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Unit 6: Reading Skills- To Enhance Independent Reading
reading to Perform a task notes
l It involves reading documents such as bus or train schedules, directions for games,
classroom and laboratory procedures, tax or insurance forms, recipes, voter registration
materials, maps, referenda, consumer warranties and office memos.
l It requires understanding of the purposes and structure of documents, which guide the
selection, understanding and application of information.
l It requires applying, not simply understanding the information.
6.1.2 factors affecting reading skills
There are various factors which affect reading speed; comprehension ability and overall reading
efficiency of a person vary from person to person. Though the list of these factors may be very
exhaustive, some of the factors are listed below:
l Educational background: A well-educated person may have a higher reading efficiency
than one who is a literate.
l Physical capability: Sometimes, some physical defect in some persons may hinder their
efficiency to read and comprehend.
l Mental capability: People have different mental capabilities. While some are born
intellectuals, others acquire intelligence through their efforts. A higher mental capability
will definitely lead to a better reading efficiency and retention.
l Interest: If the reader finds reading material interesting, he will definitely read it faster,
understand it and retain it for a longer time. On the other hand, if the reading material is
boring or not of interest to the reader, his efficiency will be hindered accordingly.
l Practice: Reading speed is a by-product of practice and time spent on reading. Avid readers
enhance their reading skills by stepping up their reading. It is rightly said, “Practice makes
a man perfect.”
self assessment
Fill in the blanks:
1. Reading is a ………………… process.
2. A higher ………………… capability will definitely lead to a better reading efficiency and
retention.
6.2 components of reading skills
The key components of reading skills are reading speed, comprehension, efficiency and retention.
Each of these components needs to be understood and mastered to enhance the reading skills.
6.2.1 reading speed
It is the speed at which one can read words. It is calculated at the rate of words per minute.
Reading speed is calculated by using the following simple formula:
!
Caution Word a Minute (W.A.M.) = Total number of words read × 60/Number of
seconds actually taken to read such material.
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