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

Answer

Function questions ask WHY a detail is included — its purpose in supporting, illustrating, or contrasting the author's point.

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

Answer

Scope errors occur when an answer over-generalizes beyond the passage's claims or under-represents the full point being made.

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

Answer

LEAST/NOT/EXCEPT questions flip the task — you're looking for the one option that does NOT match or is NOT supported, so treating choices as true/false is most efficient.

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

Answer

Understanding each author's position and tone individually makes it much easier to accurately characterize how the passages agree, disagree, or complement each other.

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

Answer

Bias is revealed through loaded language, the evidence an author selects or omits, and how they frame different viewpoints — not just by length.

(Kaplan) Kaplan Test Prep Practice Test

(Kaplan) Kaplan Test Prep Practice Test

Kaplan Reading Comprehension Strategies 3