Reading Comprehension

Main Idea:
Look in the first and last paragraphs for the main idea. Any conclusion words
like therefore, thus, so, hence, etc. that you see are most likely introducing the main idea.
The correct answer will say the same thing as it says in the text, but using different words.
The Main Idea is not always stated explicitly in the passage – in fact, more likely than not, it is
not stated explicitly. Therefore, in order to answer this type of question when it is more
implicit:
Re-read the first line of every passage, and the last line of the first and last paragraphs. This
should give you the general structure or outline of the argument, with which you can answer
the Main Idea question.
After determining the general structure or content of the argument, eliminate answer choices
that are too broad or too specific, i.e. answer choices that go beyond the content of the
passage, or that deal with content only discussed in one paragraph of the passage.
Make brief notes – a couple of words- regarding the Main Idea on the text on your scrap
paper while you read.


Primary Purpose:
What is the author trying to do? What is his intention?

Note: A good main idea or primary purpose does not go beyond the scope of the passage,
nor does it limit itself to discussing only one part of the passage.

Detail Questions:
Location is everything, locate the specific corresponding section and answer accordingly.


Organization of the passage questions:
Re-read the first line of every passage, and the last line of the first and last paragraphs. This
should give you the general structure or outline of the argument, with which you can answer
the question.Remember to make brief notes about the structure of the text on your scrap
paper.

Test Strategy:
1) Aggressively read each paragraph for its main idea. If you can’t write down in a few words
what the point of each paragraph is, you weren’t reading actively enough.
2) Note any trigger words, same train of thought words.
3) Always eliminate bad choices first before answering.
4) "According to the passage/author" question type of questions. Whenever you see this
question, tell yourself, "Stop and stop thinking. I need to FIND, not think."
5) For main point or central idea type of questions, re-read the first and last sentences of each
paragraph before making elimination choices and answering. Getting the overall structure is
really helpful before answering.
6) Mostly you can weed out too strong an answer. Use of words like “only”, “definitely”, “p
ositively” or disrepectful words.



Sentence Correction:

Pronouns

Singular and Plural Clause
When two nouns are in the sentence doing an action together but they are linked with
i) Along with
ii) Together with
iii) With
iv) As well as
v) In addition to
vi) Accompanied by

This does not make the following action they do plural. Only “AND” can take the
two singulars and make their action plural.

Singular Pronouns (Memorize these)
It’s SANE to memorize this
Some---
Any—
No—
Every—

Relative pronouns are often used incorrectly today.
1) Referring to things or animals – that, which
2) Referring to people—who, whom
3) They – be careful that you don’t use this unless you’re positive there is a referring
noun.

Compound Subject
In compound subject joined by 'OR', the verb matches the closer part of subject.
1. Every day Joy or Clara rides the subway to work.
Here rides is Clara is singular and hence merits singular verb rides.
2. Every day Joy or Clara's sisters ride the subway to work.
Clara's sisters is plural and hence plural verb ride.


Test Strategy
1) Avoid Passive voice
2) Avoid Redundancy, shorter is better
3) 'Being' - Don't choose answers with 'being', 'thing'
4) Read answers back into sentences - very useful strategy