How should you approach a passage in the reading comprehension section?

• A. Read every word carefully before answering
• B. Skim the passage for understanding before answering questions
• C. Ignore the passage and focus solely on the questions
• D. Take notes on each paragraph

Answer: (B)

To effectively tackle a passage in the reading comprehension section, skimming the passage for understanding before diving into the questions is a strategic approach. This method allows you to quickly grasp the main ideas, themes, and structure of the text without getting bogged down in every single word. By scanning for key points, you develop a foundational understanding that aids in answering questions accurately and efficiently.

This approach is beneficial because it enables you to prioritize your reading based on what is most important for the questions that follow. By identifying essential information and the overall context, you can answer questions more fluidly. Furthermore, it helps to manage time effectively during the test, as it allows you to allocate your effort towards comprehension without over-focusing on minute details that may not be relevant to the questions.

Thoroughly reading every word can lead to unnecessary confusion and time consumption, while ignoring the passage would leave you without the necessary context to answer effectively. Taking notes on each paragraph might be helpful for some but can also slow down the process and is not often necessary for summarizing the main points, especially in a timed setting.