Reading Comprehension
Critical Reading, Analysis, and Inference Skills
In This Lesson
Reading Comprehension Overview
What is Tested?
Reading comprehension tests your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. You'll encounter various text types and must answer questions about content, structure, and meaning.
Question Types
- Main idea: What is the passage about?
- Detail: What specific information is given?
- Inference: What can be concluded?
- Vocabulary in context: What does this word mean here?
- Author's purpose: Why did the author write this?
- Tone: What is the author's attitude?
- Structure: How is the passage organized?
Reading Strategies
- Preview questions first: Know what to look for
- Skim the passage: Get the general idea
- Read actively: Note key points mentally
- Answer questions: Refer back to passage
- Eliminate wrong answers: Use process of elimination
Finding the Main Idea
What is the Main Idea?
The main idea is the central point or message that the author wants to communicate. It's the "big picture" that all other details support.
Where to Find It
- First paragraph: Often introduces the main idea
- Topic sentence: Usually first or last sentence of each paragraph
- Last paragraph: May summarize the main idea
- Title: Often hints at the main idea
Main Idea vs. Topic
Topic (What it's about)
Usually 1-3 words
Example: "Climate change"
Main Idea (What about it)
A complete sentence
Example: "Climate change threatens coastal cities worldwide."
Questions to Ask
- What is the passage mostly about?
- What point is the author making?
- If I had to summarize this in one sentence, what would it be?
- What do all the paragraphs have in common?
Common Traps
- Too narrow: Covers only one paragraph or detail
- Too broad: Goes beyond what the passage discusses
- Not mentioned: Introduces ideas not in the passage
- Opposite meaning: Contradicts the author's point
Supporting Details
What are Supporting Details?
Supporting details are specific pieces of information that develop, explain, or prove the main idea. They include facts, examples, statistics, and explanations.
Types of Supporting Details
- Facts: Verifiable information
- Examples: Specific instances that illustrate a point
- Statistics: Numerical data
- Quotations: Expert or eyewitness statements
- Anecdotes: Brief stories or incidents
- Reasons: Explanations for why something is true
Signal Words for Details
- Examples: for instance, for example, such as, like
- Addition: also, in addition, furthermore, moreover
- Contrast: however, but, although, on the other hand
- Cause/Effect: because, therefore, as a result, consequently
- Sequence: first, second, next, finally
Finding Detail Answers
- Read the question carefully - note keywords
- Scan the passage for those keywords or synonyms
- Read the surrounding sentences
- Match the information to answer choices
- Verify your answer is stated (not just implied)
Major vs. Minor Details
Major Details
Directly support the main idea; essential to understanding
Minor Details
Support major details; provide additional context
Making Inferences
What is an Inference?
An inference is a conclusion you draw based on evidence and reasoning. It's reading "between the lines" - understanding what the author implies but doesn't directly state.
Inference Formula
What the text says + What you already know = Inference
Valid inferences must be supported by evidence in the passage, not just your opinions.
Inference Question Clues
- "The passage suggests that..."
- "It can be inferred from the passage that..."
- "The author implies that..."
- "Based on the passage, we can conclude that..."
- "Which of the following can be inferred..."
- "The passage most strongly suggests..."
How to Make Valid Inferences
- Identify relevant evidence in the passage
- Consider what the evidence suggests
- Connect evidence to background knowledge
- Draw a logical conclusion
- Verify the inference doesn't contradict the text
Inference Traps to Avoid
- Over-reaching: Going beyond what evidence supports
- Personal bias: Using opinions instead of text evidence
- Extreme language: Beware of "always," "never," "all"
- Misreading: Confusing what's stated vs. implied
Example
"The streets were empty, shutters were closed, and not a single car passed by. Maria walked quickly, checking over her shoulder every few steps."
Valid inference: Maria felt unsafe or anxious.
Invalid inference: Maria was being chased by criminals. (Too specific, not supported)
Author's Tone & Purpose
Tone vs. Purpose
Tone
The author's attitude toward the subject - how they feel
Purpose
The author's reason for writing - what they want to achieve
Common Tones
Positive: Optimistic, enthusiastic, admiring, supportive
Negative: Critical, skeptical, sarcastic, pessimistic
Neutral: Objective, informative, factual, impartial
Emotional: Passionate, urgent, nostalgic, sympathetic
Formal: Academic, serious, professional, authoritative
Informal: Conversational, humorous, casual, playful
Author's Purpose
- To inform: Present facts and information objectively
- To persuade: Convince readers to accept a viewpoint
- To entertain: Amuse or engage readers
- To explain: Clarify how something works
- To describe: Create a vivid picture
- To analyze: Examine something in depth
Identifying Tone
Look for clues in:
- Word choice: Positive/negative connotations
- Sentence structure: Short = urgent; long = complex thought
- Punctuation: Exclamation marks, questions
- Figurative language: Metaphors, similes, imagery
- Examples used: What the author highlights or ignores
Tone Vocabulary
Positive Tones
Appreciative, hopeful, respectful, sincere
Negative Tones
Condescending, cynical, bitter, dismissive
Neutral Tones
Detached, matter-of-fact, straightforward
Congratulations!
You've completed all DLSUCET Study Notes! You've covered abstract reasoning, mathematics, English grammar, and reading comprehension. You're well-prepared for the exam!
Back to DLSUCET Overview