What is the best strategy for tackling a long reading passage under time pressure?

What is the best strategy for tackling a long reading passage under time pressure?

• A. Skim for structure and main ideas, then read targeted sections, annotate, and revisit unclear parts
• B. Read every sentence in detail from start to finish
• C. Rely on memory
• D. Read only the introduction

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is reading efficiently under time pressure by quickly revealing the passage’s structure and then focusing your close reading where it matters. Start by scanning for structure: note headings, topic sentences, and any concluding paragraph to see how the argument is organized and where the key ideas are likely discussed. That map helps you decide which sections are essential for answering questions. Then read those targeted parts more carefully to extract the main claims and the supporting evidence, while annotating as you go—underline or highlight important terms, jot brief notes, and mark where evidence or definitions appear. If you encounter dense or unclear passages, skim surrounding material to get the gist, then revisit those sections after you’ve tackled the easier questions. This approach saves time, keeps you oriented within the text, and reduces memory load by tagging and returning to important points. Reading every sentence in detail wastes valuable minutes, relying on memory is risky, and reading only the introduction often misses crucial details that appear later.

The main idea here is reading efficiently under time pressure by quickly revealing the passage’s structure and then focusing your close reading where it matters. Start by scanning for structure: note headings, topic sentences, and any concluding paragraph to see how the argument is organized and where the key ideas are likely discussed. That map helps you decide which sections are essential for answering questions. Then read those targeted parts more carefully to extract the main claims and the supporting evidence, while annotating as you go—underline or highlight important terms, jot brief notes, and mark where evidence or definitions appear. If you encounter dense or unclear passages, skim surrounding material to get the gist, then revisit those sections after you’ve tackled the easier questions. This approach saves time, keeps you oriented within the text, and reduces memory load by tagging and returning to important points. Reading every sentence in detail wastes valuable minutes, relying on memory is risky, and reading only the introduction often misses crucial details that appear later.