Reading comprehension

1. Concept building & Types of
questions
Reading Comprehension

2. Precursor Ideas
• Conventions of Academic Writing
 Introductory paragraph;
 Thesis sentence;
 Body paragraphs;
 Conclusion
• Topic sentence
• Props
• Skimming
• Key words search
• Scanning

3. Reading Comprehension Question
Types
There are about seven question types.
1. Main Idea 5. Passage Structure
2. Supporting Idea 6. Application
3. Inference 7. Logical Reasoning
4. Tone & Style
Although there is by no means a hard-and-fast rule about the difficulty of
the questions that fall into each category, questions in the main idea
category tend to be easier while questions in the inference and
application categories tend to be more difficult. Questions about the
author's tone tend to appear less frequently than other questions

4. 1. Main Idea
Main idea questions ask you to identify the "primary purpose" or "main point" of the
passage. In order to answer these questions correctly, you must be able to identify
the THESIS of the passage and those ideas that support this thesis.
Common Question Stems
Which of the following most accurately states the MAIN IDEA of the passage?
The primary purpose of the passage is to
The passage is primarily concerned with which of the following?
The author of this passage is primarily concerned with
The main point made by the passage is that
How to Identify Correct Answer
Main point questions ask you to identify the crux of the author's point. You
must identify which ideas in the passage play a SUPPORTING ROLE and
which idea is BEING SUPPORTED.

5. Identify the main idea
When one hears the term "reality" applied to a show, one might
expect that the events portrayed occurred naturally or, at the least,
were not scripted. This is not always the case. Many reality shows
occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied by
film crews. Such living environments do not reflect what most
people understand to be "reality." Worse, there have been
accusations that events not captured on film were later restaged
by producers. Worse still, some involved in the production of
"reality" television claim that the participants were urged to act out
story lines premeditated by producers. With such accusations
floating around, it's no wonder many people take reality TV to be
about as real as the sitcom.

6. Identify the main idea
When one hears the term "reality" applied to a show, one might
expect that the events portrayed occurred naturally or, at the least,
were not scripted. This is not always the case. Many reality shows
occur in unreal environments, like rented mansions occupied by
film crews. Such living environments do not reflect what most
people understand to be "reality." Worse, there have been
accusations that events not captured on film were later restaged
by producers. Worse still, some involved in the production of
"reality" television claim that the participants were urged to act out
story lines premeditated by producers. With such accusations
floating around, it's no wonder many people take reality TV to be
about as real as the sitcom.
Reality TV shows are not always real.

7. Whether you can accomplish a specific goal or meet a
specific deadline depends first on how much time you
need to get the job done. What should you do when the
demands of the job exceed the time you have available?
The best approach is to divide the project into smaller
pieces. Different goals will have to be divided in different
ways, but one seemingly unrealistic goal can often be
accomplished by working on several smaller, more
reasonable goals.
Q: The main idea of the passage is that
a. jobs often remain only partially completed because of
lack of time.
b. the best way to complete projects is to make sure
your goals are achievable.
c. the best way to tackle a large project is to separate it
into smaller parts.

8. Solution
Whether you can accomplish a specific goal or meet a
specific deadline depends first on how much time you
need to get the job done. What should you do when the
demands of the job exceed the time you have available?
The best approach is to divide the project into smaller
pieces. Different goals will have to be divided in different
ways, but one seemingly unrealistic goal can often be
accomplished by working on several smaller, more
reasonable goals.
Q: The main idea of the passage is that
a. jobs often remain only partially completed because of
lack of time.
b. the best way to complete projects is to make sure your
goals are achievable.
c. the best way to tackle a large project is to separate it into
smaller parts.
d. the best approach to a demanding job is to delegate
responsibility.

9. Explanation
The third sentence is the main idea. It is a
general idea that answers the only question
posed in the passage. The other choices are not
in the passage.

10. Health clubs have undergone a major transformation
that can be described in three words: mind, body, and
spirit. Loud, fast, heart thumping aerobics has been
replaced by the hushed tones of yoga and the controlled
movements of Pilates. The clubs are responding to the
needs of their customers who are increasingly looking
for a retreat from their hectic lifestyles and a way to find
a healthy balance in their lives by nurturing their whole
selves.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. exercise is less important now than it once was.
b. health clubs are much less popular now than they
were ten years ago.
c. many health clubs will go out of business because of
the decline in traditional exercise.
d. people’s desire to nurture all aspects of themselves
has contributed to big changes for health clubs.

11. Solution
Health clubs have undergone a major transformation that
can be described in three words: mind, body, and spirit.
Loud, fast, heart thumping aerobics has been replaced by
the hushed tones of yoga and the controlled movements of
Pilates. The clubs are responding to the needs of their
customers who are increasingly looking for a retreat from
their hectic lifestyles and a way to find a healthy balance in
their lives by nurturing their whole selves.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. exercise is less important now than it once was.
b. health clubs are much less popular now than they
were ten years ago.
c. many health clubs will go out of business because of
the decline in traditional exercise.
d. people’s desire to nurture all aspects of themselves
has contributed to big changes for health clubs.

12. Explanation
 The passage states that health clubs have
undergone a major transformation due to people’s
interest in taking care of their minds, bodies, and
spirits. Choice “a” is incorrect because the
paragraph doesn’t say exercise is less important.
It simply says the focus and type of exercise have
changed. Choices “b” and “c” are not supported
by the paragraph.

