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.

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

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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”.

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…

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

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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.

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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 !!

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

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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

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