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RC Methods

This document provides guidance on analyzing the logical structure of GMAT reading comprehension passages and answering questions about those passages. It outlines common passage structures like examples illustrating a theory, alternative theories explaining a phenomenon, and pro/con arguments. It identifies structural clues like contrasting words and logical conclusion words. It describes common question types like main idea questions and inference questions. Finally, it discusses strategies for reading passages efficiently and analyzing wrong answer choices.

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Anil Nandyala
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70 views

RC Methods

This document provides guidance on analyzing the logical structure of GMAT reading comprehension passages and answering questions about those passages. It outlines common passage structures like examples illustrating a theory, alternative theories explaining a phenomenon, and pro/con arguments. It identifies structural clues like contrasting words and logical conclusion words. It describes common question types like main idea questions and inference questions. Finally, it discusses strategies for reading passages efficiently and analyzing wrong answer choices.

Uploaded by

Anil Nandyala
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Focus on the Passage’s Logical Structure – You will always find the following:

• A theory or idea illustrated by two (or more) detailed examples or illustrations or supported by
two (or more) arguments (the passage might also critique the theory based on the examples or
arguments)
• Two (or more) alternative theories, each of which seeks to explain a certain phenomenon (the
passage might also argue for one theory over another)
• Pro and con arguments presented for both sides of a single issue
• A comparison and/or contrast between two (or more) events, ideas, phenomena, or people
• A cause-and-effect sequence showing how one event led to another (presented either in
chronological order or via “flashback,” with later events described before earlier ones)

Look for Structural Clues or “Triggers”


These words precede an item in a list (e.g., examples, classes, reasons, or characteristics):
• first, second, etc.
• in addition, also, another

These words signal that the author is contrasting two phenomena:


• alternatively, by contrast, however, on the other hand, rather than, while, yet
I am sure the author is very smart to insert this contrast to point to two different ideas/approaches.
Bottom line – expect atleast one question.

These words signal a logical conclusion based upon preceding material:


• consequently, in conclusion, then, thus, therefore, as a result, accordingly
I am sure there will be atleast one question based on this conclusion.

These words signal that the author is comparing (identifying similarities between) two
phenomena:
• similarly, in the same way, analogous, parallel, likewise, just as, also, as

These words signal evidence (factual information) used to support the author’s argument:
• because, since, in light of

These words signal an example of a phenomenon:


• for instance, e.g., such as, . . . is an illustration of

The moment I see them, I skim them as these are just evidence to support the preceding point.

To Preview . . . or Not to Preview


Many GMAT prep books recommend that before reading a passage straight through from
beginning to end, you preview the passage by reading the first (and perhaps the last) sentence of
each paragraph. This technique supposedly provides clues about the scope of the passage, the
author’s thesis or major conclusions, and the structure and flow of the discussion. Although these
techniques make sense in theory, there are several reasons why in practice they are rarely helpful
on the GMAT:
• Once immersed in the passage itself, you’ll quickly forget most if not all of what you learned
from previewing.
• These techniques call for you to read the same material twice. Does that sound efficient to you?
• Previewing takes time—time that you might not be able to afford under timed testing
conditions.
• Previewing involves rapid vertical scrolling, which adds to eye strain.
• While reading the beginning and end of each paragraph may be helpful for some passages, for
others this technique will be of little or no help—and there’s no way to know whether you’re
wasting your time until you’ve already wasted it.

Usually this happens in Supporting Idea/Inference questions. If you can remember and locate the
Triggers then that will be great in answering the question. Please refer the following
1. Type of Questions
2. Top 10 WRONG-ANSWER Ploys

Type of Questions:
1. Simple Recall Questions (or Supporting Idea)
“Which of the following does the author mention as an example of . . .?”
“According to the passage, . . . is caused by . . .?”

2. Recap Questions (Main Idea)


“Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?”
“Among the following characterizations, the passage is best viewed as”
“Which of the following would be the most appropriate title of the passage?”
“The author’s primary purpose in the passage [or “in the third paragraph”] is to”
“The passage [or “the first paragraph”] is primarily concerned with”

3. Restatement Questions
“Which of the following statements about . . . is most strongly supported by the passage’s
information?”
“With which of the following statements about . . . would the author most likely agree?”
“Which of the following best characterizes . . . as viewed by . . .?”

