Reading comprehension: a method
Read the questions first, skim the passage for its main idea, then answer each question only from the passage, eliminating options that go beyond it.
Six-step method
Use the same order every time, so the passage never eats into your other questions.
- 1Read the question stems first (not the options)about 30 seconds; now you know what to hunt for
- 2Skim the passage once for its main idea and tonefirst and last lines of each paragraph carry the most
- 3Mark signal words: but, however, therefore, unless, onlythey show where the author turns or concludes
- 4Answer factual questions by locating the exact linescan; do not reread everything
- 5Answer inference, title and tone questions lastthey need the whole passage in mind
- 6Eliminate weak options, then choose the best remainingtwo options are often close; pick the one the text supports
Question types and how to answer them
| Type | What it asks | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Central idea | What the passage is mainly about | Choose the option that covers the whole passage, not one paragraph |
| Best title | A short label for the passage | Broad enough to cover all of it, narrow enough to be specific |
| Factual detail | What the passage states | Find the line; match the meaning, not just the words |
| Inference | What follows from the text, though unstated | Must be supported by the passage; no outside facts |
| Tone or attitude | Critical, sceptical, optimistic, neutral, ironic | Read the judgement words and adjectives |
| Vocabulary in context | Meaning of a word as used here | Put each option into the sentence and test the fit |
| Assumption or purpose | What the author takes for granted or aims at | Ask what must be true for the argument to work |
Elimination rules
- Drop options with extreme words (always, never, only, all) unless the passage uses them.
- Drop options that are true in general but not stated or implied in the passage.
- For main idea or title, drop options that cover only one part of the passage.
- Drop options that reverse the author's view; watch for not, but and however.
- If two options remain, pick the one closer to the passage's own scope and words.
NET gives one passage with about five questions: usually a central idea or title, two or three factual items, one inference and sometimes the author's tone or a word's meaning.
Typical MCQ: “A question asks for the 'most appropriate title' of the passage. What do you look for?” An option that covers the whole passage. Options that are too narrow (one paragraph) or too broad (beyond the topic) are wrong.
Typical MCQ: “An option is factually true but not mentioned in the passage. Should you choose it?” No. NET answers must come from the passage or follow directly from it.
Q-S-L-E: Questions first, Skim, Locate the line, Eliminate. Golden rule: if it is not in the passage, it is not the answer.