Reading comprehension (longer passages and information retrieval)
Longer passages and information retrieval test sustained reading across connected paragraphs and practical documents such as schedules, brochures, emails, and charts. Questions ask for detail, inference, sequence, and cross-text matching.
Core rules
- Questions usually follow passage order; answer as you read rather than rereading everything.
- For retrieval tasks, locate the section by heading, date, or keyword, then compare every condition.
- Separate stated fact from inference; an inference must be a small step from evidence in the text.
- In tables and charts, read row labels, column labels, and units before choosing.
- Track referents across sentences: this, they, such, the former.
Worked example
A school notice says: 'The essay contest deadline is June 10. Entries must be typed and submitted to the library desk. Late entries are not accepted. The winner will read the essay at the July 5 assembly.' Question: What must a student do by June 10? A Read at the assembly, B Type and submit to the library desk, C Win the contest, D Visit the library on July 5. Reasoning: June 10 is the deadline; 'entries must be typed and submitted to the library desk' states the requirement. Reading at the assembly is a July 5 event for the winner only. Answer B.
Traps
- Choosing an option that is mentioned but not tied to the question's date or person.
- Missing must, may, or not.
- Mixing information from two documents.
- Ignoring units, times, or conditions in schedules.
Exam habit
Underline the exact condition words in the question before scanning, and check each option against the text rather than against memory.