Reading Comprehension Flashcards
7 cards from real OAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
When a passage uses the phrase 'despite evidence to the contrary,' what rhetorical function does it most likely serve?
Answer: To concede an opposing viewpoint before reaffirming the author's thesis
The phrase signals a concession that acknowledges counterevidence while reinforcing the author's central position.
A passage states: 'The retinal ganglion cells transmit signals that ultimately reach the visual cortex.' Which part of this sentence is the SUBJECT?
Answer: retinal ganglion cells
The subject is 'retinal ganglion cells,' the noun phrase performing the action of transmitting.
Which reading strategy is MOST effective when a passage contains unfamiliar scientific terminology?
Answer: Use context clues from surrounding sentences to infer meaning
Context clues in surrounding sentences and paragraph structure typically reveal the meaning of specialized terms.
An OAT reading passage compares two studies on intraocular pressure. The first study concludes pressure increases with age; the second finds no such correlation. What is the BEST characterization of the passage's purpose?
Answer: To present conflicting evidence and highlight an unresolved scientific question
Presenting two contradictory studies signals that the passage aims to illustrate ongoing scientific debate rather than establish a definitive conclusion.
In a dense scientific passage, the BEST approach to identifying the main idea is to:
Answer: Identify the thesis statement, usually in the introduction, and track how each paragraph supports it
Scientific passages typically introduce the central claim early, and each paragraph advances or supports that claim.
A passage's author describes a procedure using passive voice throughout (e.g., 'The samples were collected…'). What effect does this likely produce?
Answer: It creates an objective, impersonal tone consistent with scientific reporting
Passive voice in scientific writing de-emphasizes individual actors to produce an objective, methodology-focused tone.
Which of the following BEST describes an inference as opposed to an explicit statement in a passage?
Answer: An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from information implied but not directly stated
An inference is derived from implied information within the text, whereas an explicit statement is directly written by the author.