Master Function & Structure Questions
Understand WHY authors mention details and HOW passages are organized. Learn to analyze paragraph roles and passage patterns—the key to unlocking 3-5 questions in every CAT VARC.
📚 Function & Structure Flashcards
Master the vocabulary of passage analysis
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🎯 Test Your Function & Structure Skills
5 CAT-style questions with detailed explanations
🎯✓ Test Complete!
Darwin’s theory of natural selection revolutionized biology by providing a mechanism for evolutionary change. The theory proposes that organisms with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those advantageous traits to offspring. Over generations, this process leads to populations becoming better adapted to their environments. A classic example involves the Galapagos finches Darwin observed. Different islands had different food sources. Finches with beak shapes suited to available food thrived, while those with poorly matched beaks struggled. Over time, distinct species emerged, each with beaks optimized for their island’s particular food resources. This example demonstrates how environmental pressures drive evolutionary divergence through differential survival and reproduction.
The author mentions the Galapagos finches primarily in order to:
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The paragraph first explains the theory of natural selection in abstract terms, then introduces the finch example with “A classic example involves…” The finches demonstrate the mechanism described earlier – traits matching environment lead to survival and reproduction. This is the “support” function, specifically providing a concrete example to illustrate the abstract theory.
Option A – Wrong Direction: The example supports the theory, not challenges it. Option C – Too Broad: The passage discusses finches on specific islands, not “all bird species.” Option D – Scope Mismatch: The finch example shows adaptation, not the “complete process” of speciation.
Modern smartphone interfaces rely heavily on intuitive gesture controls. Users can swipe, pinch, and tap to navigate applications without extensive training. This ease of use represents a significant advance over earlier mobile devices that required styluses and complex menu navigation. However, gesture-based interfaces create accessibility challenges for users with motor impairments. Standard gestures like precise taps or multi-finger swipes can be difficult or impossible for people with limited hand mobility. Designers must balance intuitive controls for most users with alternative input methods for those with disabilities. Voice commands, eye-tracking technology, and adaptive touch sensitivity offer potential solutions. Yet implementing these alternatives adds development complexity and cost. The tension between elegant simplicity for the majority and comprehensive accessibility for all users remains an ongoing challenge in interface design.
The primary purpose of the passage is to:
✓ Correct! Option C is the answer.
Why C is correct: The passage introduces gesture interfaces as an advance, then pivots with “However” to discuss the accessibility challenges they create. The bulk of the passage discusses the tension between intuitive design and accessibility needs. This follows the Problem-Solution structure pattern, specifically focusing on presenting the problem.
Option A – Too Narrow: Voice commands are mentioned as one solution among several, not the preferred alternative. Option B – Wrong Focus: Evolution is briefly mentioned but not the primary purpose. Option D – Content vs Function: The passage never explains how gestures technically work.
Classical economic theory assumes rational actors making decisions to maximize utility. Consumers weigh costs against benefits and choose options offering the greatest net advantage. This model has guided economic policy and analysis for generations. Behavioral economics challenges this assumption by demonstrating that human decision-making systematically deviates from rational choice predictions. People exhibit loss aversion, preferring to avoid losses rather than acquire equivalent gains. They anchor decisions to irrelevant reference points. They overweight recent information and underweight statistical base rates. These patterns appear across cultures and contexts, suggesting fundamental features of human psychology rather than correctable errors. Economists must now reconcile classical models’ mathematical elegance and predictive utility with behavioral economics’ empirically verified insights about actual decision-making. Some argue for abandoning rational choice models entirely. Others seek modifications that preserve classical theory’s structure while accommodating behavioral findings.
The function of the sentence “Classical economic theory assumes rational actors making decisions to maximize utility” in the passage is to:
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The sentence appears in the opening, describing classical theory. The passage then pivots with “Behavioral economics challenges this assumption” and spends most of its length discussing deviations from rational choice. This is the classic “introduce old view that will be challenged” function, following the Old View → New View structure pattern.
Option A – Author vs Described View: The sentence presents classical theory’s assumption, not the author’s position. Option C – Opposite Direction: This describes rational choice theory, which behavioral economics challenges. Option D – Location Error: This appears at the beginning, not the end.
