Reading Comprehension of Unseen Passages
What the unseen comprehension section tests
You are given a passage you have not studied and asked for main idea, specific detail, inference, vocabulary in context, reference, and sometimes purpose or tone. The passage is the only evidence; outside knowledge is not required.
Core rules
- Skim first for the topic and the writer's attitude; then scan for names, dates, numbers, and keywords.
- Answer in your own words unless the question says 'quote'.
- For inference, combine two details from the passage; do not add a new fact.
- For vocabulary in context, substitute the word into the sentence and check that the meaning still works.
- For reference, trace pronouns to the nearest sensible noun, not always the nearest noun.
- Match the number of points to the marks: a two-mark question usually needs two separate details.
Worked example
Passage: 'The town council planted 200 saplings along the market road. Within a year, half had died because no one watered them.' Question: 'What does the passage suggest about the council's plan?' Answer: 'The plan was well intentioned but poorly followed up: the saplings were planted, yet the lack of watering shows that maintenance was not arranged.' Reasoning: 'planted' gives the intention; 'no one watered them' gives the failure; the inference is about follow-up, not about the council being cruel.
Traps
- Copying a long sentence instead of answering.
- Giving one detail for a two-mark question.
- Using general knowledge about trees instead of the passage.
- Missing a negative or a contrast word ('but', 'although', 'rarely').