13. For most judges, sentencing a person who has been
convicted of a crime is a difficult decision. In the
majority of jurisdictions throughout the country, judges
have few sentencing options from which to choose.
Generally, their options are confined to a fine,
probation, or incarceration. Crimes, however, cover a
wide spectrum of criminal behavior and motivation,
and a wide variety of sanctions should be available.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. there should be laws that dictate which sentence a
judge should hand down.
b. someone other than a judge should be allowed to
sentence a criminal.
c. judges should be given more sentencing options
from which to choose.
d. more money should be spent on the criminal
justice system.

14. Solution
For most judges, sentencing a person who has been
convicted of a crime is a difficult decision. In the majority of
jurisdictions throughout the country, judges have few
sentencing options from which to choose. Generally, their
options are confined to a fine, probation, or incarceration.
Crimes, however, cover a wide spectrum of criminal
behavior and motivation, and a wide variety of sanctions
should be available.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. there should be laws that dictate which sentence a
judge should hand down.
b. someone other than a judge should be allowed to
sentence a criminal.
c. judges should be given more sentencing options from
which to choose.
d. more money should be spent on the criminal justice
system.

15. Explanation
This choice is closely related to all three
sentences of the passage. Choice a is
contradicted in the passage. Choices b and d are
not in the passage.

16. Managing job and family is not simple. Both
commitments make strong demands on people and are
sometimes in direct opposition to each other. Saying yes
to one means saying no to the other, and stress can
often result. Being realistic and creating a balance in life
can help set priorities.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. most family responsibilities cause stress at home
and at work.
b. because it pays the bills, a job must take priority
over other commitments.
c. it is important to have a balance between job and
family responsibilities.
d. because they are so important, family duties must
take priority over the job.

17. Solution
Managing job and family is not simple. Both commitments
make strong demands on people and are sometimes in
direct opposition to each other. Saying yes to one means
saying no to the other, and stress can often result. Being
realistic and creating a balance in life can help set
priorities.
Q: The main idea of the paragraph is that
a. most family responsibilities cause stress at home and
at work.
b. because it pays the bills, a job must take priority over
other commitments.
c. it is important to have a balance between job and
family responsibilities.
d. because they are so important, family duties must take
priority over the job.

18. Explanation
This idea is expressed in the final sentence and
wraps up the passage, speaking of the
importance of creating a balance. The other
choices are not in the passage.

19. 2. Supporting Idea
These questions tend to be more difficult than main idea questions because they
require a more detailed recollection of the test.
These questions tend to incorporate an idea specific to the passage in the question
stem.
Common Question Stems
1. According to the passage, a questionable assumption about x is that
2. The passage states that x occurs because
3. According to the passage, which of the following is true of x
4. The passage mentions each of the following EXCEPT
5. According to the passage, if x occurs then
How to Identify Correct Answer
In trying to identify the correct answer, it is extremely important that you STICK
QUITE CLOSE TO THE TEXT. The words "according to the passage" should
be taken seriously. Answers that seem logical but are not directly supported by
the text should be avoided.

20. Identify the supporting idea
Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by many African Americans from December 26 to
January 1. It pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of Americans of African ancestry,
and celebrates family, community, and culture.Kwanzaa means the first or the first
fruits of the harvest and is based on the ancient African first-fruit harvest
celebrations. The modern holiday of Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr.Maulana
Karenga, a professor at the California State University in Long Beach, California.
The seven-day celebration encourages people to think about their African roots as
well as their life in present-day America. The seven fundamental principles on
which Kwanzaa is based are referred to as the Nguzo Saba. These rules consist
of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative
economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Participants celebrate by performing
rituals such as lighting the kinara. The kinara is symbolic of the continental
Africans. Each of its seven candles represents a distinct principle beginning with
unity, the black center candle. Talking with family, drumming, singing, and dancing
are all part of the celebration activities.
According to the passage, Kwanzaa is celebrated by all of the following EXCEPT
a. drumming and rituals. b. dancing and singing.
c. dialogue. d. solitude and silence.

21. Identify the supporting idea
Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by many African Americans from December 26 to
January 1. It pays tribute to the rich cultural roots of Americans of African ancestry,
and celebrates family, community, and culture.Kwanzaa means the first or the first
fruits of the harvest and is based on the ancient African first-fruit harvest
celebrations. The modern holiday of Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr.Maulana
Karenga, a professor at the California State University in Long Beach, California.
The seven-day celebration encourages people to think about their African roots as
well as their life in present-day America. The seven fundamental principles on
which Kwanzaa is based are referred to as the Nguzo Saba. These rules consist
of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative
economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Participants celebrate by performing
rituals such as lighting the kinara. The kinara is symbolic of the continental
Africans. Each of its seven candles represents a distinct principle beginning with
unity, the black center candle. Talking with family, drumming, singing, and dancing
are all part of the celebration activities.
According to the passage, Kwanzaa is celebrated by all of the following EXCEPT
a. drumming and rituals. b. dancing and singing.
c. dialogue. d. solitude and silence.

