(A) $10 (B) $30
ằ TIP 2 Read both passages carefully and completely. Passages may include information that doesn’t seem significant. However, it is important to consider all of the available information when answering questions. This chart shows seemingly unimportant information that is commonly used for questions that connect content from both passages.
Information Types Fine Print
QUICK TIP When you scan a passage for extra information, look first for an asterisk. This is the most common way to present this extra information.
Special Pricing
Definitions
• Fine print is text that is noticeably smaller than the rest of the text.
• It may be marked with an asterisk (*).
• Fine print gives additional details about a product or an offer, such as eligibility requirements or special terms and conditions.
• Fine print may explain the sources of information.
• Special pricing includes coupons or discounts.
• Watch out for conditions on special pricing. For example, special pricing may only apply if customers spend over a certain amount or make a purchase by a certain date.
Found i n . . .
• Advertisements
• Notices
• Instructions
• Forms
• Graphical texts
C orrespondence Advertisem ents Notices
Forms
TASK Look at the correction notice on page 157. Underline the sentence in the correction notice that describes the correct special pricing for the tent light. Then in the advertisement, underline the prices listed for the four items in the answer options in number 1. Analyze the information in the two passages and choose the correct answer.
1. Which of the following items would qualify the customer for a free tent light?
a. a tent b. a camping stove c. a sleeping bag d. a cooler
ằ TIP 3 Watch out for possible rewordings of time references, numbers, or alternate choices.
Double passage questions based on time references (such as times or dates), numbers (such as prices), or alternate choices often present this information in different ways. Typically, the first passage gives specific details, while the second passage discusses the same details in more general terms. For example, if the first passage gives specific dates, the second might refer to the dates in more general terms (e.g., two days after X, a month prior to X). This chart shows common ways of rewording time references, numbers, and alternate choices.
Time References Numbers
Alternate Choices
What You May See in the First Passage
at 3:00 on January 4 until 10 p.m.
50% off 25% increase only $10 per person available in black and red
The first option is taking a cab. The second option is riding the bus.
What You May See in the Second Passage
• in the afternoon
• early in the year
• late in the evening
• half-price
• a quarter increase
• $20 for two
• I bought the black, but I wish I had gotten one in the other color.
• While the former is probably more convenient, I think the latter is probably less expensive.
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TASK Match the information (1-3) with the correct rewordings (a-c).
___1.12 p.m. a. April 1
___2. Two for the price of one b. Buy 1 get one free 3. On the first of the month c. Noon
READING PART 7: READING COMPREHENSION
QUESTION TYPES
M ain Idea Q uestions
In Part 7, main idea questions ask you about the main themes of the reading passage. Main idea questions are usually the first in a question set. Expect to see no more than one main idea question per passage. You will encounter different subtypes of main idea questions. The chart shows different types of main idea questions.
Subtypes of Main Idea Questions Descriptions of Subtypes
Main Topic
Ask about the main topic of the reading.
This may include the heading choice.
Place
Ask about where the passage might appear or about the place that is being discussed.
Purpose
Ask about the goal of the passage or why an author wrote the passage. This is the most common type of main idea question.
Answer Options include noun phrases
include noun phrases
describing places
often begin with a to infinitive
Examples
What is being discussed in the memo?
What is the advertisement for?
What is the letter about?
What kind o f business is X?
What kind o f company does X work for?
Where was this report probably published?
What is the purpose o f the notice?
Why did X write the letter?
For whom is the report intended?
This question type is similar to the topic / main idea questions in Parts 3 and 4 of the Listening Section. Therefore, in addition to studying the tips that follow it is advisable to review the notes for this question type in the Listening Section as well.
ằ TIP 1 Know where to look for the main idea. Depending on the passage type, you should be able to find the information you need to answer this question type by skimming a specific part of the passage.
This chart gives information about where to find the main idea in different passage types.
Passage Types Types o f Main Idea Questions Where to Find the Main Ideas Correspondence topic, place, purpose first paragraph
Advertisements place, purpose header
Notices topic, place, purpose header
Articles / Reports topic, place, purpose headline and first paragraph
Instructions place, purpose header
Forms topic, place header
Graphical Texts topic, place header
TASK Match the title, headline, or introductory sentence (1-3) to the sample passage (a-c) that it best describes.
___1. Manufacturing Giant to Buy Shipping Company ___2. Top Ice Cream Flavors Sold
___3. Follow these steps to set up your voice mailbox.
b.
