Grade: Grade 6 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Passage Strategy SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Question Types

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Understanding different question types helps you know what to look for when reading a passage and how to approach each question strategically.

The Five Main Question Types

1. Main Idea Questions

These questions ask about the central point or purpose of the entire passage or a specific paragraph.

  • Signal words: "mainly about," "primarily concerned with," "central idea," "main purpose"
  • Strategy: Look at the first and last paragraphs, topic sentences, and repeated concepts

2. Detail Questions

These questions ask about specific facts, information, or statements from the passage.

  • Signal words: "according to the passage," "the author states," "the passage indicates"
  • Strategy: Locate the specific line or paragraph referenced, then read carefully

3. Inference Questions

These questions ask you to draw conclusions based on information in the passage that is not directly stated.

  • Signal words: "suggests," "implies," "can be inferred," "most likely"
  • Strategy: Find supporting evidence in the text; the answer must be logically supported

4. Vocabulary in Context Questions

These questions ask about the meaning of a word as it is used in a specific sentence.

  • Signal words: "as used in line X," "most nearly means," "the word X refers to"
  • Strategy: Read the sentence with each answer choice substituted; pick the one that makes sense

5. Author's Purpose/Tone Questions

These questions ask why the author wrote something or how the author feels about the topic.

  • Signal words: "the author's tone," "the purpose of," "the author's attitude"
  • Strategy: Look for word choice and phrasing that reveals the author's perspective

Examples

Sample Passage

The monarch butterfly's migration is one of nature's most remarkable journeys. Each fall, millions of monarchs travel up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. Scientists have long wondered how these insects, with brains smaller than a pinhead, navigate so precisely. Recent research suggests that monarchs use a combination of the sun's position and Earth's magnetic field to find their way. Unlike birds, individual monarchs make the journey only once, yet they arrive at the same forests their ancestors visited generations before.

Example 1: Main Idea Question

Question: The passage is primarily about:

  1. The distance monarchs travel each year
  2. How scientists study butterfly migration
  3. The remarkable navigation abilities of monarch butterflies
  4. The forests of central Mexico

Answer: C - The passage focuses on how monarchs navigate their impressive journey, not just the distance or destination.

Example 2: Detail Question

Question: According to the passage, how far do monarchs travel?

  1. Up to 1,000 miles
  2. Up to 3,000 miles
  3. Exactly 3,000 miles
  4. Over 5,000 miles

Answer: B - The passage directly states "up to 3,000 miles."

Example 3: Inference Question

Question: The passage suggests that monarch butterflies are unusual because:

  1. They migrate to Mexico
  2. They have very small brains
  3. They successfully navigate without learning the route from experienced butterflies
  4. They use the sun for direction

Answer: C - The passage implies this is remarkable because monarchs make the journey only once, unlike birds who can learn from experienced flockmates.

Practice

For each question, identify the question type and explain your reasoning.

Practice Passage

The octopus is often called the most intelligent invertebrate on Earth. With no bones in its body, it can squeeze through spaces as small as a coin. Its remarkable problem-solving abilities have been demonstrated in laboratory settings, where octopuses have learned to open jars, solve mazes, and even recognize individual human faces. Perhaps most impressive is the octopus's ability to change both color and texture in milliseconds, allowing it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. This camouflage ability serves dual purposes: it helps the octopus hide from predators and ambush prey.

1. The main purpose of this passage is to:

  1. Explain how octopuses hunt for food
  2. Describe the remarkable abilities of octopuses
  3. Compare octopuses to other sea creatures
  4. Discuss laboratory research on animals

Question Type: _______________

2. According to the passage, an octopus can squeeze through small spaces because:

  1. It is very small
  2. It has no bones
  3. It can change its color
  4. It is highly intelligent

Question Type: _______________

3. The passage suggests that the octopus's camouflage ability:

  1. Is its only defense mechanism
  2. Only works in certain environments
  3. Is useful for both protection and hunting
  4. Takes several minutes to activate

Question Type: _______________

4. As used in the passage, "seamlessly" most nearly means:

  1. Quickly
  2. Smoothly and without visible breaks
  3. Colorfully
  4. Temporarily

Question Type: _______________

5. The author's attitude toward the octopus can best be described as:

  1. Fearful
  2. Indifferent
  3. Admiring
  4. Skeptical

Question Type: _______________

6. The passage indicates that octopuses have demonstrated which of the following in laboratories?

  1. The ability to escape from tanks
  2. Problem-solving skills such as opening jars
  3. The ability to communicate with humans
  4. Aggressive behavior toward researchers

Question Type: _______________

7. It can be inferred from the passage that:

  1. All invertebrates are intelligent
  2. Most animals cannot recognize human faces
  3. Octopuses live only in laboratories
  4. Camouflage is rare among sea creatures

Question Type: _______________

8. The word "invertebrate" as used in the passage refers to:

  1. An animal that lives in the ocean
  2. An animal without a backbone
  3. An animal that can change color
  4. An animal that is highly intelligent

Question Type: _______________

9. The passage is primarily organized by:

  1. Presenting a problem and offering solutions
  2. Describing various remarkable features of a subject
  3. Comparing and contrasting two animals
  4. Presenting events in chronological order

Question Type: _______________

10. Based on the passage, why does the author mention that the octopus has "no bones in its body"?

  1. To explain why it is considered an invertebrate
  2. To explain how it can fit through tiny spaces
  3. To show why it is vulnerable to predators
  4. To describe its hunting technique

Question Type: _______________

Check Your Understanding

Practice Answers

  1. B (Main Idea) - The passage describes multiple remarkable abilities
  2. B (Detail) - Directly stated in the passage
  3. C (Inference) - "dual purposes" implies both uses
  4. B (Vocabulary in Context) - "blend seamlessly" means blending smoothly
  5. C (Author's Purpose/Tone) - Words like "remarkable" and "most impressive" show admiration
  6. B (Detail) - Directly stated in the passage
  7. B (Inference) - Recognizing faces is highlighted as impressive, implying it is unusual
  8. B (Vocabulary in Context) - Context clue: "no bones"
  9. B (Main Idea/Structure) - The passage lists various features
  10. B (Author's Purpose) - The sentence explains how the octopus can squeeze through spaces

Self-Assessment

  • Can you identify all five question types quickly?
  • Do you know which key words signal each type?
  • Can you apply the right strategy for each question type?

Next Steps

  • Practice identifying question types before you answer them
  • Create flashcards with signal words for each question type
  • Move on to the next lesson: Timed Drill