Reading Comprehension Flashcards
Two aspects of understanding the task a question is presenting:
Genre of the question
Scope of the question
Genre of a question:
Split into three primary genres:
reasoning structure of a passage
opinion(s) presented in a passage
information presented in a passage
Scope of a question:
Either about the passage as a whole, or one specific sentence, phrase, or word
“Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main idea of the passage? The primary purpose of the passage is to…”
Main point/main purpose question
Structure question
Most common type
“Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?”
General organization question
Structure question
Very uncommon type
“What is the main purpose of the fourth paragraph? The main purpose of the third paragraph is to…”
Purpose of a paragraph question
Structure question
Common type
“The author most likely describes the theory as ‘X’ in order to… The primary function of the reference to ‘X’ is to… Which one of the following most accurately expresses the primary purpose of the sentence in lines ‘X-X’?”
Purpose of a word or phrase question
Structure question
Very common type
“The phrase ‘X’ as used in line Y most nearly means… In using the term ‘X,’ the author suggests that ‘Y’ is considered to be…”
Contextual definition question
Structure question
Very common type
“The author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements? The author’s feelings towards [main subject] can best be described as…”
Author opinion question
Author opinion question
Very common type
“Based on the passage, with which one of the following statements regarding ‘X’ would the author agree? Which one of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward ‘X’?”
Specific author opinion question
Author opinion question
Common type
“The critic mentioned in the second paragraph would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements? X’s view differs from Y’s in that…”
Other opinion question
Other opinion question
Somewhat common type
“Which one of the following, if true, would weaken the author’s argument against ‘X’? Each of the following could be used as support for X’s view EXCEPT…”
Strengthen/weaken question
Other opinion question
Somewhat common type
“Which one of the following is an example of ‘X’? Which one of the following scenarios best illustrates the dangers mentioned by the critics?
Illustrate question
Other opinion question
Not common type
“Which one of the following statements about ‘X’ is made in the passage? According to the passage, X is a factor in Y because… Which of the following is mentioned in the passage? The passage contains information to answer which one of the following questions?”
Identify the detail question
Detail question
Very common type
“The passage suggests which of the following is true about the relationship between X and Y? In the second paragraph, the author implies that X is…”
Infer from a detail question
Detail question
Somewhat common type
