2. Reading Skills the Test Rewards

Three out of four questions ask you to read closely. The skills tested over and over:

• Main idea -- the one point the whole passage makes, not a single detail and not a vague generalization.
• Supporting details -- specific facts the passage actually states; for these, point to the exact words.
• Inference -- a conclusion the passage supports without saying outright; you should be able to name the clue behind it.
• Author's purpose and tone -- why the author wrote this (to inform, persuade, or entertain) and the attitude behind the words.
• Vocabulary in context -- what a word means in this sentence, using the surrounding clues.

A reliable routine for any passage:

• Read for the big point first, then the details.
• For a detail question, find the line that answers it.
• Rule out choices that are true but never stated or too narrow / too broad.