How to figure out the purpose of the passage?

Question

I mean the various terms as contrast, reconcile, clarify, support, critique, explain, describe, discuss, evaluate

And the subjects:-

theory, methodology, scheme, study, research, methods...

I mean I am able to distinguish 70-80% times, but on a few occasions, it is very perplexing for eg. the passage tries to explain the importance of innovations by Florentine in the field of nursing... a statement which looks quite true but is incorrect. Perhaps, I am not comprehending the way I should.
How can you tell whether the passage has a theory or a methodology or a scheme, etc...
And is it contrasting, or, critiquing, etc..
I have done 20 odd passages so far and have been able to make out in 70% cases. Sometimes, the language or the confusion between two choices does me in.

Please, if anyone can help. CR is a big bane already.

souvik101990 · Answer

These 2 videos helped me a lot and others also vouch for it.
 https://www.manhattangmat.com/thursdays-with-ron.cfm 
Look for:
August 19, 2010:
Reading Comprehension: Long Passages & Main Idea Questions
January 6, 2011:
Reading Comprehension: A Trick for Finding the Main Idea Data Sufficiency: Number Line problems, part 1

Carcass · Answer

For me the best strategy is to read the entire passage. if you do this is almost impossible do not find the main idea

remember: science passage generally DESCRIBE something, instead social science ARGUE something

talismaaniac · Answer

Thanks both of you..... Hey gmatclubot - why do you keep showing your ass every time..no actually u are showing your fat tummy :-D

aakrity · Answer

I still get the main purpose of the passage wrong every time and my Gmat is on Monday. Really worried on how to improve here.

Carcass · Answer

60% of the time the main idea is there: in the first sentences of the first paragraph or in its entierly.

20% in the second

20% in the third or following

I suggest you you to read the entire passage as whole ( do not focus too much on the details though). After this the main idea almost always jumps as you go through the answer choices.

Good luck

VerbalBot · Answer

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How to figure out the purpose of the passage?

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