Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3rd Edition

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M o s t I m p o r t a n t t o L e a s t
I m p o r t a n t
In the following paragraph, the writer starts with what
is most important, hoping that by putting this item
first, the reader will be sure to remember it. After you
read the passage, answer the questions that follow. Each
question is followed by its answer to guide you through
your reading of the passage.
Choosing a doctor is an important decision. Here
are some things you can do to make the best choice.
The single most important thing is to interview the
doctors you are considering. Ask questions about the
practice, office hours, and how quickly he or she
responds to phone calls. Pay attention to the doctor’s
communication skills and how comfortable you are
with him or her. The second thing you should do is
check the doctor’s credentials. One way to do this is
to ask your healthcare insurance company how they
checked the doctor’s credentials before accepting
him or her into their network. Another thing you
can do is to look at the environment of the doctor’s
office. Be sure patients aren’t waiting too long and
that the office is clean and professional. Finally,
spend some time talking with the receptionist. Keep
in mind that this is the person you’ll come into con-
tact with every time you call or come into the office.
If he or she is pleasant and efficient, it will certainly
make your overall experience better.
1.
According to the passage, what’s the most impor-
tant thing you can do to be sure you choose the
right doctor?
The answer, of course, should be clear: The writer
tells you clearly that the “single most important thing
is to interview the doctors you are considering.”
2.
What is the second most important thing you
can to choose the right doctor?
When a writer starts out by saying “the most
important thing,” you know that the writer will be
starting with the most important idea and ending with
the least important. The second best thing, therefore,
is the second piece of advice offered in the paragraph:
“Check the doctor’s credentials.”
3.
What’s the third most important thing?
Since the writer is going from most to least
important, then according the passage, the third most
important thing is to “look at the environment of the
doctor’s office.”
4.
Finally, what is the 
least
important tip the writer
offers?
Of course, the answer is the last piece of advice
the writer offers: “Spend some time talking with the
receptionist.”