PassageBased Reading

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Passage-Based Reading
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Vocabulary-In-Context

• Some passage-based reading questions ask about
  the meaning of a word as it is used in the
  passage. Even if you dont know the word, you can
  sometimes figure it out from the passage and the
  answer choices.
• The contextthat is the particular situation in
  which the word is used, including information
  given in neighboring sentenceshelps determine
  its meaning.

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Vocabulary-In-Context

• For example, you are likely to know that the word
  smart has several meanings. It can mean
  intelligent, stylish, and sassy. What does
  it mean in the following sentence.
• We knew his smart mouth would get him into a lot
  of trouble some day.
• The context, or association between the words
  smart and trouble, tells us that the meaning
  intended here is sassy.

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General Approaches

• Usually you can work out the answer to a
  vocabulary-in-context question just by reading
  the sentence in which it is included. But
  sometimes you may also have to read the sentence
  that comes before or after it.
• When a word has several meanings, a
  vocabulary-in-context question wont necessarily
  use the most common meaning.

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General Approaches

• One word can have many meanings. The answer
  choices will often include several different
  meanings of the word.
• Questions asking for the meaning of a word or
  phrase refer to the meaning in the context in
  which the word or phrase is being used in the
  passage.
• It helps to go back to the passage and reread the
  surrounding text of the word that is used. Be
  sure to read enough of the context to thoroughly
  understand the meaning of the word.

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Literal Comprehension

• For this type of question, you need to understand
  information that is directly presented in the
  passage. These questions measure a skill youll
  be using also in college how well you read to
  acquire information.

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General Approaches

• Find the place in the passage where the detail is
  discussed. Reread enough of the text to find the
  answer. Even if you know something about the
  subject of the passage, remember to answer the
  question based on what is actually stated in the
  passage.

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General Approaches

• Recognize different ways of stating the same fact
  or idea. Sometimes that description of the fact
  or idea in the question is different from the
  wording in the passage.
• Cross out incorrect responses as you eliminate
  them. Remember, you may write anywhere in your
  test booklet.

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General Approaches

• Read questions carefully, looking for words such
  as except, not, and only, and for other words
  that describe exactly what you are asked to do
  with the information.
• Be sure you can support your answer by referring
  to words or phrases within the passage that
  support it.