Literature, science, history, philosophy, and economics.

Reading comprehension passages come from many fields. Each type has its own vocabulary, structure, and purpose, so knowing what to expect helps you read faster and answer more accurately.

Common passage types

• Literature: stories, descriptions, and reflections. Focus on mood, tone, character, and what is suggested rather than stated.
• Science: explanations of processes and findings. Focus on cause and effect, definitions, and the order of steps.
• History: accounts of events and their effects. Focus on sequence, causes, and consequences.
• Philosophy: arguments about ideas such as freedom or knowledge. Focus on the claim, the reasons, and the objections.
• Economics: explanations of how people, prices, and markets behave. Focus on the relationship between factors.

Common question types

• Main idea or central theme.
• Details stated directly in the passage.
• Inferences that follow from what is written.
• The meaning of a word as used in the passage.
• The tone or attitude of the author.

How to solve questions

1. Read the passage once, noting the main idea and the tone.
2. Read the question carefully and decide what type it is.
3. Find the supporting lines in the passage.
4. Choose the option supported by the passage, not one that is merely true or based on your own opinion.