Reading Comprehension Flashcards
Main Point
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask you to identify the central idea or primary takeaway from the passage as a whole.
Stem Examples:
“Which of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?”
“The main purpose of the passage is to…”
How to Approach:
Ask yourself: If the author had to summarize their point in one sentence, what would they say?
Focus on the author’s opinion (if present) or the passage’s central theme.
Beware of answers that are too narrow (only covering part of the passage) or too broad (going beyond what the passage says).
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about understanding the big picture rather than evaluating logical flaws.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Focusing too much on minor details.
Choosing something true but not central to the passage.
Falling for answers that misstate the author’s opinion or exaggerate.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate summary of the whole passage.
Captures both topic and author’s main stance/purpose.
Primary Purpose
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask why the author wrote the passage — what the goal or function of the passage is.
Stem Examples:
“The primary purpose of the passage is to…”
“The author’s primary objective in writing the passage is to…”
How to Approach:
Ask: What is the author trying to accomplish?
Is the author trying to explain, argue, compare, criticize, or advocate?
Focus on tone and overall structure, not tiny details.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about purpose, not reasoning.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Answers that focus on content instead of purpose.
Answers that go beyond the passage’s actual purpose.
Correct Answer Includes:
A verb that matches the author’s purpose (e.g., explain, argue, critique).
Accurately reflects the whole passage.
Author’s Attitude
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask you to identify how the author feels about the topic or subject.
Stem Examples:
“The author’s attitude toward [topic] can best be described as…”
“Which of the following best captures the author’s view of [subject]?”
How to Approach:
Pay attention to tone words in the passage (e.g., unfortunately, surprisingly, obviously).
Note if the author is neutral, supportive, skeptical, critical, etc.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about tone, not logic.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Picking extreme answers if the author is more balanced.
Ignoring shifts in tone (sometimes the author’s attitude evolves).
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate description of the author’s tone (neutral, cautiously optimistic, skeptical, etc.).
Organization/Structure
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask how the passage is built — what the author does in each part.
Stem Examples:
“The author does which of the following in the second paragraph?”
“The organization of the passage can best be described as…”
How to Approach:
Map the passage paragraph by paragraph.
What function does each part serve? Introduction? Example? Counterargument? Conclusion?
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about describing structure, not finding flaws.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Misreading a paragraph’s purpose.
Getting too caught up in content instead of function.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate step-by-step description of how the passage unfolds.
Specific Detail (Must Be True)
Question Type Overview:
These ask for facts directly stated in the passage.
Stem Examples:
“According to the passage…”
“The passage states which of the following?”
How to Approach:
Find the relevant part of the passage and stick to exactly what it says.
Paraphrase carefully — don’t add or assume anything.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about retrieval, not reasoning.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Answers that sound right but aren’t supported by the text.
Answers that go beyond the passage.
Correct Answer Includes:
A restatement of something explicitly stated in the passage.
Inference (Soft Must Be True)
Question Type Overview:
These ask for what is most strongly supported by the passage — something implied but not directly stated.
Stem Examples:
“The passage suggests that…”
“The author would most likely agree that…”
How to Approach:
Think about what the passage implies (what would the author agree with?).
Avoid extreme leaps — the inference should be a reasonable extension of the text.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about reasonable inference, not logic gaps.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Overly strong or absolute answers.
Adding information not hinted at in the passage.
Correct Answer Includes:
A reasonable inference directly supported by the passage.
Comparative Passages
Question Type Overview:
These appear in paired passages and ask about similarities, differences, or relationships between them.
Stem Examples:
“Both passages agree on…”
“Which of the following would the author of Passage A most likely say about Passage B’s argument?”
How to Approach:
Compare directly — make a T-chart if needed.
Track agreements, disagreements, and any overlap.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
Not really. This is more about comparison and synthesis.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Focusing only on one passage.
Assuming agreement where none exists.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate reflection of how the passages interact (agree, disagree, one builds on the other, etc.).
Function of a Word, Phrase, or Sentence
Question Type Overview:
These ask why the author included a specific word, phrase, or sentence.
Stem Examples:
“The author mentions [phrase] primarily to…”
“What is the function of [sentence] in the passage?”
How to Approach:
Ask: What is the purpose of this part within the paragraph or argument?
Does it provide evidence, introduce a new point, clarify something, etc.?
