Reading comprehension

Question 1

Active reading

Answer 1

Active reading

Question 2

Focus, focus, Focus!

Answer 2

1. ask questions
2. piece information together
3. use your imagination
4. anticipate direction

Question 3

Be aware:

Answer 3

Referential phrasing
Modifiers/embedded clauses
Push back/connect the dots

Question 4

Things to care for:

Answer 4

Main point/conclusion
Factually accurate?
Correct emphasis?
Author’s attitude or tone
Facts, details
Can you clearly recall the facts with accuracy?
Can you push out inferences from these facts and details?
Passage structure
Relationship between the paragraphs
The flow of concepts/ideas
Different arguments, different view points
Clearly distinguish

Question 5

Memory method: Phase I

Answer 5

Memorize The Passage Structure [3.5 Minutes]

1. Take a passage. Spend 3.5 minutes reading it.
2. At the end of each paragraph, summarize the main point of that paragraph into one line.
3. At the end of the passage, look over each paragraph again and make sure you know the main point. Combine these main points into a narrative.
4. Once you know the point of each paragraph, decide on the main point of the passage.

Gaining command of the passage will speed you up when doing the questions.

Question 6

Continue….

Answer 6

5. Check Your Memory [1.5 Minutes]
6. Turn over the passage - don’t look at it.
7. On a sheet of paper, write down the main point of each paragraph (one line each), and the main point of the passage.

RC tests whether you really retained what you read. If you don’t remember anything at first, don’t worry, and don’t look back at the passage.

Just write down what you do remember, and resolve to do better next time.

Question 7

Continue…

Answer 7

6. Do The Questions - Avoid Time-Traps [3.5 Minutes]
7. Turn the passage over. You can look at it again.
8. If the question involves a specific detail (e.g. lines 17-21, paragraph 2, the statements of Picasso and Braque), reread that section of the passage. This shouldn’t take long, because you memorized where details are located.
9. If there is no specific detail, attempt to answer the question.
10. In either case, if you think one answer is right, trust your gut and move on.
11. If you’re not sure, refer back to the passage [but be quick about it].
12. If step 5 doesn’t solve it, flag the question, pick an answer, and move on.

Question 8

Phase II:

Answer 8

The second phase of the memory method is exactly the same as the first, with one exception: you only spend 30 seconds on step two (Check Your Memory).

Do this 6-8 times. The first phase teaches you how to retain information. The second phase teaches you to quickly recall and apply it.

Question 9

Lastly:

Answer 9

Practice!!! A LOT!!!

If you feel your retention flagging, focus on improving it. A good command of the passage and its structure is the key to success on reading comprehension.

Question 10

IMPORTANT: 3.5 min to read passage

Answer 10

1. think about what you are reading
2. find main point for every paragraph
3. connect the dots among the paragraphs

Question 11

Turn the page: 1.5 min

Answer 11

4. write the main point of each paragraph

5. connect each paragraph

Question 12

some passages have a different point of view meaning

Answer 12

two different authors argue different points of view

Question 13

at the end of reading the passage

Answer 13

always ask yourself: what’s the main point, what did the author focus on?

Question 14

counterexample

Answer 14

weaken

Question 15

As you read

Answer 15

circle modifiers

Question 16

TIPS

Answer 16

take notes on the side as you read
circle important keywords
as you go through the questions go back and forth.

Question 17

Do not focus on the high-resolution detailed information

Answer 17

high detailed information not as important as the low resolution.

Question 18

tip

Answer 18

do not let things that you don’t understand interfere with your judgement

Question 19

dashes

Answer 19

information between dashes, ignore it.

Question 20

picture scenarios while you read

Answer 20

use your imagination