3.3 Reading Parts 2 & 3: Single-Text & Multiple-Text Comprehension

Introduction to Extended Reading

While Part 1 focuses on isolated sentences, Parts 2 and 3 of the MET Reading section require sustained comprehension of longer texts. Part 2 features single passages across various domains (general interest, academic, or workplace contexts), while Part 3 presents multiple related short texts (such as emails, advertisements, and articles) connected by a common theme. Succeeding in these sections requires a distinct set of cognitive skills: you must transition from microscopic grammatical analysis to macroscopic thematic comprehension. This section outlines the core reading strategies necessary to navigate these texts efficiently and accurately.

Core Reading Strategies: Skimming and Scanning

Time is a finite resource on the MET, making reading every word of a passage at the same pace an ineffective strategy. You must employ skimming and scanning appropriately.

Skimming for the Main Idea

Skimming involves reading quickly to grasp the overall gist, main idea, and structure of a text without focusing on the details. When you first encounter a passage, you should spend 30 to 60 seconds skimming it.

To skim effectively:

1. Read the title and any subtitles. These often state the topic directly.
2. Read the first paragraph. This usually contains the introduction and the thesis statement.
3. Read the first sentence of each subsequent paragraph. These topic sentences outline the progression of the author's argument or narrative.
4. Read the concluding paragraph. This summarizes the main points and often reveals the author's overall attitude or purpose.

Skimming prepares your brain for the questions that ask about the "main purpose of the text" or "the author's primary argument."

Scanning for Specific Details

Scanning is the technique used to locate specific, discrete pieces of information—such as dates, names, numbers, or specific terms—without reading the surrounding text. You use this strategy when a question asks about a specific detail.

To scan effectively:

1. Identify keywords in the question.
2. Move your eyes quickly over the text, looking only for those keywords or their synonyms.
3. Once located, read the sentence containing the keyword carefully to ensure it answers the question.

Reading for Detail

While skimming and scanning are essential for speed, many questions require deep comprehension of complex sentences or paragraphs. "Reading for detail" means slowing down and analyzing the text closely.

Questions demanding this approach often ask about the causes of an event, the specific relationship between two concepts, or the sequence of a process. In these cases, you must pay close attention to:

• Discourse markers: Words like however, therefore, moreover, and despite signal shifts in logic, contrast, or addition.
• Pronoun reference: Ensure you know exactly what words like it, they, this, or which refer to in the preceding clauses.
• Complex sentence structures: Break down long sentences into their main clauses and subordinate clauses to understand the core meaning.

Drawing Inferences

Inference questions are often the most challenging. An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from the information provided in the text. The answer will not be stated explicitly; you must "read between the lines."

These questions typically use phrases like:

• It can be inferred from the passage that...
• The author implies that...
• What does the text suggest about...

To answer inference questions correctly, base your conclusion only on the evidence present in the passage. Do not bring in outside knowledge or personal opinions. If the text says, "The company's profits dropped by 20% after the CEO resigned," you can infer that the CEO's departure likely had a negative impact on the company's financial stability, but you cannot infer that the new CEO is incompetent unless the text provides clues supporting that assertion.

Multiple-Text Comprehension (Part 3)

Part 3 introduces a unique challenge: synthesizing information across multiple related documents. You might see an article about a new public park, an email from a concerned citizen, and an official notice from the city council.

The questions here will test your ability to:

1. Understand each text individually.
2. Identify shared themes or contradictions. (e.g., "Which point do both the article and the email agree on?")
3. Cross-reference information. (e.g., "Based on the city council notice, what action should the author of the email take next?")

When tackling Part 3, it is often helpful to read the questions before reading the texts. This allows you to read with purpose, identifying which text is most likely to contain the answer to a specific question. Map out the relationships between the texts: Are they in agreement? Are they arguing opposite sides? Is one a response to another?

Time Management and Final Tips

Effective time management is the glue that holds these strategies together.

• Pace yourself: Allocate your time based on the number of questions per passage. Do not spend excessive time on a single, stubborn question.
• Guess and move on: There is no penalty for guessing on the MET. If you are stuck, eliminate the obviously wrong options, make your best guess among the remaining choices, and proceed.
• Beware of distractors: Test writers use distractors that use exact words from the passage but twist the meaning, or options that are factually true but do not answer the specific question asked. Always ensure the option you choose directly addresses the prompt.

By integrating skimming, scanning, deep reading, and inferencing, you can confidently navigate the diverse texts and challenging questions presented in Parts 2 and 3 of the reading section.