Unreliable narrators have become a staple of contemporary fiction. These narrators present distorted, incomplete, or deliberately misleading accounts of events. Readers must piece together what actually happened from clues that contradict the narrator’s version. The technique creates interpretive ambiguity that many readers find engaging. Consider the narrator in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Remains of the Day.” Stevens recounts his service as a butler with apparent objectivity and pride. Yet careful readers notice what he omits, misremembers, or rationalizes. His account reveals more through its gaps than its assertions. The technique demands active, critical reading rather than passive acceptance of narrative authority. Some critics argue this creates valuable complexity. Others contend it’s a gimmick that sacrifices clarity for cleverness. Regardless of this debate, the prevalence of unreliable narrators in prize-winning contemporary fiction suggests the technique resonates with both writers and sophisticated readers.
Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage follows a clear three-part structure. It opens by describing unreliable narrators as a technique (definition and general characteristics). Then it provides the Ishiguro example to illustrate how the technique works. Finally, it discusses competing critical evaluations (“Some critics argue… Others contend”). This matches the Description → Example → Evaluation pattern perfectly.
Option A – Pattern Mismatch: The passage never poses a question that needs answering. Option C – Wrong Relationship: Unreliable narrators aren’t presented as a problem requiring a solution. Option D – Sequence Error: The structure is explain → show → evaluate, not argue → support → counter.
Debates about artificial intelligence often focus on technical capabilities while overlooking fundamental questions about agency and responsibility. When an AI system makes a consequential decision – approving a loan, diagnosing a disease, determining bail – who bears responsibility for errors? Traditional frameworks assign responsibility to agents who possess understanding and intent. But AI systems operate through statistical pattern matching without genuine comprehension. They cannot be held responsible in any meaningful sense. Yet their creators and deployers often disclaim responsibility by citing the system’s autonomous operation and the impossibility of predicting every decision it will make. This responsibility gap threatens foundational principles of accountability in democratic societies. Some ethicists propose treating AI systems as corporate persons with legal liability. Others argue for strict liability holding creators responsible regardless of foreseeability. A third approach suggests distributed responsibility across all actors in the AI development and deployment chain. None of these solutions adequately addresses the conceptual mismatch between traditional responsibility frameworks and algorithmic decision-making.
The author mentions the three proposed ethical approaches (treating AI as corporate persons, strict liability, distributed responsibility) primarily to:
✓ Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage describes three proposed solutions, then immediately concludes “None of these solutions adequately addresses the conceptual mismatch.” This final statement reveals the function of listing the proposals – to show that current attempts to solve the responsibility gap are insufficient. The three approaches serve to demonstrate the problem’s difficulty and resistance to existing solutions.
Option A – Missing the Conclusion: The passage explicitly states “None of these solutions adequately addresses” the problem, contradicting advocacy. Option C – Topic Confusion: The three proposals are about responsibility frameworks, not technical decision mechanisms. Option D – Incomplete Function: While comparison occurs, the primary function is demonstrating inadequacy of existing solutions.
💡 How to Master Function & Structure Questions
Strategic approaches to move from guessing to systematic analysis in 7 days
The 3-Step Method for Every Function Question
Function questions become mechanical when you execute the same process every time. Before looking at options, complete this analysis:
Step 1: Local Summary
Restate the sentence or paragraph in plain language. Ignore academic vocabulary and complex phrasing. Focus on the basic idea being conveyed.
Example: If the paragraph discusses three studies showing similar results, your summary is simply: “Gives evidence supporting the claim.”
Step 2: Link to Context
Ask: What was happening just before this part? What happens just after? Does this piece start a new idea, support a previous idea, question something, or summarize?
Key insight: Context determines function. The same content can serve different roles depending on where it appears.
Step 3: Generalize into Function Label
Convert your understanding into a generic role label: introduce, support, contrast, clarify, transition, conclude. Don’t use the passage’s specific vocabulary—use structural terms.
Critical: Options will be phrased generically. Your label needs to match that level of abstraction.
Practice this three-step method on 10 passages without looking at options. Write down your function label, then check if it matches the correct answer. This builds the habit of independent analysis before option evaluation.
