Which type of text might you encounter in the reading comprehension section?

• A. Poems and sonnets
• B. Passages from articles, essays, or short stories
• C. Textbooks and research papers
• D. Manuals and user guides

Answer: (B)

The correct answer focuses on the types of passages that typically appear in the reading comprehension section. The reasoning is grounded in the purpose of the reading comprehension section, which is to evaluate one's ability to understand and analyze standard forms of written English.

Passages from articles, essays, or short stories are common in this section because they represent a wide range of writing styles and subject matters. They often include narrative elements, arguments, or informative content that require the reader to comprehend, infer, and evaluate the material presented. Articles and essays often involve analyzing a point of view or synthesizing information, while short stories may require interpreting themes or character motivations, all of which are essential skills that the test aims to measure.

In contrast, the other types of texts, while valuable in their domains, may not align with the specific goals of reading comprehension assessments. Poems and sonnets tend to emphasize figurative language and emotional expression, which can complicate literal comprehension. Textbooks and research papers are often dense and formal, focusing more on detailed information than on the broad comprehension skills the test seeks to assess. Manuals and user guides prioritize clear, straightforward instructions over narrative or argumentative content, which also isn’t representative of the typical reading comprehension material.