ISC Reading Comprehension – Class 11 & 12 English Language

Question 4 of the ISC English Language Paper 1 is the Comprehension question. It carries 20 marks and is based on an unseen literary or non-fiction passage of approximately 500–700 words, divided into numbered paragraphs with line numbers on the right margin. You are advised to spend 50 minutes on this question.

The question has three parts — vocabulary (i), short-answer comprehension (ii), and a summary (iii). Each part tests a different reading skill, and together they assess your ability to understand, interpret, and communicate ideas from the passage.

Question 4 at a Glance

Understanding the Passage

The passage is always an adapted excerpt from published literature — fiction, non-fiction, travel writing, biography, or journalism. It appears in numbered paragraphs (1), (2), (3)... and has line numbers on the right and paragraph numbers on the left for easy reference. Certain words or phrases may be underlined or printed in italics to draw attention to them in the vocabulary questions.

During the 15-minute reading time, read the passage at least twice. On the first reading, grasp the general theme and tone. On the second reading, note the key events or ideas in each paragraph — this will help you with both the short answers and the summary.

Sub-question (i)(a) — Find the Word [3 Marks]

What Is Asked

Three sentences are given, each containing an underlined word or phrase. For each question, you must find a single word from the passage that exactly replaces the underlined expression. The answer must be one word only, and it must appear in the passage unchanged in spelling.

Example

From ISC 2025 Board Paper:

• The aircraft was designed to overcome sudden and violent changes in weather conditions. → turbulence (line 8)
• The doctor has advised the patient to continue taking the medicines till the fever comes down. → subsides (line 23)
• The thief escapes the police every time. → eludes (line 36)

Strategy

1. Read the context sentence carefully. Identify exactly what the underlined phrase means in that context.
2. Scan the passage systematically — do not guess. The answer word will appear verbatim in the passage.
3. Verify that the word you select makes sense as a one-word replacement. Test it by reading the sentence with your answer substituted in place of the underlined phrase.
4. Do not change the form of the word (e.g., do not write subsiding if the passage says subsides).

Common Errors (from PPA)

• Choosing a word close in meaning but not the exact word from the passage.
• Changing the grammatical form of the word found in the passage.
• Scanning only the first half of the passage and missing words that appear later.

Sub-question (i)(b) — Same Word, Different Meaning [3 Marks]

What Is Asked

Three words are given (with their line references in the passage). For each word, four sentences (A, B, C, D) are provided — all using the same word unchanged in spelling. You must choose the sentence in which the word carries a different meaning from the meaning it has in the passage. Write only the letter of the correct option.

Example

From ISC 2025 Board Paper — word: set (line 45, where it means "the sun had set"):

• (A) A complete set of her novels was displayed in the library. ← set = collection (noun) ✓ Different meaning
• (B) We should reach home before the sun sets. ← set = go down — Same meaning
• (C) The glorious sunset was a sight to behold. ← sunset = compound word, not 'set'
• (D) He sets the pace for future discoveries. ← sets = establishes — Not same but on similar line

Correct answer: (A) — "set" used as a noun meaning a collection, which is different from its meaning in the passage (the sun going down).

Strategy

1. First, establish the exact meaning of the word as used in the passage. Note whether it is a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb in the passage.
2. Eliminate options where the word is used with the same meaning as in the passage.
3. Eliminate options where the word's meaning is very close to (but technically different from) the passage meaning — examiners expect a clearly distinct meaning.
4. Be alert to words that function as different parts of speech — the same spelling used as a noun vs. a verb is typically the expected answer.
5. Write only the letter (e.g., C) as instructed. Do not write out the full sentence unless instructed.

Common Errors (from PPA)

• Choosing a sentence where the word is used with the same meaning as in the passage.
• Selecting a sentence where the word is in a compound form (e.g., sunset instead of set).
• Writing both the option letter and the full sentence — unnecessary and wastes time.

Sub-question (ii) — Short Answer Questions [6 Marks]

What Is Asked

Three questions are asked (a), (b), and (c), each carrying 2 marks. The questions test your understanding of the passage — character, events, themes, inference, cause and effect, or the effect of language. All answers must be written in your own words and kept brief. Extended paragraphs will not earn extra marks.

Types of Questions You May Encounter

• Factual questions — What happened? Who did what? Where? (Answer directly from the passage.)
• Inference questions — How do you think a character felt? What does this suggest? (Use evidence from the passage to support your inference.)
• Vocabulary-in-context questions — What does the expression "___" mean here?
• Theme questions — Briefly discuss two themes explored in the passage.
• Cause and effect questions — Why did X happen? What resulted from Y?

Example

From ISC 2025 Board Paper (IE) — passage on Totto-chan:

• (a) Explain why the tree at the edge of the ground was Totto-chan's favourite. → The tree was large and offered a comfortable fork about six feet above the ground that felt like a hammock, giving her a private place to sit, relax, and watch the world below.
• (b) Why did Totto-chan decide to help Yasuaki-chan climb the tree? → She noticed Yasuaki looking longingly at the other children climbing trees, and out of empathy and friendship, she resolved to give Yasuaki the same experience.
• (c) Briefly discuss any two themes explored in the passage. → Friendship and empathy — Totto-chan's selfless efforts for Yasuaki reflect deep friendship. Determination — despite repeated setbacks, Totto-chan persists until Yasuaki reaches the top.

