Reading Comprehension - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering all 6 types of reading comprehension questions in UPCAT and other CETs
The 6 Question Types
Important facts
- Main idea often appears in first 2 sentences of first paragraph
- Supporting details are EXPLICITLY stated in the text
- Inferences must be supported by text evidence
- Author's purpose: look for keywords like 'benefits,' 'should,' 'dangerous'
- Tone words: adjectives and verbs reveal author's attitude
- Context clues help determine word meanings
Key definitions
Main Idea
Example
Usually found in first/last sentences of paragraphs
The central message or primary point the author wants to convey
Supporting Details
Example
According to the passage, what year did X happen?
Specific facts, names, dates explicitly stated in the passage
Inference
Example
What can be inferred about the character's feelings?
Drawing logical conclusions from information not directly stated
Author's Purpose
Example
To convince readers to support environmental protection
Why the author wrote the passage (inform, persuade, entertain, explain)
Author's Tone
Example
Concerned, optimistic, critical, sarcastic
The author's attitude toward the subject (positive, negative, neutral, etc.)
Word in Context
Example
What does 'the city was a jungle' mean in this context?
Understanding specific words or figurative language within the passage
Diagrams to know
- Question type identification flowchart
- Reading strategy mind map
Question Clue Phrases
Important facts
- Memorize these clue phrases to instantly identify question types
- Each question type requires different reading strategies
- Practice identifying clue phrases in mock exams
Key definitions
Main Idea Clues
Example
The passage is primarily concerned with...
What is the main point? Which statement best summarizes? What is the primary purpose?
Detail Clues
Example
The author mentions that...
According to the passage... What does the passage say about... Where/When did occur?
Inference Clues
Example
It can be concluded that...
What can be inferred? What is likely to happen if? What does the author imply?
Purpose Clues
Example
The author's main goal is to...
What is the author's purpose? Why did the author write this? Is the author trying to...?
Tone Clues
Example
The author's attitude can best be described as...
What tone does the author use? How does the author feel about? Which word describes attitude?
Context Clues
Example
As used in line 5, the word X most nearly means...
What does [word] mean in this context? What is the meaning of the phrase?
Reading Strategies
Important facts
- Read introduction first for context
- Scan questions (not choices) before reading passage
- Read whole passage before answering questions
- For difficult questions, eliminate wrong choices first
- Base inference answers ONLY on passage information
- Look for repeated ideas - they connect to main idea
- Topic sentences usually contain key information
- Time management: answer easy questions first
Key definitions
Strategic Reading
Example
Scan questions before reading to focus attention
Read questions first to know what to look for in the passage
Elimination Method
Example
Cross out answers that contradict the passage
Remove obviously incorrect answers to narrow down choices
Context Analysis
Example
Look at the sentence before and after for clues
Use surrounding sentences to understand difficult words or concepts
Diagrams to know
- Step-by-step reading process flowchart
Must remember
- There are exactly 6 types of reading comprehension questions
- Main idea is usually in first 2 sentences of first paragraph
- Supporting details are EXPLICITLY stated - scan for keywords
- Inferences must be based ONLY on passage information, not outside knowledge
- Author's purpose keywords: inform (benefits, facts), persuade (should, must), explain (how, why)
- Author's tone: look at adjectives and verbs for emotional indicators
- Read questions first, but NOT the answer choices yet
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers when stuck
- Context clues: look at sentences before and after unknown words
- Time management: answer easy questions first, flag difficult ones
Last minute tips
- If stuck between two main idea choices, pick the broader, more general one
- For inference questions, choose the answer most directly supported by text evidence
- Author's tone is neutral unless strong emotional language suggests otherwise
- Supporting detail questions: exact wording may be different but meaning must match
- Word-in-context questions: substitute each choice and see what makes sense
Comparison tables
Main Idea vs Supporting Details vs Inference
| Aspect | Main Idea | Supporting Details | Inference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location in Text | Usually first/last sentences | Explicitly stated throughout | Not directly stated |
| What to Look For | Big picture, central theme | Specific facts, names, dates | Logical conclusions from clues |
| Strategy | Summarize in own words | Scan for keywords | Read between the lines |
| Common Mistake | Choosing too specific detail | Confusing similar facts | Using outside knowledge |
Author's Purpose vs Author's Tone
| Aspect | Author's Purpose | Author's Tone |
|---|---|---|
| What It Measures | Why author wrote | Author's attitude/feeling |
| Key Indicators | Action words: convince, inform, explain | Adjectives and descriptive words |
| Common Types | Inform, persuade, entertain, explain | Positive, negative, neutral, concerned, optimistic |
| Where to Find | Overall structure and word choice | Specific word choices and descriptions |
Diagrams
Reading Comprehension Question Types Overview
Complete overview of all reading comprehension question types and their key characteristics
Reading Comprehension Strategy Process
Step-by-step process for approaching reading comprehension questions strategically