Reading Comprehension
Critical Reading, Main Ideas, Inference & Analysis
In This Lesson
Reading Strategies
Active Reading Process
- Preview: Skim title, first paragraph, and conclusion
- Question: Ask what the passage is about
- Read: Read actively, noting key points
- Summarize: Mentally summarize each paragraph
- Review: Quickly review before answering questions
Read Questions First
For UPCAT, consider:
- Read questions before the passage to know what to look for
- Underline key words in questions mentally
- Focus on finding specific information as you read
Paragraph Structure
- Topic sentence: Usually first sentence, states main idea
- Supporting details: Examples, explanations, evidence
- Conclusion: Restates or summarizes the point
Finding Main Ideas
How to Identify the Main Idea
- • Ask: "What is this passage mostly about?"
- • Look for repeated words or concepts
- • Check the first and last paragraphs
- • The main idea should be broad enough to cover all paragraphs
- • It should not be too specific (that's a supporting detail)
Main Idea vs. Supporting Detail
Main Idea: The central point the author wants to convey
Supporting Detail: Specific facts, examples, or data that support the main idea
Example: "Climate change affects wildlife" (main idea) vs. "Polar bear populations have declined 40%" (supporting detail)
Making Inferences
What is an Inference?
An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning. It's reading "between the lines."
Clue words: "implies," "suggests," "can be inferred," "most likely"
How to Make Valid Inferences
- Find evidence in the text that supports the conclusion
- Use logic to connect the evidence to the conclusion
- Avoid making assumptions not supported by the text
- Eliminate extreme answers (always, never)
Common Inference Mistakes
- • Using outside knowledge not in the passage
- • Choosing an answer that's too extreme
- • Confusing what's stated with what's implied
- • Making assumptions based on personal opinion
Author's Purpose & Tone
Author's Purpose (PIE)
- P - Persuade: Convince the reader of something
- I - Inform: Provide facts and information
- E - Entertain: Amuse or engage the reader
Identifying Tone
Positive Tones:
Optimistic, enthusiastic, supportive, admiring, hopeful
Negative Tones:
Critical, pessimistic, skeptical, sarcastic, dismissive
Neutral Tones:
Objective, informative, factual, impartial, analytical
Tone Clues:
Word choice, sentence structure, imagery, punctuation
Vocabulary in Context
Context Clue Types
- Definition: The word is defined in the sentence
- Synonym: A similar word appears nearby
- Antonym: An opposite word provides contrast
- Example: Examples clarify the meaning
- Inference: Meaning is implied by the context
Strategy
- Read the sentence with the unknown word
- Look for context clues before and after the word
- Substitute your guess to see if it makes sense
- Eliminate choices that don't fit the context
Test-Taking Tips
Do's
- ✓ Read the passage carefully first
- ✓ Refer back to the passage for answers
- ✓ Look for evidence in the text
- ✓ Eliminate obviously wrong answers
- ✓ Manage your time wisely
Don'ts
- ✗ Don't rely on outside knowledge
- ✗ Don't choose extreme answers
- ✗ Don't spend too long on one question
- ✗ Don't skip reading the passage
- ✗ Don't second-guess without reason
Time Management
For reading comprehension, spend about 3-4 minutes reading the passage and 1-2 minutes per question. If stuck, move on and return later.