Memorize the 10 Function Labels
Function questions draw from a limited vocabulary. Learn these 10 labels and you can classify 90% of paragraph functions in CAT passages:
- Introduce: Start a topic, problem, puzzle, theory, or debate
- Provide Background: Give history, definitions, or context needed for what follows
- Present Main Claim: State the author’s key argument or thesis
- Support: Give reasons, evidence, examples, or data backing up a claim
- Explain/Clarify: Rephrase or define to make a previous idea clearer
- Contrast/Counter: Present opposing view or criticism
- Concede/Qualify: Admit partial weakness or exception to earlier claim
- Refine/Develop: Narrow, extend, or modify an earlier idea
- Transition: Shift from one subtopic to another
- Summarize/Conclude: Wrap up discussion or restate overall point
Think of passage construction as building an argument. You introduce (start), provide background (prepare), present claim (assert), support (prove), explain (clarify), contrast (complicate), concede (qualify), refine (adjust), transition (shift), summarize (conclude).
Recognize Structure Patterns from the First Two Paragraphs
Top scorers identify structure in the first 60 seconds of reading. They’re tracking pattern signals that predict how the passage will unfold:
Signal Words That Reveal Structure
- Problem language (challenge, difficulty, puzzle) → Problem-Solution structure
- Past tense + “traditionally” → Old View-New View structure
- Clear thesis + “evidence shows” → Theory-Evidence-Evaluation structure
- Question posed → Question-Answer structure
- General concept + “for example” → Description-Example structure
- Position stated + “however” + counterargument → Claim-Counterclaim-Resolution
Once you identify the structure in paragraph 1-2, you can predict what’s coming. If paragraph 1 introduces a problem, you know later paragraphs will discuss solutions. If paragraph 2 starts with “However” after describing traditional views, you know a new view is being introduced.
After reading just paragraph 1, predict the structure. Is this setting up a problem to solve? Introducing an old view that will be challenged? Stating a theory that will be tested? This prediction primes you for the passage’s organization.
Master the Elimination Strategy
Function and structure questions have predictable wrong answer types. Learn to spot these in 10 seconds:
- Too Narrow: Mentions only one small detail rather than the function of the entire paragraph
- Too Broad: Describes something that includes ideas not present in the paragraph
- Wrong Direction: Says “criticize” but the paragraph explains neutrally
- Confusing Content with Function: Summarizes what is said, not why it’s there
- Ignoring Overall Author Stance: Doesn’t match the overall tone (descriptive vs argumentative)
Quick Recognition: Content vs Function
Content option: “Discusses the impact of climate change on coastal cities.”
Function option: “Provides an example of the process described in the previous paragraph.”
The first describes the topic. The second identifies the role. Function options use structural verbs: illustrate, support, qualify, anticipate, transition, introduce, conclude, contrast, elaborate, clarify.
Use the “remove it” test. If you removed this paragraph entirely, what would the passage lose? The answer reveals function. Lose an example? Function is illustration. Lose a response to objection? Function is defense or qualification.
Build the Running Commentary Habit
After each paragraph, pause for two seconds and label its function. “Introduce problem.” “Present evidence.” “Acknowledge limitation.” This running commentary builds the habit of functional analysis—you’ll start doing it automatically.
7-Day Practice Drill
- Days 1-2: Read 5 passages. After each paragraph, write one-word function label. Check against explanations.
- Days 3-4: Read 5 passages. After each paragraph, mentally label function (no writing). Verify labels at end.
- Days 5-6: Read 5 passages normally while maintaining awareness of paragraph functions. Test with function questions.
- Day 7: Take a full RC section. Track how quickly you identify functions. Aim for labels within 2 seconds per paragraph.
For structure questions, create a one-sentence summary of each paragraph’s role, then look for the option that strings these roles together. Paragraph 1 introduces debate. Paragraph 2 presents View A. Paragraph 3 presents View B. Paragraph 4 evaluates both. Structure = “Present debate → discuss competing views → evaluate.”
Function and structure questions reward good reading habits more than clever tricks. If you naturally track why paragraphs exist and how they connect, these questions become the fastest ones to answer—not the hardest.
The Complete Guide: From Theory to Mastery
You’ve practiced the flashcards. You’ve tested yourself. Now understand why the strategies work—and how to adapt them to any CAT passage you’ll encounter.
Understanding RC Function Questions in CAT Reading Comprehension
RC function and structure questions test a fundamentally different skill than content questions. They don’t ask what is said. They ask why it’s said here or how the passage is built. This distinction matters because you’re analyzing the author’s rhetorical choices, not the passage’s subject matter.
