Every single RC question is a variation of "must be true."
This is the most important insight in RC. Once you see it, the section gets much simpler.
Let's prove it:
- Main Point: What must be true based on the argument?
- Primary Purpose: What must be true about why the author wrote this?
- Must Be True / Inference: What must be true based on the passage?
- Purpose of Detail: What must be true about why this detail was included?
- Method of Reasoning: What must be true about how the author structured the argument?
- Tone / Attitude: What must be true about how the author feels?
- Most Strongly Supported: Which answer must be true, with the most support?
Every question type is asking: based on the passage, what must be true? The variation is in *what* aspect of the passage is being tested — but the fundamental logic is the same.
Applying the framework:
When you read a passage, track what must be true at each step:
- What must be true about the topic? (main point)
- What must be true about the author's attitude? (tone)
- What must be true about why this detail is here? (purpose)
- What must be true about the argument structure? (method)
This tracking happens automatically when you read for author intent. You're not just absorbing information — you're building a model of what must be true.
Eliminating wrong answers:
Wrong answers in RC almost always violate the "must be true" principle:
- They state something the passage doesn't support
- They introduce outside information
- They describe what *might* be true rather than what *must* be true
- They confuse the author's position with a position mentioned in the passage
If an answer requires you to know something not in the passage, it's wrong.
The instinct:
As you get faster at RC, you'll develop a feel for the right answer that's hard to explain but reliable. This comes from thousands of hours of reading with the "must be true" lens.
The elephant learns the pattern. Trust it.
Practice: After reading every passage, before looking at questions, ask yourself: what must be true about this passage? Write it down or say it in your head. Then check it against the questions.
This habit alone will transform your RC score.