Reading Comprehension: Initial Reading

Is the following statement TRUE or FALSE?

The Initial Reading of a multi-paragraph passage is identical to that of a single paragraph passage. 

Incorrect. The **Initial Reading** in each case is different although the principles are similar. The purpose of an **initial reading** is to understand the main idea, structure, and tone of the passage while avoiding relying on memory or wasting time reading the text and rereading it once you are ready to answer the questions. Here are the steps for a multi-paragraph text: 1. **First Paragraph**: Read the first two or three sentences, stopping when it is just detail. Try to read one sentence at a time, taking notes after each sentence you think you may need. Also read the **last sentence** if it shows an opinion or general idea; if not, you can ignore it. 2. **Following paragraphs**: Read and note Sentences 1–3. ==Always== read the first, usually the second, and very occasionally the third, in the case that third sentence contains an opposition word or idea or another important structural word. As you take notes on the subsequent paragraphs, think about how they are related to each other and what the general tone is. 3. For the **last paragraph**, also take a quick peek at the **last sentence**. If it is just detail, ignore it but if there is an opinion or recommendation, pay attention to it too. For **one-paragraph texts**, the technique is similar-get a general sense without getting caught up in details: 1. Read the **first two or three sentences** and note down what your read. 2. Read the **last sentence** or two a bit more carefully. 3. Skim through the **middle part**, looking for structural words (however, for instance, moreover, etc) in order to get a general sense of the structure. Opposition words usually signal that you should look through that sentence for information as to why the text direction changed. If relevant then note down what you read. **NEVER READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE!** Unless you have a photographic memory, it is almost always a waste of time to do so.

You're right! The **Initial Reading** in each case is different although the principles are similar. The purpose of an **initial reading** is to understand the main idea, structure, and tone of the passage while avoiding relying on memory or wasting time reading the text and rereading it once you are ready to answer the questions. Here are the steps for a multi-paragraph text: 1. **First Paragraph**: Read the first two or three sentences, stopping when it is just detail. Try to read one sentence at a time, taking notes after each sentence you think you may need. Also read the **last sentence** if it shows an opinion or general idea; if not, you can ignore it. 2. **Following paragraphs**: Read and note Sentences 1–3. ==Always== read the first, usually the second, and very occasionally the third, in the case that third sentence contains an opposition word or idea or another important structural word. As you take notes on the subsequent paragraphs, think about how they are related to each other and what the general tone is. 3. For the **last paragraph**, also take a quick peek at the **last sentence**. If it is just detail, ignore it but if there is an opinion or recommendation, pay attention to it too. For **one-paragraph texts**, the technique is similar-get a general sense without getting caught up in details: 1. Read the **first two or three sentences** and note down what your read. 2. Read the **last sentence** or two a bit more carefully. 3. Skim through the **middle part**, looking for structural words (however, for instance, moreover, etc) in order to get a general sense of the structure. Opposition words usually signal that you should look through that sentence for information as to why the text direction changed. If relevant then note down what you read. **NEVER READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE!** Unless you have a photographic memory, it is almost always a waste of time to do so.

The correct answer is FALSE. The **Initial Reading** in each case is different although the principles are similar. The purpose of an **initial reading** is to understand the main idea, structure, and tone of the passage while avoiding relying on memory or wasting time reading the text and rereading it once you are ready to answer the questions. Here are the steps for a multi-paragraph text: 1. **First Paragraph**: Read the first two or three sentences, stopping when it is just detail. Try to read one sentence at a time, taking notes after each sentence you think you may need. Also read the **last sentence** if it shows an opinion or general idea; if not, you can ignore it. 2. **Following paragraphs**: Read and note Sentences 1–3. ==Always== read the first, usually the second, and very occasionally the third, in the case that third sentence contains an opposition word or idea or another important structural word. As you take notes on the subsequent paragraphs, think about how they are related to each other and what the general tone is. 3. For the **last paragraph**, also take a quick peek at the **last sentence**. If it is just detail, ignore it but if there is an opinion or recommendation, pay attention to it too. For **one-paragraph texts**, the technique is similar-get a general sense without getting caught up in details: 1. Read the **first two or three sentences** and note down what your read. 2. Read the **last sentence** or two a bit more carefully. 3. Skim through the **middle part**, looking for structural words (however, for instance, moreover, etc) in order to get a general sense of the structure. Opposition words usually signal that you should look through that sentence for information as to why the text direction changed. If relevant then note down what you read. **NEVER READ THE ENTIRE PASSAGE!** Unless you have a photographic memory, it is almost always a waste of time to do so.

True

False

**I'm not sure**