22. The city will be enforcing winter parking rules from December
1 through March 31, according to City Street Manager Joseph
Parks. This includes alternate-side parking regulations, as well
as tow-away zones and handicap exceptions. Cars are to be
parked on the south and east sides of streets between the
hours of 8 a.m. and midnight; and on the north and west sides
of streets between midnight and 8 a.m. This is to permit snow
plows and emergency vehicles access to all neighborhoods,
as well as to keep rush-hour traffic to a minimum. Vehicles that
do not follow these guidelines will be towed at the owner’s
expense, Parks said, with the exception of those vehicles
displaying handicapped parking permits.
Q: Which of the following is NOT a reason for these parking
regulations to be followed?
a. They prevent excessive traffic.
b. It’s good for the cars to be moved frequently in cold
weather.
c. It allows snow plows to get through.
d. They enable emergency vehicles to gain access to all

23. Solution
The city will be enforcing winter parking rules from December 1
through March 31, according to City Street Manager Joseph
Parks. This includes alternate-side parking regulations, as well
as tow-away zones and handicap exceptions. Cars are to be
parked on the south and east sides of streets between the hours
of 8 a.m. and midnight; and on the north and west sides of
streets between midnight and 8 a.m. This is to permit snow
plows and emergency vehicles access to all neighborhoods, as
well as to keep rush-hour traffic to a minimum. Vehicles that do
not follow these guidelines will be towed at the owner’s expense,
Parks said, with the exception of those vehicles displaying
handicapped parking permits.
Q: Which of the following is NOT a reason for these parking
regulations to be followed?
a. They prevent excessive traffic.
b. It’s good for the cars to be moved frequently in cold weather.
c. It allows snow plows to get through.
d. They enable emergency vehicles to gain access to all
neighborhoods.

24. Explanation
All of the reasons are given in the passage
except choice b. No mention is made of whether
or not it’s good for the cars.

25. One of the missions of the Peace Corps is to help
the people of interested countries meet their need for
trained men and women. People who work for the
Peace Corps do so because they want to, but to
keep the agency dynamic with fresh ideas, no staff
member can work for the agency for more than five
years.
Q: The paragraph best supports the statement that
Peace Corps employees
a. are highly intelligent people.
b. must train for about five years.
c. have both academic and work experience.
d. are hired for a limited term of employment.

26. Explanation
See the final sentence of the passage. The other
choices might be true but are not in the passage.

27. In criminal cases, the availability of readable fingerprints
is often critical in establishing evidence of a major crime. It
is necessary, therefore, to follow proper procedures when
taking fingerprints. In major cases, prints should be
obtained from all persons who may have touched areas
associated with a crime scene, for elimination purposes.
Q: The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. no crimes can be solved without readable fingerprints.
b. all persons who have touched an area in a crime
scene are suspects.
c. all fingerprints found at a crime scene are used in court
as evidence.
d. all persons who have touched a crime-scene area
should be fingerprinted.

28. Solution
In criminal cases, the availability of readable fingerprints is
often critical in establishing evidence of a major crime. It is
necessary, therefore, to follow proper procedures when
taking fingerprints. In major cases, prints should be
obtained from all persons who may have touched areas
associated with a crime scene, for elimination purposes.
Q: The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. no crimes can be solved without readable fingerprints.
b. all persons who have touched an area in a crime scene
are suspects.
c. all fingerprints found at a crime scene are used in court
as evidence.
d. all persons who have touched a crime-scene area
should be fingerprinted.

29. Explanation
This is stated in the final paragraph. The other
choices are not reflected in the passage.

30. 3. Inference
In some ways, inference and supporting idea questions are similar. However,
inference questions tend to go a tad further and ask you to make a very small
LOGICAL CONCLUSION that is strongly IMPLIED based upon information in the
passage. Answer choices that require significant assumptions or inferences will
NEVER be correct. In inference questions, the answer lies directly in the text
and requires a very small logical step (e.g., if the text says that "all the cups in
the room are red", an inference would be that "there are no green cups in the
room").
Common Question Stems
1. The passage implies that which of the following was true of x
2. It can be inferred from the passage that
3. The passage suggests which of the following about x
4. The author implies that x occurred because
5. The author implies that all of the following statements about x are true
EXCEPT
How to Identify Correct Answer
The correct answer to these questions is usually an obvious logical
consequence of a sentence in the text.

31. Find the inference
An increase in the level of serotonin levels in the human body is known to
significantly enhance the mood of the person and in some cases, help people
overcome depression. Serotonin taken orally does not pass into the pathways of
the central nervous system, because it does not cross the blood–brain barrier.
However, tryptophan and its metabolite 5-hydroxytryptophan (5- HTP), from which
serotonin is synthesized, does cross the blood–brain barrier. These agents are
available as dietary supplements, and may be effective serotonergic agents.
Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements above?
a. Individuals who do not consume enough tryptophan can develop depressive
tendencies
b. Individuals who do not consume tryptophan can metabolize enough serotonin
and run the risk of depression
c. Consumption of serotonin laced foods can help cure depression in some cases
d. Tryptophan is an effective agent that can help cure depression in some cases

32. Solution
An increase in the level of serotonin levels in the human body is known
to significantly enhance the mood of the person and in some cases,
help people overcome depression. Serotonin taken orally does not
pass into the pathways of the central nervous system, because it does
not cross the blood–brain barrier. However, tryptophan and its
metabolite 5-hydroxytryptophan (5- HTP), from which serotonin is
synthesized, does cross the blood–brain barrier. These agents are
available as dietary supplements, and may be effective serotonergic
agents.
Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements
above?
a. Individuals who do not consume enough tryptophan can develop
depressive tendencies
b. Individuals who do not consume tryptophan can metabolize enough
serotonin and run the risk of depression
c. Consumption of serotonin laced foods can help cure depression in

33. Daylilies are a beautiful perennial flower that can brighten up
any yard or landscape. They are tolerant of drought and
flooding, immune to heat stress, and grow well in full sun or
light shade. They are the perfect choice for just about any soil
or climate condition.
Different varieties of daylilies can be in bloom from late
spring until autumn. Individual flowers last only one day, but
each plant produces many buds, and many varieties have
more than one flowering period.
Daylilies grow best in soil that is slightly acidic, and they
prefer either direct sunshine or light shade. The best time to
plant them is in the early fall or early spring, but they are
hardy enough to endure planting or transplanting at almost
any time of year. They should be planted 18 to 24 inches
apart, and the bulb should be no deeper than one inch below
the soil’s surface.
Q: You could infer from this passage that these flowers are
called daylilies because
a. they only bloom in the daytime.
b. the blooms last for one day.
c. they look like real lilies, but aren’t.

