The 5 Stages of RC UnderstandingHey gang,
Just putting some thoughts down I've been working with students on recently. The idea that the 'comprehension' in reading comp has five 'stages.' (...This is far from scientific, to be clear).
Roughly, the five stages are this:STAGE 1: The passage is understood at the HIGHEST AND MOST ABSTRACT LEVEL. The LOGICAL STRUCTURE of the passage is understood, such that someone could explain it using MINIMAL ACTUAL CONTENT from the passage (e.g. "Scientists have observed something unexpected, and two theories are presented as explanations, one of which seems more likely." Which is slightly different from "Scientists have observed something unexpected, and two theories are presented as to why what was observed was actually not accurate." etc. etc.)
STAGE 2: Some specific details and context are understood. Some understanding of 'what' is thought by the author/relevant parties.
STAGE 3: More specific details and context are understood. A deeper understanding of 'why' the author/relevant parties think the 'what.'
STAGE 4: Very specific details and context are understood. Full understanding of the 'why' and the 'what,' and even the 'why of the whys.'
STAGE 5: Implications that are not explicitly stated are understood. Dots are logically connected that the author does not connect.
Now, there is an order to how these stages are understood, but it's not 1-5. In fact, the stage people will naturally start at is stage 2. Stage 1 must be constructed from a good understanding of stage 2/3. The problem is, every stage but stage 2 requires thought aside from reading single sentences. If you watch this video:
Stage 2 is from whence comes the 'bad' passage map I lay out: the mirror 'summary' of sentences.
You CANNOT let yourself stay in stage 2. Many students do.
You start at stage 2, and you use it to build stage 1.
And it's very hard to get to stage 3 if you don't have stages 1 and 2. And you can't have stage 4 without stage 3. Much of stage 5 will require stages 1-4 (though some inferences could likely be drawn from stages 1-3).
There's no point trying to read for stage 5 if you're failing stage 1.
For MOST test takers, the goal of the first read is to get STAGES 1-3. Leave stages 4 and 5 for questions, if you NEED them. If you get really really efficient at the 1-3, then start reading for stage 4, and try to find a few chances at unsaid inferences (stage 5).
Here is an example:Quote:
For many years, doctors have noted the many health benefits of eating fish. Not only are fish generally low in cholesterol and a great source of protein, but they are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve heart health in a variety of studies. Doctors often encourage people with a family history of heart disease to increase their consumption of fish.
However, recent studies by a government environmental agency have noted an alarming increase in the toxins present in most fish, especially the presence of the metal mercury. Mercury is a powerful toxin that is particularly harmful to the brain development of children and unborn fetuses. The agency notes that even the consumption of one can of white tuna a week by a pregnant mother can have damaging effects on her unborn baby.
Despite the danger from mercury, most consumers should not abandon fish eating and its heart healthy benefits. Consumers must simply be more conscious of the types of fish that they consume. For example, swordfish is relatively high in mercury content and low in omega-3 fatty acids. On the other hand, salmon is low in mercury content and high in omega-3 fatty acids. If consumers are careful about what types of fish they consume, they can have the benefits of heart-healthy fatty acids without the dangers of mercury poisoning.
STAGE 2: Fish is healthy. Good for hearts. But some risks, especially mercury. Still, people should eat fish, just choose carefully.
STAGE 1: Okay, so, doing something has health benefits and some health risks. But the benefits still outweigh the risks, if people are careful and thoughtful.
STAGE 3: A few more details are sprinkled in: Omega 3, for instance, is especially why eating fish is good for hearts. The risk of mercury is especially high for children.
STAGE 4: There are other benefits from eating fish (protein). Cans of Tuna have lots of Mercury. Expectant mothers can harm their unborn child by eating too much canned tuna. Swordfish (high merc, low OM3) vs Salmon (low merc, high Om3).
STAGE 5: Adults can eat fish with mercury with less risk than children can. There once was less mercury in fish. People should choose salmon over swordfish to maximize the benefits of OM3 and mitigate the harms of mercury. Someone could follow a doctor's advice to eat more fish and find themselves more harmed than otherwise, if they eat the wrong fish.
Again this isn't an exact science. What constitutes stage 3 and stage 4 is up for debate. (Also this wasn't a particularly difficult passage).
But I think it's good mindset to be in, to try to actively work through the 'phases' or 'stages' of comprehension here. Doing so will ensure you're moving past stage 2--the place that is a good start, but is death for a good RC score if that's where you stop!
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REED ARNOLDManhattan Prep GMAT InstructorVideo: The 24 Things Every GMAT Studier Needs to DoHow to Improve a GMAT ScoreThe Studying Verbal Starter Kit (...That's much more than a 'starter kit')The Studying Quant Starter Kit (...That's much more than a 'starter kit')The PERFECT data sufficiency question:On a three person bench, George sits in the middle of Alice and Darryl. If Alice is married, is an unmarried person sitting next to a married person?
1). George is married.
2). Darryl is not married.
Answer:
10 Sep 2021, 13:16
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