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Reading comprehension requires more than identifying the topic of a passage. Readers must also evaluate whether the author provides enough evidence to support the conclusions being presented. For students preparing for ACCUPLACER reading, this skill can help with questions about arguments, supporting details, and the relationship between ideas.
1. Identify the author's claim
A claim is a statement that an author wants readers to accept or consider. For example: Colleges should provide more evening tutoring sessions because many students have daytime work commitments. The central claim is that colleges should provide more evening tutoring sessions. The reason given is that many students have work commitments during the day. When reading an argument, separate the position from the reasons and evidence used to support it.
2. Distinguish reasons from evidence
A reason explains why an author supports a claim. Evidence provides information intended to demonstrate that the reason or claim is credible. For example, saying that evening tutoring is helpful for working students is a reason. A survey showing that a substantial number of students cannot attend daytime sessions could provide supporting evidence, assuming the survey is reliable and relevant. The distinction matters because an author may provide a reasonable explanation without offering enough evidence to establish that the claim is true.
3. Examine the relevance of evidence
Evidence should directly relate to the claim being made. Suppose an author argues that a college should extend library hours and provides data showing that students frequently use campus study spaces during the evening. This information is relevant because it helps demonstrate a possible demand for later access. However, evidence about the popularity of a campus cafeteria would not directly establish that students need longer library hours. When evaluating a passage, ask whether the evidence actually supports the point or merely discusses a related subject.
4. Consider the credibility of a source
A source is more useful when its methods and information are appropriate for the claim. Look for clues about where the information came from, when it was collected, and whether the author explains how conclusions were reached. A personal experience may illustrate a problem, but it cannot automatically establish what happens to everyone. Similarly, a statistic may be misleading if the sample is too small, the question is biased, or important context is missing. You do not need to conduct a full research investigation during a reading test. Focus on the information provided in the passage and the conclusions it reasonably supports.
5. Recognize assumptions
An assumption is an idea that an argument depends on without fully establishing it. For example: Students who attend every tutoring session will earn higher grades. This statement assumes that attendance alone will produce better grades. Other factors, including prior knowledge, study habits, and the difficulty of the course, may also influence performance. When reading an argument, consider whether the author overlooks information that could affect the conclusion.
6. Separate correlation from causation
Two things may occur together without one necessarily causing the other. For example, a passage might report that students who sleep longer tend to earn higher grades. That relationship does not, by itself, prove that additional sleep directly caused the higher grades. Other factors could contribute to both outcomes. If an author claims that one factor caused another, look for evidence that supports the causal relationship rather than assuming that a connection proves causation.
7. Select the answer supported by the passage
During practice, avoid choosing an answer simply because it sounds convincing or matches your personal experience. Return to the passage and identify the statement or reasoning that supports your choice. If an answer makes a broader claim than the evidence allows, it may be incorrect. Also distinguish between what the author explicitly states and what can reasonably be inferred.
Build stronger reading skills
Practice reading editorials, informational passages, and short arguments. For each passage, identify the main claim, the supporting evidence, and any assumptions. Then summarize whether the evidence is convincing and explain why.
