Read Whole Question Carefully
A student stops reading after this part of the question: “According to the document, why did the workers form a union…” and doesn’t notice it continues with “…instead of protesting alone.” What mistake did they make?
(A) They didn’t finish reading the question. (B) They forgot to look at the answer choices. (C) They confused this question with another one. (D) They misread the document title.
A. They didn’t finish reading the question, missing a phrase that changed its meaning.
Right after reading the question, a student’s eyes jump straight to the answer choices. They pick the first one that sounds familiar. What step did they skip?
(A) Reading the document (B) Comparing the choices (C) Covering the answers and thinking first (D) Eliminating wrong options.
(C) Covering the answers and thinking first
A student predicts “for protection,” then uncovers the choices and picks A: “To protect their community.” What did the student do correctly?
(A) They compared their prediction to the choices before deciding. (B) They ignored the document. (C) They read only the first answer. (D) They eliminated all answers first.
(A) They compared their prediction to the choices before deciding.
The document says, “Citizens were required to pay a new tax each spring.” One choice says, “Citizens paid only when they felt like it.” Which answer is disproved by the document?
(A) The government collected money regularly. (B) Citizens paid a spring tax. (C) People followed the law. (D) Citizens paid only when they felt like it.
(D) Citizens paid only when they felt like it.
The question asks, “According to the document, why did families move to the city?” The document says, “Many families left farms to find steady work.” Two answers: A. To look for jobs. B. To explore the city’s culture. Which is best?
(A) To look for jobs. (B) To explore the city’s culture. (C) Both are equally correct. (D) Neither fits the evidence.
(A) To look for jobs.
The question says: “According to Document 2, what is the main reason farmers left their land?” A student answers from memory, ignoring the document name. What word should have guided them first?
(A) Farmers (B) Main reason (C) According to Document 2 (D) Left
(C) According to Document 2
The question says: “According to the document, what was one challenge sailors faced?” Before looking at choices, a student whispers, “storms and hunger.” Then they uncover the answers to see which one matches. What skill are they practicing correctly?
(A) Guessing (B) Predicting using document evidence (C) Memorizing key terms (D) Skipping difficult vocabulary.
(B) Predicting using document evidence
Two answer choices both seem possible: A. To trade with neighbors. B. To share ideas and goods. The student says, “They sound the same, so I’ll just pick A.” Two answer choices both seem possible: A. To trade with neighbors. B. To share ideas and goods. The student says, “They sound the same, so I’ll just pick A.” What should the student do instead?
(A) Pick the shorter one to save time. (B) Skip the question for later. (C) Choose the one that sounds more familiar. (D) Compare the small wording differences to see which fits the question more precisely.
(D) Compare the small wording differences to see which fits the question more precisely.
The document says, “Some protested, but most citizens obeyed quietly.” Which answer can you prove with that evidence?
(A) Everyone protested loudly. (B) No one noticed the law. (C) Most citizens accepted the law without protest. (D) The law was never enforced.
(C) Most citizens accepted the law without protest.
A student says, “I picked B because it was true, but then I noticed C was even more specific.” What did the student realize?
(A) Specific answers are always right. (B) You should look for the answer to the question - not just something that's true. (C) The question had two correct answers. (D) Guessing saves time.
(B) You should look for the answer to the question - not just something that's true.
A student reads: “Based on the document, which statement best explains why the author wrote this journal?” They choose something true but not the best explanation. What key phrase did they miss?
(A) Based on the document (B) Best explains (C) Why the author wrote (D) Journal
(B) Best explains
A student says, “I didn’t even think of an answer—I just picked C because I saw the word ‘storm.’” What’s the risk of doing that?
(A) You waste time reading twice. (B) You’ll always choose the longest answer. (D) You’ll underline too many sentences. (D) You rely on matching words instead of understanding meaning.
(D) You rely on matching words instead of understanding meaning.
The question asks: “Based on the document, what best explains the author’s actions?” The student predicted “power,” checked all four before confirming which choice fit best. What habit did this student show?
