Reading Comprehension

Question 1

How long should you spend with the passage, what should you be looking for?

Answer 1

Spend only 2 mins. Do not get hung up on the details. stick to the main story and structure. put each sentence in a few plain words (break it down!)

1. get oriented: read the first sentence or two pretty carefully. read the first paragraph more thouroughly than the others. pay attention to big picture, foreshadowing, or change-of-direction language
2. find the main idea (why) of each paragraph, pay attention to the first sentence. why was the idea included in the passage?
3. set aside the details, focus on why it was included.
4. articulate the simple story: pause and articulate the story to yourself.

8Speed up when it’s expected, slow down when its a surprise.
*Main point questions: shouldn’t need to look back.

Question 2

Remember to Engage with the passage.

Answer 2

Think of a friend who you’d want to tell the passage to. What’s the simple story you want to tell them?
Speed up when it’s expected, slow down when its a surprise.

Question 3

What are the passage components?

Answer 3

The point (or thesis)- Find this first, the point the author is trying to make

always stick to high level for the following:
support- info that is part of the story and supports the point. background- doesnt support the point but provides context.

counterpoints and acknowledgements: cp are info that seems to go against the authors point, passages might acknowledge a certain point but does not go against it or support point

Question 4

What language clues should you notice?

Answer 4

Big picture language- summarizes idea, conclusion (in general, therefore, etc)
foreshadowing-
changes of direction
detail

Question 5

What is in your passage map?

SGRC46

Answer 5

1. The point
2. purpose of each paragraph
3. any info that you would include in SS by paragraph

Question 6

What are the 2 groups of RC questions and which RC questions belong to each group?

Answer 6

General: Primary Purpose, paragraph (only spend 30sec, 1 at most per passage), eliminate answers
Specific: Detail, Inference, Specific purpose

Question 7

4 steps to answer RC questions

Answer 7

1. identify the question
2. find le support
3. predict un reponse
4. eliminer et trouver un match

Question 8

When approaching an RC passage, what should you do first?

Answer 8

Read for structure and meaning. Can you articulate the main point out loud or to a friend. if not reread the first paragraph. You should comprehend 90% of first paragraph before reading on.
2. Understand 50% of the rest and relate it back to the thesis!

General Q’s: you shouldn’t need to go back
Specific Q’s: read the question and come up with your own answer before looking at the Acs

Question 9

What are signals for generalization or conclusion

Answer 9

In general, to a great extent, broadly speaking, in sum , in brief, therefore thus , so , hence, as a result, overall

Question 10

What are the signals for important points or examples?

What should you do with them?

Answer 10

First second , to begin with, next, finally, again

Pay attention to WHY they are there not what is there

Question 11

What are the signals for a person or group holding an opinion?

Answer 11

X argues that, X contends that , theory, hypothesis

Question 12

What is the best way to read a tricky passage?

Answer 12

Have a conversation, interact and anticipate. and ask the author-
What did you say?
How does that fit in with what you are saying?
Where is this going?

Question 13

How should you approach detail questions?

Answer 13

Read the question, then go back to the passage where it talks about it. Try to PREDICT the answer instead of using the answer choices.