LSAT Reading Comprehension

easier passages

- concrete, real things you can visualize in your head as youre reading - familiar, everyday kind of language - narrative, descriptive style - clear, concise direct sentences - easy to identify thesis -single/two point of view - short questions w/ lead words and short answers

extract- fact Questions

- more rare these Qs ask for something EXPLICITLY stated so look to the passage and find references/ what passage word for word says -should be directly stated Use highlight and passage notes to find the answer - these are often EXCEPT questions uses words like according to; states

Science passages

- tend to have a solid amount of very specific Qs - sometimes better to tackle them out of order -focus more time on the Qs and checking the detail against the text - usually the hardest passages are the 3rd or 4th

How to determine difficulty of passage?

- they proceed in ROUGH order of difficulty (unlike games) - skim the first two sentences looking for abstract language and ideas v. concrete, descriptive language (which are prob the boring ones but they're easier) - scan the questions looking for long and complicated questions and answers and/or difficult question tasks

Why do you break down the passage?

- to maximize both accuracy and efficiency - to understand the purpose and structure of the passage for easier POE (think of how its organized look for words like however; yet) - to get what you need out of the passage w/o getting tripped up on details (don't get distracted by evidence/examples

active reading

- understanding how a text is put together - anticipating the points the author will make next - reading for tone and different points of view - following complex lines of reasoning - seeing beyond the details to the bigger picture

how/what to highlight in the passage

- use one color - highlight question topics (based on preview), conclusions; transitions (pivotal points/ continuations); tone/authors opinion; emphasize words; comparisons/contrasts; examples; lists use scratch paper for main idea of each paragraph and bottom line of entire passage

harder passages

-abstract/vague/philosophical/ theoretical subjects or topics - scholarly, analytical, academic style of writing -unfamiliar, technical, or advanced vocabulary - multiple povs -convoluted, run-on sentence structure w/ no clear thesis or point - topic sentence doesn't really introduce the topic - lots of long Qs w/ answer choices that are 3-4 lines long each

reasoning Questions

1-2 Qs per section - Qs that look like arguments -answers will go beyond what is stated in the passage (new info in the answer is fine) - these can be difficult so if you struggle w/ them save them for last - indicator words: strengthens; weakens; necessary assumption; parallel the principle - ask you to apply new info to the passage you must understand the logic of that argument and what direction the correct answer must take

5 min plan: In the middle of a passage:

1. Guess LOTD on anything blank including the game you are on 2. Keep yourself on track, you'll finish most if not all the questions 3. DONT cut corners, read the Q carefully, look back to the passage, and do smart POE 4. DO the questions OUT of order start with the shorter ones first 5. Be more aggressive in POE (make more firm decisions then used to)

types of question types

1. big picture 2. extract - extract- fact - extract- infer 3. structure - organization - function 4. reasoning

construction of passage

1. even a neutral tell a story passage is an argument (author wants to communicate core idea or persuade you to accept their core idea) 2. argument consists of series of statements that express an authors beliefs - these are the parts of the argument we would call arguable - while author wants you to accept them they're not necessarily true 3. these beliefs are accompanied by evidence or reasoning in support of those statements -this includes examples, analogies, accounts of events, data, etc 4. distinguish b/w claims and evidence 5. authors opinion and POV determine and create the passages tone - helps you understand what the author wants you to feel - if you can correctly asses an authors tone than you'll have a better sense of what the author is trying to accomplish

HOW do you break down the passage?

1. look for patterns in the way info is presented (describe what youre reading) - is it a description? Narration? study? comparison? etc 2. separate claims from evidence. Why did author say this? - major claims are usually first or last sentence in paragraph - evidence is usually in middle of paragraph 3. find the overall structure of the passage. is thesis first? last? neither? (usually puzzle pieces and you have to bring ideas together 4. look for the logical structure (related to purpose of the passage)

POE basics

1. pay attention to every word 2. be aware of extreme language (extreme language almost always wrong) 3. keep track of question scope (whether it asks about the passage as whole to just one part) 4. down to two? compare choices to each other and look for differences. highlight the differences then refer back to the passage (test the differences against the passage

how to use POE in RC

1. predict distractions based on the passage and the question task 2. read each choice WORD for WORD 3. don't select an answer until you have read all five choices (just leave it in dont just select) 4. look for what's wrong w/ each answer- don't just rely on what sounds good (80% of answers are completely wrong) 5. Cut corners in passage not in answers

