Reading Informational Text
Reading Informational Text
This domain tests how well you read nonfiction: central idea and its development, text structure, author's purpose and perspective, argument and evidence, and how features such as headings, graphs, and captions add meaning. Grade 7 items often ask you to choose the best summary, explain the role of a detail, or judge whether evidence actually supports a claim.
Central idea and summary
The central idea is the main point the whole text develops-not the topic and not a single detail. It may be stated in the introduction or conclusion, or implied. An objective summary states the central idea plus the key details that develop it, in neutral language, with no personal opinion.
Structure and purpose
Common structures are chronological, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution, and description. Structure is chosen to serve purpose. An author may inform, explain, persuade, or entertain; perspective is the stance or viewpoint shaped by background and experience. Signal words-therefore, in contrast, as a result, for instance-reveal the structure.
Argument
A claim is the position; reasons explain why; evidence supports the reasons. Strong evidence is relevant (on topic), sufficient (enough), and credible (from a trustworthy source). A counterclaim names the opposing view; a rebuttal answers it. Watch for loaded language, exaggeration, and opinion presented as fact.
Features
Headings organize; captions explain visuals; graphs and charts present data; bulleted lists emphasize key points. Ask what each feature adds that the paragraphs alone do not.
Worked example
Text: “After the district moved middle school start times to 8:45 a.m., absences fell 8 percent and tardies dropped by a third.” Question: What role does this sentence play? Reasoning: the numbers are evidence, and the sentence supports a claim about later start times producing measurable benefits. It is not a counterclaim, because it does not oppose the change; it is not an opinion, because the figures can be checked.
Traps
- Choosing a central idea that is too broad or too narrow.
- Confusing the topic with the author's purpose.
- Accepting a statistic that is interesting but irrelevant to the claim.
- Treating a counterclaim as the author's own position.
- Missing how a graph or caption qualifies the paragraph.