Accuplacer Reading The reading comprehension section is designed to measure how well you are able to understand what you read. Some questions involve sentence

Accuplacer ReadingAccuplacer Reading

The reading comprehension The reading comprehension section is designed to section is designed to

measure how well you are measure how well you are able to understand what you able to understand what you

read. Some questions involve read. Some questions involve sentence relationships in sentence relationships in

which you must choose how which you must choose how two sentences are related.two sentences are related.

Words to KnowWords to Know ComparisonComparison

shows similaritiesshows similarities Contrast Contrast

shows differences or shows differences or contradictscontradicts

Example/Illustration Example/Illustration used to clarify an idea (clue used to clarify an idea (clue

words…for instance, to words…for instance, to illustrate, as demonstrated…)illustrate, as demonstrated…)

Cause and Effect Cause and Effect ask: “Why does an event ask: “Why does an event

happen?” “What are the happen?” “What are the results of an event?”results of an event?”

Contradict Contradict to express the opposite to express the opposite

Addition Addition words that tell you that words that tell you that

writers are adding to their writers are adding to their thoughtsthoughts

Sequential Sequential order in which things order in which things

happenhappen Tone Tone

attitude the writer has attitude the writer has toward a subjecttoward a subject

Statement and Statement and ClarificationClarification A statement of fact with A statement of fact with

discussion to make the discussion to make the statement clearstatement clear

Spatial order Spatial order emphasis on the emphasis on the

whereabouts of thingswhereabouts of things Definition Definition

to tell the meaning ofto tell the meaning of

Reading StrategiesReading Strategies

Main IdeaMain Idea In order to become a better and faster In order to become a better and faster

reader, recognizing the main idea is the reader, recognizing the main idea is the most important skill you can develop. most important skill you can develop. Think of the main idea as an “umbrella” Think of the main idea as an “umbrella” idea. It is the author’s primary point about idea. It is the author’s primary point about a topic. All other material in the a topic. All other material in the paragraph fits under the main idea. In a paragraph fits under the main idea. In a paragraph, authors often present the main paragraph, authors often present the main idea to readers in a single sentence called idea to readers in a single sentence called the topic sentence.the topic sentence.


Supporting DetailsSupporting Details Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or

other kinds of factual evidence that explain a main other kinds of factual evidence that explain a main idea. idea.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:Main idea – Our government should phase out the Main idea – Our government should phase out the

penny in the economy.penny in the economy.Supporting Detail #1: Pennies take up more space Supporting Detail #1: Pennies take up more space

than they are worth.than they are worth.Supporting Detail #2: Pennies are a nuisance to Supporting Detail #2: Pennies are a nuisance to

the business community.the business community.Supporting Detail #3: Pennies cost the nation as a Supporting Detail #3: Pennies cost the nation as a

whole.whole.

All these details give support to the main idea.All these details give support to the main idea.


Recognizing Implied and Stated IdeasRecognizing Implied and Stated Ideas Sometimes a selection lacks a topic Sometimes a selection lacks a topic

sentence, but that does not mean it lacks a sentence, but that does not mean it lacks a main idea. The author has simply decided main idea. The author has simply decided to let the details of the selection suggest the to let the details of the selection suggest the main idea. You must figure out what the main idea. You must figure out what the implied main idea is by deciding upon the implied main idea is by deciding upon the point all of the details make when they are point all of the details make when they are added together.added together.

Let’s try an example…Let’s try an example…

Read over these Read over these statements:statements:

The smaller a group is, the more The smaller a group is, the more opportunities we have to get to know other opportunities we have to get to know other people.people.

Two-person groups are the most influential.Two-person groups are the most influential. In three-person groups, coalitions become In three-person groups, coalitions become

possible, with two members joining force possible, with two members joining force against a third member.against a third member.

Five-person groups are large enough so Five-person groups are large enough so that people feel they can express their that people feel they can express their emotions.emotions.

Reading StrategiesReading Strategies Click on the statement that best expresses Click on the statement that best expresses

the main idea of the previous page. the main idea of the previous page.

Two person groups are important.

A five person group is better than a two person group.

The number of people in a group affects relationships within the group.

Groups play a central part in every human society.

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The best answer is the third one...The best answer is the third one... It is a general statement about the It is a general statement about the

number of people in a group and how number of people in a group and how that number affects the group. It is that number affects the group. It is illustrated by all four of the supporting illustrated by all four of the supporting details.details.

The first two are are too narrowThe first two are are too narrow The last one is true, but it is not what The last one is true, but it is not what

the supporting details are about.the supporting details are about.

