How To Approach/Solve CLAT English Comprehension

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By Smartkeeda
28 Sep 2019
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The first part of the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) is the English Section. In total, this section accounts for 40 marks of a candidate’s success. This section plays a crucial role in the sense that this section is usually ignored but if toiled on, it can help a candidate carve out the edge over other CLAT competitors. The English section will evaluate the candidate’s proficiency in the subject on the yardstick of comprehension passages, grammar and basic yet lucid understanding of words and language. 

The topics which form a part of this section are as follows:-
 
  • Comprehension passages
  • Grammar
  • Error detection
  • Fill in the blanks with appropriate words
  • Jumbled sentences
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Vocabulary (Word meanings, antonyms, synonyms)
 
Effectively discussing the scope of the CLAT English syllabus, the first area for which a good practise is required is the comprehension passages. The goal of a candidate must be that at the time of CLAT examination, he/she is able to peruse the passage meticulously and swiftly. Followed by this is the practise of attaining accuracy in the choosing the correct answer from the options given. In this section, candidates will be assessed on their understanding of the passage and the central theme it is revolving around, meaning of the words used, their antonyms, etc. 
 
It encompasses around 5-10 important marks of the CLAT examination. More marks can be fetched by more practicing and less time can be used to complete it by regular reading habit. Try to calculate the time you take to read one page and then try minimizing it. Try that you read in one go, unaffected by trivial distractions. Focused reading will also enhance your concentration spans and the same will result into a faster reading speed. It has to be ensured that you allot maximum 10 minutes in solving it.

Practising being the most important factor in the success of any candidate, a good practise material is unquestionably essential. For handy and quality practise material for the same, connect- 

Reading & Solving technique for comprehension-

1. Do not over-emphasize trifling details

2. Do not try to cram or learn/memorize

3. Read the questions first and then the passage

4. Do not think that the right option will come from outside the passage

5. Opening and Closing paragraphs require extra emphasis

How to avoid common mistakes-

I. Read what is written and do not read beyond lines. Sometimes the question asked is simple and it is the tendency of the student to avoid the same.

II. Read the question and the passage carefully. Mentally make notes of the theme of the passage, the tone of the passage and the summary. 

III. Try skimming over the questions first before reading the passage so that you get a hint as to what are the areas in which you will have to focus when you go through the passage.

IV. When word meanings are asked, answer the meaning of the word in consonance to the context in which the word is used in the passage.
 
Relevance of English Comprehension for CLAT Examination- This section carries around 10 marks which is not something which can be nonchalantly ignored as each marks matter in CLAT. On the candidate’s part, the only thing which is required is practise and anyone can score these 10 marks. Hence, English comprehension section should never be left unpractised.
 
 
Overall relevance English section for CLAT examination.

In the CLAT’s Grammar section, a candidate must prepare the basic chapters of grammar and the rules pertaining to those chapters. The question form is usually error detection.

Followed by Grammar section in CLAT is the Vocabulary section. For this, a candidate must have strong vocabulary. The questions are asked in the form of word meanings, synonyms and antonyms. Vocabulary is essential and useful while attempting other sections of CLAT examination as well, hence, every CLAT aspirant must strive for improving his vocabulary.
Next is filling in the blanks. In this, a passage has to be attempted in which there will be certain empty spaces. That option has to be chosen which suits the space in the most logically and grammatically correct sense. Sense of logic and a good knowledge of the English grammar are essential to attempt this section accurately.

Followed by this comes jumbled sentences in CLAT examination. This seems easy but when attempted needs prior practise. The sentences have to be brought to their logical and reasonable sense by finding the most sensible sequences of the parts to form a sentence. Moreover, grammar rules have to be taken into consideration while forming the logical sequence. 

The last part of CLAT’s English section is the idioms and phrases section. For this two things are required to be ensured by the candidate. Firstly, the basic and general idioms must be thorough to the candidate. Secondly, the candidate must have a good practise of guessing the accurate meaning of the idiom. Usually, this is asked by giving a reference of a sentence from which the meaning has to be guessed. Hence, a good practise and one is easily through. 

For practice of English for CLAT examination kindly refer Smartkeeda.com’ LAW section which provides Free Study material for CLAT examination to students.

Here are the PDFs direct links for English section for CLAT:


Quiz 1 Quiz 2 Quiz 3
Quiz 4 Quiz 5 Quiz 6
Quiz 7 Quiz 8 Quiz 9
Quiz 10 Quiz 11 Quiz 12

 
 
Regards 
Rohit Sharma
National Legal Head
Smartkeeda.com