OAT Reading Comprehension key terms

The central point a passage is built to convey about its topic. It is broader than any single detail and is usually stated or implied in the opening or closing sentences.

The subject a passage is about, expressible in a short phrase. It answers what the text concerns, while the main idea answers what the author claims about that subject.

The controlling claim of an argumentative or expository passage, often stated early and then defended. It differs from a topic sentence, which governs only one paragraph.

The sentence that announces the point of a single paragraph, usually placed first. It guides the reader through that paragraph's evidence rather than the whole passage.

A fact, example, statistic, or reason offered to explain or prove a broader claim. Details answer why or how, while the main idea answers what the author wants you to accept.

A conclusion drawn from stated information plus reasonable assumptions rather than from an explicit sentence. Valid inferences must be tightly supported by the text, not merely plausible in real life.

A meaning a passage suggests without stating directly, often signaled by tone or word choice. Questions about implication ask what the author leaves unsaid but expects the reader to grasp.

Information stated outright in the text, requiring no inference. Recognizing explicit content prevents overreading and helps eliminate answer choices that go beyond what is written.

Specific words, phrases, or sentences in a passage that justify an answer. Strong evidence can be pointed to directly and is the standard for defending a chosen option.

The reason a writer produced a text, such as to inform, persuade, entertain, or instruct. Purpose shapes structure and tone and is often tested by asking why a detail was included.

The attitude a writer conveys toward the subject or audience, detectable through word choice and sentence style. Tone may be critical, admiring, neutral, or skeptical without being stated.

The emotional atmosphere a passage creates in the reader, distinct from the author's own attitude. Setting details and imagery often establish mood more than argument does.

The associations and emotional shading a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Words like thrifty and stingy share denotation but differ sharply in connotation.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, independent of emotional associations. Reading questions sometimes hinge on the gap between a word's denotation and what the author intends.

Surrounding text that helps a reader determine an unfamiliar word's meaning. Clues include definitions, examples, contrasts, and restatements placed near the difficult term.

Determining a word's intended meaning from how it is used in a passage, since many words have several senses. The tested meaning may differ from the most common dictionary definition.

A connective such as however, therefore, or similarly that signals the logical relationship between ideas. Transitions reveal contrast, cause, addition, or sequence and guide passage structure.

Any word or phrase alerting the reader to an upcoming shift, emphasis, or example. Examples include but, in fact, for instance, and as a result.

The organizing pattern of a passage, such as cause-effect, comparison-contrast, chronological, or problem-solution. Recognizing structure helps locate main ideas and predict where evidence appears.

The role a paragraph plays in the whole passage, such as introducing, illustrating, countering, or concluding. Function questions ask what a paragraph does, not merely what it says.

The distinction between statements that can be verified and statements expressing judgment or belief. Passages often blend both, and questions test whether a claim is provable or evaluative.

A slant or partiality in presentation, shown by selective evidence, loaded language, or omitted viewpoints. Detecting bias requires comparing what is emphasized with what is left out.

A set of claims in which reasons are offered to support a conclusion. A good argument links evidence to the conclusion through logic, not through assertion alone.

A stated reason or assumption on which an argument rests. Premises supply the support; the conclusion is what the author wants accepted because of them.

The claim an argument is designed to establish, often flagged by therefore or thus. It is the point that depends on the premises rather than supporting them.

An unstated belief an argument needs in order to work. Identifying assumptions is central to evaluating whether reasoning is complete or leaves a gap.

An error in reasoning that weakens an argument, such as hasty generalization or false cause. Flaw questions ask what is wrong with how the evidence supports the conclusion.

Data, examples, testimony, or research used to support a claim. Strong evidence is relevant, sufficient, and credible rather than merely vivid or emotionally appealing.

A structure that examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It may be organized subject by subject or point by point, and questions often test which item has a given trait.

A comparison used to explain an unfamiliar idea by likening it to a familiar one. Analogies illustrate rather than prove, so they can clarify a claim without establishing its truth.

A deliberate technique a writer uses to persuade or engage, such as anecdote, repetition, or appeal to authority. Naming the strategy helps explain how the passage achieves its effect.

The order in which events or steps are presented, often chronological or procedural. Sequence questions ask what happened first, next, or as a consequence of an earlier step.

A relationship in which one condition produces another. Passages may state causes directly or imply them, and questions test whether a reader can trace which factor produced which outcome.

A condensed restatement of a passage's central points in the reader's own words. A good summary captures the main idea and key support while dropping minor examples and repetition.

Restating a specific idea or sentence in different words while preserving its meaning. Paraphrasing tests comprehension and avoids relying on the author's exact phrasing.

The boundaries of what a passage covers, including time period, population, or level of generality. Answer choices that exceed the passage's scope are usually incorrect.

How quickly a candidate moves through a passage while retaining comprehension. Effective test takers adjust rate, skimming for structure on first pass and slowing for dense or question-relevant sections.

Reading quickly for gist and structure by focusing on opening sentences, headings, and transitions. Skimming precedes detailed reading and helps a candidate locate where answers are likely to appear.

Searching a passage rapidly for specific information such as a name, date, or keyword. Scanning is used after reading a question to return efficiently to relevant lines.

The strategy of removing clearly wrong answer choices to improve the odds among the rest. It relies on spotting choices that contradict the passage, exceed its scope, or answer a different question.

An incorrect answer choice designed to seem attractive, often by repeating passage wording or stating a true but irrelevant fact. Recognizing distractor patterns speeds up elimination.