Steps to tackle Read comp ?s

1. preview questions for passage content 2. annotate the passage 3. define the the main point of each paragraph 4. note the bottom line of the passage (MAP) 5. Read the question word for word and define the question task 6. go back to the passage to prove your answer 7. answer in your own words before seeing answer choices when applicable (don't have to answer questions in order) 8. use POE (look for what is wrong with each choice)

Why highlight the passage

1. to focus on the logical clues to the major claims (helps identify and track structure of the passage) 2. to identify the most important chunks of info (visually deemphasizes the less important parts) 3. to maximize efficiency by marking the location of the evidence (where its located might be relevant to the Qs) - you dont care what it says 4. to create a map for answering questions w/ max speed and accuracy (fast way to check Qs and As against the most relevant parts of the passage w/o having to search for them

Why use POE in RC

1. to maximize accuracy and efficiency 2. use common patterns to predict, identify and eliminate distracting wrong answers 3. use your self-evaluation to identify what kinds of wrong answers you fall for and why, in order to refine your approach

how should you identify and addresses the question task?

1. translate the question stem 2. identify key words 3. look for passage references 4. figure out what you need to w/ or to the passage

when working a passage keep these questions in mind

1. who are what is the passage about? 2. what does the author claim is significant about the topic? 3. does the passage have a clear thesis? if so, where is it located? 4. what is the authors attitude towards the topic? 5. what examples or information does the author provide to support his/her claims 6. What role does each part of the passage play in communicating the author's core argument? 7. Are the views of any of other scholars discussed? If so, does the author agree or disagree with them? 8. What is the author's point and purpose in writing the passage? that is what is the bottom line?

what to do in difficult passages

1. you have to find the primary focus 2. once found you can better follow the arguments winding path (remind yourself of the focus to keep from getting lost) 3. then determine the authors stance (after you decide what author writing about decide what author is arguing for 4. asses each new paragraph in relation to the focus and the purpose determine the structure is like mapping a passages moving parts, but you need to keep the anchor firmly in mind in order to determine how each new paragraph contributes - these passages rely more on abstractions, contain a greater wealth of detail and may introduce several different points of view

Extract Questions

12-18 Qs per section prove these by going back to the passage two types - extract- fact - extract- infer if you've found a particular reference in the passage for an Extract Q and notice that the 6th line below begins with "However" keep reading. bc what follows that pivotal word is likely to affect the answer to that question

two pass method

1st pass: - eliminate choices based on what contradicts bottom line/map - eliminate answer that don't match your prediction (use your own answer actively but cautiously) -If you're unsure of an answer or don't understand it LEAVE IT IN goal is to be down to two answers 2nd pass: -re read the question (type + answer) -compare remaining choices (WORD for WORD look for differences) -Go back to the passage for PROOF -look for common distractors

Big picture Questions

4-6 Qs per section its the main idea; main point; central claim; primarily purpose; overall tone - asks about the entire process as a whole (what's the entire passage about) - use the bottom line (look back to you BL or MAP before you look at answers) - if you don't have a MAP, paraphrase how you would join 1st para to the last =predication - make sure the answer relates to all parts of the passage (connect the 1st para to the last para - most passages are puzzle pieces) you are being asked to combine ideas so have to make sure MAP connects ideas

structure Questions

4-6 Qs per section two types: - organization - function

Comparative Qs

5-7 Qs/section - you must pay close attention to which passage or passages you are supposed to be looking at 1) start with the ones about Passage A 2) passage B only 3) one and not the other 4) both 5) neither

types of logical relationships in comparative passages

Are they on the same side of the issue? Are they in agreement/disagreement? Is one more general and the other more specific? Is one more opinionated than the other? (A: analytical, objective, scholarly, considers all perspectives B: passionate, subjective, opinionated, more firm)

common trap answers

Beyond the scope opposite doesn't answer the question too extreme

Question to ask to check your understanding If structure

Does this answer choice describe the structure of the passage/para? Does this answer choice explain the function of the phrase/word/para? Is this answer completely right?

Question to ask to check your understanding If Big Picture

Does this answer choice have the right scope? Does it have the right tone? Is it supported by the entire passage?

Question to ask to check your understanding If reasoning

Does this answer choice match my understanding of the question task? Does it answer the right question? Is it completely right?

