Reading comprehension function
60 flashcards covering Reading comprehension function for the GMAT Verbal section.
Reading comprehension is the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages effectively. It involves identifying main ideas, supporting details, the author's purpose, and any implied meanings or inferences. For someone new to this, think of it as actively engaging with text to extract key information and draw logical conclusions, much like summarizing a news article or evaluating an argument in a book. This skill is essential for the GMAT because it tests your capacity to handle complex information quickly and accurately, which is vital for business school success.
On the GMAT Verbal section, reading comprehension appears in questions based on 200-300 word passages from various subjects like science, history, or business. Question types include main idea, detail, inference, and application, often with multiple-choice formats that require precise answers. Common traps involve misreading the passage, falling for partially correct options, or overlooking subtle tone shifts, so stay alert to context. Focus on practicing active reading, such as underlining key phrases, to improve accuracy and speed.
A concrete tip: Always read the questions first to guide your focus on the passage.
Terms (60)
- 01
Main Idea
The central point or thesis of a reading passage, which encompasses the author's primary argument or focus and is often implied or stated directly.
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Primary Purpose
The overall goal of the author in writing the passage, such as to inform, persuade, analyze, or critique, which helps in understanding the passage's intent.
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Supporting Details
Specific facts, examples, or evidence in the passage that back up the main idea, providing necessary context without introducing new central arguments.
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Inference
A logical conclusion drawn from the passage that is not directly stated but can be reasonably deduced from the information provided.
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Implication
A subtle suggestion or consequence in the passage that arises from the author's words, requiring readers to read between the lines.
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Author's Tone
The attitude or emotion conveyed by the author toward the subject, such as neutral, critical, or enthusiastic, which influences interpretation.
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Passage Structure
The organization of the passage, including introduction, body, and conclusion, which reveals how ideas are presented and connected.
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Compare and Contrast
A structure where the passage highlights similarities and differences between ideas, events, or entities to emphasize distinctions or parallels.
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Cause and Effect
A relationship in the passage where one event or factor leads to another, helping to explain reasons or outcomes described.
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Problem-Solution
A framework in the passage that identifies an issue and proposes ways to address it, common in analytical or argumentative texts.
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Global Questions
Questions that ask about the passage as a whole, such as the main idea or primary purpose, requiring an overview rather than specific details.
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Detail Questions
Questions that focus on specific information from the passage, like facts or examples, demanding accurate recall and reference.
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Inference Questions
Questions that require deducing unstated information based on the passage, testing logical reasoning skills.
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Application Questions
Questions that apply ideas from the passage to new contexts or scenarios, assessing the ability to extend concepts.
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Evaluation Questions
Questions that ask to assess the strengths, weaknesses, or implications of arguments in the passage, promoting critical analysis.
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Strengthen the Argument
Elements in the passage that bolster the author's claim, such as additional evidence or logical support, often examined in questions.
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Weaken the Argument
Flaws or counterpoints in the passage that undermine the author's position, which questions might ask to identify.
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Assumptions
Unstated beliefs or premises in the passage that the author relies on, which are crucial for understanding potential gaps in reasoning.
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Counterarguments
Opposing viewpoints presented or implied in the passage, used to acknowledge alternatives and strengthen the main argument.
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Evidence
Data, examples, or references in the passage that support claims, essential for evaluating the validity of arguments.
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Examples
Illustrative instances in the passage that clarify abstract concepts, making ideas more relatable and understandable.
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Analogies
Comparisons in the passage that draw parallels between unfamiliar concepts and familiar ones to aid comprehension.
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Hypotheticals
Scenario-based elements in the passage that explore what-if situations, testing predictive or conditional reasoning.
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Skimming Strategy
A technique to quickly read the passage for its overall structure and main points, saving time for detailed questions later.
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Identifying Keywords
Spotting important words or phrases in the passage that signal main ideas, contrasts, or evidence, enhancing focus.
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Paraphrasing
Restating passage content in your own words to ensure understanding and avoid misinterpretation of complex ideas.
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Out-of-Scope Answers
Distracting options in questions that introduce information not present in the passage, a common trap to avoid.
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Function of a Sentence
The role a specific sentence plays in the passage, such as introducing a topic or providing evidence, analyzed in detailed questions.
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Function of a Paragraph
The purpose a paragraph serves in the overall passage, like developing an argument or presenting a counterpoint.
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Transition Words
Words or phrases that connect ideas in the passage, such as 'however' or 'therefore', indicating relationships between sentences.
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Author's Perspective
The viewpoint or stance the author takes on the topic, which may include biases that affect the interpretation of the content.
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Bias in Passages
Any prejudice or favoritism evident in the author's presentation, which can influence how arguments are perceived.
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Logical Flow
The sequence of ideas in the passage and how they build upon each other, essential for following the author's reasoning.
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Summarizing a Passage
Condensing the key points of the passage into a brief overview, a skill for answering global questions effectively.
- 35
Predicting Answers
Anticipating possible answers based on the passage before looking at options, to guide selection and avoid traps.
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Process of Elimination
Systematically ruling out incorrect answer choices by checking against the passage, improving accuracy in questions.
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Time Management in RC
Allocating appropriate time to read and answer questions, such as spending less time on initial reading to leave room for analysis.
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Science Passages
Passages on scientific topics that require understanding concepts like experiments or theories, common in GMAT and demanding logical analysis.
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Business Passages
Passages discussing management, economics, or strategies, where identifying implications for real-world applications is key.
- 40
Drawing Conclusions
Forming final judgments based on the passage's evidence, a step in inference questions that must align with the text.
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Rhetorical Questions
Questions posed in the passage not for answers but to emphasize points, which can mislead if taken literally.
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Contradictions
Instances where the passage presents conflicting ideas, signaling areas for critical evaluation.
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Generalizations
Broad statements in the passage that may require caution, as they could be based on limited evidence.
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Specificity in Details
The level of precision in passage details, which helps distinguish between accurate and exaggerated claims.
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Contextual Meaning
The interpretation of words or phrases based on their surrounding text, preventing misreading of ambiguous terms.
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Passage Tone Shifts
Changes in the author's attitude within the passage, indicating evolving arguments or emphasis.
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Supporting Evidence Types
Categories of evidence like statistics or anecdotes used in passages, each serving different persuasive functions.
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Implied Contrasts
Subtle differences highlighted in the passage without direct statements, requiring careful reading.
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Question Stem Analysis
Breaking down the wording of a question to understand what it's asking, such as 'primarily concerned with' for main ideas.
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Avoiding Personal Bias
Ensuring answers are based solely on the passage, not one's own opinions, to select correct choices.
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Multiple Perspectives
When a passage presents various viewpoints, requiring identification of the author's favored one.
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Key Phrases for Inferences
Words like 'suggests' or 'implies' that signal the need for drawing conclusions from the text.
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Passage Mapping
Mentally outlining the passage's structure, such as noting topic sentences, to navigate questions efficiently.
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Common RC Traps
Errors like selecting answers that are true but not correct for the question, often due to partial matches.
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Evaluating Arguments
Assessing the logic and validity of claims in the passage, looking for soundness in reasoning.
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Interpreting Data
Understanding how charts or figures in passages support arguments, if present, for integrated questions.
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Synthesizing Information
Combining details from different parts of the passage to answer comprehensive questions.
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Nuance in Language
Subtle shades of meaning in words that can alter interpretations, crucial for advanced inference tasks.
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Passage Conclusions
The final thoughts or summaries in the passage that reinforce the main idea or provide closure.
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Strategic Guessing
Making educated guesses by eliminating unlikely options, based on partial understanding of the passage.