LSAT Reading Comprehension

Question types: Main Point

What’s the point?

Asks you to sum up the content of the passage to identify the central idea/main point. Might also be asked the most appropriate title.

May also ask you to sum it up.

Structural characteristics:

• 1st paragraph introduces main point.

• Last sums main point.

• 1st sentence of each paragraph makes a claim.

• Rest of paragraph supports the claim.

Question types: Recognition

What’s in it?

Asks you to recognize things that are explicitly stated.

Question types: Clarifying meaning

What does it mean?

To demonstrate you understand use of word/phrase/term in a context of a passage by choosing an alternative with an equivalent meaning.

Not just how dictionary defines it, but in the context of the author.

Question types: Purpose of Reference 

Why did the author include that?

Asks you to explain why the author refers to a specific thing.

Question types: Organizing Info

How does the passage work?

Asks you to understand how the structure of the passage works, what role does each paragraph play within the larger point?

Question types: Inferences about views

Would they agree?

Asks us to select an idea, position, or view that we can reasonably infer that the author would agree with, based on info.

Question types: Inferences about info

What does this fact suggest?

What can be inferred from facts presented in passage. Test ability to read between the lines and determine what is implied. - what else is likely to be true?

Question types: Inferences about attitudes

What is the authors attitude?

Make inferences about the authors attitude towards something or about a person or groups attitude towards a thing/idea/person/group.

Question types: Applying to new contexts

Which choice demonstrates an extension of the info/ideas discussed in the passage?

Asks to apply principle/idea in passage to a new context presented in choices.

Question types: Discovering principles and analogies

What is the principle? What choice is analogous?

Analogy - asks you to identify a situation that is analogous to the one described.

Principle - asks you to identify the principle that is at work.

Question types: Additional Evidence

Which of the following would strengthen/weaken the argument?

Question types: Primary Purpose

Why did the author write the passage?