Key Takeaways
- Reading Comprehension questions are based on passages about health, science, nature, and technology
- The main idea is the central point or argument of the passage — often stated in the first or last paragraph
- Supporting details provide evidence, examples, or data that back up the main idea
- Inference questions require you to draw conclusions based on information implied but not directly stated
- The author's purpose is typically to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain
- Tone and attitude questions ask whether the author is objective, critical, supportive, or concerned
- Read the questions BEFORE reading the passage to know what information to focus on
- Correct answers are always supported by the passage — never choose answers based on outside knowledge
Reading Comprehension
Approximately half of the Verbal Ability section consists of Reading Comprehension questions. You will read passages of varying length (typically 150-400 words) on topics related to health, science, nature, and technology, then answer questions about the content.
Types of Reading Comprehension Questions
| Question Type | What It Asks | Key Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Main Idea | What is the central point of the passage? | Look at the first and last paragraphs; the main idea is what the entire passage supports |
| Supporting Detail | What specific fact or detail does the passage mention? | Scan for the specific information; answer is stated directly in the text |
| Inference | What can be concluded based on the passage? | Look for implied meaning; the answer is logical but not explicitly stated |
| Author's Purpose | Why did the author write this passage? | Determine if the purpose is to inform, persuade, explain, compare, or warn |
| Vocabulary in Context | What does a specific word mean in this passage? | Re-read the sentence with the word; use surrounding context |
| Tone/Attitude | What is the author's tone or perspective? | Note word choices — positive, negative, neutral, concerned, critical |
| Organizational Structure | How is the passage organized? | Identify the pattern: cause-effect, compare-contrast, chronological, problem-solution |
The APRS Reading Strategy
Use this four-step approach for every passage:
A — Ask: Read the questions FIRST. Know what you are looking for before reading the passage.
P — Preview: Quickly skim the passage. Note the topic sentence of each paragraph and any bold/italic text.
R — Read: Read the passage carefully. Mark or mentally note key facts, dates, and relationships.
S — Select: Return to each question. Find the answer supported by the passage — not by your outside knowledge.
Main Idea vs. Supporting Details
Understanding the difference between main ideas and supporting details is critical:
| Concept | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main Idea | The central message or overall point of the passage | "Regular handwashing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease." |
| Supporting Detail | A fact, example, or statistic that supports the main idea | "A 2024 CDC study found that handwashing reduced respiratory infections by 21%." |
| Topic | The general subject (usually one word or phrase) | "Handwashing" or "Infection prevention" |
Tip: The main idea answers the question: "What is the ONE most important thing the author wants you to understand?"
Making Inferences
An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the passage. It goes beyond what is explicitly stated:
- Explicitly stated: "The patient's blood pressure was 180/110."
- Inference: The patient has hypertension and may need immediate medical intervention.
How to answer inference questions:
- Identify the evidence in the passage
- Ask: "What logically follows from this evidence?"
- Choose the answer that is most strongly supported
- Avoid answers that require assumptions not supported by the text
Practice Passage 1: Antibiotic Resistance
Read the following passage, then answer the questions below.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health threats of the 21st century. When bacteria are repeatedly exposed to antibiotics, some develop mutations that allow them to survive the drugs. These resistant bacteria then multiply and spread, creating infections that are increasingly difficult to treat. The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top ten global health threats.
The overuse and misuse of antibiotics are the primary drivers of resistance. Patients who do not complete their full course of antibiotics allow partially resistant bacteria to survive and evolve. Additionally, the widespread use of antibiotics in agriculture — where they are given to healthy animals to promote growth — exposes environmental bacteria to these drugs, accelerating the development of resistance.
Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in combating antibiotic resistance through antibiotic stewardship: prescribing antibiotics only when necessary, choosing the most targeted antibiotic available, and educating patients about proper use. Without coordinated global action, common infections that are easily treatable today could become life-threatening within the next few decades.
Based on the passage about antibiotic resistance, what is the MAIN IDEA?
According to the passage, what is a PRIMARY driver of antibiotic resistance?
Based on the passage, it can be INFERRED that:
What is the author's primary PURPOSE in writing this passage?
Practice Passage 2: The Lymphatic System
Read the following passage, then answer the questions below.
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues, organs, and vessels that plays a vital role in maintaining the body's fluid balance and immune defense. Unlike the cardiovascular system, which uses the heart as a pump, the lymphatic system relies on muscle contractions, body movement, and one-way valves to move lymph fluid through its vessels.
Lymph fluid is a clear, colorless liquid derived from interstitial fluid — the fluid that surrounds cells in body tissues. As blood circulates through capillaries, some plasma leaks into the surrounding tissues. The lymphatic system collects this excess fluid, filters it through lymph nodes, and returns it to the bloodstream via the subclavian veins.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures distributed throughout the body, with major clusters in the neck, armpits, and groin. They contain immune cells — particularly lymphocytes and macrophages — that filter pathogens, damaged cells, and foreign particles from the lymph fluid. When the body is fighting an infection, lymph nodes often swell as they produce additional immune cells, which is why a doctor may check for "swollen glands" during a physical examination.
According to the passage, how does lymph fluid move through the lymphatic system?
Based on the passage, why might lymph nodes swell during an infection?
The organizational structure of this passage is BEST described as:
Based on the passage, arrange the steps of lymph fluid circulation in the correct order.
Arrange the items in the correct order
In the passage, the word "derived" most likely means: