Tips for Questions Relating to Main Ideas?

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maus: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 44; Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:29 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by maus » Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:26 pm

Hi Everyone,

For some reason I almost ALWAYS get Main Idea questions wrong! I usually can narrow it down to two answer choices quickly, but always pick the wrong one! Is there anything to keep in mind with Main Idea passages?

My test is in five days!

Thank you!

Maus
<:3)))~~~

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Reading Comprehension | Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:26 pm

smackmartine: Legendary Member; Posts: 516; Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:22 pmFollowed by: 13 members; Thanked: 112 times

by smackmartine » Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:02 pm

Try to collect all such questions you have done recently . Try to analyse what kind of answers fool you,i.e was it over generalized, did it contain subtle new information which skipped your eyes,an out of scope topic which you thought was relevant etc. Correct answers always conveys an idea which has been discussed through out the passage. If you see an answer which is discussed in 2 paragraphs and one which has been touched even slightly in 3 paragraphs, go for latter.

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dv2020: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 112; Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 9:39 pm; Location: Delhi; Thanked: 2 times

by dv2020 » Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:45 am

All the best for your GMAT!!!
If you haven't so far attend Ron's classes Thursdays with Ron on main ideas questions. I was in your boat a month ago.. I found Ron's class the best way to improve this aspect of my preparation...

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Ilana@EconomistGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 70; Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:22 pmFollowed by: 18 members; Thanked: 37 times

by Ilana@EconomistGMAT » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:27 am

Another important aspect of Main Idea questions (apart from the fact that the correct answer choice should touch on elements of each paragraph in the passage) - is the characterization of what the passage DOES. Sometimes you are asked to choose between statements that begin with verbal forms such as :"To discuss", "to illustrate", "to challenge", "to disprove" etc. Such "discursive" or "rhetorical" actions refer to various parts of what the passage DOES. Make sure that these verbs are fitting descriptions of what the passage MAINLY does. For example, if a passage presents research findings and then explains various applications - do not choose an answer choice that uses the words "....demonstrates the validity of the findings" but rather "shows their usefulness".

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GMATMadeEasy: Legendary Member; Posts: 768; Joined: Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:46 amFollowed by: 7 members; Thanked: 21 times

by GMATMadeEasy » Thu Jun 16, 2011 6:57 am

Ilana@MasterGMAT wrote:Another important aspect of Main Idea questions (apart from the fact that the correct answer choice should touch on elements of each paragraph in the passage) - is the characterization of what the passage DOES. Sometimes you are asked to choose between statements that begin with verbal forms such as :"To discuss", "to illustrate", "to challenge", "to disprove" etc. Such "discursive" or "rhetorical" actions refer to various parts of what the passage DOES. Make sure that these verbs are fitting descriptions of what the passage MAINLY does. For example, if a passage presents research findings and then explains various applications - do not choose an answer choice that uses the words "....demonstrates the validity of the findings" but rather "shows their usefulness".

Thanks Ilana. This is an interesting point and you put in right words. i have pasted the txt above in my notes.

@Original poster: You must go through Ron's two videas on primary purpose as well. You will not have issue.

Search in google "Thursday with Ron"

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maus: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 44; Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:29 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by maus » Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:12 pm

Thanks everyone - I'm only two days to my test and its my last study day tonight, but hopefully I can get this down! ::nervous!::

Maus
<:3)))~~~

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