Lesson 1: Reading for Factual Content

🟦 Introduction
When reading comprehension passages in WASSCE, one of the most important skills is identifying factual content. These are details that are true, specific, and verifiable. The examiner wants to know: Can you pick out what is actually stated in the passage—without guessing or assuming?

This skill is like being a detective: you’re looking for clues that are clearly stated. Facts are not opinions or guesses. They are the building blocks of understanding any text—so mastering this skill will help you in both comprehension and summary writing.

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. What is a Fact?

A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true or false. In comprehension passages, these may include:

• Dates and time periods: In 1960, the country gained independence.

• Numbers and quantities: Over 300 students registered for the course.

• Places and locations: The meeting was held at the community center.

• Names of people, organizations, or places.

• Definitions or descriptions: A tsunami is a large sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake.

🚫 Not a fact: “It was the most exciting event of the year.” (This is an opinion.)

2. How to Recognize Factual Content

To spot facts:

• Look for who, what, when, where, how many, how much.

• Avoid sentences with emotional or persuasive words.

• Ignore implied meanings, tone, or what you “think” the writer feels. That’s for another lesson!

🧠 Tip: If you can ask “Can I prove this?”—and the answer is yes, it’s probably a fact.

3. Types of Factual Questions in WASSCE

WASSCE may test factual reading skills with:

• Direct questions
  e.g. “When was the school founded?”

• True/False Statements
  e.g. “The school was founded in 1990.” (True or False?)

• Listing facts
  e.g. “Mention two reasons why the event was cancelled.”

• Word or phrase substitution
  e.g. “What word in the passage means the same as ‘cancelled’?”

4. Strategies for Finding Factual Answers

✔ Step 1: Skim and Scan

• Skim the passage to understand what it’s about.

• Scan for keywords from the question. For example, if the question asks about the year something happened, look for numbers.

✔ Step 2: Underline or highlight key facts

While reading, underline:

• Specific dates

• Names of people, countries, and organizations

• Numbers and statistics

• Places or events

✔ Step 3: Paraphrase with care

When answering, use your own words—but don’t change the meaning.

📝 Example:
In Passage: “The library was built in 1972.”
Your answer: “It was constructed in 1972.” ✅
Wrong: “It was built last year.” ❌

🧭 Step-by-Step Sample Walkthrough

Sample Passage (Shortened for practice):
In April 2021, the Green Earth Foundation launched a tree-planting initiative in the Ashanti region. Within six months, over 500,000 trees had been planted. The initiative received support from local chiefs and volunteers.

Sample Questions and Answers:

1. When was the initiative launched?
   ✅ April 2021

2. How many trees were planted in the first six months?
   ✅ Over 500,000

3. Who supported the initiative?
   ✅ Local chiefs and volunteers

Why these are correct: Each response is directly stated in the passage—no guessing needed.

🟨 Practice Exercises

🔹 Exercise A: Identify the Facts

Read the excerpt and answer the questions.

Excerpt:
In 2015, the National Health Authority began distributing free mosquito nets to households across the northern districts. The program aimed to reduce malaria infections during the rainy season. About 1.2 million nets were distributed in the first year alone.

Questions:

1. When did the mosquito net program begin?

2. Who organized the program?

3. What was the goal of the program?

4. How many nets were distributed in the first year?

Answers:

1. 2015

2. The National Health Authority

3. To reduce malaria infections during the rainy season

4. 1.2 million nets

🔹 Exercise B: True or False

Read each statement and write “True” or “False” based on the excerpt.

1. The program was introduced in 2014.

2. The purpose was to improve education.

3. 1.2 million mosquito nets were given out.

4. The program covered all districts nationwide.

Answers:

1. False – It started in 2015

2. False – The goal was to reduce malaria

3. True

4. False – It only covered northern districts

🔁 Recap

In this lesson, you have learned:

• A fact is a true, provable statement.

• WASSCE comprehension often tests your ability to extract these facts from a passage.

• Look out for dates, names, numbers, places, and direct statements.

• Don’t mix up facts with opinions or implied meanings.

• Use careful reading strategies like skimming, scanning, and underlining key facts.

🪞 Reflection Prompt
Think of a school event or news item you recently read or heard about. Write down three specific facts you remember from it. Could someone else verify those facts? How would you explain the difference between the facts and any opinions you may have?