Main Point
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask you to identify the central idea or primary takeaway from the passage as a whole.
Stem Examples:
“Which of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?”
“The main purpose of the passage is to…”
How to Approach:
Ask yourself: If the author had to summarize their point in one sentence, what would they say?
Focus on the author’s opinion (if present) or the passage’s central theme.
Beware of answers that are too narrow (only covering part of the passage) or too broad (going beyond what the passage says).
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about understanding the big picture rather than evaluating logical flaws.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Focusing too much on minor details.
Choosing something true but not central to the passage.
Falling for answers that misstate the author’s opinion or exaggerate.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate summary of the whole passage.
Captures both topic and author’s main stance/purpose.
Primary Purpose
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask why the author wrote the passage — what the goal or function of the passage is.
Stem Examples:
“The primary purpose of the passage is to…”
“The author’s primary objective in writing the passage is to…”
How to Approach:
Ask: What is the author trying to accomplish?
Is the author trying to explain, argue, compare, criticize, or advocate?
Focus on tone and overall structure, not tiny details.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about purpose, not reasoning.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Answers that focus on content instead of purpose.
Answers that go beyond the passage’s actual purpose.
Correct Answer Includes:
A verb that matches the author’s purpose (e.g., explain, argue, critique).
Accurately reflects the whole passage.
Author’s Attitude
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask you to identify how the author feels about the topic or subject.
Stem Examples:
“The author’s attitude toward [topic] can best be described as…”
“Which of the following best captures the author’s view of [subject]?”
How to Approach:
Pay attention to tone words in the passage (e.g., unfortunately, surprisingly, obviously).
Note if the author is neutral, supportive, skeptical, critical, etc.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about tone, not logic.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Picking extreme answers if the author is more balanced.
Ignoring shifts in tone (sometimes the author’s attitude evolves).
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate description of the author’s tone (neutral, cautiously optimistic, skeptical, etc.).
Organization/Structure
Question Type Overview:
These questions ask how the passage is built — what the author does in each part.
Stem Examples:
“The author does which of the following in the second paragraph?”
“The organization of the passage can best be described as…”
How to Approach:
Map the passage paragraph by paragraph.
What function does each part serve? Introduction? Example? Counterargument? Conclusion?
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about describing structure, not finding flaws.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Misreading a paragraph’s purpose.
Getting too caught up in content instead of function.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate step-by-step description of how the passage unfolds.
Specific Detail (Must Be True)
Question Type Overview:
These ask for facts directly stated in the passage.
Stem Examples:
“According to the passage…”
“The passage states which of the following?”
How to Approach:
Find the relevant part of the passage and stick to exactly what it says.
Paraphrase carefully — don’t add or assume anything.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about retrieval, not reasoning.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Answers that sound right but aren’t supported by the text.
Answers that go beyond the passage.
Correct Answer Includes:
A restatement of something explicitly stated in the passage.
Inference (Soft Must Be True)
Question Type Overview:
These ask for what is most strongly supported by the passage — something implied but not directly stated.
Stem Examples:
“The passage suggests that…”
“The author would most likely agree that…”
How to Approach:
Think about what the passage implies (what would the author agree with?).
Avoid extreme leaps — the inference should be a reasonable extension of the text.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
No. This is about reasonable inference, not logic gaps.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Overly strong or absolute answers.
Adding information not hinted at in the passage.
Correct Answer Includes:
A reasonable inference directly supported by the passage.
Comparative Passages
Question Type Overview:
These appear in paired passages and ask about similarities, differences, or relationships between them.
Stem Examples:
“Both passages agree on…”
“Which of the following would the author of Passage A most likely say about Passage B’s argument?”
How to Approach:
Compare directly — make a T-chart if needed.
Track agreements, disagreements, and any overlap.
Do You Need to Find the Gap?
Not really. This is more about comparison and synthesis.
Common Traps to Avoid:
Focusing only on one passage.
Assuming agreement where none exists.
Correct Answer Includes:
An accurate reflection of how the passages interact (agree, disagree, one builds on the other, etc.).
Function of a Word, Phrase, or Sentence
Question Type Overview:
These ask why the author included a specific word, phrase, or sentence.
Stem Examples:
“The author mentions [phrase] primarily to…”
“What is the function of [sentence] in the passage?”
