Detail, Inference, Application, Assumption, Weaken & Strengthen

Question 1

9 Passage “Detail” elements to note and keep track of (that tend to generate questions) when reading the passage the first time

Answer 1

1. Viewpoints
   *{Strategy} - keep track of all viewpoints*, note subtle similarities and differences in their opinions
2. Initial and closing information
   *{Strategy}- Keep track
3. Dates & Numbers
   *{Strategy} - keep track of chronology of dates
4. Definitions
5. Examples
   *{Strategy} - use it as a pointer to the main point of discussion but its not the main point
6. Diffucult words/phrases
   {Strategy} - Look for explanation in text or context cllue.
7. Lists
   {Strategy} - Look out for list of points
8. Text questions
   `{Strategy} - Look out for rhetorical questions or any question in the passage´
9. Causal/conditional reasoning.

Question 2

When reading R.C passages, you should memorize every detail in the passage

True/False

Answer 2

• False

Attempting to memorize every details is a waste of time

Keep your focus on the big picture.- viewstamp but also note important elements that questions usually come from.

your goal is “comprehension” not “memorization”

Question 3

What should you do when you encounter specific details in a passage?

Answer 3

1. Don’t try to memorize it, but take note of important elements
2. Focus in the “Big picture” - ViewSTAMP
3. Use the details to help you
   better understand the
   passage
   
   • Why was this info
     mentioned
   • why does the author want
     me to know this
   • How does this info fit into
     the passage as a whole
4. Note where the details are located so that you can refer back to them (if needed)

Question 4

What will you do when you encounter complex-jargon details in a passage?

Answer 4

I wont waste time trying to understand it

I will look out for context clues or definitions

I will find out what role the info plays in the passage and use this finding to help me understand the passage better
- Why is this jargon here
- What role does it perform

Question 5

What are the 3 steps to find specific information in a passage?

Answer 5

1. Find the FOCUS of the question - Location (SR, CR, GR) & Question type/Substype.
2. Find the KEYWORDS to look for in
   question stem or answer choice.
   (e.g Capitalised words, Dates,
   Technical words)
3. Find the info you need in the
   passage

Question 6

2 common characteristics of Gmat R.C. detail question correct answers that make it tricky?

How can you overcome this?

Answer 6

1. The correct answer sometimes uses other words (synonyms) to say the same thing
2. The correct answer sometimes says the same thing the passage says but in a completely different way

KEY - Look for “meaning”

Question 7

Strategy for avoiding Distortion traps in detail questions

Answer 7

Pay attention to for verbs, nouns and modifiers

Don’t pick an answer choice just because it “feels” right, crosscheck the passage to be sure it is right.

Question 8

Strategy for avoiding Exaggeration traps in detail questions

Answer 8

Lookout for “extreme markers” or “strong language” in an answer choice and crosscheck that the choice says what the passage says

Question 9

Strategy for avoiding Speculation traps in detail questions

Answer 9

The correct answer will always be explicitly stated by the passage and must be true

avoid answers that may/could/likely to be true but not **explicitly stated **by the passage

Question 10

Strategy for avoiding Opposite traps in detail questions

Answer 10

Pay attention to the direction of the answer choice and compare with the direction of what the passage says.

Question 11

Strategy for avoiding Half right traps in detail questions

Answer 11

Read each answer choice to the very end and compare each part with what the passage says.

Question 12

Strategy for avoiding Nearby traps in detail questions

Answer 12

Choose answers that “logically” answer the questions asked and not just match keywords

Question 13

Strategy for avoiding
“Matches but incorrect” traps in detail questions

Answer 13

Make sure the answer choice doesn’t just restate what the passage says but answers the question asked.

Question 14

Strategy for avoiding “wrong comparison” traps in detail questions

Answer 14

Whenever you see comparisons - “yellow flags”, to indicate that you should crosscheck to see if it matches with what the passage says

Question 15

Strategy for avoiding “Mix-up” traps in detail questions

Answer 15

1. Don’t try to memorise who’s point is what at first, just understand the main idea of what is being said
2. Multiple p.o.v - “a marker” to anticipate mix-up traps in the answer choice
3. Cross-check the answer choice with what the passage says to rule out mix-ups

Question 16

Detail “Except” questions require you to …?

Answer 16

• rule out 4 “must be true” incorrect answers that say what the passage says
• Pick 1 correct answer that says something the passage does not say i.e May/could/likely to be true answers

Question 17

C.R inference vs R.C inference

Answer 17

C.R inference “must be true” given what the passage says

R.C inference says something that is “logically supported” by what the passage says- Like a main point. But its still a variant of must be true - ie it must be supported given what the passage says.

