Reading comprehension Flashcards
Active reading
Active reading
Focus, focus, Focus!
- ask questions
- piece information together
- use your imagination
- anticipate direction
Be aware:
Referential phrasing
Modifiers/embedded clauses
Push back/connect the dots
Things to care for:
Main point/conclusion Factually accurate? Correct emphasis? Author’s attitude or tone Facts, details Can you clearly recall the facts with accuracy? Can you push out inferences from these facts and details? Passage structure Relationship between the paragraphs The flow of concepts/ideas Different arguments, different view points Clearly distinguish
Memory method: Phase I
Memorize The Passage Structure [3.5 Minutes]
- Take a passage. Spend 3.5 minutes reading it.
- At the end of each paragraph, summarize the main point of that paragraph into one line.
- At the end of the passage, look over each paragraph again and make sure you know the main point. Combine these main points into a narrative.
- Once you know the point of each paragraph, decide on the main point of the passage.
Gaining command of the passage will speed you up when doing the questions.
Continue….
- Check Your Memory [1.5 Minutes]
- Turn over the passage - don’t look at it.
- On a sheet of paper, write down the main point of each paragraph (one line each), and the main point of the passage.
RC tests whether you really retained what you read. If you don’t remember anything at first, don’t worry, and don’t look back at the passage.
Just write down what you do remember, and resolve to do better next time.
Continue…
- Do The Questions - Avoid Time-Traps [3.5 Minutes]
- Turn the passage over. You can look at it again.
- If the question involves a specific detail (e.g. lines 17-21, paragraph 2, the statements of Picasso and Braque), reread that section of the passage. This shouldn’t take long, because you memorized where details are located.
- If there is no specific detail, attempt to answer the question.
- In either case, if you think one answer is right, trust your gut and move on.
- If you’re not sure, refer back to the passage [but be quick about it].
- If step 5 doesn’t solve it, flag the question, pick an answer, and move on.
Phase II:
The second phase of the memory method is exactly the same as the first, with one exception: you only spend 30 seconds on step two (Check Your Memory).
Do this 6-8 times. The first phase teaches you how to retain information. The second phase teaches you to quickly recall and apply it.
Lastly:
Practice!!! A LOT!!!
If you feel your retention flagging, focus on improving it. A good command of the passage and its structure is the key to success on reading comprehension.
IMPORTANT: 3.5 min to read passage
- think about what you are reading
- find main point for every paragraph
- connect the dots among the paragraphs
Turn the page: 1.5 min
- write the main point of each paragraph
5. connect each paragraph
some passages have a different point of view meaning
two different authors argue different points of view
at the end of reading the passage
always ask yourself: what’s the main point, what did the author focus on?
counterexample
weaken
As you read
circle modifiers