Function questions target specific parts: “The author mentions X primarily in order to…” or “Paragraph 3 serves which of the following functions?” Structure questions target the whole passage: “Which best describes the organization of the passage?” or “The passage can best be described as…”
Most test-takers answer these questions by summarizing content. Wrong approach. An option that accurately describes what a paragraph says can still be incorrect if it doesn’t identify why the author included it. Content is what. Function is why. Structure is how the parts fit together.
Quick Test: If the question says “paragraph 3” or “the mention of X” or “the author’s discussion of Y,” it’s asking about function. If it says “the passage” or “the author’s approach” or “organization,” it’s asking about structure.
Pause & Reflect
Before reading further: Can you explain the difference between what a paragraph says and why the author included it?
If you’re still confusing these, you’re reading for content instead of construction. Content is the topic discussed. Function is the role it plays in the argument.
Example: A paragraph discusses three studies on sleep deprivation. Content summary: “Discusses studies on sleep deprivation.” Function label: “Provides evidence supporting the earlier claim about cognitive decline.”
The first describes what. The second identifies why it’s there. Function questions reward the second type of reading.
Always ask: “What job does this part do for the overall argument?” not “What information does this part contain?”
Function vs Structure: The Core Distinction
Function questions ask about the role of a specific part. A sentence. A paragraph. A phrase. Why did the author put this here? What does this piece do for the overall argument?
Structure questions ask about the pattern of the whole passage. How is this passage organized? What’s the sequence of moves the author makes from beginning to end?
Function is local analysis. You’re zooming in on one component and identifying its role within the larger machine. Structure is global analysis. You’re looking at how all the parts connect into a pattern.
The 3-Step Method for Function Questions
Before looking at options, execute this three-step analysis on the specific part being asked about.
Step 1: Local Summary
Restate the sentence or paragraph in plain language. Ignore complex vocabulary and focus on the basic idea being conveyed.
“This paragraph gives an example of how the theory works in practice.” “This sentence introduces doubt about the previous claim.” “This phrase defines a key term.” Strip away the academic language and identify the core content.
Step 2: Link to Context
Ask: What was happening just before this part? What happens just after? Does this piece start a new idea, support a previous idea, question something, or summarize?
Context determines function. The same content can serve different roles depending on where it appears. An example in paragraph 2 might support a claim. The same example in paragraph 5 might illustrate a limitation. Location matters.
Example: Passage structure: Para 1 introduces theory. Para 2 gives supporting evidence. Para 3 presents a study showing unexpected results.
Function of Para 3: Not “support the theory” (even though it’s a study). Function is “introduce complication” or “present evidence that challenges initial expectations.”
Step 3: Generalize into Function Label
Convert your understanding into a generic role label. Don’t use the passage’s specific vocabulary. Use structural terms: introduce, support, contrast, clarify, transition, conclude.
This abstraction is critical. Options will be phrased generically (“provide an example of,” “qualify an earlier assertion,” “anticipate an objection”). Your label needs to match that level of generality.
Test Your Understanding
Imagine a paragraph describes three historical examples of economic downturns. What’s its likely function: introduce, support, or conclude?
Most likely: support. Historical examples typically illustrate or provide evidence for a claim made earlier.
But context is critical! If this paragraph appears first, it might introduce the topic. If it appears last after discussing theories, it might illustrate the pattern discussed.
This is why Step 2 (Link to Context) is essential. The same content can serve different functions depending on position and what surrounds it.
Never label a paragraph’s function without checking what comes before and after. Context determines role.
Ten Common Function Labels You Must Know
Function questions draw from a limited vocabulary of roles. Learn these ten labels and you can classify 90% of paragraph functions in CAT passages.
Label 1: Introduce – Start a topic, problem, puzzle, theory, viewpoint, or debate. This is the opening move. “This paragraph introduces the concept of X” or “serves to present the problem that the passage will address.”
Label 2: Provide Background / Context – Give history, definitions, prior research, or general information needed to understand what follows. This sets the stage without making claims. “Establishes the historical context” or “provides necessary background information.”
Label 3: Present Main Claim – State the author’s key argument, thesis, or central position. This is the passage’s core assertion. “Articulates the author’s primary argument” or “states the thesis the passage will defend.”
