Verbal: Reading Comprehension Main Idea and Detail Flashcards

A passage explains a phenomenon, then notes 'However, recent findings complicate this view.' The main idea most likely involves:

Answer: A traditional view being challenged by newer evidence

The 'however' signals a contrast where new evidence challenges the older view.

Which detail-question answer is most defensible?

Answer: One directly supported by an explicit statement in the passage

Detail answers must be explicitly supported by the passage text.

If a passage devotes most of its length to defending one position and briefly mentions an objection, the main idea is best captured by:

Answer: The position the author spends most effort defending

Emphasis and length signal that the defended position is the main idea.

A main-idea answer that merely restates one piece of supporting evidence is wrong because it:

Answer: Confuses a detail with the overall point

Restating one piece of evidence mistakes a detail for the thesis.

When a passage's first paragraph poses a question and later paragraphs answer it, the main idea usually corresponds to:

Answer: The answer the passage develops

The developed answer to the opening question typically states the main idea.

A detail question asks 'According to the passage, why did the policy fail?' The correct answer must:

Answer: Reflect the specific reason the passage gives

'According to the passage' demands the reason explicitly stated in the text.

Which is the strongest sign that an answer choice captures the main idea rather than a detail?

Answer: It generalizes the author's argument across the whole passage

A main-idea choice generalizes across the entire passage.