1. Accuplacer Reading
The reading comprehension section is designed to measure how well you are able to understand what you read. Some questions involve sentence relationships in which you must choose how two sentences are related.

2. Words to Know Comparison Contrast Example/Illustration
shows similarities
Contrast
shows differences or contradicts
Example/Illustration
used to clarify an idea (clue words…for instance, to illustrate, as demonstrated…)
Cause and Effect
ask: “Why does an event happen?” “What are the results of an event?”
Contradict
to express the opposite
Addition
words that tell you that writers are adding to their thoughts
Sequential
order in which things happen
Tone
attitude the writer has toward a subject
Statement and Clarification
A statement of fact with discussion to make the statement clear
Spatial order
emphasis on the whereabouts of things
Definition
to tell the meaning of

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

4. Reading Strategies Supporting Details
Supporting details are reasons, examples, steps, or other kinds of factual evidence that explain a main idea.
EXAMPLE:
Main idea – Our government should phase out the penny in the economy.
Supporting Detail #1: Pennies take up more space than they are worth.
Supporting Detail #2: Pennies are a nuisance to the business community.
Supporting Detail #3: Pennies cost the nation as a whole.
All these details give support to the main idea.

5. Reading Strategies Recognizing Implied and Stated Ideas
Sometimes a selection lacks a topic sentence, but that does not mean it lacks a main idea. The author has simply decided to let the details of the selection suggest the main idea. You must figure out what the implied main idea is by deciding upon the point all of the details make when they are added together.
Let’s try an example…

6. Read over these statements:
The smaller a group is, the more opportunities we have to get to know other people.
Two-person groups are the most influential.
In three-person groups, coalitions become possible, with two members joining force against a third member.
Five-person groups are large enough so that people feel they can express their emotions.

7. Reading Strategies
Click on the statement that best expresses 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.

8. TRY AGAIN !! click on arrow to try another one
...don’t use these arrows on this slide...

9. YOU ARE CORRECT !! Click on this arrow to try the next one
...don’t use these arrows on this slide

10. Reading Strategies The best answer is the third one...
It is a general statement about the number of people in a group and how that number affects the group. It is illustrated by all four of the supporting details.
The first two are are too narrow
The last one is true, but it is not what the supporting details are about.

11. Transition Words
Addition words – the writer is presenting one or more ideas that continue along the same line of thought as the previous idea
Furthermore
Additionally
Next
In addition

12. Contrast Words
Show differences between two or more items being compared.
On the other hand
In contrast
Despite

13. Exception Words
Point out an unusual or unique feature of one item that otherwise is part of the main category
However
Nevertheless
With the exception of
In the case of

14. Time Words Provide chronological organization Later During Last week
Next Month
In the 1990s

15. Sequential Words Step by Step organization in writing Next First
Second
After
Before

16. Compare & Contrast Comparison shows similarities
Contrast shows differences
Writers use specific words to tell you that they are comparing or contrasting ideas
Example:
Teenagers are knowledgeable about technology. On the other hand, parents know nothing about the latest computer trends.
On the other hand is used to show that the writer is contrasting the parents’ and the teenagers’ knowledge.

17. Cause & Effect
“Why does an event happen?” – what is the cause of the event happening
“What are the results of this event?” – what is the effect of the event
Example: Students enjoy using ipods and mp3 players to listen to music. Using podcasting, professors are now providing their lectures on ipods.
What is the “cause” of this use of podcasting?
You can answer that this way: Because the students like using ipods, the professors provide their lectures using podcasting. The cause is “students using ipods”; the effect is “professors use podcasting to deliver their lectures”.

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

19. Tone
In these examples, click on the tone that the writer expresses in the sentence.
“I hate this job. The customers are rude, the managers are idiots, and the food smells like dog chow.”
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
Sarcastic
Positive
Angry
“I love working at Biscuit Queen. I meet interesting people, earn extra money and get to eat as many biscuits as I want.”
Positive
Mocking
Wistful
Rude

20. TRY AGAIN !! click on arrow to try another one
...don’t use these arrows on this slide...

21. YOU ARE CORRECT !! Click on this arrow to try the next one
...don’t use these arrows on this slide

22. YOU ARE CORRECT !! Click on this arrow to go to the next slide
...don’t use these arrows on this slide ...

23. Reading Practice #1
Sometimes when we don’t get enough sleep we become very short-tempered.
It is important to set a realistic time to go to bed.
How are the two sentences related? A
The first sentence explains the meaning of the second. B
The second sentence explains why lack of sleep affects us. C
The second sentence contradicts the first. D
The second sentence proposes a solution.

24. TRY AGAIN !! click on arrow to try again
...don’t use these arrows on this slide...

25. YOU ARE CORRECT !! Click on this arrow to go to the next slide
...don’t use these arrows on this slide ...

26. Further explanation – the correct answer is D.
(A) The first sentence does NOT explain the meaning of the second.
(B) The second sentence does NOT explain why a lack of sleep affects us.
(C) This is not a contradiction (opposite)
(D) Yes, setting a time to go to bed IS a solution to getting enough sleep !!

27. Reading Practice #2
Most people collect Star Wars toys for sentimental reasons.
Some people collect them strictly to make money.
What is the relationship between the two sentences?
Cause and
Effect
Repetition
Contrast
Statement
And
Example

28. TRY AGAIN !! Click on arrow to go back and try again
...don’t use these arrows on this slide ...

29. YOU ARE CORRECT !! click on arrow to go to next slide
... don’t use these arrows on this slide...

30. The correct answer is “contrast”
Does not show any cause or effect from collecting Star Wars toys.
The two sentences are not repeating the same message.
There IS a contrast, some people collect for sentimental reasons while other people collect for monetary reasons only
There is not a continuing statement with an example following it in the second sentence.
End of
Presentation

31. YOU ARE CORRECT !! Click on this arrow and you are finished!
...don’t use these arrows on this slide ...

32. TRY AGAIN !! Click on arrow to go back and try again
... don’t use these arrows on this slide