4. Inference Questions
“It can be inferred from the passage that the reason for . . . is that . . .
“The discussion about . . . most reasonably infers which of the following?”
“The author mentions . . . (lines X–X) most probably in order to”
“The example discussed in lines X–X is probably intended to illustrate”

5. Method Questions
“Which of the following best describes the approach of the passage?”
“In the last paragraph (lines X–X), the author proceeds by”
“How does the second paragraph function in relation to the first paragraph?”
“Which of the following most accurately describes the organization of the second paragraph
(lines X–X)?”
“Which of the following techniques is used in the second paragraph (lines X–X)?”

6. Application Questions
“If it were determined that __________, what effect would this fact have on the author’s
assessment of __________ as presented in the passage?”
“Which of the following new discoveries, if it were to occur, would most strongly support the
author’s theory about __________?”
“Which of the following is most analogous to the situation of __________ described in the
passage?”

In dealing with Application questions:


• Be on the lookout for wrong-answer choices that require you to make an inference not
supported by the passage.
• Eliminate answer choices that contradict the author’s main idea or position.
• Eliminate answer choices that distort the passage’s ideas.

7. Logical Continuation Questions


“Which of the following would be the most logical continuation of the passage?”
“The author would probably continue the discussion by”

In dealing with Logical Continuation questions:


• Focus on the operative word (probably the first word) in each answer choice. This can help
you narrow down the choices.

• Be on the lookout for wrong-answer choices that rehash/repeat what’s already been covered in
the passage. Although the discussion is unlikely to reverse course, don’t automatically rule out
this possibility.

TOP 10 WRONG-ANSWER PLOYS


If you read the analysis of each sample question in this chapter carefully, you learned a lot about
how the test makers design wrong-answer choices. Now here’s a review of the types they resort
to most often:
The response distorts the information in the passage.
It might understate, overstate, or twist the passage’s information or the author’s point in
presenting that information.

The response uses information from the passage but does not answer the question.
The information cited from the passage isn’t useful to respond to the question at hand.

The response relies on speculation or an unsupported inference.


It calls for some measure of speculation in that the statement is not readily inferable from the
information given.

The response is contrary to what the passage says.


It contradicts the passage’s information or runs contrary to what the passage implies.

The response gets something in the passage backwards.


It reverses the logic of an idea in the passage, confuses cause with effect, or otherwise turns
information in the passage around.

The response confuses one opinion or position with another.


It incorrectly represents the viewpoint of one person (or group) as that of another.

The response is too narrow or specific.


It focuses on particular information in the passage that is too specific or narrowly focused in
terms of the question posed.

The response is too broad (general).


It embraces information or ideas that are too general or widely focused in terms of the question
posed.

The response relies on information that the passage does not mention.
It brings in information not found anywhere in the passage.

The response is utter nonsense.


It makes almost no logical sense in the context of the question; it’s essentially gibberish.

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL GMAT READING COMPREHENSION:


THE BASICS
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this chapter. To help you assimilate it all, here’s a checklist of
the most salient advice for improving your reading efficiency and comprehension as you read
GMAT passages. Apply them to the Practice Tests in Part VI and then review them again just
before exam day (Peterson Master GMAT 2010):

1. Pause Occasionally to Sum Up and Anticipate


• How would I sum up the discussion to this point?
• At what point is the discussion now?
• What basic points is the author trying to get across in this paragraph? Do these ideas
continue a line of thought or do they begin a new one?
• Where is the discussion likely to go from here?
2. Pay Attention to the Overall Structure of the Passage
3. Look for Structural Clues or “Triggers”
4. Don’t Get Bogged Down in Details
5. Sum Up the Passage After You Read It
6. Don’t Bother Previewing Unless You’re Short on Time
7. Try to Minimize Vertical Scrolling

The Art of Note-Taking and Outlining


Use arrows to physically connect words that signify ideas that link together; for example:
• To clarify cause and effect in the natural sciences or in the context of historical events
• To indicate who was influenced by whom in literature, music, psychology, etc.
• To connect names (philosophers, scientists, authors, etc.) with dates, events, other names,
theories, or schools of thought, works, etc.
• To indicate the chronological order in which historical events occurred.

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