Label 4: Support – Give reasons, evidence, examples, data, or illustrations that back up a claim. This is the most common function after introduction. “Provides evidence for,” “offers an example of,” “supplies data supporting.”
Label 5: Explain / Clarify – Rephrase, define, or make a previous idea clearer. This addresses potential confusion. “Clarifies the meaning of,” “elaborates on the mechanism by which,” “explains how.”
Memory Aid: Think of passage construction as building an argument. You introduce (start), provide background (prepare), present claim (assert), support (prove), explain (clarify), contrast (complicate), concede (qualify), refine (adjust), transition (shift), summarize (conclude).
Label 6: Contrast / Counter – Present an opposing view, criticism, limitation, or alternative perspective. This introduces complications. “Presents a counterargument to,” “introduces a criticism of,” “contrasts with the view that.”
Label 7: Concede / Qualify – Admit a partial weakness, limitation, or exception to an earlier claim. This shows nuance. “Acknowledges a limitation of,” “concedes a point to critics,” “qualifies the earlier assertion.”
Label 8: Refine / Develop – Narrow, extend, or modify an earlier idea. This adds precision or depth. “Refines the definition of,” “extends the application of,” “develops the implications of.”
Label 9: Transition – Shift from one subtopic, phase, or aspect to another. This manages flow. “Transitions from discussion of X to consideration of Y,” “shifts the focus from theory to application.”
Label 10: Summarize / Conclude – Wrap up the discussion, restate the overall point, or hint at implications. This is the closing move. “Summarizes the main argument,” “draws a conclusion from the preceding discussion,” “restates the central claim.”
Strategy in Action
A paragraph starts: “However, critics of this approach argue…” What’s the function label: support, contrast, or transition?
Function label: Contrast/Counter.
The word “However” signals a shift to an opposing viewpoint. “Critics” confirms that this paragraph presents objections or alternative perspectives to what was discussed earlier.
This is NOT support (which would back up the previous claim). It’s NOT transition (which would shift topics without opposition). It’s introducing complications to the argument—classic contrast/counter function.
Transition words explicitly announce function. “However” = contrast. “For example” = support/illustration. “Moreover” = continuation/development. “Therefore” = conclusion. Track these actively.
Six Structure Patterns That Appear in CAT
Structure questions ask how the whole passage is organized. CAT passages follow recognizable patterns. Learn these six and you can predict structure from the first two paragraphs.
Pattern 1: Problem → Solution – Introduces a problem, challenge, or puzzle, then proposes, analyzes, or evaluates solution(s). The passage is organized around solving something.
Pattern 2: Old View → New View – Describes a traditional belief, theory, or practice, then presents a newer view that challenges or replaces it. The passage traces intellectual evolution.
Pattern 3: Theory → Evidence → Evaluation – States a theory or hypothesis, presents evidence for or against it, then assesses its strengths and limitations. The passage is structured around testing an idea.
Pattern 4: Question → Answer – Raises a question or puzzle, then discusses possible answers or explanations. The passage is organized around resolving uncertainty.
Pattern 5: Description → Example – Explains a concept or phenomenon, then provides one or more concrete examples illustrating it. The passage is organized from abstract to concrete.
Pattern 6: Claim → Counterclaim → Resolution – States a claim or position, presents opposing views or criticisms, then resolves the tension or favors one side. The passage is dialectical.
Reality Check
Be honest: Do you usually identify the passage structure while reading, or only when answering structure questions?
If you only think about structure when a question asks, you’re wasting time reconstructing what you should have noticed during initial reading.
Top scorers identify structure in the first 60-90 seconds. They’re not reading for content details. They’re tracking the pattern of moves the author makes. “Para 1 introduces problem. Para 2 discusses attempted solutions. Para 3 evaluates those solutions.”
This running awareness makes structure questions instant (30-40 seconds) instead of slow (90+ seconds).
Read every passage with awareness of “What’s the author doing in this paragraph?” Track function as you read, and structure emerges automatically.
Elimination Strategy for Function and Structure Questions
Function and structure questions have predictable wrong answer types. Learn to spot these in 10 seconds.
Trap 1: Too Narrow
The option mentions only one small detail rather than the function of the entire paragraph or passage. If the question asks about paragraph 3’s function and the option focuses on one example within that paragraph, it’s too narrow.
Test: Does this describe the whole part being asked about, or just a piece of it?
