SECTION C (PAPER

2)
READING
COMPREHENSION
&
SUMMARY
PREPARED BY:
1) DAMIA (SMK PERLIS)
2) JAMILAH

3) NAIM (SMK BATU 16)

TIPS ON HOW TO ATTEMPT SECTION C (READING COMPREHENSION)

Guidelines for comprehension
1. Read the whole passage through once to get a general idea of what the passage is about. Do not
worry if you come across unfamiliar words. Sometimes, it is not necessary to understand every
word you read.
2. Read the passage a second time, if necessary. The second reading helps you take in the details and
improve your understanding.
3. Read the questions carefully. Use cue words in the questions to help you answer the questions.
These can be the wh words (what, when, where, why, who, whose, how) and action verbs
(identify, find, list).
4. Questions sometimes contain words found in the passage. Use these words to help you identify
the part of the passage where the answer can be found.
5. You can lift clauses or sentences from the passage to answer questions. You do not have to use
your own words unless you are told to do so. Moreover, there is a danger in paraphrasing you
might alter/distort the meaning expressed in the passage.
6. For questions on vocabulary, if you are asked for a word, then give only ONE word and nothing
else. Make sure you spell the word correctly. If you are asked for a phrase, then give the relevant
phrase.
7. Some questions require you to use your own words and you must do so.
8. Do pay attention to the tense used in the questions when formulating your answers.
9. Things to avoid
Do not give more than the required information. Sometimes, students copy chunks from a
text, giving two or more sentences. This only highlights their weakness failure to
understand the question and/or text.
Do not give two or more answers to a question. Some students write down all the
possible answers to a question just to be on the safe side.
Do not waste time paraphrasing answers unless you are asked to do so.

TIPS ON HOW TO ATTEMPT SECTION C (SUMMARY)

1.

2.
3.
4.

Read THE QUESTION FIRST.

This should be done BEFORE reading the passage.
You should get the idea of what the passage is about just by looking at the question.
Reading the questions before reading the passage is good because it gives you focus on
your reading and you will understand the passage a lot faster.
Read the passage
Complete the Reading Comprehension Questions
To start summarizing, use the BRIEF technique

B
R
I
E
F
5.

BOX

BOX
READ
IDENTIF
Y
EXTRA
CT
FINALIZ
E

This is VERY SIMPLE. Just draw a box on the paper. Start the first horizontal line
ABOVE the line mentioned in the instruction and another after the last line mentioned
as shown below.

6.

READ the passage

This
is
not simply reading. Focus on what you are going to summarize. Especially the one in
the box.

7.

IDENTIFY the points

This means you must identify the points/ key ideas that are relevant to what the
instructions want. Be careful of what the question wants especially the PARTS OF
SPEECH.
For example if the instruction is QUESTIONING about SUGGESTIONS TO
PROMOTE LAUGHTER THERAPY IN THE OFFICE. Now SUGGESTIONS should
fall into the NOUN CATEGORY/PART OF SPEECH. So you have to search for
ACTIVITIES.
Do HIGHLIGHT the points.
EXTRACT
This basically means when you have identified the ideas, you have to take the idea out
from the text and ON A PIECE OF A DIFFERENT PAPER, write them out again
according to the ORDER THEY ARE FOUND IN THE PASSAGE. Making this list
of ideas/points is CRUCIAL because we need to weed out the unnecesssary details and
to recheck whether the ideas we identify is relevant or not. Remember, only
highlighting on the text IS NOT ENOUGH. You have to REWRITE THE POINTS.

8.

Remember, NO EXAMPLES, ELABORATIONS AND

REPEATED IDEAS IN A SUMMARY
9.

