TSI ACADEMIC SKILLS EVALUATION 2026
COMPREHENSIVE READING
COMPREHENSION AND WRITING ESSAY
GUIDE
◉ topic
Answer: overall subject of a text
◉ compare (verb)
Answer: to find similarities
◉ contrast (verb)
Answer: to find differences
◉ context clue
Answer: a word, phrase, or sentence in the text around an unfamiliar
word that helps you identify the word's meaning
◉ text evidence
, Answer: evidence from the reading selection that proves the answer
to a question about the text
◉ author's purpose
Answer: the author's intent either to inform, to entertain, or to
persuade
◉ inference
Answer: a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and
reasoning
◉ simile
Answer: a direct comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"
◉ supporting details
Answer: facts or details that help develop and support the main idea
◉ author's argument
Answer: the position/stance the author puts forward, supported by
reasons or assumptions
◉ analogous (adj.)
Answer: comparable to; like
COMPREHENSIVE READING
COMPREHENSION AND WRITING ESSAY
GUIDE
◉ topic
Answer: overall subject of a text
◉ compare (verb)
Answer: to find similarities
◉ contrast (verb)
Answer: to find differences
◉ context clue
Answer: a word, phrase, or sentence in the text around an unfamiliar
word that helps you identify the word's meaning
◉ text evidence
, Answer: evidence from the reading selection that proves the answer
to a question about the text
◉ author's purpose
Answer: the author's intent either to inform, to entertain, or to
persuade
◉ inference
Answer: a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and
reasoning
◉ simile
Answer: a direct comparison of two unlike things using "like" or "as"
◉ supporting details
Answer: facts or details that help develop and support the main idea
◉ author's argument
Answer: the position/stance the author puts forward, supported by
reasons or assumptions
◉ analogous (adj.)
Answer: comparable to; like
