ReadCompCheat01

• 1. Read the Passage Strategically
• 2. Read the Question
• 3. Research the Relevant Text
• 4. Think Critically About the Answer (make a prediction)
• 5. Evaluate the Answer Choices

• 1. Identify Topic, Scope, Purpose, and Main Idea
• 2. Creat a passage Road Map
• 3. Circle key words

The topic is the broad subject matter of a passage. It is usually found within the first few sentences of the first paragraph.

Example: World hunger

The scope narrows down the more general topic and identifies the piece of the topic that the author wishes to address. It is usually found within the first paragraph.

Example: New technology to solve world hunger

The purpose refers to why the author is writing the passage. This can be found anywhere throughout the passage -- even at the very end.

Example: to describe a new technology and promising uses

The purpose might be to argue, explain, illustrate, rebut, advocate, describe

The main idea is where the purpose takes the author - the point the author is arguing, explaining about the topic. This can be found anywhere within the passage -- even at the very end.

Example: biochemical engineering helps address world hunger in a variety of ways

Briefly summarize each paragraph and write it next to the paragraph itself.

1. to anticipate where an author is going with an argument or line of reasoning

2. to locate and mark the critical portions of the text

3. to anticipate where in the passage the test makers will draw their questions

4. to research correct answers quickly and confidently

• 1. Logic: words or phrases that indicate a) evidence
• examples: because, since, for
• and b) conclusion (therefore, consequently, it follows that, thus)

• 2. Contrast: Words or phrases that indicate a difference of opinion or shift in ideas
• examples: but, however, although, by contrast, despite

• 3. Continuation: words or phrases that show agreement or additional support for a thought
• examples: further, oreover, likewise, additionally, also

• 4. Illustration: Words or phrases that mark examples and illuminate a thought
• examples: for example, in the case of

• 5. Emphasis/Opinion: words or phrases that indicate a point of view and the information's level of importance
• examples: most of all, especially, very, argued that, unfrotunately, critically

• 6. Sequence/Chronology: Words or phrases that outline steps or indicate timing
• examples: in the 19th century... but today, first... second... finally, before

• 1. Global questions
• 2. Detail questions
• 3. Inference questions
• 4. Logic questions

Questions about the whole passage: the main idea, purpose, and organization

• examples:
• Which one of the following best states the main idea of the passage?
• The main purpose of the passage is to ...
• Which one of the following best describes the contents of the passage?

Questions that ask for specific information stated in the passage and can be answered directly from the text

• examples:
• According to the passage, the council was divided on the issue of...
• According to the author, the flu virus cannot occur in the absence of which one of the following?
• The passage states...
• The statement declares that...

Questions that ask you to read between the lines of the passage, not outside them.

• Examples:
• It can be inferred from the passage that ...
• The passage suggests that ...
• The author implies that ...
• The critics would most probably agree with which one of the following statements?

Similar to logical reasoning section. These include assumption, strengthen, weaken, principle, and parallel reasoning questions

Ask you to identify what role or function a phrase, example, quote, etc.. serves in the passage

• Examples:
• The Obama example is included primarily in order to...
• The experiment described in paragraph 2 serves to...
• The author discusses conflict for the purpose of...

• 1. Proper names and nouns
• - demonstrate an attitude or a point of view
• 2. Line references
• - read the line in context
• 3. Direct quotes
• - think about who said the phrase (author or someone else?) and what purpose does it serve in the passage
• 4. Paragraph references
• - consider the gist of the paragraph and the context of that paragraph in the passage as a whole
• 5. Content clues
• - descriptive words and phrases that highlight a point of emphasis or opinion from the passage

Global: Review the critical elements you identified in step 1: Topic, Scope, Purpose, Main Idea

Detail: Use the clues in the question to direct you back to the relevant part of the passage. The answer can be quite close or a summary of the information you find

Inference: Remember that the answer must follow from the passage. Read between the lines and combine statements as necessary.

Logic: Use the appropriate Logical Reasoning strategy and check the context of the identified part of the text and ask yourself why the author put it there