Understanding and Interpreting Text
What this domain tests
Understanding and interpreting text goes beyond locating facts. You must work out main idea, supporting details, sequence, cause and effect, character feelings and motives, and inference (a conclusion the text suggests but does not state outright). You also need to recognise text purpose and tone.
Key concepts
- Main idea vs detail. The main idea covers the whole passage; a detail supports only one part.
- Inference. Combine clues with background knowledge to reach a sensible conclusion. Good inferences are always supported by evidence in the text.
- Cause and effect. Look for linking words such as because, so, therefore, as a result, since.
- Sequence. Track time words such as first, then, after, finally.
- Character feelings. Notice actions, speech, and descriptions that reveal emotion.
Traps to watch for
- True but not the main idea. An option may be accurate yet too narrow to summarise the passage.
- Over-inference. Choosing a conclusion the text does not support. If you cannot find evidence, it is probably wrong.
- Extreme wording. Options with always, never, all, only are often incorrect unless the text says so.
- Confusing cause with effect. Check which event happened first and which produced the other.
Worked example
Text: "Maya packed her bag three times, checked the clock every minute, and reread the letter. When the phone finally rang, she jumped." Question: How does Maya feel? The clues (repeated packing, checking the clock, jumping at the phone) suggest she is nervous and anxious, even though the word "nervous" never appears.
Rule of thumb
Ask "Which sentence in the text proves this?" for every answer. If you can quote the evidence, your interpretation is sound.