Initial Reading: Long Passages

The following is an example of a long reading passage on the GRE that you can use to become familiar with __initial reading__. Remember: Don't read the whole thing. Simply try to concentrate on only the most important points. Saving the rainforests has been a classic environmental cause for decades. Rainforests absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the air and make it suitable for human use. However, recent developments have started a debate concerning the endangered state of the rainforests. New “secondary” forests have been cropping up in tropical regions around the world. These new forests are growing in land that had been used for farming or logging but has lain fallow in recent years as farmers and rural dwellers migrate to the cities in search of better work and opportunities. Scientists are now debating the newfound benefits of the “secondary” forests and deciding whether they can be valid replacements for the old rainforest that is being destroyed daily. The rainforests play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide, one of the main heat-trapping gasses and a major cause of global warming, from the air and turning it into oxygen by a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs in two separate reactions. During the light reaction, chlorophyll and other pigments such as beta-carotene absorb slightly different lengths of light waves and transmit the energy to the central chlorophyll molecule. The energy collected from the light reaction is stored in molecules of ATP, which is similar in structure to the building blocks of human DNA. The ATP is used in the Calvin Cycle in combination with carbon dioxide to form complex sugars, giving off oxygen as a byproduct. Some scientists believe that the new forests can supplement waning rainforest foliage and absorb carbon dioxide in its place. One statistic says the new forests are replacing the destroyed areas at a rate of 50 to 1. Because of the heat and intense rainfall in these tropical areas, the new growth increases at an astounding rate and makes these new forests appear to the untrained eye as if they had flourished for hundreds of years. Some scientists concerned with carbon emissions look at the emerging forests and conclude that they are suitable replacements. After all, indigenous peoples cleared lands in the areas that are now clearly visible as lush rainforest. Not all scientists agree that “secondary” forests are a perfect solution. Although they agree that the new forestry can reduce carbon emissions, they argue that new forests do not possess all the same qualities as the primary rainforests. “Secondary” forests suffer from a notable difference in floristics and species diversity. Since the unused farmland is often situated hundreds of miles away from the native rainforests, species endangered by their destruction cannot benefit from the new growth in those areas. To this group of scientists, the ecosystems in the new forests are just not the same as those of a true rainforest. The question of whether these forests can provide a safeguard against further environmental degradation thus remains moot.

Similarly, here's the third paragraph from the essay. To tackle this paragraph, you would read the first two sentences as before. And since there are no __opposition hinges__ at the start of the third sentence, you can probably stop after two. __Some scientists believe that the new forests can supplement waning rainforest foliage and absorb carbon dioxide in its place. One statistic says the new forests are replacing the destroyed areas at a rate of 50 to 1__. Because of the heat and intense rainfall in these tropical areas, the new growth increases at an astounding rate and makes these new forests appear to the untrained eye as if they had flourished for hundreds of years. Some scientists concerned with carbon emissions look at the emerging forests and conclude that they are suitable replacements. After all, indigenous peoples cleared lands in the areas that are now clearly visible as lush rainforest. Your notes for the third paragraph might read like this: > Some scientists think fast-growing new forests can replace the functions of old forests.

Take a look again at the first paragraph of the sample long passage: Saving the rainforests has been a classic environmental cause for decades. Rainforests absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the air and make it suitable for human use. However, recent developments have started a debate concerning the endangered state of the rainforests. New “secondary” forests have been cropping up in tropical regions around the world. These new forests are growing in land that had been used for farming or logging but has lain fallow in recent years as farmers and rural dwellers migrate to the cities in search of better work and opportunities. Scientists are now debating the newfound benefits of the “secondary” forests and deciding whether they can be valid replacements for the old rainforest that is being destroyed daily. Which of the following statements best sums up the main idea of the paragraph?

Incorrect. Both of the first two choices provide important background details on the topic, but neither of them are the main idea. That role falls to the third choice, which nicely summarizes what the paragraph is primarily about. Most introductions move from a general overview of the topic to a preview of the essay's specific main point. Therefore, the end of the first paragraph can usually provide you with the primary focus of the piece. In this case, the paragraph's main idea is about the potential for secondary rainforests to replace acres of original rainforests that have been destroyed. You should have something like the following in your notes: > Debate: can secondary forests replace old endangered rainforests in terms of environmental benefits?

Good thinking! Most introductions move from a general overview of the topic to a preview of the essay's specific main point. Therefore, the end of the first paragraph can usually provide you with the primary focus of the piece. In this case, the paragraph's main idea is about the potential for secondary rainforests to replace acres of original rainforests that have been destroyed. You should have something like the following in your notes: > Debate: can secondary forests replace old endangered rainforests in terms of environmental benefits?

