rc_tackling purpose type questions in rc_17.01.2014

8/10/2019 RC_Tackling Purpose Type Questions in RC_17.01.2014

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What is a PURPOSE TYPE

question?


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REASON

REASON

REASON

PURPOSE


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Plot of thepassage

SpecificFacts

Passage


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REASON- PASSAGE

REASON-SPECIFIC FACTS

REASON-VOCABULARY

PURPOSE


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PURPOSE TYPE:

GENERAL SPECIFIC


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Purposequestions

Specificquestions

PURPOSE OF

THE PASSAGE+

RELATION OFIDEAS

SIGNALWORDS

Whole

PLOT+INTERPRETATION

CONTENT OFALL

PARAGRAPHS


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General type questions(examples):1. What is the purpose of the passage?

2. Why did the author write this

passage?3. The authors primary objective

behind writing this passage is to


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Specific type questions(examples):

1. The purpose of the first paragraph is to

2. Author presents the information on x in

paragraph y primarily to..

3. What is the purpose of the thirdparagraph?

4. In the context of the passage, the word x

in line ymost closely corresponds towhich of the following phrases?


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Plot of the Passage

1. Explicitly stated

2. Implied


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How to get the plot of the passage:

Plot of thepassage

Supporting

statements

Contradictory

statements

Signalwords

Analyse


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Plot of the

passage Interpretation Purpose


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Get the Basic element(plot) of the passage

Read the initial and concluding lines +

analyse the passage for supporting

statements

Give priority to signal words + initial lines

of all paragraphs Try making out the MAJOR and

MINOR details

Do not fall prey to minor details Try relating the points to one another.

Interpret based on the facts given(passage)


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Try making out the meaning of unknown

words with the given contexts(relation of

ideas)

Look for the meaning of that particular

context.

Create number of whys in your mind

Make use of the clue words and Transitionalwords.

Reread to get the author's exact intention

Make out the essential elements(Main idea,Transitional sentence, Author's intention,

Contradictory statements, Examples, purpose)

Try to get the structure of the passage


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EXERCISES


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Question1

The primary purpose of the

passage is to


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Passage 1

Some language experts believe that each language is

a perfect vehicle for expressing thoughts. This is

something like the belief of the economists in

London School of Economics. They believe that

supply and demand will regulate everything. There

are a number of incidents prove that their belief isnot correct. Similarly, there is a possibility for

misunderstandings in the everyday language we use.

For example, when somebody says, Sam took his hat.

This refers to Sam's hat or somebody else is aquestion. The speaker has to make it clear that Sam

has taken his own hat and not somebody else. This

clearly indicates that no language is perfect.


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The primary purpose of the passage is to:

The Choices are

1 analyze an interesting feature of the English language

2 To prove that a belief held by some language experts is

wrong

3 show that economic theory is relevant to linguistic study

4 illustrate the confusion that can result from the improper

use of language

5 suggest a way in which languages can be made more nearly

perfect.


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Passage 1

Some language experts believe that each language is

a perfect vehicle for expressing thoughts. This is

something like the belief of the economists in

London School of Economics. They believe that

supply and demand will regulate everything. There

are a number of incidents prove that their belief isnot correct. Similarly, there is a possibility for

misunderstandings in the everyday language we use.

For example, when somebody says, Sam took his hat.

This refers to Sam's hat or somebody else is aquestion. The speaker has to make it clear that Sam

has taken his own hat and not somebody else. This

clearly indicates that no language is perfect.


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The primary purpose of the passage is to:

The Choices are

1 analyze an interesting feature of the English

language(Incorrect statement)

2 To prove that a belief held by some language experts is

wrong(Correct Answer)

3 show that economic theory is relevant to linguistic

study(Distractor)

4 illustrate the confusion that can result from the improper

use of language(Partly correct)

5 suggest a way in which languages can be made more nearlyperfect(out of context).


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Passage 2

A sizeable minority of the population of Europe in

the 18th century was unmarried. Historians have

largely neglected them whose condition was very

different from that of their married sisters. They

filled in as surrogate spouses to their brothers andstabilized the operation of household economies.

Despite the largely existent negative image of

spinsterhood, celibacy could have been be a

desirable option for some women. They foundemotional fulfillment in an alternate model of

family life and womanhood.


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The author of the passage mentions the negative image of spinsterhood

in this context primarily to

The Choices are

1 Project married family life as a way to attain emotional

fulfillment.2 Highlight the role of spinsters in stabilizing the household and as

surrogate spouses to their brothers.

3 Put it forth as the reason for the increased numbers of celibate

women in the society.

4 Better understand the brave decision of a spinster in following

an alternate model of family life

5 Show it as the reason for the number of unmarried women to

be a minority.


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Passage 2

A sizeable minority of the population of Europe in

the 18th century was unmarried. Historians have

largely neglected them whose condition was very

different from that of their married sisters. They

filled in as surrogate spouses to their brothers andstabilized the operation of household economies.

Despite the largely existent negative image of

spinsterhood, celibacy could have been be a

desirable option for some women. They foundemotional fulfillment in an alternate model of family

life and womanhood.


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The author of the passage mentions the negative image of

spinsterhood in this context primarily to

The Choices are

1 Project married family life as a way to attain emotional

fulfillment(Distractor).2 Highlight the role of spinsters in stabilizing the household

and as surrogate spouses to their brothers(Incorrect answer).

3 Put it forth as the reason for the increased numbers of

celibate women in the society(Out of context).

4 Make us understand the brave decision of a spinster in

following an alternate model of family life(Correct Answer)

5 Show it as the reason for the number of unmarried women

to be a minority(Incorrect statement).


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Points to Remember

Try to get the crux of the passage

Look for essential words

Try relating the ideas

Interpret the plot Analyse the options well

Eliminate the far-fetched options

Reread the passage to avoid confusion on

closest choices Select the best of all


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rc_tackling purpose type questions in rc_17.01.2014

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