Trap 2: Too Broad
The option describes something that includes ideas not present in the paragraph or passage. It claims the part does more than it actually does.
Example: Paragraph presents one counterargument, but option says “presents multiple objections to the theory.” One is not multiple. Too broad.
Trap 3: Wrong Direction of Role
The option says “criticize” but the paragraph explains neutrally. Or says “introduce a new theory” but the paragraph only gives an example of an existing theory.
Common Direction Errors: Confusing “describe” with “advocate,” “present a view” with “endorse a view,” “acknowledge a limitation” with “reject the theory,” “provide context” with “argue for.”
Trap 4: Confusing Content with Function
The option summarizes what is said, not why it’s there. This is the most common trap in function questions.
Content option: “Discusses the impact of climate change on coastal cities.” Function option: “Provides an example of the process described in the previous paragraph.” The first describes the topic. The second identifies the role.
Function options use structural verbs: illustrate, support, qualify, anticipate, transition, introduce, conclude, contrast, elaborate, clarify. If an option lacks these verbs, check whether it’s describing content instead of function.
Final Self-Assessment
After reading this entire guide, can you now explain the 3-step method for function questions to someone who’s never taken the CAT?
If you can explain it clearly, you’ve internalized the method. If you’re still fuzzy, that’s your signal to review.
Here’s the explanation you should be able to give:
“Step 1: Summarize what the paragraph says in plain language. Step 2: Check what comes before and after to understand its role. Step 3: Convert that role into a generic function label like ‘introduce,’ ‘support,’ or ‘contrast.’ Then match your label to the options.”
If you can’t do this, go back to the flashcards and practice the three-step method on 5 passages.
Practice labeling paragraph functions on 10 passages this week. Write down your label before checking answers. This builds pattern recognition faster than anything else.
Ready to test your understanding? The 20 flashcards above cover every nuance of function and structure questions, and the practice exercise gives you real CAT-style questions to apply these strategies.
Next, explore related RC question types to master comprehensive VARC preparation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RC function and structure questions answered
Function and structure questions typically account for 3-5 questions out of the 24 RC questions in CAT VARC. These include both “why does the author mention X” questions (function) and “how is the passage organized” questions (structure).
Function questions are more common than structure questions. You might see 2-3 function questions asking about specific paragraphs or mentions, and 1-2 structure questions asking about overall organization. Not every passage will have these question types, but longer, more complex passages almost always include at least one.
Execute the three-step method every time. Step 1: Local summary (restate the part in plain language). Step 2: Link to context (what happened before and after?). Step 3: Generalize into a function label (introduce, support, contrast, clarify, transition, conclude).
Do this analysis before looking at options. If you read options first, they’ll influence how you interpret the passage part. Your pre-formed function label should match one option clearly.
- Read the question and locate the part: 10-15 seconds
- Three-step analysis: 25-35 seconds
- Scan options for match: 15-20 seconds
- Verify: 10-15 seconds
- Total: 60-85 seconds per function question
Watch for the most common trap: confusing content with function. Options that describe what the part says rather than why it’s there are wrong. Function options use structural verbs (illustrate, support, qualify, introduce, anticipate, contrast, elaborate, clarify). Content options just describe the topic.
Start with elimination based on what it’s definitely NOT doing. Is it introducing something? No, because the topic was already introduced earlier. Is it concluding? No, because more paragraphs follow. This negative elimination often narrows options quickly.
Check for transition words and structural markers. “However” signals contrast or counter. “For example” signals support or illustration. “Moreover” signals continuation or development. “Therefore” signals conclusion. These words explicitly announce function.
Example: Paragraph starts: “However, critics of this approach argue…”
Immediate function label: “Contrast/Counter” – presenting opposing viewpoint
This eliminates any option suggesting support, continuation, or clarification of the previous claim.
Look at the paragraph’s relationship to the passage’s main argument. Does this paragraph advance the author’s position, complicate it, defend it against objections, or provide necessary background? Even without precise labeling, understanding the directional relationship helps eliminate options.
When stuck, use the “remove it” test. If you removed this paragraph entirely, what would the passage lose? The answer reveals function. Lose an example? Function is illustration. Lose a response to objection? Function is defense or qualification. Lose setup information? Function is background or introduction.
