O level English: 3 Types of Questions Tested in the Visual Text Comprehension

Many students dismiss this section as unimportant because it is only worth 5 marks. However, it is easy to secure these five marks if your child is prepared for the types of questions asked and the corresponding techniques to answer them effectively.

Here are the three common types of questions asked in this section.

#1 - Purpose Question

This type of question is usually about what the Visual Text seeks to achieve when published. To answer this type of question, your child has to first identify the audience being targeted. This can be the general public or a specific group like parents with children. Once the target audience is identified, your child should include a strong associated verb such as educate, persuade or warn. Lastly, he/she should complete the answer with how the audience should react, think or feel after reading the Visual Text. These are the three key components of the markers look out for in a "Purpose" question of the Visual Text Comprehension.

#2 - Language-based Question

The next type of question asked is the 'Language-based' question. This type of question is centered on how the language is used to capture the attention of the audience. The questions are based on certain words, phrases or even sentences used in the text. An example of a Language-based question can be about why personal pronouns such as You or I have been used in the text. Your child should answer this type of question by explaining how the pronoun used can make the audience feel that they are personally involved in the matter being addressed in the text. Another type of language-based question will ask your child to extract a phrase or a sentence from the text that explains the intended purpose .

#3 - Image-based question

The third question type is the 'Image-based' question. This type of question is based off the role of the images used in the text. The question can test students on how the images used support the issue being presented in the text. The question can also ask how the image make the audience feel or think. For example, an image of a dead elephant which was a victim of illegal ivory trade can rouse the feeling of pity when the audience sees the plight of the creature. To answer this type of questions, your child should first describe the image in detail and then explain the reason for it being included in the text.

In a nutshell, these are the three types of questions commonly asked in the Visual Text Comprehension. These questions usually centre around the intention of the Visual Text and how they are used to serve its purpose well. Your child should learn to think critically and master the skills to identify such features, describing them in detail and link them back to the main purpose of the text. This will ensure that your child scores well for this section.