B.   Ignore it; it probably isn't important.
C.   Try to guess the meaning, but do not bother looking it up in a dictionary.
D.   Stop reading and look up the word in a translator.
Question #5
What should you do if there is a paragraph that you do not understand?
A.   Use an online translator to translate it to your first language.
B.   Email the author to complain about it.
C.   Assume that the author is probably explaining something you already know.
D.   Reread it and think about how it may connect to other parts of the text, paying careful attention to connecting words like "however," "therefore," or "on the other hand."

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