Reading Comprehension: Scientific Passages Flashcards
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A passage claims a correlation between two variables. A careful reader should recognize that correlation:
Answer: Does not by itself establish that one variable causes the other
Correlation alone does not prove causation.
When the author uses the phrase 'it is widely believed, but recent evidence suggests otherwise,' the author's purpose is to:
Answer: Set up a challenge to a prevailing assumption
The phrasing introduces evidence that contradicts a common belief.
To determine the 'tone' of a scientific passage, you should examine:
Answer: The author's word choices and qualifying language
Tone is inferred from word choice and qualifiers like 'may' or 'clearly.'
A 'detail' question that asks 'According to the passage...' is best answered by:
Answer: Finding the specific statement in the text
'According to the passage' answers must be directly supported by the text.
If two paragraphs present competing theories, a question asking which the author favors is answered by looking for:
Answer: Evaluative language showing the author's preference
Authorial preference shows in evaluative or endorsing language.
The phrase 'for example' in a passage typically signals:
Answer: An illustration supporting a preceding general claim
'For example' introduces a specific instance backing a general point.
A question asking you to identify an assumption the author makes requires you to find:
Answer: An unstated premise the argument depends on
Assumptions are unstated premises necessary for the argument to hold.