A checklist lets you mark your own reading answer with clear criteria. Tick what passes, and revise only what fails.
This lesson is the last in reading-response development. It pulls together quotation and explanation and multi-part answers.
What goes on the checklist?
- Does the answer respond to the question that was asked?
- Is the point stated in one clear sentence?
- Is the quotation exact and short?
- Is the explanation separate and in your own words?
- Does nothing contradict the passage?
- Are verbs, endings and spelling correct?
Go through the points in order. A failed point tells you exactly what to fix.
Worked example: a draft and its revision
Here is an original passage.
இரவில் படிக்கும்போது தேவன் தனக்குத் தூக்கம் வந்தால் முகம் கழுவிவிட்டுத் தொடர்ந்து படிப்பான். பயிற்சியில் தவறு செய்தால் அதைத் திருத்தி மீண்டும் எழுதிப் பார்ப்பான்.
In English: When Devan feels sleepy while studying at night, he washes his face and keeps studying. If he makes a mistake in practice, he corrects it and writes it again. Question: what do you learn about Devan’s study habit?
Draft answer: தேவன் நல்ல மாணவன். (Devan is a good student.)
| Checklist point | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Answers the question | Partly | Gives a judgement, not a habit |
| 2 Clear point | Fails | “Good” is vague |
| 3 Exact quotation | Fails | None given |
| 4 Explanation | Fails | None given |
| 5 No contradiction | Passes | Nothing clashes |
| 6 Language | Passes | Correct and clear |
Points 2, 3 and 4 failed and point 1 is only partly met, so revise those and leave the rest.
Revised answer: தேவன் விடாமுயற்சி உடையவன். “தூக்கம் வந்தால் முகம் கழுவிவிட்டுத் தொடர்ந்து படிப்பான்” என்பதிலிருந்து இதை அறியலாம். சோர்வு வந்தாலும் அவன் படிப்பை நிறுத்துவதில்லை.
It means: Devan is persistent. We know this from the quotation. He does not stop studying even when tired.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to read the draft, decide it “sounds fine” and hand it in. A draft can sound fine and still fail three points, as above.
Another slip is to fix only language. Correct spelling on an answer that never quotes the passage still loses the evidence mark.
Check yourself
Apply the checklist to this draft for the same passage: தேவன் படிக்கும்போது தூங்குகிறான். (Devan sleeps while studying.) Which points fail?
Answer
Point 5 fails first: the passage says he washes his face and keeps studying, so the draft contradicts it. Point 3 fails because no quotation is given. Point 4 fails because nothing is explained.
Points 1 and 2 also fail in part, since the draft does not state a study habit. Fix point 5 first, because a contradiction loses the most marks.
What to study next
Try the checklist on the reading-response practice set, and record any repeated slip in the mistake log and paper-error review.
For a teacher to apply the checklist with you on your own drafts, see online one-to-one SPM Bahasa Tamil tuition.