(A) Careful comparison between prediction and evidence. (B) Guessing based on memory. (C) Skipping long questions. (D) Reading only answer choices.
(A) Careful comparison between prediction and evidence.
The document says, “The mayor’s plan is unfair to working families.” The document says, “The mayor’s plan is unfair to working families.” Which option is disproved by the text?
(A) The author agrees with the mayor. (B) The author dislikes the plan. (C) The author is writing about families. (D) The author thinks the plan is unfair.
(A) The author agrees with the mayor.
The question asks, “What is the main reason the author disagreed with the law?” The author mentions: unfair taxes and harsh prison sentences. Which answer is best?
(A) Because the law was confusing. (B) Because it created unfair taxes. (C) Because some people disliked it. (D) Because it was written quickly.
(B) Because it created unfair taxes.
A student misses the word NOT in: “Which of the following is NOT supported by the document?” They pick a supported answer. What strategy could have prevented this?
(A) Underlining key words. (B) Guessing quickly to save time. (C) Looking for the longest answer. (D) Starting with the first answer choice.
(A) Underlining key words
After reading the question, another student covers the choices and writes one phrase in the margin: “To make farming easier.” Then they check which answer fits best. Why is this an effective habit?
(A) It turns guessing into evidence-based thinking. (B) It avoids rereading the document. (C) It makes every answer correct. (D) It saves paper space.
(A) It turns guessing into evidence-based thinking.
A student says, “I thought the answer was about farming, but none of these mention farms—only trade and money.” They reread the document to check. What key habit are they showing?
(A) Comparing their first idea to the answer options to see what fits evidence. (B) Changing answers randomly. (C) Choosing the longest option. (D) Ignoring their first idea completely.
(A) Comparing their first idea to the answer options to see what fits evidence.
A student says, “I’m not sure which answer is right, but I can probably cross out D because the document never mentions that.” What skill are they using correctly?
(A) Eliminating an option that can’t be proven by the document. (B) Guessing based on word length. (C) Choosing the shortest option. (D) Ignoring all the answer choices.
(A) Eliminating an option that can’t be proven by the document.
Two answers are: (B) It helped farmers earn money. (C) It improved the economy for everyone. The document says farmers benefited. Which is best supported?
(A) Neither—both are false. (B) B—because it directly matches who benefited. (C) C—because it sounds more positive. (D) Both equally.
(B) B—because it directly matches who benefited.
A student rushes and later says, “I didn’t notice it said ‘according to the document’ instead of ‘based on what you know.’” What habit do they need to develop?
(A) Read every question completely. (B) Focus only on words they don’t know. (C) Skip to the easiest-looking questions. (D) Memorize the directions instead of reading them.
A) Read every question completely.
The teacher reminds students: “Don’t let the choices tell you what to think—you tell them what to prove.” What does this mean?
(A) Memorize the answer key ahead of time. (B) Read all choices before reading the question. (C) Think of your own answer first, then see which option your evidence supports. (D) Skip hard questions entirely.
(C) Think of your own answer first, then see which option your evidence supports.
Two answers say: (B) To increase trade with allies. (C) To gain control over trade routes. The document says they wanted to control all trade along the coast. Which is best, and why?
(A) B, because it mentions allies. (B) C, because it uses the same idea as the document—control of trade. (C) Either one, because both mention trade. (D) Neither, because both are wrong.
(B) C, because it uses the same idea as the document—control of trade.
The document says, “The explorer described the new land as cold, empty, and filled with danger.” Which statement is supported by the document?
(A) The explorer viewed the land as exciting and full of opportunity. (B) The explorer thought the land was safe and crowded. (C) The explorer felt the land was harsh and risky. (D) The explorer refused to describe the land.
(C) The explorer felt the land was harsh and risky.
A student says, “I picked C because it was true, but the question asked for the main goal, not the result. I should’ve picked A.” What skill did they use?
(A) Checking which answer best fits the question’s wording and purpose. (B) Choosing whichever option appears first. (C) Ignoring the question to focus on the document. (D) Counting how many facts are in each answer.
(A) Checking which answer best fits the question’s wording and purpose.