Summary of EST Reading Rules and Strategies
The EST Reading section tests comprehension, reasoning, and critical thinking skills through passages and paired passages. Here’s a summary of the key rules and strategies for approaching this section effectively:
General Strategies
- Read Actively: Engage with the passage by underlining key points, identifying the main idea, and noting transitions or shifts in tone or argument.
- Understand the Question Types: The EST Reading section includes:
- Main Idea: Identifying the primary purpose or theme.
- Detail: Finding specific information mentioned in the text.
- Inference: Drawing conclusions based on evidence in the passage.
- Vocabulary in Context: Determining the meaning of a word or phrase as used in the passage.
- Function: Understanding why the author included a particular detail or sentence.
- Evidence-Based: Selecting the best evidence for a prior question.
- Data Interpretation: Analyzing charts, graphs, or data in science- and social science-based passages.
- Understand the Structure: Break down each passage into its structure (e.g., introduction, argument development, evidence, conclusion).
Before Reading
- Skim the Questions First: Glance at the questions to get a sense of what to look for while reading.
- Focus on Keywords: Pay attention to names, dates, specific terms, and phrases that may guide your search for answers.
While Reading
- Identify the Main Idea: After reading the introduction, ask yourself what the passage is about and the author’s purpose.
- Pay Attention to Tone and Perspective: Note the author’s attitude (e.g., neutral, critical, enthusiastic) and perspective on the topic.
- Mark Key Details: Underline or note important evidence, transitions (e.g., however, therefore), and the author’s thesis or conclusion.
- Summarize Paragraphs: Briefly summarize each paragraph mentally to keep track of the passage’s flow.
Answering Questions
- Answer in Your Own Words First: Before looking at the answer choices, try to answer the question yourself to avoid being misled by distractors.
- Find Evidence: For each answer, identify textual evidence that supports your choice. Be prepared to justify your selection.
- Avoid Assumptions: Stick to what is directly stated or implied by the text\u2014do not rely on outside knowledge.
- Eliminate Wrong Answers: Remove choices that are:
- Too extreme (e.g., “always,” “never”).
- Outside the passage’s scope.
- Misrepresentations of the passage’s content.
- Only partially correct.
- Use Process of Elimination: Even if you’re unsure, narrowing down choices increases the likelihood of guessing correctly.
Specific Question Strategies
- Main Idea Questions:
- Focus on the author thesis or overall argument.
- Avoid overly specific or narrow answers.
- Detail Questions:
- Locate the specific part of the passage referenced.
- Watch for paraphrasing in the answer choices.
- Inference Questions:
- Find evidence that supports the implied conclusion.
- Avoid assumptions or overgeneralizations.
- Vocabulary in Context:
- Substitute the word in question with each answer choice to see which fits best in context.
- Pay attention to the sentence\u2019s tone and structure.
- Function Questions:
- Determine why the author included the detail (e.g., to provide evidence, introduce a counterargument).
- Evidence-Based Questions:
- Select the textual evidence that best supports the answer to the previous question.
- Confirm the evidence aligns directly with your reasoning.
- Data and Graph Questions:
- Carefully analyze the chart or graph.
- Cross-check information with the passage to ensure consistency.
Timing Strategies
- Pace Yourself: You have 65 minutes for 52 questions. Allocate about 13 minutes per passage (including reading and answering).
- Prioritize Easy Questions First: Skip harder questions initially and return to them later to avoid running out of time.
- Use Context Clues: If unsure, reread nearby text for additional hints.
Final Tips
- Practice Consistently: Use official EST practice materials to familiarize yourself with passage styles and question formats. EST Practice
- Review Wrong Answers: Analyze mistakes to understand reasoning and avoid repeating them.
- Stay Focused: Concentrate on one question at a time and avoid getting distracted by irrelevant details.
- Trust the Passage: All answers are rooted in the text; avoid relying on external knowledge.
By following these strategies and practicing regularly, you can build confidence and improve your EST Reading performance.
Practice passage with explanation
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