Reading Comprehension
Main Idea & Summary
Identifying the primary purpose or best title for a passage.
Passages are typically set in government, public policy, or office administration contexts.
What the exam tests
Summary Questions
Identify the overall purpose of the passage or why the author wrote it. Find the statement that best captures the author's primary objective.
Main Idea / Main Purpose Questions
Identify the central point of the passage and determine what the information means as a whole.
Best Title Questions
Select the most appropriate title for the provided text. This is a common variation of the main idea question.
Supporting Statement Questions
Identify which answer choice best supports the main point or clarifies the passage's primary intent.
Identifying the Author's Intent
Key rules
- ›Get a general feel for the topic and distinguish the author's perspective from other viewpoints mentioned in the text.
- ›Try to determine the main idea in your head before reading the multiple-choice options to avoid being swayed by misleading answers.
Distinguishing Main Ideas from Details
Key rules
- ›Differentiate the central message from specific details such as names, dates, or locations.
- ›Focus on keyword 'triggers': words and phrases that signal the main idea of a paragraph or directly support the central theme.
Common traps
- !A common wrong answer is factually true according to the text but too narrow to be the main idea. It describes one detail, not the whole point.
Synthesizing Information
Key rules
- ›Combine different points from the passage into one comprehensive statement that reflects the main point without leaving out critical context.
Common traps
- !Avoid answers that are too broad (overgeneralizing) or too specific (capturing only one paragraph's point).
Try one
Read the passage below and answer the question. Passage: The accounting technician examination is a standardized tool used by federal, state, and local agencies to measure a candidate's skills fairly. It ensures that all applicants are tested under the same conditions to find those most likely to succeed in a public service role. What is the primary objective of the author in this passage?
The passage describes the exam as a fair, uniform tool for identifying the best candidates. B captures this purpose. A introduces history not mentioned in the passage. C contradicts the passage's tone. D is too narrow. No skill list is provided.
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