📖 Reading Question Types: Main Idea, Inference, Detail, Vocabulary

Level: A2-B2 | Focus: Understanding different question types

Reading Reading Comprehension reading question types main idea

1. Main Idea Questions

Ask: "What is the passage mostly about?" Look for the overall topic.

Keywords: main idea, primarily, mainly, best title

Ask: "What specific information is stated?" The answer is directly in the text.

Keywords: according to the passage, what, where, when, how many

Ask: "What can you conclude?" The answer is implied, not directly stated.

Keywords: imply, infer, suggest, conclude, most likely

Ask: "What does this word mean in context?" Use surrounding words for clues.

Keywords: the word X most nearly means, what is the meaning of X

Ask: "Why did the author write this?" (to inform, persuade, entertain, explain)

Ask: "What happened first, second, last?" Look for time words (first, then, finally).

Ask: "What caused this to happen?" Look for words like because, therefore, as a result.

💡 Strategy: Read the questions before you read the passage. This helps you know what information to look for.