SCIENCE

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Passage Types
SCIENCE Often straightforward questions about the
literal contentand the debate it has created.
Take good notes of facts and placement in the
passage Look for two points of view requiring
logic to settle the dispute. BUSINESS Use only
what's given in the passageusually
descriptive The passage may use a large amount of
Business School jargon, but don't get caught
up. There are usually context clues-- SOCIOLOGY U
sually designed to persuade Most passages are
conservative views of mainstream sociological
facts All answers on Sociology questions are
going to be safe and non-controversial
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Passage Types
Descriptive Situation or idea appears to be
presented as objectively as possible. Sometimes
feel like infomercials because they seem so
positivebut still trying to convince you of
something Evaluative Detached, analytical,
usually has listsbut still trying to convince
you of something Persuasive Usually easy to
spot. They often try to persuade you of ideas
that are fairly easy to accept.
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Identify Structure
Point Counter-point You may not know it is a
point-counterpoint until certain words
appearonce you see them, however, you know that
the passage will be about the counter point but,
although, however, yet, despite, nevertheless,
nonetheless, notwithstanding, on the other hand,
Continuing a point They will start with the
basics of a point, and build from there In
addition, by the same token, likewise, similarly,
thus, secondly Opposing Viewpoints These are
different from point/counter-point question in
that the passage gives equal sway to both sides
of an issue. With these, you will need to pay
attention to both sides generally---------------
------------------------however, this time the
widespread belief-----------------------however,
the new view most professionals
believe----------------but Dr. X has concluded
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So what now?
Break 'em Down Watch that first sentence of each
paragraph that is usually where the topic is.
Once you find the topic, skim the rest of the
paragraph. Read each paragraph for its main
idea, write the paragraph number, and a VERY
brief description of what the paragraph was
about Focus the bulk of your attention on the
first paragraph and the last paragraph (unless
you feel like the 1st paragraph is more of a
lead in to the 2nd paragraph where the real
thesis statement is. What is the passage's main
point or purpose? What is its tone? What is its
structure? When you finish the essay, mark the
author's tone with symbols rather than writing it
out--even come up with your own note system, e.g.
smiley faces, arrows. ALWAYS take note of
parentheticalsa questions almost always pertains
to it.
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The Questions
The first question is usually a general question
about Purpose, tone or passage structure. Use
P.O.E (process of elimination) Answers are
never about something too specific from the
passage Answers are never about something that
wasn't discussed Inference questions Only a
teeny tiny bit further from what the passage was
about use P.O.E particularly on these to weed
out the correct answer They will use words in
the correct answer like usually, sometimes, may,
can, some, most They will rarely, if ever, use
words like always, must, everybody, all,
complete, never I only, II only, III only, I and
II only, II and III only questions Read through
the choices looking for the ones that are true
then mark off any of the choices that don't
inlcude them
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Your Answers
Things to keep in mind about their typical
answers The authors are very conservative (but
not FOX News conservative) and generally
positiveBusiness is good. America is a strong
nation. We are all striving for the same
purpose. Think Ward Cleaver All professionals
are . . . . professionalsthere are no
yuppies They are never harshly critical,
scornful, envious, or overly enthusiastic They
are always only slightly critical, admiring of
professionals, and they usually take only a
moderate stance. If something is disputable it
is never the right answer words like always,
never, must, everybody, all, complete, Often the
answer will seem almost too vague or too wimpy,
but they really can't be disputed. usually,
sometimes, may, can, some, most
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Reading Tips
1. Read the first question before you begin
reading the passage. By doing so, you can read
more activelywith an eye out for the information
you need. 2. Never confirm your answer to a
question until you've read the entire passage.
Information relevant to a question can appear
anywhere in the passage. 3. Using your pencil
and scratch paper, jot down a rough outline as
you read. It will help you locate relevant
details quickly as you answer the questions, and
minimize vertical scrolling and re-reading.
4. Don't be overly concerned with details
(dates, examples, and lists) as you read
instead, jot down in outline form where these
details are located in the passage so you can
locate them quickly as needed to respond to the
questions. 5. After reading the entire passage,
take about 15 seconds to sum it up in one
sentencein the form of a rough thesis statement.
Doing so is well worth the effort, because you'll
be able to answer some Reading Comprehension
questions with nothing more than the thesis in
mind.
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Reading Tips
6. No matter what type of question you're dealing
with, eliminate any answer choice that runs
contrary to the passage's overall thesis. 7. Be
on the lookout for answer choices that provide
information supported by the passage but not
responsive to the question. This is one of the
test-makers' favorite wrong-answer ploys. 8. If
the author of the passage adopts a position, or
stance, on an issue, but discusses other
viewpoints as well in the passage, be on the
lookout for answer choices that confuse the
author's viewpoint with the viewpoints of others.
This is another common wrong-answer ploy. 9. Be
on the lookout for wrong answer choices that
provide information not mentioned in the
passageyet another common wrong-answer ploy.
These wrong answer choices can be tempting,
because it's remarkably easy to assume that you
overlooked the information as you read the
passage.
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A Passage
The need to reroute seriously ill patients
because the community's critical-care beds are
full is not good news. Earlier this week, four of
the six local hospitals ran out of space for the
critically ill and had to turn people away.    
The federal laws require hospitals to treat
anyone who walks in. As a result of having to
treat large numbers of uninsured patients, the
emergency rooms often become an economic drain on
their hospitals. Doctors now want to set up their
own free-standing ambulatory surgical facilities
and diagnostic centers. Critics contend this
would leave hospitals with less revenue and the
same number of indigents to treat.       A bill
was recently introduced to phase out the need for
a "certificate of public need" for
non-hospital-based facilities, provided those
facilities met stringent regulations and
requirements. The finance committee balked at the
hefty price and killed the bill, another casualty
of a failed legislative session.     
Unfortunately, the problem of access to medical
care is not going to go away anytime soon and,
despite the well-intended regulations, too-full
hospitals compromise everyone's welfare. Healthy
competition with small neighborhood surgical and
diagnostic centers may be what is necessary to
help dampen rising medical costs. But under no
circumstances should the hospitals be forced to
care for everybody without health insurance
without additional help.
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Questions
1) The best conclusion to this passage is a. If
doctors want to run their own facilities, they
should be required to take in at least some of
the- indigents. b. Something must be done to
ensure adequate health care for the uninsured.
c. Voters should tell the finance committee
members that they will not be reelected if they
do not pass some new legislation. d. Everyone
should be very concerned when the area's
emergency rooms turn away patients due to
overcrowding. e. Health care costs have gotten
way too high. 2) Which of the following best
describes the author's mood? a. neutral
b. positive c. persuasive d. angry
e. reverential
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Questions
3) Which of the following is cited as a reason
why hospitals are being unfairly
burdened? I. Failed legislative session-
II. Problem of access- III. Federal law- a. I
only b. II only c. III only d. I and II e. I,
II, and III 4) The author cites the failed
legislation in order to show that a. the
legislature will never resolve this issue.
b. the finance committee does not care about the
uninsured citizens. c. there will always be
uninsured hospital patients. d. the legislature
recently attempted to resolve this issue e. the
doctors successfully lobbied the finance
committee.
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