Reading Strategies for Different Types of Questions

There are several types of questions on most tests. Let’s look at some of
these and identify a strategy to help answer the questions.

1. Multiple-Choice Questions. These questions require you to select one
answer from several possibilities. First, read the question then read all
the options before choosing an answer. If the multiple-choice question
is about a story or long article, go back to the article and skim for
information from the questions. If there are pictures, maps, or graphs
on the page, be sure you understand what information you need to
answer the question. (Show learners a sample of a multiple-choice
question.)

2. Main Idea Questions. These types of questions usually ask about paragraphs
that you have read. The main idea is the subject that you are
reading about. The main idea can be stated or it can be implied. Sometimes
you can find the main idea easily because it is stated in the first
paragraph. However, if it is not stated, but implied, you will need to
carefully read the entire passage. Use the STAR method. Stop—Slow
down and relax. Think—Think it through. Think about each sentence.
How are all the sentences related? Act—Skim the passage and ask what
is the writer trying to say? Choose the best answer. Review—When you
have completed the section, go back and quickly review your work.

3. Fill-in-the-Blank Questions. Read the sentence with each of the
choices then select the one that makes the most sense.

4. Questions that refer to visuals. Read all the charts, maps, posters, diagrams,
and pictures. Be sure to look for the most important information
on the visual. There may be a lot of information presented, but
try to narrow the information down to the most important. For example,
if the visual is an advertisement from the paper, look carefully to
find what the ad is about. Does the visual explain what the passage is
about? Does the visual give you information that is not in the passage?
You will need to understand what the question is asking. This will give
you the clues you need to answer the question. You may have to take
your answer directly from the visual or you may have to analyze the
information on the visual in order to answer the question.