GMAT Verbal: Reading Comprehension Main Idea and Detail 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage presents two competing economic theories and then sides with neither, calling for more data. The main idea is best described as:
- An endorsement of the first theory
- A claim that the debate remains unresolved pending further evidence (Correct answer)
- A rejection of all economic theorizing
- A historical timeline of economics
Correct answer: A claim that the debate remains unresolved pending further evidence
Refusing to choose and calling for data signals an unresolved-debate main idea.
Question 2: A detail question asks which characteristic the passage attributes to a particular enzyme. The best approach is to:
- Pick the choice that sounds most scientific
- Locate the enzyme in the text and match the stated characteristic (Correct answer)
- Choose the longest answer
- Rely on what enzymes generally do
Correct answer: Locate the enzyme in the text and match the stated characteristic
Match the answer to the specific characteristic stated in the text.
Question 3: Which of the following would make an answer choice WRONG for a main-idea question?
- It accurately summarizes the author's central argument
- It introduces an idea never mentioned in the passage (Correct answer)
- It uses synonyms for the passage's key terms
- It reflects the author's overall tone
Correct answer: It introduces an idea never mentioned in the passage
An out-of-scope idea not in the passage cannot be the main idea.
Question 4: A passage's tone shifts from skeptical in early paragraphs to cautiously approving by the end. What does this suggest about the main idea?
- The author ultimately offers qualified support (Correct answer)
- The author rejects the subject entirely
- The author has no opinion
- The author only describes facts neutrally
Correct answer: The author ultimately offers qualified support
A shift toward cautious approval indicates qualified support as the main point.
Question 5: The phrase 'for instance' in a passage most often signals that the following text is:
- The author's central thesis
- A supporting example for a preceding claim (Correct answer)
- A counterargument
- An unrelated digression
Correct answer: A supporting example for a preceding claim
'For instance' introduces an example supporting a prior claim, a detail rather than the main idea.
Question 6: A question asks for a detail mentioned only in the second paragraph. Which is the safest method?
- Recall the gist of the whole passage
- Re-read the second paragraph and locate the precise statement (Correct answer)
- Guess based on the title
- Use the first paragraph's summary
Correct answer: Re-read the second paragraph and locate the precise statement
Detail questions require returning to the precise relevant lines.
Question 7: An overly broad answer choice for a main-idea question typically fails because it:
- Matches the passage's scope exactly
- Claims more than the passage actually supports (Correct answer)
- Is too narrow to cover the passage
- Repeats the topic sentence verbatim
Correct answer: Claims more than the passage actually supports
Overly broad choices overreach beyond what the passage establishes.
GMAT Verbal: Reading Comprehension Main Idea and Detail 3
A passage presents two competing economic theories and then sides with neither, calling for more data.
The main idea is best described as: