Passage-based Reading

1. Passage-based Reading Short Reading

2. What to expect from the passages • 100 to 150 words long. • cover subjects in the humanities, social studies, natural sciences, and literary fiction. • They include narrative, persuasive, expository, and/or literary elements. • A set of questions follows each passage or pair of related passages.

3. Types of Questions • Inference • Main Idea • Vocabulary-in-Context • Information Retrieval • You will also be asked questions involving paired long passages and paired paragraphs

4. Inference Questions • To infer is to arrive at a conclusion through reasoning. • Ask you to draw conclusions from or evaluate the information in the passage. • The answers to these questions will not be directly stated in the passage but can be inferred from it.

5. **An inference is a statement that must be true based on the information provided in the passage.**

6. Example 2. It can be inferred from the passage that W.B. Yeats was a. uninterested in meter and rhythm b. a modern writer c. close to T.S. Eliot d. interested in imitating Donne’s technique e. suspicious of solely religious poets

7. Inference Questions - Strategy Use lead words in the answer choices to help guide you to the right answer. Example: It can be most reasonably inferred from the passage that • delegates at national party conventions are selected only through the primary and caucus systems **Go to the passage to see if delegates are selected only by primaries and caucuses. Can you prove that answer to be true with information from the passage? If not, it cannot be the correct answer.

8. Main Idea Questions • These ask you to determine to point of the entire paragraph. • Ask yourself: What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this paragraph? **Always re-read the first and last lines of the paragraph.

9. Example of Main Idea Questions 1. The main idea of the passage is that a. poetry is judged by different standards at different times b. Jonson misjudged Donne’s worth c. the value of Donne’s poetry was not really recognize until the twentieth century d. Donne was a deeply conflicted and complex man e. Donne’s rough meter prevented him from being understood in his own time

10. Vocabulary in Context Questions • Ask about the meaning of a word as it is used in the passage. • Even if you don’t know the word, you can sometimes figure it out from the passage and the answer choices.

11. The context—that is, the particular situation in which the word is used, including information given in neighboring sentences—helps determine its meaning. Example: Smart has several meanings. It can mean “intelligent,” “stylish,” and “sassy.” “We knew his smart mouth would get him into a lot of trouble some day.”

12. The context tells us that we are not talking about intelligence or fashion sense. Chances are, neither of those will get someone into a lot of trouble. The context, or the association between the words smart and trouble, tells us that the meaning intended here is “sassy.” **Strategy - You should ALWAYS go back to the passage and look at the clues to make sure it is the right meaning in this context.**

13. Information Retrieval Questions Ask you to find something specific in the passage Strategies • Use the line references or lead words (names, dates, or other important words that will stand out) in the question to jump to that part of the passage. 2) Read a few lines before and a few lines after it. Keep reading until you find the answer.

14. Short Reading #1 1. The main idea of the passage is that a. poetry is judged by different standards at different times b. Jonson misjudged Donne’s worth c. the value of Donne’s poetry was not really recognize until the twentieth century d. Donne was a deeply conflicted and complex man e. Donne’s rough meter prevented him from being understood in his own time

15. C – The passage states that it was not until the twentieth century “that Donne really began to be appreciated.” Answer A is too broad; it doesn’t mention Donne Answer B is too narrow; it is not primarily about Jonson and his opinions Answer D is incorrect because the passage is about Donne’s poetry, not his psyche Answer E is too narrow; the passage states that several factors hindered Donne’s contemporaries from appreciating him.

16. 2. It can be inferred from the passage that W.B. Yeats was a. uninterested in meter and rhythm b. a modern writer c. close to T.S. Eliot d. interested in imitating Donne’s technique e. suspicious of solely religious poets

17. B – Yeats is referenced as an example of the “modern movement” who appreciated Donne. Answer A – is too extreme; while the passage suggests Yeats had other interest, it does not imply that he was uninterested in rhythm. Answer C – Nothing supports any personal relationship between Yeats and Eliot. Answer D – While Yeats admired Donne, the passage does not suggest that he wished to imitate him Answer E – There is nothing to support this choice.

18. 3. According to the passage, all of the following would affect space photography EXCEPT a. bulky clothing and gloves b. moving heavy equipment c. dirty windows d. film exposed to radiation e. floating in zero gravity

19. B – This is correct because of the phrase: “but at least it makes it easy to move heavy camera equipment.” The other answer choices are all listed as challenges affecting space photography.

20. 4. It can be inferred from the passage that a. experience taking photographs on Earth is not as helpful when in space b. it is better to have film exposed to radiation than to have dirt on a window c. the absence of gravity is the greatest challenge faced by astronauts d. astronauts are envious of photographers who take photographs on Earth e. opportunities to take photographs in space are more abundant than on Earth.

21. A – The passage contrasts what is easy about taking photographs on Earth with what’s difficult in space. Answer B – wrong because the passage does not say which situation is worse Answer C – incorrect because it is too broad (it’s not specific to space photography), and the passage mentions that zero gravity makes moving heavy equipment easy Answer D – There’s nothing in the passage that talks about astronauts being envious. Answer E – is wrong because the passage does not compare the number of opportunities on Earth with those in space

22. Short Reading #2

23. 1. The fourth sentence (“Several decades…television program”) serves primarily to a. further describe the demographic nature of the audience b. emphasize the historic nature of the event c. explain the popularity of The Ed Sullivan Show d. compare the Beatles’ popularity in 1964 with that of today e. show the effect of television on American pop culture

24. B – The referenced sentence mentions that the audience is still one of the largest in history A – incorrect because the passage does not describe who comprised the audience. C – incorrect because the passage does not explain the general popularity of The Ed Sullivan Show D – incorrect because the passage does not compare the Beatles’ popularity then and now E – incorrect because the passage does no mention what effects television generally has on American pop culture

25. 2. It can be inferred from the passage that a. the Beatles would have achieved great fame even without a television appearance b. more than 73 million new viewers tuned in to watch the Beatles’ performance c. The Ed Sullivan Show provided a venue for musical performances in the 1960’s d. the Beatles are the most celebrated rock band to have achieved international fame e. the Beatles’ two earlier American television appearances are now forgotten

26. C – The passage mentions that at least one musical group (the Beatles) appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. A – incorrect because we cannot come to that conclusion solely based on what’s in the passage B – incorrect because we do not know if all the viewers were new to watching the show. D – incorrect because it is too extreme “most celebrated” E – incorrect because the earlier performances are mentioned in the passage, they aren’t entirely forgotten

27. 3. The author’s primary purpose is to a. praise Schuman for his innovative approach b. re-evaluate the standing of Mendelssohn and Brahms c. reassess a portion of Schuman’s portfolio d. reaffirm the value of the piano e. examine the influence of Schuman’s performances

28. C – While Schuman is praised in the passage as stated in A, the primary purpose is to re-evaluate his orchestral works. B, D, and E are incorrect because they not mentioned in the passage

29. 4. The author’s argument would be most weakened if it were true that a. Schuman’s piano music was overrated b. Mendelssohn and Brahms wrote exceptional piano music c. Mendelssohn’s music was strongly influenced by that of Schuman d. audiences find orchestral music easier to appreciate than piano music e. most of Schuman’s critics did not evaluate music based on comparisons with other composers

30. E – The passage states that “his large scale orchestral works has always suffered by comparison to those of contemporaries such as Mendelsohn and Brahms” and that is one reason the music is “under-appreciated and misunderstood.” A, B, C, and D are not relevant to the author’s argument; if any of them were true, they would have no bearing on critical or popular opinions of his orchestral music.

31. Short Reading #3

32. 1. According to the passage, American forces in New Orleans a. turned the tide of the war and helped secure and American victory b. did not abide by the Treaty of Ghent c. outnumbered the British at the end of the battle d. lacked communications systems e. defended the city against a larger contingent of British troops

33. E – Answer choice E is the only choice that is clearly stated in the passage (“Even though they were grossly outnumbered…”). A – incorrect because the war was officially over when the battle occurred and the passage does not state the Americans won the war B – Be careful. the American forces were unaware of the treaty at the time of battle. C – incorrect because it is not stated in the passage – don’t assume anything D – incorrect because the Americans at New Orleans did not totally lack communications systems, just high tech ones

34. 2. Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage? a. A generalization is stated and then is followed by a specific example that undermines the generalization b. A present-day reality is stated and then is highlighted using a historical event as a contrasting example. c. A historical era is described in terms of a significant battle d. An argument is outlined, and counterarguments are mentioned. e. A diplomatic error is discussed and its implications are explained

35. B – This works because the reality of modern warfare is stated and the Battle of New Orleans is used as an example of warfare that lacks real-time command. A – incorrect because nothing is undermined in the passage C – incorrect because no era is described D – incorrect because the author Is not making an argument – he’s stating fact neutrally E – incorrect because there was no error in diplomacy; it just took too long for the word to spread.