FINALISE

Use the sentence as an opener for your summary given to start writing a paragraph of
summary. Be sure not to exceed 120 words.
Try to make use of sequence connectors like the numbering of points (firstly, secondly,
in addition, plus, moreover, finally) to make your points clearer.
You must write the number of word

PRACTICE 1
Questions 26 31 are based on the following passage.
1

Ronald Adam had to attend a business meeting in another town which is

about 500 km away from his hometown. His business partner asked him to take a
flight together with him. Ronald declined1, saying that he preferred to drive.

menolak

After driving for several hours, he was overcome with the urge2 to go to
the bathroom. It was late at night and all the petrol stations he passed were closed.
As time wore on, he became increasingly desperate. Finally, Ronald exited the
highway and drove into the first town along the road. There, he searched for a
public toilet.

mendesak
5

As he drove, his physical need took on heightened urgency3 and he 3desakan

started to pick up speed. Just as he bagan to accelerate4, he heard a siren behind 10
him. It was the police officer, signalling him to pull over to the side. The officer 4memecut
got out of his car and approached Ronald. How fast do you think you can drive
5
menggerunkan
around here? he asked in a formidable5 town.

Ronald apologised and explained to the officer that he was in dire need
of a bathroom. The officer noted the sincerity in Ronalds voice and pointing 15
straight ahead, he said, I believe there may be something open if you continue on

down this road. But you have to watch the speed limit, he reminded. I will,
replied Ronald relieved.
5

Moments later, Ronald spotted a light in the distance. He was sure that
he was approaching a twenty-four hour grocery store. However, the closer he
20
came to his destination, the more it became clear that he was heading towards a
funeral parlour6. He was hesitant about using the facilities but his urge was too 6 rumah
strong to ignore. Consequently, he drove up to the entrance, parked his car and mayat
walked in.
Once inside, he was greeted warmly. Welcome, would you please write
your name? said Mr. Clifford, the funeral director.
25
Uh, Im here to use the bathroom. Ronald said apologetically. May I
Of course you may responded the director, But please write your
name down first and your full address as well. He did as he was told and then
followed Mr. Clifford to the mens room.
30

7
8

Leaving the funeral parlour, Ronald stopped for just a moment to pay his
respect to the deceased7. On his way out, he thanked the director.

mayat

Three weeks later, Ronald received a phone call from an attorney. I

represent the funeral home where you stopped a few weeks ago the man said.
You need to be in my office this Thursday at 2.00 p.m.. The attorney gave
Ronald his office address and hung up.
35
For the next few days, Ronald was on edge. He wondered what could he
have possibly done wrong. That Thursday he left for the attorneys office with
apprehension8.

kerisauan

At the office, Ronald was surprised to see the funeral director, Mr.

10 Clifford. Please be seated began the attorney. I have been authorized by the

court to read the will of Mr. Stanley Monroe The attorney picked up the guest 40
book that Ronald had written his name down. He turned to the funeral director,
pointed out to Ronald and asked, Is this man who wrote in the book? Yes,
said the funeral director.

11

45

Then, the attorney looked at Ronald and said, I guess you didnt know
Mr. Monroe. He was a very wealthy man. However, he did not have any family
and was practically shunned9 by the townspeople. Mr. Monroe has authorised me
to be his executor The attorney picked up a document and read. Everyone hated
9
me and no one ever got any money from me when I was alive. So any person who dipulaukan
comes to my funeral is obviously someone who had some compassion dor an old
man like me. I hereby bequeathed10 my entire state with all my holdings to be 50

divided equally among those who actually attended my funeral.

10

mewariskan

The attorney then looked straight at Ronald. Yours was the only name

12 appeared in the register book, he said. You are a very lucky man

55

26. From Paragraph 2,

a. Why were all the petrol stations closed?
_____________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
b. What was Ronald actually looking for?
_____________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
27. From Paragraph 3, why did the police officer stop Ronalds car?
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
28. a) From Paragraph 6, state two things the funeral director asked Ronald to do?
(i)
__________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
(ii)
___________________________________________________________(1 mark)
b) From Paragraph 9, what does the phrase on edge tell us about Ronalds car?
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
29. a. From Paragraph 11, in your opinion, why did Mr. Monroe say that everyone hated
him?
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
b. From Paragraph 12, why did the attorney say that Ronald was a lucky man?
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

