All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the best definition of an unsupported assumption in reading comprehension?
Answer: A belief added by the reader that the passage does not justify. Unsupported assumptions introduce external ideas not backed by the text, undermining valid inference-making.
Flashcard 2: What is the best definition of a text-based conclusion in reading comprehension?
Answer: An inference logically supported by details explicitly stated in the text. This definition ensures conclusions are derived directly from the passage's content, avoiding external assumptions.
Flashcard 3: What is the key difference between a conclusion and an opinion in reading comprehension?
Answer: A conclusion is evidence-based; an opinion is personal preference or belief. Conclusions rely on objective textual evidence, while opinions stem from subjective views not necessarily backed by the passage.
Flashcard 4: Which type of evidence most strongly supports a conclusion: specific details or vague impressions?
Answer: Specific details. Precise details from the text provide concrete support, making conclusions more reliable than subjective impressions.
Flashcard 5: What is the best first step when asked to draw a conclusion supported by textual evidence?
Answer: Identify the question focus and locate relevant lines in the passage. Focusing on the question and relevant text ensures conclusions are grounded in specific evidence from the passage.
Flashcard 6: What is the best definition of an inference as tested on reading comprehension exams?
Answer: A logical conclusion drawn from textual clues and what the reader knows. Inferences combine textual hints with logical reasoning to form conclusions not explicitly stated but implied.
Flashcard 7: Which option best describes a valid inference: one that is possible or one that is most supported?
Answer: Most supported by the text. Valid inferences must align closely with the passage's details, prioritizing strong textual backing over mere possibility.
Flashcard 8: What should you do if an answer choice is true in real life but not supported by the passage?
Answer: Eliminate it as not text-supported. Only passage-supported information is valid; external truths cannot justify conclusions without textual evidence.
Flashcard 9: What is the best definition of textual evidence in reading comprehension questions?
Answer: Words, facts, examples, or statements in the passage that support a claim. Textual evidence consists of direct elements from the passage that substantiate inferences and conclusions.
Flashcard 10: Which is stronger support for a conclusion: one detail or multiple consistent details?
Answer: Multiple consistent details. Consistent details across the text build a stronger, more cohesive foundation for drawing reliable conclusions.
Flashcard 11: What is a common trap answer in inference questions that you should eliminate?
Answer: An answer that is too broad or goes beyond what the text supports. Overly broad answers exceed the passage's scope, lacking specific support and risking unsubstantiated claims.
Flashcard 12: Which option best signals that the author is implying rather than directly stating a point?
Answer: The text provides clues but does not explicitly say the conclusion. Implications arise when the text suggests ideas through indirect clues rather than overt declarations.
Flashcard 13: What is the best way to handle an inference question when two answers seem plausible?
Answer: Choose the one with the most direct and specific textual support. Prioritizing the option with the strongest textual links ensures the inference is logically sound and evidence-based.
Flashcard 14: What does it mean to say a conclusion must be "warranted" by the text?
Answer: The text provides sufficient support to justify the conclusion. A warranted conclusion is one where the passage's evidence logically and sufficiently justifies the inferred idea.
Flashcard 15: Which option is the best conclusion if a passage lists only benefits and no drawbacks of a plan?
Answer: The author presents the plan favorably. Listing solely positive aspects implies the author's approval, as no criticisms are presented to balance the view.
Flashcard 16: Identify the best conclusion: A character avoids eye contact and gives short answers during questioning.
Answer: The character is uncomfortable or uneasy. Such behaviors typically indicate discomfort, as they suggest reluctance or anxiety in the interaction.
Flashcard 17: Identify the best conclusion: The author uses words like "alarming," "disturbing," and "urgent."
Answer: The author’s tone is concerned and pressing. These emotive words convey a sense of worry and immediacy, reflecting the author's alarmed perspective.
Flashcard 18: Which conclusion is best supported: A study is cited, statistics are given, and counterarguments are addressed.
Answer: The author aims to persuade using evidence-based reasoning. Incorporating data, stats, and rebuttals demonstrates an intent to convince through logical, evidence-driven arguments.
Flashcard 19: Identify the best conclusion: A narrator admits, "I may be remembering this incorrectly."
Answer: The narrator may be unreliable. Admitting potential memory flaws signals possible bias or inaccuracy in the narrator's account.
Flashcard 20: Identify the best conclusion: A passage repeatedly contrasts "then" with "now" about a city’s economy.
Answer: The city’s economy has changed over time. Contrasting past and present highlights economic shifts, implying evolution or transformation in the city's conditions.
Flashcard 21: Which conclusion is best supported: A scientist notes limitations and calls findings "preliminary."
Answer: The results are tentative and not final. Acknowledging limitations and labeling as preliminary indicates the findings are provisional and require further validation.
Flashcard 22: Identify the best conclusion: A character rereads a letter, folds it carefully, and hides it in a drawer.
Answer: The letter is important and the character wants it kept private. Careful handling and concealment suggest the letter holds significance and is intended to remain confidential.
Flashcard 23: Identify the best conclusion: The author presents two sides, then ends by endorsing one clearly.
Answer: The author’s purpose is to argue for the endorsed position. Presenting balanced views then favoring one indicates a persuasive intent toward the supported position.
Flashcard 24: Which conclusion is best supported: A paragraph states a claim, then gives examples and a brief summary?
Answer: The paragraph is structured as claim followed by supporting evidence. Starting with a claim and adding examples followed by a summary exemplifies a structure that bolsters the initial assertion.
Flashcard 25: Identify the best conclusion: A speaker answers a direct question by changing the subject twice.
Answer: The speaker is likely avoiding the question. Repeatedly shifting topics in response to a query implies deliberate evasion of the original question.