Text Structure, Cohesion, and Organization
What this domain tests
Text Structure, Cohesion, and Organization covers how a passage is built: its overall pattern (comparison, cause–effect, problem–solution, chronological, argument–counterargument), the function of individual paragraphs and sentences, and the words that tie ideas together. Questions may ask where a sentence best belongs, what a paragraph mainly does, or what a transition signals.
Core rules
- Name the pattern first. Skim for structure before answering anything. Comparison passages use both, whereas, similarly; cause–effect passages use because, consequently, as a result; problem–solution passages state a difficulty then propose remedies.
- Paragraph function, not content. A paragraph may introduce, illustrate, concede, refute, or conclude. Ask what job it performs for the passage.
- Cohesion devices. Pronouns (it, they, this) point backward; transition words signal logical relations; repeated terms create chains. A sentence that begins with "This approach" must follow the sentence describing the approach.
- Sentence insertion. Test the candidate position by checking both the link to the preceding sentence and the link to the following one. The right slot satisfies both.
- Chronology and hierarchy. Signal words such as first, later, finally mark sequence; more importantly marks emphasis.
Worked example
A passage describes a packaging problem, then a proposed compostable material, then its cost barrier, then a subsidy scheme. Which structure is used?
- (A) Chronological narrative
- (B) Problem–solution with a complication and a response
- (C) Comparison of two materials
- (D) Cause and effect only
(B) fits: a problem is stated, a solution proposed, a barrier introduced, and a further response given. (A) fails because no time sequence organises the passage. (C) fails because only one material is discussed in depth. (D) captures one link but not the overall movement.
Traps that cost marks
- Labelling structure from a single transition word instead of the whole passage.
- Placing an inserted sentence where it reads well alone but breaks the pronoun or term chain.
- Confusing a concession paragraph with the author's conclusion.
- Missing that a paragraph's function is to qualify an earlier claim, not repeat it.
Map the skeleton of the passage before answering structure items; the questions become mechanical once the pattern is named.