6 Comprehension Exercises to Improve Your Reading Skills
Reading is an essential skill that helps us learn, grow, and develop. However, not everyone can read with comprehension. Reading comprehension, on the other hand, is the ability to understand what we read and derive meaning from it. Fortunately, like any other skill, we can improve our reading comprehension with practice. In this article, we will show you six comprehension exercises to improve your reading skills.
1. Skim and Scan
Skimming and scanning are two distinct but crucial reading skills that can make a significant difference in your comprehension. Skimming is reading quickly to get an idea of what the text is about. During skimming, you focus on headings, subheadings, and the first sentence of each paragraph. Scanning, on the other hand, is combing the text quickly to find specific information. When scanning, you look for keywords and phrases that give you a clue about the information you are looking for.
2. Read Actively
Active reading is when you engage with the text rather than just passively consuming it. Active readers ask themselves questions such as “What is the main idea of this paragraph?” or “How does this fact relate to what I already know?” These questions help you connect the text to your prior knowledge and make it easier to understand.
3. Summarize
Summarizing is the process of condensing important information into a few bullet points or sentences. When you summarize, you distill the main ideas and leave out the details. Summarizing helps you retain the essential information and is useful when you need to recall information quickly.
4. Predict
Predicting is the process of using clues from the text to anticipate what might happen next. Good readers use their prior knowledge of the subject matter to make predictions. Predicting helps you stay engaged with the text and keeps you interested in what comes next.
5. Visualize
Visualization is the process of creating mental images of what you are reading. When you visualize, you activate the parts of your brain that process images, making it easier to remember and understand the information. Visualization is especially helpful when you are trying to remember complex ideas or processes.
6. Read for Pleasure
Finally, the best way to improve your reading comprehension is to read for pleasure. Reading should be an enjoyable activity, not a chore. When you read for pleasure, you are more likely to engage with the text, and it becomes easier to understand. So, choose books that interest you and take your time to savor the story.
Conclusion
Reading with comprehension is a skill that can be improved with practice. The six comprehension exercises we have discussed in this article are skimming and scanning, active reading, summarizing, predicting, visualizing, and reading for pleasure. By incorporating these exercises in your reading routine, you can improve your comprehension and become a more proficient reader.
