Reading
What This Section Tests
Reading questions ask about main idea, supporting details, vocabulary in context, inference, and the author's purpose or tone. The passages are short, so precision matters more than speed.
Concepts to Know
- Main idea vs. detail: the main idea covers the whole passage; a detail supports it. Wrong answers often state a true detail that is too narrow.
- Inference: a conclusion the passage strongly implies but does not state outright. It must follow from the text, not from your outside knowledge.
- Vocabulary in context: a familiar word may carry an unusual meaning. Substitute each meaning into the sentence and test it.
- Tone and purpose: ask why the author wrote this - to inform, persuade, entertain, or compare.
Traps to Watch
- True but not the answer. A choice can be factually accurate yet fail to answer the question asked.
- Too extreme. Words like always, never, and all often mark wrong inference choices.
- Outside knowledge. Answer only from the passage, even if you know more about the topic.
- Half-right answers. One clause matches and another contradicts the passage - reject the whole choice.
Rule of Thumb
Read the question stem first, then the passage with that question in mind. After choosing, find the exact line or sentence that supports your answer. If you cannot point to it, reconsider.
Worked example: A passage describes how a town planted trees along its main street and later saw cooler summer temperatures and more foot traffic. Question: what is the main idea? A choice saying "trees were planted on Main Street" is a true detail, not the main idea. The better answer - "street trees brought measurable benefits to the town" - covers the whole passage.
Always eliminate two choices confidently before deciding between the rest.