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At 5e level, you need to read and understand longer and more complex texts in English.
🔹 Strategy for reading a longer text:
1. Read the title and any subtitles — what is the topic?
2. Skim the text quickly — get the general idea.
3. Read the questions carefully before reading in detail.
4. Read the text again, paragraph by paragraph.
5. Underline key words that answer the questions.
6. Answer in complete sentences.
🔹 Types of comprehension questions:
• Factual (literal): the answer is directly in the text.
'Where does Aminata live?' → She lives in...
• Inferential: you must deduce the answer.
'Why do you think the character was sad?'
• Vocabulary: explain the meaning of a word in context.
'What does the word __ mean in paragraph 2?'
• Personal response: your opinion on the text.
'What do you think about...? Do you agree with...?'
🔹 Useful text types at this level:
• News articles | Short stories | Informational texts
• Biographies | Letters / Emails | Environmental texts
📝 Sample text — Gorée Island:
Gorée Island is a small island located off the coast of Dakar, Senegal. It is famous throughout the world for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. For over 300 years, millions of enslaved Africans were transported from this island to the Americas. Today, Gorée is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of memory and reflection. Every year, thousands of visitors come from around the world to pay their respects. The island also has beautiful colonial architecture, colourful buildings and a peaceful atmosphere.
Questions:
1. Where is Gorée Island? → It is located off the coast of Dakar.
2. Why is it famous? → It is famous for its role in the slave trade.
3. What is Gorée today? → It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Why do people visit it? → To pay their respects and learn about history.
💡 Answer in complete sentences — never write just one word!
What does 'skim reading' mean and why is it useful?
Correction
Skim reading means reading quickly to get the general idea without reading every word. It helps you understand the topic before reading in detail.
What is an 'inferential' question? Give an example.
Correction
An inferential question asks you to deduce information that is not directly stated. Example: 'Why do you think the character was nervous?' — you have to read between the lines.
Read and answer: 'The Great Green Wall is a project to plant trees across Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia.' — What is the Great Green Wall?
Correction
The Great Green Wall is a project to plant trees across Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia.
Why is it important to read the questions BEFORE reading the text in detail?
Correction
Reading the questions first helps you know what to look for in the text. It makes your reading more focused and efficient.
In the Gorée text above, what does the word 'enslaved' mean?
Correction
'Enslaved' means forced into slavery — treated as property and not free. In the text, it refers to Africans who were taken against their will.