Structure questions should take 75-105 seconds. They require understanding the entire passage’s organization, not just one part. You’re synthesizing how all paragraphs connect into a pattern.
If you tracked structure during initial reading, structure questions are fast (60-75 seconds). But if you read only for content, you’ll need 90-105 seconds to reconstruct the organizational pattern by reviewing paragraph functions.
- Review passage organization (if needed): 30-45 seconds
- Identify structural pattern: 20-30 seconds
- Evaluate options: 20-30 seconds
- Verify: 10-15 seconds
- Total: 75-105 seconds
Build the habit of tracking structure during initial reading. After each paragraph, spend two seconds identifying its function. “Introduce problem.” “Present View A.” “Present View B.” “Evaluate both.” These quick labels build a structural map in real time, making structure questions much faster later.
Don’t reread the entire passage for structure questions unless absolutely necessary. Usually, recalling the first and last paragraphs plus the major transition points is sufficient to identify the organizational pattern.
Function questions are generally more straightforward because they analyze a specific, bounded part. Structure questions require synthesis across the entire passage, making them more cognitively demanding.
However, function questions have more trap answers because CAT can create options that accurately describe content while misidentifying function. Structure questions typically have clearer wrong answers once you understand passage organization.
Function questions reward careful local analysis. Structure questions reward good global reading habits. If you naturally track argument flow while reading, structure questions feel easy. If you focus on paragraph-by-paragraph details, function questions are more accessible.
- Function questions: Test ability to identify local role within larger argument
- Structure questions: Test ability to see overall organizational pattern
- Both require distinguishing form from content.
Track your accuracy separately. If you’re strong on function but weak on structure, you’re reading for local details but missing overall flow. Practice the one-sentence-per-paragraph summary drill. If structure is strong but function is weak, you’re seeing the big picture but not tracking why specific parts exist. Practice the running function commentary drill.
Both appear early in passages, but they serve different roles. “Introduce” presents the main topic, problem, or debate that the passage will address. “Provide background” gives preparatory information needed to understand the introduction or main argument.
Introduce is more about agenda-setting. It tells you what the passage will discuss. Background is more about preparation. It gives you information required to follow the discussion.
Example:
Background function: “Historically, economists assumed rational decision-making.” (Context for what comes next)
Introduce function: “Recent behavioral economics research challenges this assumption.” (States the main topic/debate)
The background sets the stage. The introduction starts the performance.
Position offers a clue. Background typically appears before introduction, though not always. Check whether the information is primarily historical/contextual (background) or agenda-setting (introduce). Background answers “What do I need to know first?” Introduction answers “What will we discuss?”
Some passages combine both in paragraph 1: brief background followed by introduction of the main topic. In such cases, identify which function dominates. Usually the introduction takes precedence because it signals the passage’s direction.
Build structural reading habits during practice. After every paragraph, pause and label its function in one word: introduce, support, contrast, clarify, develop, conclude. This running commentary trains you to read for architecture, not just content.
Practice the three-step method explicitly. For 20 function questions, write out all three steps before checking answers: (1) What does this part say? (2) What’s the context? (3) What’s the function label? Then check if your label matches the correct answer. This builds pattern recognition for function identification.
- Read a passage and create one-sentence function labels for each paragraph
- Check against explanations: Did you correctly identify each paragraph’s role?
- For any misidentified functions, ask: Did I confuse content with function? Did I miss context? Did I use wrong label?
- Do 10 passages this way – your structure recognition will improve dramatically
Memorize the ten common function labels and six structure patterns. When these become automatic vocabulary, you can quickly match what you see in passages to these standard categories. Most passages use combinations of these standard forms.
Study transition words systematically. Create a list of words that signal each function type. “However” words: but, yet, nevertheless, nonetheless (signal contrast/counter). “Support” words: for example, to illustrate, evidence shows (signal support/example). “Conclusion” words: therefore, thus, hence (signal conclusion). Track these actively while reading.
Finally, practice the post-paragraph pause. After reading each paragraph, stop for 2-3 seconds. Ask: “What did this paragraph do for the argument?” Not what did it say, but what did it DO. This single habit transforms your ability to answer function and structure questions because you’re building the map as you read instead of reconstructing it later.
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English Seekhna Ab Hua Aasan!
Learn English the Indian way. Vocabulary explained in Hindi and English for better retention.
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