Reading-comprehension questions test different ways of understanding a passage. Before looking at the options, identify the question type. That tells you whether to look for the central idea, stated detail, implication, author's attitude, purpose, or a word's meaning from context.

1. Common question types

• Main idea: asks for the passage's overall message or central point.
• Detail: asks for information stated directly in the passage.
• Inference: asks what is strongly suggested but not stated word for word.
• Author's purpose: asks why the author wrote the passage or included a detail.
• Tone: asks for the author's attitude, such as critical, cautious, appreciative, or neutral.
• Vocabulary in context: asks what a word or phrase means in that particular passage.

2. A reliable solving method

1. Read the question stem and name the question type.
2. For main idea, read the opening, conclusion, and repeated themes.
3. For detail questions, return to the exact sentence rather than relying on memory.
4. For inference, choose only what the passage strongly supports.
5. For tone and purpose, notice loaded words, qualifiers, examples, and contrast.
6. For vocabulary, replace the word with each possible meaning and test the sentence.

3. Main idea and detail questions

A main idea must cover the entire passage, not one paragraph or example. A detail answer must match what the text says exactly. Be wary of options that use familiar passage words but change the relationship between ideas.

4. Inference, tone, and purpose

• An inference should be the safest conclusion supported by several clues.
• Tone is the author's attitude, not the reader's reaction to the topic.
• Purpose explains the author's goal, such as informing, persuading, warning, comparing, or explaining.
• Extreme options using always, never, completely, or only are often wrong unless the passage is equally absolute.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a true detail when the question asks for the main idea.
• Making an inference that is possible but not well supported.
• Confusing a negative topic with a negative authorial tone.
• Using a dictionary meaning that does not fit the surrounding sentence.
• Ignoring qualifying words such as some, may, often, and likely.

Quick revision summary

• Identify the question type before searching for an answer.
• Main idea covers the whole passage; detail comes from a precise location.
• Inference must be supported, not merely possible.
• Use context to determine tone, purpose, and vocabulary.