Term
Analyzing Reading Comprehension
(RC) Passage |
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Definition
WHY is the author writing?
WHAT is being said?
WHO is speaking? Is the author showing his own point
of view or critiquing an expert’s point of view?
HOW does the author accomplish his goal? |
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Term
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Definition
Global (pertains to entire passage):
• Main idea, structure
Local (pertains to a small segment of passage):
• Specific |
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Term
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Definition
Watch for transition triggers. Transition triggers change
the tone or direction of a passage. They often represent a
shift in view between two experts cited in a passage.
Examples of transition triggers include “however, but,
although”, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
A very common RC structure is for one expert or view to
be introduced, and then, shortly thereafter, a contradictory
expert or view is presented.
Look for this yin-yang shift.
• Yin words: “Generally, the old view, the widespread
belief, most X believe”, etc.
• Ying words: “However, but, on the other hand”, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
GMAT inferences go only a tiny bit further than what is
said in the passage.
When choosing answers, eliminate exaggerations or
offensive or extreme words. |
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Term
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Definition
The answer choice that is highly specific and unequivocal is
usually wrong.
• VAGUE, BROAD or GENERAL answers are
often best.
• Look for signpost words like “perhaps” and “may”
in answer choices. |
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Definition
Nice vague words:
• “usually, sometimes, may, can, some, most”
Too unequivocal—BAD!
• “always, most, everybody, all, complete, never” |
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Definition
GMAC is always respectful of professionals and America.
Avoid disparaging answers.
Respectful answers about minorities always.
No prejudiced answers. |
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Definition
Avoid strong emotions.
• Avoid words like: “scornful, envious, overly
enthusiastic, resolve”, etc. |
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Definition
Be mindful of:
• Topic
• Scope—narrowing of topic
• Author’s purpose
• Structure
• Author’s voice—fact from opinion |
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Definition
Make mental roadmap of passage.
Get a sense of the paragraph and argument structure.
On your scratch paper, jot down notes such as:
• Para 1: Old view
• Para 2: New theory
• Para 3: Why combo of Old view and New theory is
likely best. |
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Term
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Definition
| Thesis: personal interpretation bolstered by evidence. |
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Definition
Stay within topic and scope.
Recognize author’s overall intentions, idea, passage
structure, purpose. |
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Definition
Scope involves the overall reach and feel of the entire passage.
Nouns and verbs contained in the correct answer must be
consistent with tone/scope. If they are too weak/strong,
they are probably wrong and should be eliminated. |
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Term
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Definition
Two types of inferences:
• Regular inference. EXPLAIN? HELP?
• Agreement: “Author/Character/Group would
agree with…” |
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Term
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Definition
As you read, think about why the author / test makers do
something in the manner that they have:
• Cite a source
• Bring up detail
• Introduce a defined term or vocabulary word
• Structures the passages in a certain way |
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Term
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Definition
For explicit detail questions, the answer can be pinpointed
in the text.
• Save time by noting where defined terms, vocabulary
words or dates are first introduced. Detail questions
will likely focus on such things. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Read actively and don’t skim.
2. Create a mental roadmap: label paragraphs, look for
signpost words.
3. Note main idea, structure, tone
4. Attack questions. |
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Term
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Definition
Scope is the aspect of the topic (subject matter) that the
author discusses in the passage. |
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Term
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Definition
Focus on your reading on the broad idea of the passage,
not every specific fact.
That said, note where overly-specific facts are first
introduced, so you can zero in on them if there is a
detail question later. |
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Term
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Definition
Inferences are suggested by passage. Remind yourself
whether the inferences given as answer choices are
positive, negative or neutral.
Incorrect inferences:
• Distort
• Are superfluous, contradictory, outside of scope |
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Term
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Definition
Anticipate what’s next by looking for signpost words.
• Is the author about to change course? Agree with an
expert? Disagree with the view expounded in the
previous passages? Cement an idea just presented? |
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Term
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Definition
| To qualify a claim is to weaken or soften it. |
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Term
| Signpost Words: Supporting, Continuing Points |
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Definition
Additional point signposts:
• “furthermore, in addition, also, too”
Additional example signposts:
• “similarly, likewise, for example”
Structural signposts:
• “first, second, third”
Conclusion signposts:
• “thus, therefore, in conclusion” |
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Term
| Direction Change Signposts |
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Definition
Examples:
• “although, though, even though”
• “but
• “despite, in spite of ”
• “except”
• “however, nevertheless”
• “unless”
• “while” |
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Term
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Definition
A strategy for RC:
• Read for author’s purpose and main idea.
• Note where specific examples pop up, but don’t
spend too much time fully understanding specifics.
• Paraphrase the structure, tone of the passage.
• Don’t over-invest time.
• Spend max of 4 min. on reading, 1 min. per question. |
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Definition
Always be searching for the main idea of a passage
as you read. |
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Definition
Decoy answers for global RC questions are:
• Too specific
• Too broad
• Too extreme
• Not relevant |
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Definition
Decoy answers for local RC questions:
• Refer to wrong part of passage
• Make sense but are not mentioned in passage
• Are refuted directly in the passage
• Stray away from passage’s scope
• Misinterpret the main point of the author
in that section |
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Term
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Definition
Decoy answers for strengthen/weaken questions:
• Out of scope
• Weaken instead of strengthen, vice versa
• Logical answer but not mentioned or supported in
passage (bring in outside info when there’s a correct
answer among the choices already) |
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Term
| How to Spot a Good Answer |
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Definition
A correct answer choice:
• Paraphrases text in terms of language style or meaning
• Is nice (not overly-controversial)
• Is not extreme (stays within scope, author intent).
Does not overly pinpoint. |
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Term
| Good Words for RC Answer Choices |
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Definition
Examples:
• “some, many”
• “often, sometimes, rarely, usually”
• “can, could, may, might”
• “some people, few people”
• “more, less”
• “likely, possibly”
• “doubtful, unlikely” |
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| Words to Avoid in RC Answer Choices |
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Definition
Examples:
• “all”
• “always”
• “never”
• “will”
• “everyone, everybody”
• “no one, nobody”
• “most, least”
• “absolutely”
• “impossible” |
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Term
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Definition
Always be mindful of TOPIC and SCOPE: Topic and scope
can often be determined in the first paragraph of a passage.
As soon as you find them, list them on your scratch paper.
Topic: General subject
Examples:
• “black holes”
• “factory safety”
Scope: Narrowing of topicExamples:
• “logistics of viewing
formation of black holes”
• “analysis of industrial rules
across different historical eras”
The conclusion paragraph will also reveal the scope if it
is not immediately obvious in the first paragraph. |
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Term
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Definition
Note the location and purpose of intricate details, theories
or vocabulary words, but do not attempt to memorize or
even fully understand those details unless a question
specifically asks about them. |
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Term
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Definition
Be mindful of author’s PURPOSE and MAIN IDEA.
NOTE that the overall purpose and main idea can
differ from the views of a specific expert in a passage. |
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