LSAT: Reading Comprehension Dr. Julian Hermida Algoma University November 15, 2011

Agenda Structure of the reading comprehension section. Strategy. Preparation. Types of questions. Actions and answers. Comparative reading questions. Sample passage. Assignment. Next session: Logical Reasoning with Dawnis Kennedy, Thurs, Nov. 24, 10:15-11:15 am, Room WW 102. More information:

Reading Comprehension Structure 35 minutes 4 passages (about to 60 to 80 lines): –3 single passages written by one author –1 Comparative reading 5-8 questions for each passage. Topic: an academic, political, scientific, or artistic subject matter. Approximately 28% of the score.

Strategy Prepare Analyze the questions Act Answer

Preparation Preview questions Annotation: –Claims –Logical structure –Main point

Types of questions Big picture questions –Main point –Primary purpose –Author’s tone Inference questions –Detail or fact –Purely inferential Structure questions –Organization –Function Reasoning questions –Application or comparison of new information. –Information that most strengthens or weakens a claim in the passage. –Information that is most similar or analogous to something in the passage.

Big-picture questions Main point: Summarize the author’s central point. Which of the following statements best summarizes the passage? What is the central idea of the passage? The passage is primarily concerned with … Primary purpose What is the author’s main purpose in writing the passage? Author’s tone Author’s attitude, tone.

Inference questions Detail or fact questions –Phrased as “according to the passage …”. –The correct answer is a paraphrase of something directly stated in the passage. Purely inferential questions –Use of equivocal language (not absolute, less certain terms) : “based on the passage,” “most likely,” or “probably.” –What can be inferred from the passage, or what the passage indicates, suggests, implies, predicts, or supports. –With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree? –The correct answer is the one best supported by information on the passage.

Structure questions Organization –The correct answer will outline step by step what happens in each section of the passage. Function –Questions about the purpose of a particular part of the passage. –What role is played by a specific statement of the author (according to)?

Reasoning questions Application or comparison of new information. Information that most strengthens or weakens a claim in the passage. Information that is most similar or analogous to something in the passage. Information that follows from the end of the passage.

Actions Go back to the passage to locate the relevant information. Paraphrase the relevant information. Define what the correct answer needs to do (answer the question in your own words).

Answer Process of elimination. Partially wrong. Too narrow or too broad. Wrong part of the passage. –Correct information but about a different part of the passage. Extreme language (absolute statements unsupported by the evidence). Not supported by the passage (irrelevant information).

Comparative Reading Questions Common issue/idea (similar to big picture question) –Which one of the following issues is central to both passages? Agree/disagree (similar to inference questions). –It can be inferred from the passage that both authors … Method of reasoning/style (similar to structure) –Which one of the following best describes the relationship/style of both passages? Analogy (similar to reasoning questions) –The relationship between the passages is most similar to that of which of the following?

Tips Don’t neglect the reading comprehension section. Avoid feeling intimidated. Read news articles (The Economist, Times, New York Times) and journal articles on a wide variety of academic topics. Do a vocabulary list. Cut off the connection between reading and speaking. Speed writing techniques do not help. Read for the structure not the content. It is a mechanical process. It is like a fact-finding mission.

Sample passage Analyze and annotate the passage. Answer the questions. Compare your answers with a colleague. Whole group discussion.

Outline of passage 1.Introduction to the problem (depression) and solution generally followed (use of antidepressants). 2.Example of the generally followed solution (use of antidepressants) when used together with another –traditional- solution (therapy). 3.Generalization of importance of P2 example and reinforcement of proposed solution (use of antidepressants and therapy). 4.Evidence supporting generally followed solution. 5.Problem with generally followed solution (use of antidepressants alone and not therapy). 6.Consequence of generally followed solution (use of antidepressants): risk of violating theory (Kant’s formula of humanity).

Correct answers 1.Big picture: B. 2.Inference: B. 3.Big picture: D. 4.Inference (pure): A 5.Inference (pure): B. 6.Reasoning: D. 7.Structure: A. 8.Reasoning: C.

Assignment Analyze and annotate the passage. Answer the questions. your work to for feedback.