Reading comprehension question types - Passage organization ...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to identify the main patterns of passage organization in LSAT Reading Comprehension, recognize the logic behind structure and function questions, and apply efficient methods to determine how a passage or specific part is organized and why the author included it. This will support effective answer selection for LSAT passage structure questions.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are expected to understand how reading passages are organized and to analyze the structural logic. This article focuses your revision on:

• recognizing overall passage organization and transitions between sections
• identifying the function of individual paragraphs or sentences within a passage
• describing the logical flow of arguments or narratives in Reading Comprehension questions
• distinguishing organization questions from content, tone, or inference 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. Which of the following best describes a "structure/organization" question in LSAT Reading Comprehension?
   1. It asks about the author's tone
   2. It requests a step-by-step outline of the passage's main sections
   3. It asks you to infer an unstated implication
   4. It tests your knowledge of historical context
2. When an LSAT question asks "The primary function of the second paragraph is to…", what is it testing?
   1. Your ability to find direct factual detail
   2. Your ability to paraphrase the author's bottom line
   3. Your understanding of how the paragraph fits into the passage's argument
   4. Your understanding of vocabulary in context

3. True or false? Structure questions require you to know the chronological order of real-world events described in the passage.

Introduction

LSAT Reading Comprehension often examines not just your understanding of passage content, but also your analysis of how passages are organized. Questions about passage organization and paragraph function are common assessment tools. You must know how an author constructs their arguments, states opinions, introduces evidence, or shifts topics. These “structure” questions are different from main idea or inference questions and demand a clear, methodical approach.

Passage Organization and Structure: Overview

Passage organization refers to the framework the author uses to present ideas. Organization and structure questions can relate to the passage as a whole (“Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?”) or to a specific part (“The primary function of the third paragraph is to...” or “Why does the author mention X?”).

Key Term: organizational structure
The pattern the author uses to arrange sections, develop arguments, or connect ideas in a passage.

Key Term: function question
A question type requiring you to identify the purpose or role of a sentence or paragraph within the larger passage.

Main Types of Passage Organization

Passages in LSAT Reading Comprehension usually fall into one or more of the following organizational patterns:

• Chronological or narrative: events or studies presented in order
• Problem-solution: a problem is introduced, then possible solutions or views are analyzed
• Compare-contrast: two or more theories, situations, or viewpoints are compared or contrasted
• Claim-evidence: the author makes a claim and follows it with supporting evidence, examples, or justifications
• Cause-effect: the author identifies causes or effects and traces logical links
• Question-response: the author poses a question or raises a debate, then provides analysis or answers

Recognizing the pattern enables you to handle structure questions quickly and accurately.

Structure/Organization Questions

These ask you to summarize how the text is put together, often in bullet-point or stepwise form. For example:

Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?

Correct answers will track, point-by-point, the overall flow—e.g.:

• A description of a phenomenon;
• Arguments for and against it;
• The author’s assessment

Worked Example 1.1

A passage describes a public health policy: first, it outlines the popularity of the policy; then, it presents arguments for and against; finally, the author explains flaws in both approaches.

Question:
Which answer best matches the organization?
A) A step-by-step report of policy implementation and its positive impact
B) A presentation of a proposal; discussion of drawbacks; author's recommendation
C) Description of the policy; arguments for/against; author's evaluation
D) Narrative of a single case study; summary; recommendations

Answer:
C) matches: the passage describes the policy, presents both views, and ends with the author’s evaluation.

Function or Paragraph-Role Questions

These ask about why the author included a certain section or how it fits into the passage.

Common formats:

• "The primary function of the second paragraph is to..."
• "Why does the author mention [example/research/case X]?"

Function questions are not asking “what does it say?” but “why is it there?”—whether it advances an argument, provides evidence, presents a counterpoint, or describes implications.

Worked Example 1.2

A paragraph about environmental regulation presents a case of a failed project, following two paragraphs describing successes.

Question:
The main function of this paragraph is to…
A) suggest a need for future research
B) provide evidence against the author's claim
C) illustrate that exceptions exist to the earlier pattern
D) suggest government inaction

Answer:
C) The paragraph serves as an exception to the previous positive cases, showing complexity in the evidence.

Strategies for Structure Questions

• Before starting the questions, note the main role of each paragraph (e.g., “introduces issue,” “shows contrast,” “offers example,” “draws conclusion”).
• For questions about the entire passage, briefly outline its main sections on scratch paper.
• For function questions, reread the referenced section, then ask: does it introduce, support, rebut, summarize or otherwise progress the argument?

Key Term: transition signal
Words or phrases marking shifts, continuations, contrasts, or conclusions in the author's reasoning (e.g., "however," "for example," "in contrast," "therefore").

Key Term: bottom line
The author’s main argument or key takeaway, sometimes called “main point” or “primary purpose.”

Revision Tip

When skimming a passage, underline or note transition signals—these are often directly referenced by structure or function questions.

Structure Question Wrong Answer Patterns

• Matching the content of the passage, but getting sequence wrong
• Describing a function not present (e.g., "introduces a new claim" when paragraph actually summarizes)
• Misidentifying the author’s bottom line—e.g., attributing an argument to the author that is only described, not endorsed

Worked Example 1.3

A passage is organized:

1. Presents a question
2. Describes several viewpoints
3. Provides the author's evaluation
4. Offers recommendations

Structure question: "Which sequence best describes the passage organization?"
A) evaluation > question > recommendations > viewpoints
B) question > viewpoints > evaluation > recommendations
C) viewpoints > recommendations > evaluation > question
D) recommendations > evaluation > viewpoints > question

Answer:
B) This matches the correct order: initial question, competing viewpoints, author’s evaluation, then recommendations.

Exam Warning

Do not confuse "function" with "content." For example, if a paragraph discusses a study, the function might be to provide evidence—not merely to present data.

Applying Structure Skills Under Time Pressure

1. Don't memorize every detail: Focus on the logic of how the passage progresses.
2. Before evaluating answer choices, define for yourself the structure or the function of the section being asked about.
3. Eliminate answers with steps out of order, inaccurate descriptions, or incorrect attributions of opinion.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Structure/organization questions ask about the author's arrangement of material or the function of a section
• Recognizing common passage structures aids efficient and accurate answer selection
• Structure and function questions test "how" and "why" more than "what"
• Transition signals and paragraph notes help predict and confirm correct answer choices
• Errors often stem from mixing up content and function or misreading passage flow

Key Terms and Concepts

• organizational structure
• function question
• transition signal
• bottom line