Reading Comprehension

Question 1

Define and List three examples of Content

Answer 1

Content - scientific or historical subject matter of the passage

1) Causes (effects, evidence, logical results)
2) Processes (steps, means, ends)
3) Categories (examples, generalities)

Question 2

Define and List four examples of Judgement

Answer 2

Judgment - what the author and any other people believe about the content

1) Theories & Hypothesis
2) Evaluations & Opinions
3) Comparisons & Contrasts
4) Advantages & Disadvantages

Question 3

What are the 3 things to pay attention to while reading a passage?

Answer 3

1) Beginning of Paragraphs - first or second sentence function as topic sentence, indicating content and/or purpose of paragraph
2) Big Surprises - change in directions
3) Big Results - answers or payoffs

Question 4

List the 4 Possible Components of a Passage

Answer 4

1) The Point
2) Background
3) Support
4) Implications

Question 5

Describe the point

Answer 5

The point is the most important message of the passage (the crux of the simple story)

The most important judgement made by the author about the central content of the passage

Types of points:

1) Resolution - resolves issue or problem
2) Answer - answers a question
3) New Idea - describes a surprising new idea, theory or research result
4) Reason - explain an observation

Points can be spread across two sentences but mostly found in a single sentence

Point of the passage is analogous to the conclusion of an argument (point might be less of a claim because not all passages make impassioned arguments or take strong points)

Question 6

Describe background

Answer 6

Background is information needed to understand the point (context and basic facts about the topic)

Question 7

Describe support

Answer 7

Support is evidence, assertions, or opinions FOR the point

It might include concessions to the other side of the argument

Background & Support may be intertwined (not important to distinguish one from the other as a sentence can act as both)

Question 8

Describe implications

Answer 8

Implications result from the point (author assumes you are now convinced of the point and begins to enumerate the consequences)

Not always present but implications are important when they are present as the GMAT tends to ask about them

Question 9

What are the three common passage structures

Answer 9

1) Point First

• *Point (“X is true”)
• *Support (“Here’s why”)
• *(Optional Implications)
• *“Here’s what could result”

2) Point Last

• *Background (“Phenomenon Q happens”)
• *Support (“There is Theory X, there is Theory Y” and Pros & Cons)
• *Point (“Theory X is better”)

3) Point in Middle

• *Background (“Phenomenon Q happens”)
• *Point (“Theory X explains Q”)
• *Support (“Here’s why”)
• *(Optional Implications)

Question 10

Describe the Skeletal Sketch Approach

Answer 10

1) The first paragraph is the most important (read it thoroughly and take notes)

• make notes for every sentence
• note the main idea of the first paragraph

2) Short headlines / 1 sentence summaries for each remaining paragraph

• read each body paragraph to determine the main - point / purpose (focus on the 1st / 2nd sentence)
• skim the rest but stay on the looking for surprises or results

3) Identify the Point

Question 11

What are the two types of questions on reading comprehension and describe each

Answer 11

1) General - deal with main idea, purpose, organization and structure of passage

use a scoring system if you are stuck between 2 answers

• 2 points if the answer relates to the 1st paragraph
• 1 point for every additional paragraph it relates to

2) Specific - deals with details, inferences, assumptions and arguments

• look up the answer in the passage before reviewing answer choices
• identify key words in the question and find one or two proof sentences to defend the correct answer choice

Question 12

What are the 3 sub-types of General Questions

Answer 12

1) Main idea (ex. The primary purpose of the passage is …)
2) Organization (ex. The function of the 3rd paragraph is …)
3) Tone (ex. The tone of the passage can best be described as …)

Note that questions can also be worded negatively with EXCEPT

Question 13

What are the 3 sub-types of Specific Questions

Answer 13

1) Lookup (ex. According to the passage “x” used “y” as …)
2) Inference (ex. The passage suggests “x” survived because …)
3) Minor Types (organization and tone questions with a specific focus as well as strengthening or weakening assertions in the passage)

Note that questions can also be worded negatively with EXCEPT

Question 14

What are the 5 types of wrong answers in reading comprehension

Answer 14

1) Out of scope - answer introduces unwarranted assumptions or might be real-world plausible not is not supported in the passage
2) Direct Contradiction - answer states exact opposite of something asserted in the passage

It may be paradoxically attractive because it refers to the passage closely but it is still a contradiction

3) Mix-Up - answer scrambles together disparate content from the passage and tries to trap students that match language but not meaning
4) One Word Wrong - answer has just one or two words that make the answer incorrect
5) True but Irrelevant - answer is true according to the passage but doesn’t actually answer the question

It could be too narrow or just unrelated