Study Guide for T7 Reading Section of the Exam

Key Points to Know:

1. Topic Sentences

• Typically the first sentence of a paragraph.
• Many exam questions can be answered by reading the topic sentence.
• Pay attention to supporting details if needed.

2. Main Idea

• Often found as the last sentence in the first paragraph.
• Represents the core message or thesis statement.
• Quickly check the last sentence of the first paragraph for questions about the main idea.

3. Supporting Details

• Make up the bulk of the paragraph.
• Support the topic sentence usually found in the first sentence.

4. Summary

• Usually the first sentence of the last paragraph on the exam.
• Provides a restatement or conclusion of the thesis.

Exam Strategy Tips:

1. Read the Question First

• Avoid reading the passage first; read the question to know what to look for.
• Sometimes the answer is in the question itself.

2. Don't Leave Questions Blank

• Manage time effectively as the test is timed.
• Make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank.

3. Narrowing Down Method

• Use the elimination method to reduce choices and increase chances of answering correctly.

Practice Techniques:

Analyzing Passages:

• Identify topic sentence, supporting details, and main idea in passages.
• Break down passages by their structural components.

Tips for Specific Question Types:

1. Inferences and Logical Conclusions

• Combine evidence and reasoning to make inferences.
• Focus on identifying contextual clues in the text.

2. Explicit vs. Implicit Evidence

• Explicit: Directly stated in the text.
• Implicit: Suggested or inferred, requiring reading between the lines.

3. Transition Words and Phrases

• Emphasis: Indeed, in fact.
• Addition: Furthermore, additionally.
• Contrast: However, on the other hand.
• Order: Firstly, subsequently.

Understanding Passage Structure:

1. Headings and Subheadings

• Headings introduce main topics.
• Subheadings provide additional information under the main topic.

2. Sidebars, Bold, and Italics

• Sidebars provide additional information.
• Bold and italics emphasize keywords.

3. Graphs and Maps

• Understand elements like title, labels, scale, and legend.
• Be aware of potential misleading information.

Analyzing Rhetorical Devices:

1. Ethos, Pathos, Logos

• Ethos: Builds credibility.
• Pathos: Appeals to emotions.
• Logos: Uses logic and reason.

Research Methods:

1. Qualitative vs. Quantitative

• Quantitative: Numerical data, statistical analysis.
• Qualitative: Descriptive data, thematic analysis.
• Choose method based on hypothesis testing (quantitative) or exploration (qualitative).

This guide covers strategies and key points necessary for excelling in the T7 reading section. Focus on recognizing structural elements, understanding different types of evidence, and employing effective test-taking strategies.