Extract Q stems

Extract-fact: states, according to Extract-infer: implies, suggests , inferred, most supported by, most likely agree with

Structure Q stem

Function: in order to, as evidence that, what is the purpose Organized: organized

Question to ask to check your understanding If extract-fact or extract-infer

Is this answer choice supported by the passage? Does it answer the right question? Does it have the right tone?

What is bottom line of passage

Main point Purpose Tone

Comparative Passages Answer

Most of the wrong answers will simply confuse the passages

How to speed up?

NEVER EVER re read on the 1st read through- always keep your eyes moving forward even if you feel like you didn't understand a sentence or two 1st read through: general understanding of the overall topic and tone and WHERe topics from the questions are located use your scratch paper a little bit less skimming middle of paragraphs or wherever you get a detail marker being precise will be faster in the longer identify the question type, look back to the passage, make prediction dont go back to the passage more than two times per question (once as soon as you read the question and again when youre down to 2) once you choose an answer, MOVE ON - dont triple check

Comparative Passages Assess

Start doing questions that are about Passage A or B only Then answer Qs about what is in one but not that other then finally questions about relationship b/w them make sure you go back to the right passage

Comparative passages Find the logical relationship b/w the passages

Theres usually about two questions about the relationship Passage B is not a direct response to A However, B will be connected to A in some way

Translate Question Stem Given the info in the passage, which one of the following hypothetical events is least likely to occur?

What can you infer is NOT going to happen? - the other 4 answers will have direct evidence in the passage that they will happen - the right answer will either have that won't happen; be opposite; or never mentioned in the paragraph

Translate Question Stem Based on the passage, with which one of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

What can you infer? - like in argument section- what answer can you best support to prove using ONLY info from the passage

Translate Question Stem Which of the following best exemplifies the type of situation discussed in the 3rd paragraph ?

What matches the situation in the 3rd paragraph? -go back to the passage and read the situation in the 3rd paragraph then generalize/summarize it - the right answer will be a new example that matches summary of the passage

comparative passages find the bottom line

Whats the main idea of Passage A (as soon as you read it) Whats the main idea of Passage B (as soon as you read it)

Translate Question Stem The author discusses the critics in the 2nd paragraph primarily in order to?

Why does the author talk about the critics? -if you go back and try to read what the critics say you will get the question wrong - have to think about why the author introduced the critics in the first place - what other big idea are the critics supporting

extreme language indicators

all, always, majority, never, none, guarantees, inevitable, bound to, inescapable, crucial, essential, main, primarily

structure- function Questions

asks about he purpose of a word, phrase, or paragraph/ why did the author mention this piece of evidence? paraphrase how that text relates to the rest of the passage uses words like in order to; as evidence that; purpose if the Q asks why the author makes a particular statement and the statement begins w/ "For Example" those words tell you that the statement serves to illustrate some larger claim made in the passage, most likely before that example indicator

5 min plan: starting a passage

do this even if you have 7/8 min left 1.Guess LOTD on anything blank including the game you are on 2.DONT read the Qs, DONT read the passage 3.If you MUST (only read the 1st sentence of each paragraph) - 1 min max better off not even doing that 4. DONT use highlighter 5.Start with the Qs ASAP 6.DONT cut corners on the question - you must read them carefully, you must look back and read for context, and you must engage with the POE 7.pick good questions: something is pre-highlighted in the Q stem —> highlighted in the text (easy to find), question with a content keyword or a paragraph # in the Q dont bother with except/least/not dont bother w/ anything long dont bother w/ open ended Qs

How will you approach the Comparative Passage

dont bother with preview of the Qs read passage A (time limits of 2 mins max) - jot down a short note on scratch paper (main idea) read passage B (time limits of 2 mins max) - jot down a short note on scratch paper (main idea) How are the passage similar? How are they different? - this is your relationship, jot this down because there will be at least two questions about it

What will you do if you're stuck on a passage

dont re read the middle of the paragraph ever on your first read through maybe go back and have a quick look at the topic sentence of each paragraph take more notes, use your scratch paper and focus on highlighting content words from your preview and structural words relax, every passage will have at least 3-4 questions that dont require you to understand the passage- they just required to go back, locate info and then understand

Generally speaking pay more attention (slow down)

first and last sentence of each paragraph

Transitions & slow/fast detail indicators:

for example; one such instance; recent study; when i was younger speed up/ start skimming bc details aren't main ideas

What's the first thing you will do when you open the RC section?

