epdf.pub_cbest-cliffs-test-prep13a9b242c7cb4125e6cca92d00a73d5a41681

The Reading Section
3. As you read the passage, also watch for names, definitions, places and numbers,
but don’t try to memorize the passage. Remember, you need to understand
the main point. What is the author trying to say?
4. Answer the questions. Base your answers only on the material given in the
passage. Assume that the information in each passage is accurate. The questions
test your understanding of the passage alone; they do not test the historical
background of the passage, the biography of the author, or previous
familiarity with the work from which the passage is taken.
5. Make sure that the answer you select answers the question. A good or true
answer may not be correct, if it doesn’t answer the question.
6. Don’t get stuck on the passage or any one question. Remember, each question
is of equal value.
Some General Strategies
Two strategies that can improve your reading comprehension are prereading the
questions and marking the passage. Readers who use these strategies tend to score
much higher on reading tests than readers who don’t.
Preread the Questions
Before reading the passage, read each question (but don’t spend time reading all
the multiple-choice answers) and circle the most important word or phrase.
Sample
1. The author’s argument in favor of freedom of speech may be summarized
in which of the following ways?
A. If every speaker is not free, no speaker is.
B. Speech keeps us free from the animal kingdom
C. As we think, so we speak.
D. The Bill of Rights ensures free speech.
E. Lunatic speeches are not free speeches.
The most important part is usually the most concrete and specific one. In this
case, you might circle “freedom of speech.” The question parts that you circle will
be those you’ll tend to remember when you read the passage. In this case, you
would be likely to notice and pay close attention to “freedom of speech” when it
occurs in the passage. Thus, prereading allows you to focus on the parts of the
passage that contain the answers.
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