The takeaway is this: In Logical Reasoning, finding the main point will often involve quickly isolating the author’s conclusion and then simply recognizing it among the answer choices. In Reading Comprehension, the
main point is less likely to be expressed in an single sentence; forming an effective prephrase will often require a broad understanding of the passage as a whole, and a search for the answer choice that most closely relays your
prephrased answer. So, when you encounter Main Point questions in Reading Comprehension, always prephrase an answer, but prepare to be a bit more open-minded as you consider the choices provided.

Question 18

the correct answer to a R.C inference question will…

Answer 18

state something that is “logically supported” by the passage but not explicitly stated by the passage.

The main point/inference could be a
1. paraphrase
2. A combination of 2 statements

Question 19

Keywords to identify inference question stem

Answer 19

what can be ……“implied”, “inferred”, “suggest“…. based on ‘X’ in the passage

Question 20

3 ways R.C inference correct answers work

Answer 20

1. states a conclusion supported by one statement
2. states a conclusion supported by multiple statements
3. reverses what the passage says to state the logical equivalent of what the passage says ie contrapositive

Question 21

9 common Main point/ inference question traps

Answer 21

1. distortion
2. Exaggeration
3. Speculation
4. nearby
5. mix-up
6. opposite
7. half right
8. match but not correct
9. wrong comparison

Question 22

Strategy for avoiding Distortion traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 22

dont just pick an answer choice just because it “feels” right, you should be able to pint out a specific info in the passage and explain how the info supports your choice

Question 23

Strategy for avoiding Exaggeration traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 23

lookout for “estreme markers” and “strong language” - yellow flags, and crosscheck that what the passage actually says supports it

Question 24

Strategy for avoiding Speculation traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 24

use what the passage says to support your anser and not your own ideas

Question 25

Strategy for avoiding Opposite traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 25

Compare the direction of the answer choice to the direction of what the passage supports to see if they match

Question 26

Strategy for avoiding Half-right traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 26

Read each answer choice to the end amd make sure each part is fully supported by the passage

Question 27

Strategy for avoiding Nearby traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 27

Pick a choice that truly answers the question asked not just keyword match

Question 28

Strategy for avoiding "Matches but incorrect" traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 28

Pick a choice that is not only supported by what the passage says but also cirrectly answers the question

Question 29

Strategy for avoiding wrong comparison traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 29

Comparisons in an answer choice- yellow flag Check to see that the comparison is supported by what the passage says

Question 30

Strategy for avoiding mix-up traps in R.C inference questions

Answer 30

Multiple p.o.v/topics - "a marker" to anticipate mix-up traps in the answer choice Cross-check the answer choice with what the passage says to rule out mix-ups

Question 31

The correct anwer to an "application" question will be...?

Answer 31

about something outside of the passage that is related to the passage in a particular way ## Footnote more like parallel

Question 32

# Question stem; Which of the ffg is the best example of X as it is defined in the passage? Which of the ffg most clearly represents an instance of the X-effect as it is described in the passage? ..Is what type of question

Answer 32

R.C Application/Parallel question

Question 33

4 step Strategy for answering Application questions

Answer 33

1. Identify the questions "focus" by reading the question stem 2. Identify the relationship between the focus of the question and the correct answer as defined by the question stem 3. Find the focus of the question in the passage and review what the passage says about it 4. find the choice that has the relationship with the focus of the question that the stem says the correct answer must have

Question 34

3 step Strategy for answering Assumption/Weaken/Strenghthen R.C questions

Answer 34

1. Find in the passage the conclusion mentioned in the question stem 2. Find in the passage the evidence used to support that conclusion 3. Find the choice that *states an assumption necessary for conecting the evidence to /casts doubt on/strenghtens *the conclusion

Question 35

What are the 3 "Location Reference" types in RC question stems.

Answer 35

1. Specific referrence 2. Concept referrence 3. Global referrence

Question 36

How do you identify **Specific-reference** questions and what strategy should you use to find the correct answer?

Answer 36

**Identification**: . These question stems refer you to a specific line, paragraph, or sentence. For example: “The author of the passage uses the phrase ‘rational expectations’ primarily in order to” **Strategy**: To attack Specific Reference questions, return to the passage and start reading three to five lines above the reference, or from the most logical nearby starting point such as the start of a paragraph. ## Footnote Example --> Detail questions

Question 37

How do you identify **Concept-reference** questions and what strategy should you use to find the correct answer?

Answer 37

**Identification**: Some questions refer you to theories/ideas/themes within the passage that are not identified by a specific line or paragraph reference, but that are identifiable because the ideas are clearly expressed within one or two areas of the passage. It also does not refer to the passage as a whole. For example: "The passage suggests which one of the following about the behavior of elk in conflict situations" **Strategy**: A thorough understanding of the organization of the passage allows for quick access to the information necessary to attack Concept Reference questions. As you should typically know where to search in the passage for the relevant information even though no line reference is given

Question 38

How do you identify **Global-reference** questions and what strategy should you use to find the correct answer?

Answer 38

**Identification**: Global Reference questions ask about the passage as a whole, or they fail to identify a defined area or isolated concept within the question stem. For example: “Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?” **Strategy**: Understanding the “big picture” is vital. ## Footnote E.g --> Main point , Inference , Primary purpose , Structure.

Question 39

# Location designation? Q: Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the material presented in the passage?

Answer 39

GR

Question 40

# Location designation? Q: The third paragraph of the passage provides the most support for which one of the following inferences?

Answer 40

SR

Question 41

# Location designation? Q: The discussion of Muniz’ first theory is intended to perform which of the following functions in the passage?

Answer 41

CR

Question 42

# Location designation? Q: The author mentions the "number of species" primarily in order to support which of the following claims?

Answer 42

SR

Question 43

# Location designation? Q: Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as an important characteristic of each of the three theories discussed in the passage?

Answer 43

CR

Question 44

# Location designation? Q: Which one of the following titles most completely and accurately describes the contents of the passage?

Answer 44

GR

Question 45

What are the 6 main "question types" in RC question stems?

Answer 45

1. Main point (a variant of must be true) 2. Must be true 3. Strengthen 4. Weaken 5. Parallel 6. Cannot be true ## Footnote You can sometimes have **Except/Least** , **assumption**, **evaluate the** **argument, principle** as questions or atypical questions.

Question 46

What are all the "Question sub-types" in MP/must be true question stem?

Answer 46

1. MAin point -> mainly GR 2. Must be true -> can be SR, CR or GR i) Purpose ii) Viewpoint (Authors VP, Subjects VP) iii) Structure iv) Expansion (title, pre-passage, post-passage)

Question 47

# Location designation & Question type? Q: Which of the following, if true, would lend most support to the view attributed to Norton’s critics?

Answer 47

CR , Strengthen

Question 48

# Location designation & Question type? Q:The author would most likely disagree with which one of the following statements? Q: The passage provides information to answer all of the following questions EXCEPT:

Answer 48

GR, Cannot be true

Question 49

# Location designation & Question type? Q:Which one of the following most accurately describes the author’s purpose in referring to Johnson as being “unfairly criticized by his contemporaries” in the first sentence of the passage?

Answer 49

SR, Must be true

Question 50

# Location designation & Question type? Q: Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

Answer 50

GR, Main point

Question 51

# Location designation & Question type? Q: Which one of the following, if true, would most call into question the author’s assertion in the last sentence of the passage?

Answer 51

SR, Weaken

Question 52

# Location designation & Question type? Q: The author’s description of the relationship between the conductor and the orchestra is most closely analogous to which of the following?

Answer 52

SR, Parallel/Application

Question 53

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the material presented in the first and second paragraphs of the passage?

Answer 53

SR, Must, Structure

Question 54

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q:Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the author’s argument against contracts similar to those described in the passage?

Answer 54

CR, Weaken

Question 55

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: The passage contains information sufficient to justify inferring which one of the following?

Answer 55

GR, Must

Question 56

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: As described in the passage, the approach used by FEMA in collecting the data is most analogous to which of the following?

Answer 56

CR, Parallel

Question 57

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: Based on information in the passage, it can be inferred that which one of the following sentences could most logically be added to the passage as a concluding sentence?

Answer 57

SR, Must, Expansion

Question 58

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that the author’s attitude is most favorable toward which one of the following?

Answer 58

GR, Must, Authors VP

Question 59

# Identify the Location, Type, and Sub-type ... Q: Which one of the following views can most reasonably be attributed to the experts cited in line 39?

Answer 59

SR, Must, Subjects VP

Question 60

how to approach **must be true- expansion ** questions.

Answer 60

1.Understand the Passage’s Scope: ``` *Identify the main argument, tone (optimistic, critical, neutral), and key points. *Focus on the initial/closing sentence & First/last paragraph’s purpose (e.g., summarizing, proposing solutions, acknowledging limitations) ```. 2.Understand the logical structure & purpose of the referrenced paragraph/Sentence ``` *Focus on the structure of the referrenced passage and how the first/last sentence fits into the logical flowmap *identify the purpose of the specific sentence to know the intent. ``` 3.Prethink the Logical flow/direction: ``` *Ask: What idea would naturally follow the last paragraph/sentence? * Does it need to reinforce the main point? * Should it highlight a limitation or future challenge? * Is it addressing implications or next steps? ``` 4.Paraphrase what you are looking for ``` * The purpose of the sentence, direction of logical flow, scope of what is being talked about, tone etc ``` 5.Elimination Criteria: ``` * Out of Scope: Eliminate answers mentioning topics not discussed * Contradicts the Passage: Reject options that clash with the author’s claims * Misaligns with Tone: Discard answers inconsistent with the author’s attitude * Introduces New Elements: Remove options with terms/ideas absent from or not hinted by the passage ``` 6.Select the best answer ```*Choose the answer that logically extends the paragraph’s argument, aligns with the passage’s tone, and stays within its scope```