generally start w/ the first one unless there's something really difficult about it after completing the first passage, scan the second and third and compare them to each other rinse and repeat, compare the passage you skipped to the final passage

Transitions & slow/fast changes in direction indicators:

however; but; yet; nonetheless; rather; on the other hand - SLOW DOWN moving away from something to a new point to an opinion of disagreement - think of what comes before and after

Visualization/ notes

if youre having trouble understanding a passage create an image - when taking notes you should be concise expressions of the main point of each paragraph - can also use symbols

Transitions continuation indicators:

in addition ; next; another; further - read faster here bc adding new content to something already established

extract- infer Questions

it is a paraphrase of what is stated PROVE what the question is asking uses words like what is implied; what is reasonable to conclude; what is the author most likely to agree w/; suggested - what answer out of the 5 is BEST SUPPORTED by the passage (closer to the passage the better so sometimes answer is explicitly stated)

Big Picture Q stems

main idea/primary purpose/ overall tone/attitude

Generally speaking move more quickly/speed/skim

middle stuff in paragraph

Comparative Passages PREPARE

not much point to preview questions work passage A max 2 mins as soon as done reading write MAP then passage B max 2mins as soon as done reading write MAP Reflect on relationship: how are they similar/different

common distractors

not supported wrong scope wrong tone doesnt answer Q contradicts the passage wrong direction big picture: too specific extract: too extreme, right answer wrong Q structure: WHAT its says not WHY if the passage contracts two theories and the question asks what can be inferred about one of them, the test writers will likely give you wrong answers that describe the theory not being discussed. If you are actively looking for this trap, you can quickly recognize and eliminate it

emphasize words indicators:

primarily; crucial; most; all; always; never; majority; essential

Comparative Q POE

reversal of passages doesnt answer the question in relation to the passage

comparison and contrast indicators:

similarly; like; analogy; unlike; in contrast; later; before these are important to logical structure of the passage and Alert you to potential trap answers (like if described as diff in passage trap answer might describe as similar

What strategies will you use to better understand the passage?

skip this passage and only come back to it 3rd or 4th slow your reading down on the 1st sentence of each paragraph = read for comprehension move through the text at a brisk pace- if you see a however, yet, but, nevertheless (transition) or thus, hence, therefore (conclusion) slow down make more use of your scratch paper - jot down a short note at the end of each paragraph summarizing what it was about you must accept that it is fine not to comprehend everything time is a resource so 5 min max to read and annotate the passage

Reasoning Q stems

strengthen, weaken, assumption, parallels the principle, matches the situation

Question that ask about the meaning of the word

think about the context of the word not what the word actually means DONT just look at first word for clues look at entire answer

Transitions & slow/fast conclusion indicators:

thus; therefore; hence; so; need to - SLOW its the main point of the paragraph

Why should you identify and addresses the question task?

to understand the scope of the question and figure out what work needs to be done to answer it

negative tone indicators:

unfortunately; regrettably; harmful; dangerous

positive tone indicators:

useful; benefit; help; aid; valuable

structure- organization Questions

way more rare- might not even see at all How is the passage put together, in the correct order? paraphrase the organization of the passage in your own words then use POE Be sure to match the passage in the same order so go back and check get rid of answers that dont match the passage bc out of order; reversal or description doesnt match

Main idea indicators:

we ought to; thus; it is better; this theory may be wrong; it is clear; it is obvious usually at the start or end of the paragraph

POE for Structure Qs

wrong answer: what it says not why ; right answer wrong question; out of scope; too extreme; opposite

POE for extract Qs

wrong answers are too extreme (most common wrong answer); right answer but wrong Q; opposite; wrong tone; out of scope; new info

POE for big picture Questions

wrong are too specific; too narrow; doesnt answer the Q - its better to be more general but not too broad nor vague nor go beyond the scope of the passage

POE Reasoning Qs

wrong direction

What strategies will you use to attack questions?

you will likely need to look back more than normal dont cut corners- do the work read the Q stem carefully and actively identify the Q type (BP, Extract, structure, reasoning) when you look back- one sentence is not enough, re-read 2-3 sentences at a MINIMUM to understand the content and do so carefully - now you are reading for full comprehension be prepared to make two cuts- must read every answer all the way through, beginning to end when youre down to two answers: remind yourself what the question was asking and identify the key difference b/w the answers, test the difference against the passage AVOID EXTREMES almost always