<p>Hello.
I have done quite a few critical reading passages, and what seems to be my problem
is the long dual passages. Can anyone who has scored highly on the CR section
give me some advice on how to approach these questions. E.g. an answer could be
mark the line refs on passage all of them and then read both passages straight away etc</p>
<p>Thanks, I would really appreciate if someone could give me a quick response! :D</p>
<p>What exactly is the problem you face in answering these tests? Lack of concentration?</p>
<p>For me, I scan through the questions, circle the questions that require you to answer based on both passages (e.g. what is the relationship between P1 and P2?), mark line references for P1, read and answer questions on P1, mark line references for P2, read and answer questions on P2, then finally answer those comparison questions.</p>
<p>I think my main problem is that I mark the line refs on the passage and do the specific questions related to each passage, but because the passages are long I sort of lose the main plot, i.e. I dont remember what the main passage is about. It seems like we use the same technique, but as I answer the questions, my mind loses the main idea so I dont really know what to do.</p>
<p>Write down the main idea/s before you move on. That way, if you forget, you have it written down.</p>
<p>You don’t “lose” the main idea. If you think you “lost” the main idea after answering questions about the text, you didn’t have it in the first place. I’m an advocate of the line-marking strategy, but after you mark the lines don’t think about them until you’re at least done with the first or second paragraph and have identified the main idea. Engage with the text, try to put yourself in the author’s shoes, try to understand why the author is writing whatever particular piece of insipid horribleness you have to read, don’t focus on the lines you marked or some arbitrary details.</p>