Introduction to reading comprehension - Understanding passag...

Learning Outcomes

After reviewing this article, you will be able to identify and analyze the structure of LSAT reading comprehension passages, distinguish between main idea and supporting detail, and recognize the common types of passage structures. You will also understand the main LSAT question types that test structure and how to use features of the passage to answer them efficiently.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT Reading Comprehension, you are required to understand how passages are organized and how structure affects meaning and inference. This article will support your revision in the following core syllabus areas:

• Identifying the main structures used in LSAT passages (narrative, compare/contrast, problem-solution, etc.)
• Distinguishing between a passage’s main idea and supporting detail
• Recognizing logical flow and paragraph relationships
• Identifying and describing the function of a given sentence or paragraph
• Understanding common passage structures to anticipate and answer structure-based questions

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. In LSAT reading comprehension, which of the following most commonly signals a main idea statement?
   1. "However"
   2. "Therefore"
   3. "For instance"
   4. "Additionally"
2. Which passage structure most often presents two viewpoints equally and neutrally?
   1. Narrative
   2. Compare and contrast
   3. Chronological
   4. Cause and effect
3. When a question asks for the "primary function" of a paragraph, what is usually required?
   1. A literal fact from the paragraph
   2. The main idea of the overall passage
   3. The reason the author included that paragraph
   4. The author’s attitude

4. True or False? Every LSAT passage is limited to a single, predictable structure.

Introduction

Understanding how LSAT reading comprehension passages are structured is essential to answering both main idea and detail-based questions efficiently. Recognizing organization allows you to predict the types of questions, anticipate key points, and avoid common traps. The most effective readers are those who can analyze structure quickly and use this to focus on what matters for the exam.

Common LSAT Passage Structures

Most LSAT passages use one or a mix of these standard structures. Being able to recognize these patterns helps you locate main ideas, supporting evidence, and anticipate question focus.

Narrative

A narrative structure tells a story or describes a sequence of events, often with a chronological order.

Key Term: narrative structure
A passage that presents events or developments as a sequence, often using dates or explicit time markers.

Comparison/Contrast

This structure compares two or more viewpoints, theories, or events, sometimes explicitly, sometimes by juxtaposing passages or arguments.

Key Term: comparison/contrast structure
An organization that highlights similarities and/or differences between ideas, people, or approaches.

Problem-Solution

A problem is raised at the beginning, then the author proposes or discusses one or more solutions.

Key Term: problem-solution structure
An arrangement where an issue or challenge is presented, followed by discussion of possible resolutions.

Chronological/Sequential

Events or steps are described in the order they occur.

Key Term: chronological structure
The arrangement of ideas or events in the order in which they happen.

Cause and Effect

This layout focuses on reasons for an event or concept (causes), and what results (effects).

Key Term: cause and effect structure
Organization devoted to explaining reasons why something happens and what results.

Key Term: main idea
The central thought or claim the author wants the reader to understand about the passage as a whole.

Identifying Structure in Practice

Most questions that ask about a paragraph's "primary function," the author's "purpose," or the "organization" of a passage directly require understanding structure.

Worked Example 1.1

A passage discusses early efforts in space travel, then presents new research about Mars missions, and finally compares private and public space initiatives.
Question: What is the likely structure?

Answer:
The passage likely uses a chronological opening (history), then introduces comparison/contrast (private vs. public efforts).

Worked Example 1.2

A paragraph begins, "A major concern with renewable energy is storage. Several approaches have been tested to solve this problem..."
Question: What is the function of this paragraph?

Answer:
The paragraph is presenting a problem-solution structure: first the concern (problem), then possible solutions.

Using Structure to Answer LSAT Questions

LSAT Reading Comprehension will test:

• "Main point" or "primary purpose" (whole passage structure)
• "The primary function of the third paragraph is to..." (function questions)
• "The author's attitude towards..." (relates to structure and emphasis)

Main idea questions require you to step back and look at the overall structure of the passage, not just a single part.

Key Term: supporting detail
Information or examples in the passage intended to illustrate, justify, or provide evidence for the main idea.

Revision Tip

Always note where the author introduces "however," "on the other hand," "in contrast," or similar phrases. These nearly always signal a change in structure that is critical for function and attitude questions.

Differentiating Main Idea from Detail

To get structure-based questions right, you must distinguish the main idea (the author's purpose, thesis, or attitude) from supporting detail (specific facts or examples).

• Main idea: What point does the passage as a whole try to prove?
• Supporting detail: What information is used to back up or illustrate that point?

Worked Example 1.3

A question in an LSAT passage asks, "Which of the following most accurately expresses the author's main point?"
Five answer choices are given, each paraphrasing a possible paragraph or sentence from the passage.

Answer:
The correct choice will always correspond to the central purpose of the entire passage—not just a paragraph or an example. It usually reflects the argument or conclusion introduced in the first or last paragraph.

Exam Warning

Many wrong answers for main idea questions are "too narrow" (just a detail) or "too broad" (go beyond what the passage covers). Always compare each answer to the entire passage.

Using Passage Features to Your Advantage

Transition words ("however," "although," "consequently," "meanwhile") and paragraph topic sentences help signal structure. Identify these quickly to map the argument or story.

Key Term: transition word
A word or phrase that signals a shift in the argument or narrative, helping to organize or highlight structure.

Paragraphs often follow predictable patterns:

• First paragraph: States main idea or problem
• Middle paragraphs: Provide background, examples, alternative views, or support
• Final paragraph: Provides solution, summary, or author's judgment

Anticipate function/organization questions and highlight phrases that mark the passage structure.

Summary

Quick Table: Common Passage Structures and Key Signposts

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• The most common LSAT passage structures: narrative, compare/contrast, problem-solution, chronological, cause-effect
• How to distinguish main idea from supporting detail
• How to use transition words and structure markers to identify function and answer structure-based questions
• The passage structure will determine how main idea and function/organization questions should be answered
• Structure questions test understanding of both overall organization and the function of specific paragraphs or sentences

Key Terms and Concepts

• narrative structure
• comparison/contrast structure
• problem-solution structure
• chronological structure
• cause and effect structure
• main idea
• supporting detail
• transition word