Reading comprehension and para-jumbles

Reading comprehension and para-jumble questions test whether you follow the logic of a text. The right answer is always supported by the words on the page, so the method is to find that support, not to rely on what you already believe.

Reading a short passage

1. Read the question first so you know what to look for.
2. Read the passage once at normal speed. Notice words like however, for this reason and as a result, because they show the structure.
3. Go back to the exact sentence that answers the question.
4. Choose the option that matches that sentence, even if another option sounds more interesting.

Common question types and traps

• Detail questions ("according to the passage") have an answer stated almost directly. Wrong options often use a word from the passage in the wrong way.
• Main idea questions need the option that covers the whole passage, not just one sentence. An option that is true but too narrow is a common trap.
• Inference questions ask what the passage suggests. The answer goes one small step beyond the text, never a big leap.
• Outside knowledge: if an option is true in real life but not mentioned in the passage, it is wrong for a "according to the passage" question.

Para-jumbles

You are given four or five sentences to put in order. Look for links between them.

• The opening sentence introduces a person, situation or topic and does not depend on anything before it. It rarely begins with he, she, this or however.
• Pronouns such as she, they and this need something earlier to refer to.
• Connectors such as as a result, therefore and finally come after the idea they connect to.
• Time words such as last year, in March and now often show the order directly.

Q: Last year, the team prepared its report by hand.
R: This took most of Friday...        (This = the manual report)
S: In March, they switched to...      (the change)
P: As a result, the team now...       (the outcome)
Order: Q R S P

Checking your order

Find one pair that must go together, such as a pronoun and the noun it refers to. Then check the options that keep that pair. This often leaves only one choice.

Habit to build: for every answer, be able to point to the sentence or link that proves it. If you cannot point to it, read again before choosing.