30. Would you prefer to be rich but disliked by others or poor nut blessed with good friends?
(i) _____________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
Explain your choice
(ii)_____________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

31. Based on the passage given, write a summary on:

the events that happened along the way
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original
meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from line 6 to 30
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
After driving for hours, he needed to find a toilet.
[15 marks]
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Practice 1
Mark scheme
26.a. It was late at night
b. bathroom
27.he was stopped for speeding
28.a. i ) write down his full name
ii) write down his full address
b. nervous
29.a. because he was an old stingy man
b. because he just inherited a strangers money and properties
30.i) yes/no
ii) I can do a lot of things with my money to have fun/ I would rather live
moderately or even poor as long as I have good friends to talk to
SUMMARY

exited the highway

drove into the first town along the road
searched for a public toilet
the urgency kicked in. He began to accelerate
heard a siren
stopped by the police officer
he apologized and explained his situation
the officer understood and let him go
spotted a light

 it was a funeral parlour

greeted by Mr. Clifford and asked to write down his name and address
He then asked about the toilet and shown his way by Mr. Clifford

PRACTICE 2
Questions 26 31 are based on the following passage.
1

Have you ever desired to buy something that your friends have? A mobile phone
or an iPod? Would you feel disappointed when you mum doesnt allow you to hang out
with your friends at the mall? Well, influence from peers1 especially as teenagers is
always huge because they spend a lot of time together. Friends may influence2 how you
act or do something. Sometimes you are forced to be like them. This is what we call peer
pressure.3
Peers may have positive influence on each other. They may 4encourage one
another to study hard for their examinations. Sometimes, they admire someone who plays
musical instruments or is good at sports. This might make them want to be like them. But
sad to say, more often than not peer pressure has negative effects on teenagers. For
instance, students may group together and decide to skip classes, play computer games at
cyber cafes till late night or wander around at the mall. Young girls may want to keep up
with the fashionable clothes their friends wear.
Why do you think young people especially 5teenagers give in to peer pressure?
One of the reasons is they want to be accepted into the group. They worry others would
make fun of them. For example, a student may be pressured to join his friends who
decide to skip class. Otherwise, he may be afraid to be called coward or he would be left
behind. Some go along with their friends because they are curious to try something new
that others are doing. It may be smoking, taking drugs or ecstasy pills, partying or
clubbing. The idea that everyones doing it may also give them the idea that it is perfectly
fine to do it.
How can you walk away from peer pressure? This is not an easy task. It takes a lot
6
of willpower to decline what your friends ask you to do. Pay attention to your feelings or
beliefs and decide what is right or wrong. Follow the values 7inculcated by your family or
religion. If your friends ask you to bully a boy and you know that it is wrong, then you
should not get involved. Have the strength and confidence to stay away from unhealthy
activities such as smoking, taking drugs, clubbing or even bullying. Avoid situations
where people are doing things you dont want to do. So, avoid going to places like
abandoned buildings, bushes or behind shop lots.
If you continue to face peer pressure and you find it difficult to handle, then you
need to talk to someone you trust. Talk to your parents, teachers, friends or counsellors.
They may be able to help you stay strong and prepare you for any situations you face.
Besides, you can actually take this chance to seek new and reliable friends. With friends
who support you, you will be able to resist any temptations of doing wrong things.
Perhaps you can take up a new pastime or sport and join healthy activities. Do something
that you love. Go cycling, jogging or play tennis with your friends. You can also get

Rakan sebaya
mempengaruhi

5
3

Pengaruh
rakan sebaya
4
menggalakkan
10
5

remaja

15

20
6

tekad
dipupuk

25

30

35

involved in youth groups in your community.

6
Finally, it is all up to us. We can choose to be free from negative influence of peer
pressure and instead learn from our peers who can teach us positive values.