Strategy

1. Read each question carefully. Identify the key word — is it asking for a cause, a feeling, a description, or an inference?
2. Locate the relevant paragraph(s). The question often references a line or paragraph number — go there directly.
3. Draft your answer in your own words. Avoid copying phrases directly from the passage; paraphrase the ideas.
4. For 2-mark questions, one detailed point or two clear points is ideal. Do not write a paragraph.
5. For theme questions, name the theme and give a brief textual justification — one sentence per theme is sufficient.

Common Errors (from PPA)

• Writing long paragraphs instead of brief, focused answers.
• Copying sentences directly from the passage without paraphrasing.
• Answering a different question from what was asked (e.g., giving a factual answer when an inference was required).
• For theme questions, merely naming a theme without any textual justification.

Sub-question (iii) — Summary / Précis [8 Marks]

What Is Asked

You are asked to summarise the content of specific paragraphs (always named in the question — e.g., "paragraphs 6 to 10"). The summary must be written as a connected passage (not bullet points) in about 100 words. Failure to keep within the word limit is penalised. The answer is to be written in a grid.

Marking Breakdown

The 8 marks are divided between content (6 marks for relevant points from the specified paragraphs) and linguistic ability (2 marks for clarity, coherence, grammar, and expression). A minimum of eight content points should be identified and woven into the summary.

What Is a Grid?

A grid is the format in which the précis is written — each word occupies one cell in a ruled grid drawn in the answer book. This makes it easy for the examiner to count the words. You draw horizontal lines to create rows (typically 5 words per row when writing in exam copy) and fill in one word per cell.

Example (first row of a grid — 10 cells):

Continue row by row until your summary is complete. Count the words after writing. Aim for 95–105 words. Articles (a, an, the) and prepositions count as words.

How to Write the Summary — Step by Step

1. Re-read only the specified paragraphs. Do not include content from other paragraphs, even if relevant.
2. Identify the key points. Look for the main actions, facts, or ideas — aim for at least 8 points. Avoid examples, dialogue (unless essential), and minor details.
3. Make a Rough Draft grid summary using pencil, so you can erase and adjust as needed. Draw a diagonal line across it when done.
4. Write in the third person and past tense unless the passage is clearly in the present — match the tense of the passage. 
5. Use your own words. Do not lift phrases verbatim from the passage. Paraphrase ideas concisely.
6. Connect your points using linking words and conjunctions (however, therefore, as a result, subsequently, meanwhile) to create a flowing, connected passage. Stick to 95-100 words.
7. Make a Fair Draft grid using pen when your Rough Draft is ready. Copy word by word from rough draft. No overwriting or correction is allowed in fair draft.

Example

From ISC 2025 Specimen Paper — Summary of paragraphs 6–10 (Stephen Leacock's "My Financial Career"):

Common Errors (from PPA)

• Not writing in a grid — this is penalised.
• Exceeding 100 words — strictly penalised.
• Including content from paragraphs outside the specified range.
• Writing in bullet points instead of a connected passage.
• Including irrelevant minor details and omitting key points.
• Writing in first person when the passage is in third person (or vice versa).
• Copying sentences directly from the passage without paraphrasing.

Time Management for Question 4

• Reading the passage: 8–10 minutes (read twice; annotate key points)
• Sub-question (i): 8 minutes (vocabulary — both parts)
• Sub-question (ii): 12 minutes (short answers — 4 minutes per answer)
• Sub-question (iii): 20 minutes (identify points → rough draft → write in grid → count words)

Total: 50 minutes as advised by ISC.

Examiner's Key Expectations — Quick Checklist

• ✅ (i)(a): Single word only, copied exactly as it appears in the passage
• ✅ (i)(b): Write only the letter of the correct option (A / B / C / D)
• ✅ (ii): Brief answers in own words; no lifted phrases; no paragraphs for 2-mark questions
• ✅ (iii): Written in a grid; connected passage; in own words; 100 words; only from specified paragraphs
• ✅ Begin Question 4 on a fresh page

Passages in Recent Board and Specimen Papers

Passages are typically chosen from a wide range of genres — world literature, humour, travel, adventure, and narrative non-fiction. There is no prescribed reading list; any unseen passage may appear.

General Tips from the ISC Examiner

• Use the 15-minute reading time to read the Question 4 passage carefully — it is the longest and most complex question.
• Underline or mentally note unfamiliar words in the passage that could appear in (i)(a) — they are often elevated vocabulary.
• For (i)(b), always establish the meaning of the word in the passage first, then look for the sentence where it is used differently.
• In (ii), answer what is asked — not what you think should be asked. Every mark has a specific point the examiner looks for.
• In (iii), do not begin summarising until you have a rough list of points. A summary without a plan almost always runs over 100 words or misses key content.
• Practise writing précis in grids regularly — the grid discipline helps control word count automatically.