Reading Comprehension - Framework

Question 1

What is the goal of RC?

Answer 1

To test how carefully you can read a passage. The goal is to test whether we understand what we’ve read, and whether we can identify relationships between ideas presented.

Question 2

Is the length of each passage indicative of difficulty? Y/N?

Answer 2

No.

Question 3

How do you answer Main Idea questions?

Answer 3

Ask yourself: If were an essay in response to an essay prompt, which answer choice is the best prompt?

Question 4

What is the intention of the correct Main Idea answer choice?

Answer 4

To summarize the “big picture” of the passage.

Question 5

What is the aim of Structure questions?

Answer 5

The aim of structure questions is to describe how an author went about presenting ideas or making a point.

Question 6

What is the aim of Specific Purpose questions?

Answer 6

The aim of Specific Purpose questions is to identify the purpose or function of a specific component of the passage. The component may be a word, sentence, or paragraph.

Question 7

What is the author’s opinion or tone?

Answer 7

The author’s opinion or tone will be the author’s attitude towards things discussed in the passage.

Question 8

What is the purpose of Detail Questions?

Answer 8

To ask you to find the exact piece of information in the passage, that the question asked about.

Question 9

What do Inference questions ask?

Answer 9

Inference questions ask you to draw conclusions from the information presented in the passage. The answer to Inference questions will not be stated in the passage.

Question 10

What are Application questions?

Answer 10

Application questions test our ability to use information presented in the passage, to answer questions about a subject not discussed in the passage. Hence, the word: application.

Question 11

What are RC Assumption questions?

Answer 11

These are similar to CR Assumption questions, which will ask you to find the information that MUST be true for the argument to hold, based on choices given.

Question 12

What are Weaken the Argument questions?

Answer 12

These are questions which ask you to choose which piece of ADDITIONAL information from the choices given, will weaken the argument or make it less unlikely to hold.

Question 13

What are Strengthen the Argument questions?

Answer 13

These are questions which ask you to choose which piece of ADDITIONAL information from the choices given, will weaken the argument or make it most likely to hold.

Question 14

How do you conquer RC questions?

Answer 14

Read for learning. Engage deeply with the passage.

Question 15

How else do you conquer RC questions?

Answer 15

Understand the passage. Understand the questions. Find the right information for answering the questions. Differentiate the trap answers from the correct answers.

Question 16

What are common RC passage structures? Are they worth focusing on?

Answer 16

Theories, Opinions, or Points of View. Pay special attention to any opinion, point of view, or theory presented and their SUPPORTING EVIDENCE.

Question 17

How do you recognize supporting evidence?

Answer 17

When an author takes a point of view or proposes a theory, expect that the author will evidence supporting that position. In addition, expect an opposing position or theory.

Question 18

Do you need to memorize details provided in RC questions?

Answer 18

No. We only need to understand the big picture. We use evidence only to enhance our comprehension.

Question 19

What are questions to ask yourself about supporting evidence?

Answer 19

What evidence does the author use to support his/her viewpoint? What evidence is offered to support opposing viewpoints? Is the evidence provided strong or weak? For e.g. is the evidence based on scientific experiment or someone’s observation?

Question 20

What is a typical argumentative structure for RC questions?

Answer 20

Passages which introduce a theory, then provide evidence for the theory, make a claim that the theory is incomplete inaccurate or outdated and present some reasons why.

Question 21

What does the typical Describing a Topic structure look like for RC questions?

Answer 21

These passages describe topics such as a natural phenomena, technical innovation, or historical development without mentioning any string opinions about the topics.

Question 22

How do you answer questions based on a “Describing a Topic” passage structure?

Answer 22

Because these passages are written with a neutral tone, without taking any stance one way or another, in reading a passage made up entirely of descriptive information, our job will be to simplify understand what is being said about the topic and answer questions about SPECIFIC DETAILS or IMPLICATIONS from the information provided.

Question 23

Describe the “Explanation” passage structure.

Answer 23

These passages comprise of mainly explanations. The passage may explain in detail how a certain thing works. In reading such a passage, our mission will be to understand the LOGIC of what is explained, while avoiding getting bogged down in details. Questions will be about the IMPLICATION and APPLICATION of what has been explained.

Question 24

Why should you avoid creating simple stories that are too narrow?

Answer 24

Avoid creating simple stories that are too broad because they may trick you into thinking that you understood what you read. The simple story should accurately reflect what you just read - it is specific.

Question 25

How do you create the Simple Story?

Answer 25

By taking the words of the author and transforming them into our own.

Question 26

Why do we need to transform the author’s words into our own to form the Simple Story?

Answer 26

Because it is the only way we can engage with the passage and understand it.

Question 27

What is another way to explain what the Primary Purpose of a passage is?

Answer 27

The Primary Purpose of a passage is the author’s reason to take time to write the passage.

Question 28

What is another way to determine the Main Idea or Primary Purpose of a passage?

Answer 28

Another way to determine the main idea is to state the reason why the author wrote the passage, which is the simple story.