STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN ANSWERING READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS OF REPORT TEXT AT THIRD GRADE OF SMPN 1 BENGKULU SELATAN

This research aimed to find out the students difficulties in answering reading
comprehension questions of report text and the causes of the students difficulties in
answering reading comprehension questions of report text. The participants of this
research were 63 third grade students at SMPN 1 Bengkulu Selatan. This research used
descriptive quantitative as research design. The data were obtained through the reading
comprehension test and interview section. The reading comprehension test was adapted
from Mandiri textbook published by Tiga Serangkai consisted 25 questions of multiple
choice. The reading comprehension test was validated by using the interpretation
guidelines according to SPSS. In reliability obtains by using Cronbach‟s Alpha formula in
SPSS software. The result of this research showed that students faced some difficulties in
answering reading comprehension questions of report text and there were some causes of
their difficulties in answering reading comprehension questions of report text. The
students difficulties in answering reading comprehension questions were locating
pronouns, understanding vocabulary and making inference. Making inference became the
most difficult aspect with percentage of students who answered questions about making
inference incorrectly was 73%. The causes of students difficulties in answering reading
comprehension questions of report text were lack of vocabulary, lack of strategies and
lack of interest or motivation.
Keywords : Reading Comprehension, Difficulties, Report Text.