DAT Reading Comprehension: Scientific Passages 2

Question 1

On the DAT Reading Comprehension section, what is the best initial strategy when encountering a dense scientific passage?

Accepted Answer

Map the passage structure and locate key ideas, then refer back for specifics

Answer

Memorize every detail before answering

Answer

Skip the passage and guess all questions

Answer

Read only the first and last paragraphs

Question 2

A passage states a hypothesis was 'not supported by the data.' What does this most directly imply?

Accepted Answer

The collected evidence failed to confirm the proposed explanation

Answer

The experiment was fraudulent

Answer

The hypothesis is permanently disproven

Answer

The researchers made a calculation error

Question 3

When a question asks for the 'main idea' of a scientific passage, the correct answer usually:

Accepted Answer

Captures the overall central theme spanning the whole passage

Answer

Focuses on a single supporting statistic

Answer

Restates only the title

Answer

Describes a minor counterexample

Question 4

A signal phrase like 'in contrast' indicates the author is about to:

Accepted Answer

Present an opposing or differing idea

Answer

Repeat the previous point

Answer

Summarize the conclusion

Answer

Define a technical term

Question 5

If a passage describes a process in sequential steps, a question about 'what happens immediately after step three' is best answered by:

Accepted Answer

Locating the sequence in the text and reading the next described step

Answer

Recalling general knowledge of the topic

Answer

Choosing the most complex-sounding option

Answer

Picking the final step in the process

Question 6

The word 'consequently' in a scientific passage most likely introduces:

Accepted Answer

A result or effect of the preceding statement

Answer

A cause

Answer

An unrelated example

Answer

A definition

Question 7

An 'application' question on the DAT asks you to:

Accepted Answer

Apply the passage's principle to a new or hypothetical situation

Answer

Restate a fact verbatim

Answer

Identify the author's name

Answer

Count the number of paragraphs