Press and hold down the pound key (#) for three seconds. You will then be prompted to enter a four-digit password. You will use this password to access your voice mailbox in the future, so be sure to choose a number that is easy to remember.
c.
Gregory Manufacturing announced plans to buy out the Banner Shipping Company. According to officials, the buyout will be finalized by the end of April.
ằ TIP 2 Watch out for paraphrased information. The correct answer option will likely contain reworded, or paraphrased, information from the passage.
TASK Mark the answer choice that correctly paraphrases the information in each sentence.
1. Please call our offices on Monday morning for an update.
a. Updates about the offices will be available on Monday.
b. For new information, contact the company at the beginning of the week.
2. The store will open its doors for the first time on February 10.
a. The store’s grand opening will take place in early February.
b. On February 10, the store will open its doors early.
3. The bank will be closed next Friday due to a holiday.
a. The holiday will cause numerous closures.
b. The bank will not be open on the holiday.
ằ TIP 3 Eliminate answer options that focus on minor details. Main idea questions are always about the entire passage, not just one or two points. Therefore, if you see an answer option that mentions only a minor detail, you should eliminate it.
If you see a choice that is worded almost the same as to the information in the passage, read it carefully because it is probably not the correct answer.
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READING PART 7: READING COMPREHENSION TASK Read part of a passage. Check ( / ) one main idea and make an X next to three minor ideas.
□ A new study shows that performance-based payment may not be as effective as experts once believed. □ In a recent survey, researchers asked employees at companies that offer performance- based payment for feedback. □ Out of one hundred employees surveyed, only ten reported being
“very happy” with the system. □ The majority of employees (nearly seventy percent) reported being
“ unhappy” or “very unhappy” with the system.
ằ TIP 4 For main idea questions about place, pay attention to letterheads, addresses, and job titles. The letterhead is the information about the business sending the correspondence. A letterhead typically includes the company’s name and address. This chart includes information about letterheads, addresses, and titles and where to find them in passages.
Letterheads
• The letterhead is usually located at the very top of any document issued by a company, including a letter, an invoice, or a receipt.
Addresses
• In letters, the address of the recipient is usually on the top left part of the passage.
• You may also find addresses in the final paragraph of correspondence, particularly if the writer wants to be contacted at a certain address.
Job Titles
• Job titles usually follow names in signatures.
Use letterheads, addresses, and job titles to figure out where the passage probably appeared. For
example, if the company’s name is Dream Tours, you can guess that the company may be a travel agency.
TASK Write the correct business type for each letterhead, address, or job title. Use the words in the box.
shoe store grocery store pharmacy
Sneakers a n d cTfcings Sincerely,
via Ha user
Gina Hauser, Pharmacist
Keller and Sons Grocery 2305 N. Alameda Road Santa Fe, NM 87501
3.
ằ TIP 5 For main idea questions about purpose, think about who the writer and the audience are.
By understanding who is probably writing the passage and the intended recipient, you will be able to eliminate answer choices that are illogical. For example, if the passage is a memo written by a staff coordinator to employees, it is unlikely that the purpose of the memo is to advertise a new product. You should also look for key phrases that signal purpose in passages.
Key Phrases That Signal Purpose I ’m writing to (ask / inform / inquire) . . . I wanted to alert you t hat . . .
I need to (explain / clarify / describe) . . . This letter serves as notice t hat . . .
TASK Read the sample passage. Underline one sentence that signals the author’s purpose. Then answer the question about the relationship between the writer and the recipient.
Roger Griffin 3425 Hallow Street Benton, ID 83809 Dear Mr. Griffin:
I am writing to inquire about the assistant position advertised in the classified section of last Sunday’s edition of The Harrington Tribune. I understand that it is a part-time position, which is perfect because I am currently a fourth-year student at Harrington College working on my thesis.
This gives me great flexibility, and I am available to work at least twenty hours a week, though I may be able to work more depending on your needs. I believe that I am the ideal candidate for a number of other reasons as well. For one, last semester I worked as a personal assistant for Professor Hartley at the university. In this capacity, I answered phones and made appointments and travel arrangements for Professor Hartley. These skills, and others I gained during this experience, are undoubtedly very important for any assistant.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an interview, please contact me by phone at 407-555-2831.
Sincerely, John King
1. Which of the following best describes the relationship between Mr. Griffin and Mr. King?
a. professor-student b. employer-job candidate c. writer-employee
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