Transition WordsTransition Words

Addition words – the writer is Addition words – the writer is presenting one or more ideas that presenting one or more ideas that continue along the same line of continue along the same line of thought as the previous ideathought as the previous idea

FurthermoreFurthermore AdditionallyAdditionally NextNext In additionIn addition

Contrast WordsContrast Words

Show differences between two or Show differences between two or more items being compared.more items being compared. On the other handOn the other hand In contrastIn contrast DespiteDespite

Exception WordsException Words

Point out an unusual or unique Point out an unusual or unique feature of one item that otherwise is feature of one item that otherwise is part of the main categorypart of the main category HoweverHowever NeverthelessNevertheless With the exception ofWith the exception of In the case ofIn the case of

Time WordsTime Words

Provide chronological organizationProvide chronological organization LaterLater DuringDuring Last weekLast week Next MonthNext Month In the 1990sIn the 1990s

Sequential WordsSequential Words

Step by Step organization in writingStep by Step organization in writing NextNext FirstFirst SecondSecond AfterAfter BeforeBefore

Compare & ContrastCompare & Contrast

Comparison shows similaritiesComparison shows similarities Contrast shows differencesContrast shows differences Writers use specific words to tell you that Writers use specific words to tell you that

they are comparing or contrasting ideasthey are comparing or contrasting ideas Example:Example:

Teenagers are knowledgeable about technology. Teenagers are knowledgeable about technology. On the other handOn the other hand, parents know nothing about , parents know nothing about the latest computer trends.the latest computer trends.

On the other handOn the other hand is used to show that the is used to show that the writer is contrasting the parents’ and the writer is contrasting the parents’ and the teenagers’ knowledge.teenagers’ knowledge.

Cause & EffectCause & Effect

““Why does an event happen?” – what is the cause of Why does an event happen?” – what is the cause of the event happeningthe event happening

““What are the results of this event?” – what is the What are the results of this event?” – what is the effect of the eventeffect of the event

Example: Students enjoy using ipods and mp3 Example: Students enjoy using ipods and mp3 players to listen to music. Using podcasting, players to listen to music. Using podcasting, professors are now providing their lectures on ipods. professors are now providing their lectures on ipods.

What is the “cause” of this use of podcasting?What is the “cause” of this use of podcasting? You can answer that this way: Because the students You can answer that this way: Because the students

like using ipods, the professors provide their lectures like using ipods, the professors provide their lectures using podcasting. The cause is “students using using podcasting. The cause is “students using ipods”; the effect is “professors use podcasting to ipods”; the effect is “professors use podcasting to deliver their lectures”.deliver their lectures”.

ToneTone

A writer’s tone reveals the attitude he or A writer’s tone reveals the attitude he or she has toward a subject. Tone is she has toward a subject. Tone is expressed through the words and details expressed through the words and details the author selects. Just as a speaker’s the author selects. Just as a speaker’s voice can project a range of feelings, a voice can project a range of feelings, a writer’s voice can project one or more writer’s voice can project one or more tones: anger, sympathy, hopefulness, tones: anger, sympathy, hopefulness, sadness, respect.sadness, respect.

Let’s try some examples…Let’s try some examples…

ToneTone“I hate this job. The customers are rude, the

managers are idiots, and the food smells like dog chow.”

In these examples, click on the tone that the writer expresses in the sentence.

Happy Hopeful Bitter Sad

“I have no doubt that flipping burgers and toasting buns will prepare me for a top

position on Wall Street.”Happy AngryPositiveSarcastic

“I love working at Biscuit Queen. I meet interesting people, earn extra

money and get to eat as many biscuits as I want.”

RudeWistfulMockingPositive

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Reading Practice #1Reading Practice #1

Sometimes when we don’t get enough sleep we Sometimes when we don’t get enough sleep we become very short-tempered.become very short-tempered.

It is important to set a realistic time to go to bedIt is important to set a realistic time to go to bed.. How are the two sentences related?How are the two sentences related?

D

C

B

A The first sentence explains the meaning of The first sentence explains the meaning of the second.the second.

The second sentence explains why lack of sleep affects us.The second sentence explains why lack of sleep affects us.

The second sentence The second sentence contradicts the first.contradicts the first.

The second sentence proposes a The second sentence proposes a solution.solution.

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Further explanation – Further explanation – the correct answer is D.the correct answer is D.

(A) The first sentence does NOT explain (A) The first sentence does NOT explain the meaning of the second. the meaning of the second.

(B) The second sentence does NOT (B) The second sentence does NOT explain why a lack of sleep affects us.explain why a lack of sleep affects us.

(C) This is not a contradiction (opposite)(C) This is not a contradiction (opposite) (D) Yes, setting a time to go to bed IS a (D) Yes, setting a time to go to bed IS a

solution to getting enough sleep !!solution to getting enough sleep !!

Reading Practice #2Reading Practice #2

Most people collect Star Wars toys for Most people collect Star Wars toys for sentimental reasons.sentimental reasons.

Some people collect them strictly to make money.Some people collect them strictly to make money.

What is the relationship between the two sentences?What is the relationship between the two sentences?

Cause and Effect

Repetition

StatementAnd

ExampleContrast

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The correct answer is The correct answer is “contrast” “contrast”

Does not show any cause or effect from Does not show any cause or effect from collecting Star Wars toys.collecting Star Wars toys.

The two sentences are not repeating the The two sentences are not repeating the same message.same message.

There IS a contrast, some people collect There IS a contrast, some people collect for sentimental reasons while other for sentimental reasons while other people collect for monetary reasons onlypeople collect for monetary reasons only

There is not a continuing statement with There is not a continuing statement with an example following it in the second an example following it in the second sentence.sentence.

End of Presentation

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Accuplacer Reading The reading comprehension section is designed to measure how well you are able to understand what you read. Some questions involve sentence