Reading Comprehension

Question 1

Tell a story

Answer 1

neutral to positive in tone; chronological order usually

Question 2

Compare/contrast

Answer 2

focus on similarities & difference between 2-4 things; neutral/moderate tones; more objective facts given

Question 3

Criticize

Answer 3

negative tone; strong disagreement explaining why the argument is wrong

Question 4

Advocate/Defend

Answer 4

positive tone; supports/agrees with theory; evidence given

Question 5

Correct the Record

Answer 5

more mixed tone-; (-) someone else, (+) what I think instead; corrects misconception

Question 6

Big picture question task

Answer 6

main point and primary purpose; asks about the passage as a whole; use BL and make sure the answer relates to all parts of the passage

Question 7

Extract question task

Answer 7

Extract-Fact: ask for something explicitly stated; use highlights/notes

Extract-Infer: question stem includes infers/implies/suggest of the author

Question 8

Structure question task

Answer 8

how and why? (prediction is helpful for these questions)

Organization: paraphrase the organization of the paragraph in your own words; be sure to match the passage in the same order

Function: asks about the purpose of a word, phrase, or paragraph; paraphrase

Question 9

Reasoning question task

Answer 9

questions that look like arguments (analogy, parallel, strengthen, principle) ; answers will go beyond what is stated in the passage; these can be difficult so if you struggle with them, save them for last

Question 10

Easier passages have…

Answer 10

-Short paragraphs that address a single idea
-Clear topic sentences and clear transitions
-Contain a single author’s viewpoint
-Clear thesis at the beginning or end of the passage

Question 11

Harder passages have…

Answer 11

-Longer paragraphs that contain multiple ideas
-Convoluted sentences and unfamiliar vocabulary
-May present multiple viewpoints
-May lack a clear thesis or force you to extrapolate main point