How to Approach:
Ask: What is the purpose of this part within the paragraph or argument?
Does it provide evidence, introduce a new point, clarify something, etc.?
Organization Types
1️⃣ Descriptive / Expository
Goal: Explain or describe a topic or phenomenon — no argument.
Structure:
Introduces a topic
Provides background or explanation
Sometimes notes implications or applications
Keywords: “explains,” “describes,” “outlines,” “discusses,” “examines”
Example: A passage describing how coral reefs form and why they’re vital to ecosystems.
2️⃣ Analytical / Argumentative
Goal: Present an argument, interpret evidence, or evaluate competing views.
Structure:
Introduces issue or debate
Presents author’s reasoning or position
Supports with evidence or examples
Ends with implications or conclusions
Keywords: “argues,” “claims,” “contends,” “assesses,” “criticizes,” “evaluates”
Example: A passage arguing that economic sanctions are ineffective tools of diplomacy.
3️⃣ Comparative (Two-View or Multi-View)
Goal: Compare and contrast two or more perspectives.
Structure:
Introduces topic
Summarizes View A
Summarizes View B (often author favors one)
May evaluate or reconcile them
Keywords: “some critics argue… others maintain…,” “in contrast,” “while proponents believe…”
Example: Comparing two theories of how language influences thought.
4️⃣ Chronological / Narrative
Goal: Present a timeline of events or historical development.
Structure:
Describes early stage
Traces changes over time
Ends with current state or consequence
Keywords: “initially,” “later,” “eventually,” “over time,” “by the late nineteenth century”
Example: A passage detailing the evolution of voting rights legislation.
5️⃣ Cause-and-Effect (Explanatory)
Goal: Explain why something happened or how one thing led to another.
Structure:
States phenomenon or effect
Analyzes causes or contributing factors
Sometimes discusses implications
Keywords: “because,” “due to,” “therefore,” “as a result,” “consequently”
Example: Why urban heat islands form and how city design contributes.
6️⃣ Problem–Solution
Goal: Identify a problem and discuss possible solutions (or limits of solutions).
Structure:
Describes the problem
Discusses past or current approaches
Evaluates or proposes a solution
Keywords: “issue,” “challenge,” “response,” “address,” “resolve,” “approach”
Example: How to address antibiotic resistance in modern medicine.
7️⃣ Hypothesis–Evidence–Conclusion
Goal: Present a scientific or academic claim and support it with findings.
Structure:
Introduces a hypothesis or question
Describes evidence or experiment
Draws conclusion
Keywords: “researchers hypothesize,” “studies indicate,” “the evidence suggests”
Example: Testing whether migration patterns of birds are affected by magnetic fields.
8️⃣ Rebuttal / Refutation
Goal: Challenge a commonly held belief or opposing argument.
Structure:
States prevailing view
Identifies its flaws
Presents author’s counterargument
Supports with evidence
Keywords: “although many believe…,” “contrary to…,” “however,” “instead”
Example: A passage rejecting the idea that industrialization always harms biodiversity.
9️⃣ Application / Implication
Goal: Apply a theory to a new context or explore broader implications.
Structure:
Summarizes a theory or concept
Applies it to a case study
Discusses resulting insight or limitation
Keywords: “applied to,” “illustrates,” “demonstrates,” “implications for”
Example: Using behavioral economics to explain social media addiction.
🔟 Mixed / Hybrid
Goal: Combine two structures (e.g., descriptive + evaluative).
Structure:
Descriptive foundation → analytic conclusion
Historical overview → argument about impact
Example: The mercury passage you just did: historical narrative + analytical reflection.
⚡ Quick Tip: How to Identify Structure Fast
First paragraph: Purpose cue → Is it explaining, arguing, or contrasting?
Transitions: Words like “however,” “in contrast,” or “therefore” reveal structure shifts.
Final paragraph: Look for purpose clues — “thus,” “today,” “this suggests,” etc.
All of the following are true except? (stated question
When you see EXCEPT, literally write “LOOK FOR FALSE” next to it on paper.
Step 2: For each answer, check:
“Can I point to this line in the passage?”
If yes → cross off.
If no → keep it.
If it directly contradicts a line → mark as likely correct.
Step 3: Watch for extreme phrasing (no, never, all, none, nothing, every).
Those are red flags — they’re often the EXCEPT answer.
