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I am trying to follow kaplan's strategy. Kaplan asks you concentrate on the topic, scope and purpose of the passage. I haven't practiced much RCs. So, I can't tell you whether this is the best strategy.
Hi, here are my 2 cents on the RC solving method. I try to follow Kaplan's method that suits my reading abilities.
1. Read the passage with few things in mind
a. Keep track of logical flow of information.
b. Don't to get lost in details. Figure out WHY the detail is being
given, rather than what the detail is.
c. At end of each paragraph, take 3-5 seconds to see what was said in
the para and how it relates to the previous one.
d. If required jot down points in 5-10 words for each para. This helps
to follow the global information/logic flow. Some times if the subject
matter is familliar to me, I skip this. A technical topic is one such
area that I skip the note making. Where are for social things, I make
notes for sure. Use of symbols like up arrow for increase etc helps
to write concise points. Be creative to write few letters as possible.
e. In general if you can follow the the thought of the author, (get in his
head is possible), you can paraphrase some of the answers.
2. Read the question and understand that is it a
# global
# detail
# inference
question. This is directly from Kaplan flow chart. Depending on type of question, you can proceed to go back to the passage or read throught the choices
Global - The notes taken while reading each paragraph, help to answer the global questions, spcially the topic questions. You can see how each para is tied together and that helps to formulate a global answer.
Details - Go back to passage to the point where the answer to the question resides. Read a few line before and after the relevent lines.
3. Reading answer choices, look for usual traps
a. Too narraw or too wide a scope
b. Things that are correct as per passage but not relevent to the
question asked.
c. 180 degree statements (opposite of what is stated in passage)
d. half right and half wrong.
e. Distortion of what is said in the passage.
My method - I try to prephrase an expected answer when possible. This way I can rule out irrelevant and out 180 degree answers.
Note - Many times the trap answers are written such that you will feel that you have read the information somewhere in the passage, (which might be true) but the information would be irrelevant or useless for the asked question.
I have probelms with question like -
All of the following are said in the passage EXCEPT.
These type of questions take forever to answer. I welcome an suggestions on how to handle such questions. It is like, you have to scan the passage minutely several times for each answer choice.
7 How to Improve Reading Comprehension
Key Point
Good reading means building frameworks for connecting words to thoughts.
The Purpose of Reading.
The purpose of reading is to connect the ideas on the page to what you already know. If you don't know anything about a subject, then pouring words of text into your mind is like pouring water into your hand. You don't retain much. For example, try reading these numbers:
7516324 This is hard to read and remember.
751-6324 This is easier because of chunking.
123-4567 This is easy to read because of prior knowledge and structure.
Similarly, if you like sports, then reading the sports page is easy. You have a framework in your mind for reading, understanding and storing information.
Improving Comprehension.
Reading comprehension requires motivation, mental frameworks for holding ideas, concentration and good study techniques. Here are some suggestions.
Develop a broad background.
Broaden your background knowledge by reading newspapers, magazines and books. Become interested in world events.
Know the structure of paragraphs.
Good writers construct paragraphs that have a beginning, middle and end. Often, the first sentence will give an overview that helps provide a framework for adding details. Also, look for transitional words, phrases or paragraphs that change the topic.
Identify the type of reasoning.
Does the author use cause and effect reasoning, hypothesis, model building, induction or deduction, systems thinking? See section 20 for more examples on critical thinking skills.
Anticipate and predict.
Really smart readers try to anticipate the author and predict future ideas and questions. If you're right, this reinforces your understanding. If you're wrong, you make adjustments quicker.
Look for the method of organization.
Is the material organized chronologically, serially, logically, functionally, spatially or hierarchical? See section 10 for more examples on organization.
Create motivation and interest.
Preview material, ask questions, discuss ideas with classmates. The stronger your interest, the greater your comprehension.
Pay attention to supporting cues.
Study pictures, graphs and headings. Read the first and last paragraph in a chapter, or the first sentence in each section.
Highlight, summarize and review.
Just reading a book once is not enough. To develop a deeper understanding, you have to highlight, summarize and review important ideas.
Build a good vocabulary.
For most educated people, this is a lifetime project. The best way to improve your vocabulary is to use a dictionary regularly. You might carry around a pocket dictionary and use it to look up new words. Or, you can keep a list of words to look up at the end of the day. Concentrate on roots, prefixes and endings.
Use a systematic reading technique like SQR3.
Develop a systematic reading style, like the SQR3 method and make adjustments to it, depending on priorities and purpose. The SQR3 steps include Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. See Section 14 for more details.
Monitor effectiveness.
Good readers monitor their attention, concentration and effectiveness. They quickly recognize if they've missed an idea and backup to reread it.
Should You Vocalize Words?
Yes, although it is faster to form words in your mind rather than on your lips or throat. Eye motion is also important. Frequent backtracking slows you down considerably.
Copyright 1991 Donald Martin, How to be a Successful Student
Table of Contents
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