26 From paragraph 1, why do teenagers have a lot of influence from their friends?
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
27 From paragraph 3,
(a) why do teenagers want to be accepted into a group?
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
(b) give an expression which shows that teenagers are curious.
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
28 From paragraph 4,
(a) give two ways how you can walk away from peer pressure.
(i)
___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
(ii)___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
(b) From paragraph 5, give a word which describes a person that can be trusted.
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
29 (a) From paragraph 5, why should you seek new friends? Give two reasons.
(i)
___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
(ii)
___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
30 If you face peer pressure, what would you do? Name two actions that you would take in your
own words.
(i) ___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
(ii)___________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

31 Based on the passage given, write a summary on:

the reasons teenagers give in to peer pressure
how teenagers can avoid and handle peer pressure
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original
meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use materials from line 14 to line 39
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
Teenagers often give in to peer pressure because they want
[15 marks]

..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.

MARK SCHEME
PRACTICE 2
READING COMPREHENSION

No.
26

Suggested answers
They spend a lot of time together

27(a)

They worry others may make fun of them.

27(b)

Try something new.

28(a) i)

Decline what your friends ask you to do/ follow

values inculcated by your family or religion.

Notes for teachers

Accept any two answers

28(a) ii) Stay away from unhealthy activities/avoid situations

where people are doing things you dont want to do
28(b)
29(a)
29(b)

Reliable
Friends will support you.
You will be able to resist temptations of doing the
wrong things.

30

Accept any suitable answers

SUMMARY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

to be accepted in the group

worry other friends would call them coward or be left behind
some teenagers give in because they are curious to try new things
they feel since everyone else is doing it, it is the right thing to do
teenagers can walk away from peer pressure by being conscious about their feelings and beliefs
have strength and confidence to avoid unhealthy activities
avoid situations or places that they are not comfortable with
talk to people who can help them handle the situation if they continue to face peer pressure
involve themselves in healthy activities
join youth groups
find friends who will support them/ seek new and reliable friends

PRACTICE 3

Question 26 31 are based on the following passage.

1

In 2002, a four-and-half-tonne elephant called Alexander broke his tooth.

There was a visible hole in his right tusk which was also infected. The zoo staff
quickly called Dr Peter Kertesz, a dentist, who immediately began preparing for
a dental surgery to help Alexander.
Dental surgery on large patients can be tricky so Dr Kertesz was 1cautious.
It required industrial 2grinders which were powered by compressors usually
used for by construction workers to dig up roads. Even the drill points could be
10 cm wide and as long as 60 cm.
On the morning of the surgery, Alexander was given a strong 3tranquiliser.
Using ropes put around him, Alexander was made to lie on his left side so the
doctor could work on his infected tusk. Unfortunately, things did not go as
planned. One of the ropes broke and Alexander fell on his right side.

Dr Kertesz was faced with a difficult task; to operate on a 4tusk which he

could not reach easily. However, he was able to reach the tip of the tusk, so he
cut it away with an electric saw. Once he did this, the infected pulp cavity was
exposed. He probed inside and drained out a litre of 5pus. Dr Kertesz knew that
the tusk had to be removed, but performing an operation on an elephant sleeping
on its side seemed impossible. He was sure it had never been performed before.
Dr Kerteszs thoughts were only on Alexander and proceeded to force the
tusk out using a lever and a giant chain wrench. For two and a half hours, the
good doctor laid on his side on a bed of straw. He had nearly no room to
6
manoeuvre but worked carefully, so he did not injure Alexander.
He was also mindful of the limited time he had to complete the operation.
He recalls how stressful it was to get the job done. It was not something he
could continue doing the next day.
The operation was completed by 1.00 p.m. and Dr Kertesz had
successfully removed the tusk. Alexander made a complete recovery over the
following few weeks.
This operation was just one which the 69-year-old dentist has performed in
the last 28 years. He has operated in the mouths of tiny marmosets, lions and
tigers and even a killer whale.
Operating on wild creatures is never easy. Dr Kertesz once had to operate
on nine walruses in three days. He took short naps between operations. It can be
dangerous too as he once operated on a dolphin at the bottom of the pool in six
inches of water. Though most zoos would have moved the dolphin to dry land,
this one did not want to. The cables to power the equipment were laid on salt
water, so he had a good reason to be afraid. Since then, he uses battery-powered

5
1
berhatihati
2
pengisar
3
penenan
g
10

gading

15
5
nanah

20
6

bergerak

25

30

35

1
0

equipment when he has to operate on dolphins.

However, animals are not his only patients. Eighty percent of Dr Kerteszs
patients are humans. His practice is in London and is open from Mondays to 40
Thursdays. He says that he has to be deeply involved in dentistry every day in
order to operate on animals. He does not find working with humans boring.
After travelling all over the world to perform operations on wild animals, he
feels that it is a pleasure working with humans because he can communicate
with them.

26) From paragraph 1, why did the zoo staff contact Dr Kertesz?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
27) From paragraph 2,
(a) which word tells us that Dr Kertesz knew he had to be extra careful when performing
surgery on big animals?
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
(b) The word It refers to
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
28) (a) From paragraph 3, what happened that made the dental surgery difficult?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________(1 mark)
(b) From paragraph 4, what did the doctor find once he cut the tip of the tusk?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
29) (a) From paragraph 5, what tools did Dr Kertesz use in his surgery?
i. ___________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. ___________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
(b) From paragraph 6, why do you think Dr Kertesz had limited time to complete the
surgery?
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
30) (a) From paragraph 9, why do you think the doctor was afraid?
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________ (1 mark)

(b) From paragraph 10, why is working with humans more pleasurable?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
31) Based on the passage, write a summary on

what Dr Kertesz did to help Alexander

the difficult conditions he had to work under

Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the
original meaning.
Your summary must:
be in continuous writing form (not in note form)
use material from line 9 to line 28
not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follow:
After Dr Kertesz was called to treat Alexander, he made
(15 marks)

Answer Key (PRACTICE 3)

26) They contacted him so that he could treat an elephants broken/infected tusk.
or
The zoo staff quickly called Dr Kertesz, a dentist, who immediately began preparing for a
dental surgery to help him. (line 2)
27) (a) cautious
(b) the dental surgery / operation on Alexander.
28) (a) Alexander was supposed to fall on his left side because his right tusk was infected.
However, he fell on his rightside.
or
Alexander was made to lie on his left side so doctor could work on his infected tusk.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. One of the ropes broke and Alexander fell
on his right side. (line 10)
(b) He found there was pus inside.
or
A litre of pus. (line 16)
29) (a) i. A lever. (line 20)
ii. A giant chain wrench. (line 20)
(b) He had limited time because Alexander was sedated and the tranquiliser would wear
off.
or
It was not something he could continue doing next day. (line 25)
30) (a) He was afraid he would get electrocuted because the equipment cables were in salt
water.
or
The cables to power the equipment were laid on salt water, so he had a good reason to
be afraid. (line 36)
(b) It is more pleasurable because he can talk with his patients.
or
He feels it is a pleasure working with them because he can communicate with them.
(line 43)

31) After Dr Kertesz was called to treat Alexander, he made

Key Points
preparation for a dental surgery to help Alexander
On the morning of the surgery, Alexander was given a strong
tranquiliser.
Using ropes around him, Alexander was made to lie on his left
side so the doctor could work on his infected tusk.
One of the ropes broke and Alexander fell on his right side.
Dr Kertesz was faced with difficult task; to operate on a tusk
which he could not reach easily.
However, he was able to reach the tip of the tusk, so he cut it
away with an electric saw.
He probed inside and drained out a litre of pus.
Dr Kerteszs thoughts were only on Alexander and proceeded to
force the tusk using a lever and a giant chain wrench.
The good doctor laid on his side on a bed of straw.
He had nearly no room to manoeuvre but worked carefully, so he
did not injure Alexander.
He was also mindful of the limited time he had to complete the
operation. (He recalls how stressful it was to get the job done).

Lines
3
9

Marks
C1
C2

10

C3

12
13

C4
C5

14

C6

15
19

C7
C8

20
21

C9
C10

23

C11