34. Solution
Daylilies are a beautiful perennial flower that can brighten up any
yard or landscape. They are tolerant of drought and flooding,
immune to heat stress, and grow well in full sun or light shade. They
are the perfect choice for just about any soil or climate condition.
Different varieties of daylilies can be in bloom from late spring until
autumn. Individual flowers last only one day, but each plant
produces many buds, and many varieties have more than one
flowering period.
Daylilies grow best in soil that is slightly acidic, and they prefer
either direct sunshine or light shade. The best time to plant them is
in the early fall or early spring, but they are hardy enough to endure
planting or transplanting at almost any time of year. They should be
planted 18 to 24 inches apart, and the bulb should be no deeper
than one inch below the soil’s surface.
Q: You could infer from this passage that these flowers are called
daylilies because
a. they only bloom in the daytime.
b. the blooms last for one day.
c. they look like real lilies, but aren’t.
d. Charles Day developed the hybrid.

35. Explanation
The passage does not state how daylilies got
their name, but it does state that the blooms last
one day. The reader might infer from this that it’s
also the reason that they’re called daylilies.

36. The crystal clear, blue water and the magnificent sun make the
Caribbean island of Saint Maarten a favorite vacation spot, one that
is popular with North Americans during their winter holidays from
December through March, as well as with South Americans and
Europeans from April through August. The French and Dutch settled
on the island in the 1600s, and to this day, the island is divided
between the two of them. The French capital is Marigot; the Dutch
capital is Philipsburg.
Tourists soon discover that St. Maarten has an intriguing history.
Ancient artifacts found on the island date back to the Stone Age,
6,000 years ago! Tourists also learn that 1,200 years ago the Arawak
Indians inhabited all the islands of the West Indies and were a
peaceful people living under the guidance of their chiefs. Three
hundred years after the Arawaks first arrived on St. Maarten, in the
1300s, they were defeated and forced to abandon the island by a
hostile tribe of Indians originating in South America. This new tribe
was called the Carib. The Caribbean Sea was named after them.
Unlike the Arawaks, they had no permanent chiefs or leaders, except
in times of strife. And they were extremely warlike. Worse, they were
cannibalistic, eating the enemy warriors they captured. In fact, the
very word cannibal comes from the Spanish name for the Carib

37. One can infer from the passage that
the underlined word strife means
a. cannibalism.
b. war.
c. duty-free.
d. chief.

38. One can infer from the passage that
the underlined word strife means
a. cannibalism.
b. war.
c. duty-free.
d. chief.
Explanation:
Strife means war. Choice c refers to the products
one can buy on the modern St. Maarten. Choice
d makes no sense since the time of strife is when
the tribe allowed a chief to be chosen. Choice a is
not mentioned in conjunction with being warlike or
with strife; it is added as another characteristic.

39. Moscow has a history of chaotic periods of war that
ended with the destruction of a once largely wooden city
and the building of a new city on top of the rubble of the
old. The result is a layered city, with each tier holding
information about a part of Russia’s past. In some areas
of the city, archaeologists have reached the layer from
1147, the year of Moscow’s founding. Among the findings
from the various periods of Moscow’s history are carved
bones, metal tools, pottery, glass, jewelry, and crosses.
Q: From the passage, the reader can infer that
a. the people of Moscow are more interested in
modernization than in preservation.
b. the Soviet government destroyed many of the historic
buildings in Russia.
c. Moscow is the oldest large city in Russia, founded in
1147.
d. Moscow has a history of invasions, with each new
conqueror razing past structures.

40. Solution
Moscow has a history of chaotic periods of war that ended with
the destruction of a once largely wooden city and the building of
a new city on top of the rubble of the old. The result is a layered
city, with each tier holding information about a part of Russia’s
past. In some areas of the city, archaeologists have reached the
layer from 1147, the year of Moscow’s founding. Among the
findings from the various periods of Moscow’s history are carved
bones, metal tools, pottery, glass, jewelry, and crosses.
Q: From the passage, the reader can infer that
a. the people of Moscow are more interested in modernization
than in preservation.
b. the Soviet government destroyed many of the historic
buildings in Russia.
c. Moscow is the oldest large city in Russia, founded in 1147.
d. Moscow has a history of invasions, with each new conqueror
razing past structures.

41. Explanation
Choice d is the most accurate conclusion
because the first sentence speaks of periods of
war. The other choices, whether true or false, are
not addressed in the selection.

