3. Overall review
questions are NOT
main idea
questions.
They ask about
some other aspect
of the passage as
a whole.
4. Where in the passage
something is found.
The tone of the
passage
Most common
types of overall
review questions
The author’s
purpose in writing
the passage
Which course the
passage might be a
part of
6. The answer choices will list possible
locations for that information.
Study the questions to determine the
information that you are looking for
Go to the lines listed in the answers and
skim for that information
9. Type of tone in a passage
Informational
Explanatory
Factual
10. If the author is being funny, the tone
might be humorous.
If the author is making fun of
something, the tone might be sarcastic.
If the author feels strongly that something
is right or wrong, the tone might be
impassioned.
12. Draw a conclusion about the author’s
purpose
By referring to the main idea and the
organization of details in the passage
13. The main
idea
George Washington’s
early life greatly
influence his later
career.
The details give a
history of his early
life
To show how George
Washington’s early
life influenced his
later career.
The author’s
purpose might
be
14. However..
The answer to a purpose question is often
more general than the main idea.
The more general author’s purpose is..
To demonstrate the influence of early
experiences on later life (without any
mention of George Washington.
16. Draw a conclusion about the course by referring to
the topic of the passage and the organization of
details.
If the passage is about George Washington and
the details give historical background on his early
life..
This would probably be assigned reading in an
American class history.
