<p>I've been having some difficulty with the short passages; I've just been reading it and then answering the questions. Does anyone have a unique strategy that works well for them? If you could post it, (I know that there can't be that many variations considering the smallness of the section), it'd be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>short cr: read all.</p>
<p>on the side immediately after reading, write: point (why was it written), theme (what is it about), and tone (happy, sad, disinterested, etc.)</p>
<p>if it's a double passage, also write what was similar and what was different.</p>
<p>all writing should be brief notes.</p>
<p>Read
Complete questions/mark if unsure of answer
Come back to marked ones after finishing section</p>
<p>I underline and note things, but I do skim. Not all the information is necessary to answer the questions. I reread parts that I need too when it's required. CR is my easiest and I usually finish about 10-15 minutes early, but I am a very very fast reader which helps. (Now, math is a totally different matter.)</p>
<p>This is something I do even when a teacher is lecturing on a difficult topic or I am reading a textbook. As I read or listen, reword the sentences in my head to have the same meanings, but with different words. I hope I'm explaining this correctly. It really forces you to understand the meaning of what you're reading or hearing, rather than just letting things slip by.</p>
<p>I always look at the questions first, even on short passages.</p>
<p>Then, when I'm reading the passage, I mark it to indicate where those questions are addressed.</p>
<p>Next, I read the first question again, along with the possible answers, and check my marks in the passage to verify that my guess is supported by the text.</p>
<p>Then I mark the correct answer.</p>
<p>Rinse and repeat.</p>
<p>I scored 800 on Critical Reading, so this worked well for me.</p>