7 most common types of Reading Comprehension questions
Reading comprehension is a crucial part of the verbal section in GRE. If your aim is to score high in the verbal section then you must practice the reading comprehension questions rigorously. Despite the fact that the sections included under comprehension relate to various topics, the questions posed under them follow some distinct patterns.
7 most common types of Reading Comprehension questions will help you to get an insight into the question type asked and how to approach them in the RC section of the verbal ability portion.
1. Factual Questions:
For answering these types of questions, look for the keyword or phrase in that question, and locate the sentence in the passage in which this keyword or phrase occurs. ‘Explicit answer’ questions under passage will generally be sequential, implying that the response to a previous question can be found in an earlier part of the paragraph, and the answer to a later question can be found in a later part of the paragraph.
For example,
The passage suggests that the proliferation of ragwort was particularly ill-timed because it…
2. Primary Idea Questions:
The main idea of a passage is one that is mentioned frequently in the passage. The indication of the primary purpose of the passage will usually be found in the first two sentences of the passage, and also in the first sentence of each paragraph. While attempting to answer a ‘Primary Idea’ question, it is frequently conceivable to show up at the right answer through a procedure of elimination of the wrong answers.
For example,
The passage is primarily concerned with discussing the…
3. Inference Questions:
The inference you are asked to draw from a piece of information contained in the passage will be just a simple logical extension. For answering an ‘inference’ question also, you should first identify the keyword or phrase in the question, locate the sentence in which that keyword or phrase occurs, and read three consecutive sentences in its neighborhood. This question type can be a little bit tricky to answer the question. However, it can be conquered by practicing more and more questions.
For instance,
It can be inferred that the “present-day intellectuals” (line 12) believe that…
4. Tone of the Author Questions:
These questions ask you to gauge the author’s attitude towards a person or a thing or a quality discussed in the passage. With just scanning the multiple-choice answer options, phrases that are very negative or disdainful in tone can be straightforwardly eliminated, so the choice can be limited to only a few. The answer choices to ‘tone of the passage’ questions may sometimes use a less familiar term to express the same idea, and could also be a test of your vocabulary.
For example,
The tone of the passage can best be described as…
5. Draw Conclusion Questions:
This kind of question poses to you to stretch out the author’s thinking to another circumstance that is closely resembling or like the one depicted in the paragraph, and afterward decide if the reasoning would or would not work in that circumstance. These questions are the most difficult ones, and you have to carefully evaluate the answer choices and determine which one among them is analogous to the idea referred to from the given passage.
For example,
Which of the following describes a situation most analogous to the situation described in lines 12-17?
6. Exception Questions:
In these types of questions, three of the four choices will logically follow from an argument of the author while one will not. You will be asked to mark the choice that is not stated. These questions are comparatively easy to answer.
For instance,
Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as an element of Douglass’ ideology EXCEPT
7. Source Questions:
Such questions are likewise in the idea of inference and can be addressed effectively based on the substance of the passage.
For example,
The above passage is most probably an extract from…
To recapitulate, the most efficient way to hit the correct answer is to use the process of elimination. Try to discard the out of the scope answer choices first. To score the maximum in the RC section is to not only adequate practice but also an ample amount of knowledge in vocabulary.
To expand your vocabulary you can download our app. We give wonderfully accumulated 10 words on a daily basis. Additionally, gave the definition of the words, synonyms/antonyms, and how you can utilize that word in the sentence. So you can remember those words effectively. So, start building your vocabulary, and also by practicing more, you can definitely win over this part of the verbal section.
Hope it helps!! Happy Learning
Written by,
Jaini Bhavsar (There’s always room for bliss.)
22nd May 2020
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Download the Word Coach Application
FAQ’s
What are the 7 most common types of reading comprehension questions?
– Factual Questions: Test direct recall of information explicitly stated in the passage.
– Main Idea Questions: Ask about the central theme or purpose of the passage.
– Inference Questions: Require you to draw conclusions based on information in the passage, not explicitly stated.
– Tone/Author’s Attitude Questions: Determine the author’s feelings or perspective towards a topic.
– Vocabulary in Context Questions: Ask about the meaning of specific words based on their usage in the passage.
– Structure & Organization Questions: Test your understanding of the passage’s flow and how ideas are connected.
– Draw Conclusion/Prediction Questions: Require you to analyze information and predict future events or outcomes.
Why are these question types important to understand?
Understanding these types equips you with a framework to approach diverse reading comprehension tasks. You can identify question patterns, anticipate what information is relevant, and develop effective strategies to answer each type efficiently.
How can I improve my reading comprehension skills for these types of questions?
– Actively engage with the text: Underline key points, take notes, and create mental maps.
– Pay attention to context and transitions: Understand how ideas connect and build upon each other.
– Develop vocabulary: Expand your word knowledge and analyze words within the context.
– Practice with diverse question types: Expose yourself to different difficulty levels and answer formats.
– Analyze explanations for incorrect answers: Learn from mistakes and refine your problem-solving approach.
Are there any resources or tools to help me master these question types?
Yes, numerous resources are available:
– Online practice tests: Simulate real-world test formats and provide instant feedback.
– Study guides and tutorials: Offer detailed explanations and strategies for each question type.
– Comprehension exercises in textbooks and workbooks: Apply practical skills to various reading materials.
– Tutoring and online courses: Obtain personalized guidance and targeted practice exercises.
How can I effectively answer each type of question?
– Factual Questions: Locate keywords in the passage and identify supporting evidence.
– Main Idea Questions: Look for repeated themes, topic sentences, and transitions.
– Inference Questions: Analyze supporting details and logical connections between ideas.
– Tone/Author’s Attitude Questions: Identify adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language that reveal author’s viewpoint.
– Vocabulary in Context Questions: Consider contextual clues and word roots to determine meaning.
– Structure & Organization Questions: Understand the sequence of ideas, transitions, and relationships between paragraphs.
– Draw Conclusion/Prediction Questions: Analyze information, identify patterns, and make logical inferences.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Great Job Team… Keep It up.