42. 4 Tone & Style
Tone questions ask you to identify the attitude or mood of a specific part of the
passage or of the entire passage. A common characteristic of this question type is
answer choices that are marked by one to three word phrases containing
adjectives. Tone questions test your ability to recognize an attitude or disposition of
the author, which is signaled by the use of a handful of trigger words. Never base
your guess about the author's tone on a single word--this is not enough to define
the tone of the entire passage.
Tone questions tend to be among the more infrequent question types.
Common Question Stems
1. The attitude of the author of the passage toward x is best described as one of
2. The tone of the author is best described as

43. Types of Tones

44. Identify Tone & Style
As everyone knows, the general idea of the Doctrine of Descent is that the plants
and animals of the present day are the lineal descendants of ancestors on the
whole somewhat simpler, that these again are descended from yet simpler
forms, and so on backwards towards the literal "Protozoa" and "Protophyta"
about which we unfortunately know nothing. Now no one supposes that Darwin
originated this idea, which in rudiment at least is as old as Aristotle. What Darwin
did was to make it current intellectual coin. He gave it a form that commended
itself to the scientific and public intelligence of the day, and he won widespread
conviction by showing with consummate skill that it was an effective formula to
work with, a key which no lock refused. In a scholarly, critical, and pre-eminently
fair-minded way, admitting difficulties and removing them, foreseeing objections
and forestalling them, he showed that the doctrine of descent supplied a modal
interpretation of how our present-day fauna and flora have come to be.
What is the author’s tone in the passage?
a) Laudatory
b) Sarcastic
c) Analytical
d) Descriptive

45. Identify Tone & Style
As everyone knows, the general idea of the Doctrine of Descent is that the plants
and animals of the present day are the lineal descendants of ancestors on the
whole somewhat simpler, that these again are descended from yet simpler
forms, and so on backwards towards the literal "Protozoa" and "Protophyta"
about which we unfortunately know nothing. Now no one supposes that Darwin
originated this idea, which in rudiment at least is as old as Aristotle. What Darwin
did was to make it current intellectual coin. He gave it a form that commended
itself to the scientific and public intelligence of the day, and he won widespread
conviction by showing with consummate skill that it was an effective formula to
work with, a key which no lock refused. In a scholarly, critical, and pre-eminently
fair-minded way, admitting difficulties and removing them, foreseeing objections
and forestalling them, he showed that the doctrine of descent supplied a modal
interpretation of how our present-day fauna and flora have come to be.
What is the author’s tone in the passage?
a) Laudatory
b) Sarcastic
c) Analytical
d) Descriptive

46. Iguacu Falls, which sit on the border between Argentina and
Brazil, are said to make Niagara look like a leaky faucet. The
great cataracts stretch for two and a half miles across lushly
foliaged rocky outcroppings before plunging a staggering two
hundred and thirty feet into the river below. The falls region is
densely forested, and is home to a wide variety of plants and
animals, including a number of endangered ones. It is a
paradise where parrots dive and swoop through the spray,
butterflies cavort among the tropical plants and coatis, and
giant otters and anteaters amble through the trees. The foliage
itself varies between tropical and deciduous with orchids
blushing in the shade of pines and ferns nodding gracefully in
the shadow of fruit trees.
Q: The author’s attitude toward Iguacu Falls can best be
described as which of the following?
A. Overweening pride.
B. Positive appreciation.
C. Mild acceptance.
D. Apathetic objectivity.
E. Cautious optimism.

47. Solution
Iguacu Falls, which sit on the border between Argentina and Brazil,
are said to make Niagara look like a leaky faucet. The great cataracts
stretch for two and a half miles across lushly foliaged rocky
outcroppings before plunging a staggering two hundred and thirty feet
into the river below. The falls region is densely forested, and is home
to a wide variety of plants and animals, including a number of
endangered ones. It is a paradise where parrots dive and swoop
through the spray, butterflies cavort among the tropical plants and
coatis, and giant otters and anteaters amble through the trees. The
foliage itself varies between tropical and deciduous with orchids
blushing in the shade of pines and ferns nodding gracefully in the
shadow of fruit trees.
Q: The author’s attitude toward Iguacu Falls can best be described
as which of the following?
A. Overweening pride.
B. Positive appreciation.
C. Mild acceptance.
D. Apathetic objectivity.
E. Cautious optimism.

48. Explanation
First, try to identify words with positive or negative
connotations, or identify phrases that reveal the
author’s attitude toward the falls. The first sentence
reveals the author’s reverence for the falls; if the
Iguacu Falls make Niagara look like a ‘leaky faucet,’
they must be pretty impressive. Further, notice the
adjectives “great,” “lush,” and “graceful,” the positive
noun “paradise,” and the verbs “swoop,” “amble,” and
“cavort,” which evoke an Edenic portrait of the natural
landscape.
The author’s attitude, in short, is purely positive.
Thus, we can quickly eliminate C, D, and E. We can
also eliminate A for a different reason. It would be
wrong to say that the author is “proud” of Iguacu Falls;
after all, he doesn’t take credit for its beauty. B is the
best answer.

49. “Fifteen years ago I came here with Lily,” he thought.
“We sat somewhere over there by a lake and I begged
her to marry me all through the hot afternoon. How the
dragonfly kept circling round us: how clearly I see the
dragonfly and her shoe with the square silver buckle at
the toe. All the time I spoke I saw her shoe and when it
moved impatiently I knew without looking up what she
was going to say: the whole of her seemed to be in her
shoe. And my love, my desire, were in the dragonfly; for
some reason I thought that if it settled there, on that leaf,
she would say ‘Yes’ at once. But the dragonfly went
round and round: it never settled anywhere — of course
not, happily not, or I shouldn’t be walking here with
Eleanor and the children.”
Q: In this passage, the speaker’s attitude may best be
characterized as
(A) mocking
(B) confused
(C) nostalgic
(D) argumentative