Here is the second paragraph from the sample essay. To illustrate this strategy, the sentences you would read and take notes on have been bolded. __The rainforests play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide, one of the main heat-trapping gasses and a major cause of global warming, from the air and turning it into oxygen by a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs in two separate reactions.__ During the light reaction, chlorophyll and other pigments such as beta-carotene absorb slightly different lengths of light waves and transmit the energy to the central chlorophyll molecule. The energy collected from the light reaction is stored in molecules of ATP, which is similar in structure to the building blocks of human DNA. The ATP is used in the Calvin Cycle in combination with carbon dioxide to form complex sugars, giving off oxygen as a byproduct. So, when you've finished reading the first two sentences, you might take down notes like these: > Rainforests combat global warming; transform CO₂ to oxygen by photosynthesis.

The concluding paragraph follows much the same strategy, with one twist: In addition to reading the first two sentences (and possibly the third) and taking notes, you need to read the last sentence and also look out for __conclusions__ or any important conclusion-like or opinion-based information, such as recommendations or judgments from the author. Look at the final paragraph of the sample essay. __Not all scientists agree that “secondary” forests are a perfect solution. Although they agree that the new forestry can reduce carbon emissions, they argue that new forests do not possess all the same qualities as the primary rainforests.__ “Secondary” forests suffer from a notable difference in floristics and species diversity. Since the unused farmland is often situated hundreds of miles away from the native rainforests, species endangered by their destruction cannot benefit from the new growth in those areas. To this group of scientists, the ecosystems in the new forests are just not the same as those of a true rainforest. __The question of whether these forests can provide a safeguard against further environmental degradation thus remains moot.__ Which of the following best sums up the author's position?

Incorrect. This summary fails to note that this view is the second side of a debate, described throughout the paragraph. It also doesn't take note of the judgment expressed in the last sentence.

Very good. This summary continues to sketch out the debate described throughout the passage. It also records the author's position, which is often a vital element needed to answer __Reading Comprehension__ questions correctly.

Incorrect. This summary exceeds what is needed for the __initial reading__ and dwells on the details of the passage. The sentences that should be read for the __initial reading__ do not mention biodiversity. Remember that reading the details unnecessarily during the __initial reading__ will just waste precious time on the test.

In the end, your __initial reading__ notes will show the skeletal structure of the passage, paragraph by paragraph, and a concise statement of the main idea, structure, and tone. They will help you locate more detailed information in the passage. For this long passage, your __initial reading__ notes might look like this: > First paragraph (main idea): Debate: can secondary forests replace old endangered rainforests in terms of environmental benefits? > Second paragraph: Rainforests combat global warming; transform CO₂ to oxygen by photosynthesis. > Third paragraph: Some scientists think fast-growing new forests can replace the functions of old forests. > Fourth paragraph: Opposing view; secondary forests not equal to primary forests. Author's tone is inconclusive.

To summarize: [[summary]]

In the Reading Comprehension section, __long passages__ will require a mapping out, or __initial reading__ of the text. But unlike the __initial reading__ for short passages, with long passages, the purpose of the __initial reading__ is to understand the main idea, structure, type, and tone of the passage. In addition, while short passages require you to read the whole passage to answer the questions, long passages follow a different process. The main rule for long passages is to never read the whole text. If you attempt to read the whole passage, you'll get so bogged down with details that you will have a hard time noting the elements that will be the focus of the questions. The typical long passage has four questions, which should take you a total of six minutes to complete. You will spend three minutes generating a skeletal sketch of the passages, then 45 to 60 seconds answering each question. General questions should take you 30 seconds, while specific questions should take 60 seconds.

Your first step in the long passage __initial reading__ is to look at the first paragraph. Start by reading and taking notes one sentence at a time until you have a firm grasp of the main idea of this paragraph. The first paragraph is crucial as it can often help you start clarifying the main idea of the text as a whole and set up what type of structure exists. In most cases, this will mean reading the entire first paragraph sentence by sentence. This does not mean you need to note every detail! If the first paragraph has more than four sentences, stop reading when the paragraph begins to go into details detracting from the main points. Write down brief notes about the paragraph on your scratch paper. As with short passages, first paragraphs may also require that you read the last sentence, something that is not necessary for middle paragraphs.

For subsequent paragraphs, read the first two sentences of each paragraph, one sentence at a time, while taking notes. Notice structural words and pay attention to how the paragraph is related to the previous paragraphs and to the main idea of the first paragraph; simply pay attention to the flow. If the third sentence begins with a conjunction, especially an __opposition hinge__, read it, too, and take notes on it. That usually is an indicator that an important shift in ideas may be taking place and may even signal the main idea of that paragraph.

Saving the rainforests is an important cause that can have a critical impact on the environment.

Rainforests convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which is good for the environment.

The discovery of secondary rainforests has launched a debate among scientists about whether they could serve as a replacement for the rainforests that have been destroyed.

Secondary forests can combat global warning, but insufficiently.

The author introduces the opposing view that secondary forests are not equal to primary forests, but his or her opinion remains inconclusive.

The author agrees that secondary forests have less biodiversity, although they can reduce emissions.

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