Kaplan Reading Comprehension Strategies 3

Question 1

A 'function' question in reading comprehension (e.g., 'The author mentions X in paragraph 2 in order to…') is asking you to identify:

Accepted Answer

The rhetorical or structural role that detail plays in the passage's argument

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The factual accuracy of the mentioned detail

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Whether the detail is an opinion or a fact

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How many times the detail appears in the passage

Question 2

In reading comprehension, evaluating an answer for 'scope' means checking whether:

Accepted Answer

The answer is neither too broad nor too narrow relative to what the question asks

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The answer is written in formal academic language

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The answer contains the highest number of passage keywords

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The answer matches the length of the question stem

Question 3

When encountering a 'LEAST/NOT/EXCEPT' question in reading comprehension, the best strategy is to:

Accepted Answer

Treat each answer choice as a true/false statement, selecting the one that is false or not supported

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Find the answer choice that is most similar to the passage's main idea

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Eliminate answer choices that contain transition words like 'however' or 'although'

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Choose the answer choice that is the shortest

Question 4

When analyzing a paired (dual) passage set, what is the most important strategic step before answering questions about the relationship between the two passages?

Accepted Answer

Read each passage separately and identify each author's main claim and tone before comparing

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Read both passages simultaneously, line by line

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Answer all single-passage questions first, then re-read both from the beginning

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Focus only on the passage that is shorter and easier to understand

Question 5

How should you identify an author's bias or perspective in a reading passage?

Accepted Answer

Examine the author's word choice for evaluative language, selective evidence, and framing

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Count which side of an argument has more paragraphs dedicated to it

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Look for a disclosure statement at the end of the passage

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Assume that any passage presenting statistics is unbiased

Question 6

What does it mean when a reading comprehension answer choice is described as 'too extreme'?

Accepted Answer

The answer choice makes an absolute claim (always, never, all, none) that the passage does not fully support

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The answer choice uses an emotional or dramatic tone

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The answer choice is longer than three lines

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The answer choice contradicts the passage's conclusion

Question 7

Which of the following is the most reliable signal that you have correctly identified the main idea of a reading passage?

Accepted Answer

The main idea is supported by all or nearly all paragraphs in the passage

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The main idea uses the same vocabulary as the passage's title

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The main idea is stated in the very first sentence of the passage

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The main idea is the longest sentence you can construct about the topic