50. Solution
“Fifteen years ago I came here with Lily,” he thought. “We
sat somewhere over there by a lake and I begged her to
marry me all through the hot afternoon. How the dragonfly
kept circling round us: how clearly I see the dragonfly and
her shoe with the square silver buckle at the toe. All the
time I spoke I saw her shoe and when it moved impatiently
I knew without looking up what she was going to say: the
whole of her seemed to be in her shoe. And my love, my
desire, were in the dragonfly; for some reason I thought
that if it settled there, on that leaf, she would say ‘Yes’ at
once. But the dragonfly went round and round: it never
settled anywhere — of course not, happily not, or I
shouldn’t be walking here with Eleanor and the children.”
Q: In this passage, the speaker’s attitude may best be
characterized as
(A) mocking
(B) confused
(C) nostalgic
(D) argumentative

51. Explanation
In this paragraph, the speaker looks at the past,
remembering an afternoon when he “begged”
(Sentence 1) a woman to accept his marriage
proposal. He’s nostalgic (feeling pleasure and
yearning for something in the past) so Choice (C)
is correct. The yearning, which contains a hint of
sadness, shows in Lily’s refusal, which he now
sees “happily” (Final sentence).

52. A sanctuary may be defined as a place where Man is passive and the rest
of Nature active. Till quite recently Nature had her own sanctuaries, where
man either did not go at all or only as a tool-using animal in comparatively
small numbers. But now, in this machinery age, there is no place left where
man cannot go with overwhelming forces at his command. He can strangle
to death all the nobler wild life in the world to-day. To-morrow he certainly will
have done so, unless he exercises due foresight and self-control in the
mean time.
There is not the slightest doubt that birds and mammals are now being
killed off much faster than they can breed. And it is always the largest and
noblest forms of life that suffer most. The whales and elephants, lions and
eagles, go. The rats and flies, and all mean parasites, remain. This is
inevitable in certain cases. But it is wanton killing off that I am speaking of to-
night. Civilized man begins by destroying the very forms of wild life he learns
to appreciate most when he becomes still more civilized. The obvious
remedy is to begin conservation at an earlier stage, when it is easier and
better in every way, by enforcing laws for close seasons, game preserves,
the selective protection of certain species, and sanctuaries.
I have just defined a sanctuary as a place where man is passive and the
rest of Nature active. But this general definition is too absolute for any
special case. The mere fact that man has to protect a sanctuary does away
with his purely passive attitude. Then, he can be beneficially active by
destroying pests and parasites, like bot-flies or mosquitoes, and by finding
antidotes for diseases like the epidemic which periodically kills off the rabbits
and thus starves many of the carnivora to death. But, except in cases where
experiment has proved his intervention to be beneficial, the less he upsets

53. Q. Tone of the Author as
expressed in the passage can be
best described
A. Descriptive to analytical
B. Sarcastically humorous
C. Objective to narrative
D. Sarcastically critical to suggestive
E. Ironically sarcastic to negative
Your Answer Options
1. B&C 2.A 3.D 4.E 5.C

54. Q. Tone of the Author as
expressed in the passage can be
best described
A. Descriptive to analytical
B. Sarcastically humorous
C. Objective to narrative
D. Sarcastically critical to suggestive
E. Ironically sarcastic to negative
Your Answer Options
1. B&C 2.A 3.D 4.E 5.C
Explanation: Very first paragraph determines the tone
which goes on to criticize the human activities against
nature sarcastically yet issues a suggestive warning to
exercise due foresight and self-control. Entire passage
revolves around this tone and concludes with the
suggestion not to disturb the ecological balance

55. 5 Passage Structure
 Passage structure questions ask you to determine the
relationship between different parts of a passage. The key
to this question type is understanding the relationship
between each idea and paragraph. You must be able to
separate ideas that support a thesis from the thesis idea
itself. These questions are referred to by some as logical
structure questions.
 Common Question Stems
 One function of the third paragraph of this passage is to
 The author uses the adjective x in line y to emphasize that
 Which of the following best describes the relation of the
first paragraph to the passage as a whole?
 The author refers to x in line y primarily to
 In the context of the passage, the word x (line y) most
closely corresponds to which of the following phrases?

56. Ludwig Wittgenstien asserted that with the publication of his Tractatus
Logico-Philosophicus he had solved all philosophical problems and
retired to teach mathematics at the secondary level. He believed he had
achieved this through his exploration of the logic of language, which he
referred to as his "picture theory" of language. Wittgenstein's contention
was that the world consisted of a collection of interconnected "facts" that
created "pictures" of the world through propositions. These propositions
are meaningful if they picture matters of empirical fact, such as "Meri is
six feet tall." In order for these linguistic pictures to accurately present
facts, they must have the same logical structure as matters of empirical
fact.
The problem is that philosophical propositions, such as "truth is beauty,"
are not matters of empirical fact. Since language itself is based on this
relationship philosophers cannot extricate themselves from the realm of
language in order to actually say anything about whether or not the
"pictures" have the same logical structure as facts. One important
consequence of this argument is that it is nonsensical to discuss
philosophical problems. The propositions that philosophers commonly
make are not technically wrong but nonsensical. For Wittgenstein, the
ultimate goal of philosophy itself is not the actual study of the pursuit of
"truth." Philosophy has more to do with clarifying the relationship between
language and truth than truth itself. The Tractatus ends up subverting its
own claims by concluding that the kind of propositions of which it is
composed are senseless. The most commonly quoted excerpt from the

57. Based on the context of the passage,
the author's use of the word
"empirical" most nearly means which
of the following?
A. verifiable by experimentation
B. true
C. subjective
D. nonsensical
E. typical

58. Explanation
 Answer: (A)
 The word "empirical" has the meaning of
"measurable". That is close to choice
(A) verifiable by experimentation, which makes
sense in the context of the passage. You can't
measure truth or beauty, but you can measure
how tall someone is, which is cited as an example
of empirical fact.

59. Daylilies are a beautiful perennial flower that can brighten up
any yard or landscape. They are tolerant of drought and
flooding, immune to heat stress, and grow well in full sun or
light shade. They are the perfect choice for just about any soil
or climate condition. Different varieties of daylilies can be in
bloom from late spring until autumn. Individual flowers last
only one day, but each plant produces many buds, and many
varieties have more than one flowering period. Daylilies grow
best in soil that is slightly acidic, and they prefer either direct
sunshine or light shade. The best time to plant them is in the
early fall or early spring, but they are hardy enough to endure
planting or transplanting at almost any time of year. They
should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart, and the bulb should
be no deeper than one inch below the soil’s surface.
Q: The underlined word perennial, as used in this passage,
most nearly means
a. it blooms once.
b. it blooms every year.
c. it is always popular.
d. it is part of the lily genus.

60. Daylilies are a beautiful perennial flower that can brighten up
any yard or landscape. They are tolerant of drought and
flooding, immune to heat stress, and grow well in full sun or
light shade. They are the perfect choice for just about any soil
or climate condition. Different varieties of daylilies can be in
bloom from late spring until autumn. Individual flowers last
only one day, but each plant produces many buds, and many
varieties have more than one flowering period. Daylilies grow
best in soil that is slightly acidic, and they prefer either direct
sunshine or light shade. The best time to plant them is in the
early fall or early spring, but they are hardy enough to endure
planting or transplanting at almost any time of year. They
should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart, and the bulb should
be no deeper than one inch below the soil’s surface.
Q: The underlined word perennial, as used in this passage,
most nearly means
a. it blooms once.
b. it blooms every year.
c. it is always popular.
d. it is part of the lily genus.

61. Explanation
The word perennial means “on-going, occurring
indefinitely, year after year.” It also refers to
flowers that bloom every year without needing to
be replanted.

62. 6 Application
Application questions ask you to take information and conclusions in the
passage and extrapolate them to similar situations or ideas. The key to this
question type is the ability to identify the crux of an argument and see how it
relates to a similar situation.
Common Question Tasks
1. Mirroring: Select an action or idea not discussed in the text that most
mirrors an action or idea discussed in the text
2. Predicting: Make a prediction based upon the information in the passage
Common Question Stems
1. The author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which of the
following?
2. Which of the following statements would provide the most logical
continuation of the final paragraph?
3. [an idea or action described in the passage] is most similar to which of the
following?

63. Identify Application
One may react to someone’s sarcastic comment with anger on one occasion but
with amusement on another depending on current emotional status. How responsive
one is to another’s needs can vary significantly if, for example, an employee has just
been reprimanded by a superior or praised for excellence in customer relations, or, if
someone a professor perceives as an excellent student hands in sub-standard work.
Perceptions are different for one who just learned of the death of a favorite relative
or has been informed that they have won the lottery.
-From Visual Literacy by David Moore and Francis Dwyer
Based on the passage, which statement about perceptions would the authors of the
passage most likely agree?
A. One who is both perceptive and emotionally reactive most likely lacks mental
stability.
B. Perceptions are wrong and should never be trusted.
C. Present feelings affect one’s perception.
D. One should react without being swayed by one’s perceptions.

64. Identify Application
One may react to someone’s sarcastic comment with anger on one occasion but
with amusement on another depending on current emotional status. How responsive
one is to another’s needs can vary significantly if, for example, an employee has just
been reprimanded by a superior or praised for excellence in customer relations, or, if
someone a professor perceives as an excellent student hands in sub-standard work.
Perceptions are different for one who just learned of the death of a favorite relative
or has been informed that they have won the lottery.
-From Visual Literacy by David Moore and Francis Dwyer
Based on the passage, which statement about perceptions would the authors of the
passage most likely agree?
A. One who is both perceptive and emotionally reactive most likely lacks mental
stability.
B. Perceptions are wrong and should never be trusted.
C. Present feelings affect one’s perception.
D. One should react without being swayed by one’s perceptions.

65. In Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry does not reject
integration or the economic and moral promise of the
American dream; rather, she remains loyal to
this dream while looking, realistically, at its incomplete
realization. Once we recognize this dual vision, we can
accept the play’s ironic nuances as deliberate social
commentaries by Hansberry rather than as the
“unintentional” irony that Bigsby attributes to the work.
Indeed, a curiously persistent refusal to credit Hansberry
with a capacity for intentional irony has led some critics to
interpret the play’s thematic conflicts as mere confusion,
contradiction, or eclecticism. Isaacs, for example, cannot
easily reconcile Hansberry’s intense concern for her race
with her ideal of human reconciliation. But the play’s
complex view of Black self-esteem and human solidarity
as compatible is no more “contradictory” than Du Bois’
famous, well-considered ideal of ethnic self-awareness
coexisting with human unity, or Fanon’s emphasis on an
ideal internationalism that also accommodates national
identities and roles.

66. Q: The author of the passage would probably
consider which of the following judgments to be
most similar to the reasoning of the highlighted
critics?
a. The world is certainly flat; therefore, the person
proposing to sail around it is unquestionably
foolhardy.
b. Radioactivity cannot be directly perceived;
therefore, a scientist could not possibly control it in a
laboratory.
c. The painter of this picture could not intend it to be
funny; therefore, its humor must result from a lack of
skill.
d. Traditional social mores are beneficial to culture;
therefore, anyone who deviates from them acts
destructively.

67. Solution
Q: The author of the passage would probably consider
which of the following judgments to be most similar to
the reasoning of the highlighted critics?
a. The world is certainly flat; therefore, the person
proposing to sail around it is unquestionably
foolhardy.
b. Radioactivity cannot be directly perceived;
therefore, a scientist could not possibly control it in a
laboratory.
c. The painter of this picture could not intend it to be
funny; therefore, its humor must result from a lack of
skill.
d. Traditional social mores are beneficial to culture;
therefore, anyone who deviates from them acts
destructively.
e. Filmmakers who produce documentaries deal
exclusively with facts; therefore, a filmmaker who
reinterprets particular events is misleading us.

68. Explanation
 This is not an example of misinterpreting something—it’s actually an
example of a clearly incorrect view being asserted and used as a reason to
ridicule someone. Not cute and not similar. We can eliminate A.
 This answer starts by saying something cannot be “perceived,” but that’s a
fact rather than an inability. Then the second part describes an inability
resulting from that fact. This does not fit the same pattern of misinterpreting
something based on a perceived inability. We can eliminate B.
 This answer starts with the perceived intentions (or lack thereof) of an
artist—already more similar than A or B. Also, because of this perceived
lack of intention, the work is interpreteda specific way. This is the only
answer so far that deals with interpretation, so let’s keep C.
 D follows the pattern of making an assertion and then a conclusion based
on that assertion, but again there’s no interpretation of anything based on a
perceived inability or lack of intention. We can eliminate D.
 Tricky. This one does discuss interpretation, but the second part is not an
interpretation based on a perceived lack of intention in the first part. We
can eliminate E.
 C was the only answer that similarly drew a conclusion about an artist’s
work based on a belief about the artist’s abilities or intentions, just as the
critics assumed Hansberry’s work was a contradiction because they didn’t
believe she could have intended to be ironic. C is correct.

69. Metaphysics – the philosophical investigation of the nature of the universe
and existence – had become unfashionable by the time Alfred North
Whitehead began writing in earnest about it in the 1920s. The ever-more
impressive accomplishments of empirical science had led to a general
consensus in academia that the development of comprehensive
metaphysical systems was a waste of time because they were not subject to
empirical testing.
Whitehead was unimpressed by this objection. In Whitehead's view, scientists
and philosophers make metaphysical assumptions about how the universe
works all the time, but such assumptions are not easily seen precisely
because they remain unexamined and unquestioned. Perhaps foremost
among what Whitehead considered faulty metaphysical assumptions was the
idea of substance materialism, which he rejected in favor of an opposite,
event-based “process" ontology in which transient events are primary and
material substances/beings are abstractions. He also argued that the most
basic elements of reality have experiential features, that in fact everything is
constituted by its experience (i.e., even things like electrons experience).
Whitehead referred to his metaphysical system as "philosophy of organism,"
but it would become known more widely as "process philosophy."
This philosophy of Whitehead was highly original, and soon garnered interest
in philosophical circles. After publishing The Concept of Nature in 1920, he
served as president of the Aristotelian Society from 1922 to 1923, and Henri
Bergson was quoted as saying that Whitehead was "the best philosopher
writing in English." So impressive and different was Whitehead's philosophy
that in 1924 he was invited to join the faculty at Harvard University as a
professor of philosophy at 63 years of age, even though his educational
background was in a very different field.

70. The author of the passage would
most likely agree with which of the
following statements?
(A) Metaphysics is a field worthy of considerably more
attention and respect.
(B) Alfred North Whitehead was successful as a
challenger of conventional wisdom.
(C) Empirical science is a more respected field than is
metaphysics.
(D) Alfred North Whitehead was a controversial figure
among academics in the early 20th century.
(E) Alfred North Whitehead restored the prestige of
metaphysics as an academic subject.

71. Solution
The author of the passage would most likely agree
with which of the following statements?
(A) Metaphysics is a field worthy of considerably more
attention and respect.
(B) Alfred North Whitehead was successful as a
challenger of conventional wisdom.
(C) Empirical science is a more respected field than is
metaphysics.
(D) Alfred North Whitehead was a controversial figure
among academics in the early 20th century.
(E) Alfred North Whitehead restored the prestige of
metaphysics as an academic subject.

72. Explanation
 The correct answer to this universal question is B, as it is clear from the passage
that the author believes that Whitehead was successful - note the discussion in
the third paragraph regarding his reputation and his "surprising" appointment to
Harvard's faculty - at challenging conventional wisdom (in the third paragraph,
again, the author calls his ideas "highly original" and "impressive and different").
So B must be true.
Choice A is incorrect because, for one, where the author expresses opinions they
are generally about Whitehead and not about the field. Perhaps even more
importantly, the only place where the author talks about how respected/important
metaphysics is is in the first paragraph, where everything is written in the past
tense about the way that the field was perceived in the 1920s. You simply cannot
get a feel for how the author perceives the field today.
 Similarly, choice C is also incorrect: where the phrase "the ever-more impressive
accomplishments of empirical science" is talking about the past ("had led to a
general consensus") so you cannot gauge how the author would have compared
the fields at the time the passage was written.
Choice D takes a stronger stance than choice B - challenging the status quo
does not necessarily make someone controversial. All the evidence about how
Whitehead was perceived in academia suggests that he was respected (all in the
third paragraph), so there is just no evidence of any controversy. And choice E
similarly lacks direct proof. While Whitehead did himself become highly
respected in academia, there just isn't any discussion of how the field's
perception changed in that time.