36. 3. It can be inferred from the passage that a. the Knights Templar were interested in preventing crime, not practicing religion b. the Knights’ actions conflicted with the Pope’s politics c. monarchs had a financial motive in pressing for the Knights’ execution d. the Knights are a powerful force in Scottish politics e. the Knights were executed to protect Christian theology

37. C – The monarchs pressured the pope to “confiscate the property of the Knights,” which points to a financial motive. A – is extreme and unsupported by the passage B – incorrect because the Knights’ power conflicted with the monarchs, not with the Pope’s D – uses the present tense; despite the claims of conspiracy theorists, there is no evidence that the Knights are a political force today E - incorrect because the Knights were executed for political, not religious, reasons.

38. 4. The tone of the passage is best described as a. insincere b. indifferent c. antithetical d. diffident e. objective

39. E – For tone questions, look for support in the passage. The passage does not display particular bias for or against the Knights Templar A – incorrect because it is unsupported; the author never demonstrates other motives for his discussion B – is too extreme, an ETS author will never be indifferent about his topic C – incorrect because the author is not making a statement that contrasts anything D – it is unlikely that the author would be shy

40. Short Reading #4

41. The primary purpose of the passage is to a. establish that transgenic crops are safe b. provide information about transgenic crops c. critique the process of genetic modification d. praise the virtues of genetically modified foods e. overcome opposition to genetically modified foods

42. B – Correct because there is a lot of information with very little analysis or interpretation. A – incorrect because the safety of th e foods is not discussed C – incorrect because the process is not critiqued D – incorrect because it is too strong when compared to choice B E – incorrect because an opposing perspective is not mentioned in the passage

43. 2. As used in the passage, the word “yield” most nearly means to a. surrender b. drive slowly c. replace d. back down e. produce

44. E – Look for the clue. The sentence before says the crops are “developed” for different purposes. “Produce” is the best definition of “yield” as it is used in the passage. A, B, and D – are valid definitions of “yield,” but not appropriate in the context of the passage. C – is not a definition of the “yield”

45. 3. The phrase “where historians usually tread” is used in the passage to indicate that a. a centuries-old rivalry exists between climatologists and historians b. climatologists have been taking ships’ logs out of the historians’ office c. climatologists find valuable books alongside the historians’ walking path d. scientists are utilizing resources typically regarded as historical rather than scientific e. scientists are more intrepid than historians have been in the past

46. D - correct because the passage indicates scientists “have begun” to use this information, while historians “usually tread” among the material, indicating the information has typically been used by historians rather than scientists. There is no evidence for any of the other answer choices.

47. 4. It can be most reasonably inferred from the phrase “ice core samples, sunspot activity, and tree ring patterns” in the last lines of the paragraph that a. meteorological data of the past can be deduced from ice samples, sunspot activity, and tree rings b. eighteenth-century ship captains collected samples of ice and wood from around the world c. the yearly accumulation of ice and snow can be determined by the patterns left in tree rings d. only these items can give modern meteorologist clues to eighteenth-century weather e. scientists no longer need to use this information now that the ships’ logs have been found

48. A – correct because the newly discovered weather data is going to be compared to measurements from these three sources, implying that all the data measure the same thing. B, C, E – There is no evidence in the passage for these choices D – incorrect because it is contradicted by the passage; the ships’ logs show eighteenth-century weather.

49. Long Passage-based Reading Questions do not increase in difficulty from easy to hard. These are usually arranged in the order they appear in the passage. Each passage is 70 – 90 lines long that are broken into paragraphs. Each of these paragraphs has a couple of very specific questions based on it. Think of these longer passage as just a series of short passages.

50. The Dual Passage Two shorter passages giving you two perspectives on one topic, followed by up to 13 questions. Examples: two views on architecture in a city, two views on whether certain books should be banned