SAT Verbal Reading Section: Common Traps in Multiple Choice Answers

Common Traps in Multiple Choice Answers for the Verbal Reading Section: Preparing for the SAT and scoring high to seek admission to a renowned university, along with scholarships, has become a common trend. Students have been doing their best to achieve this and have succeeded in entering the best universities. However, at the time of SAT preparation, there are certain smart ways that students need to follow so that they can fulfil their desire for high scores on the SAT.

This Story also Contains

1. Understanding the Verbal Reading Section
2. Traps in Multiple Choice Answers for the Verbal Reading Section
3. Important Tips for Overcoming Traps
4. Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Multiple Choice

Some common traps of the SAT verbal section are discussed below and can be avoided so that students gain confidence in attempting the exam in the right way and gain high SAT scores.

Understanding the Verbal Reading Section

While preparing for the SAT, it is important to understand the SAT verbal reading section or the entire SAT English section’s format and the way it is evaluated so that students can prepare accordingly.

Overview of Question Types

The SAT verbal section has different categories of questions, and students should practice each question type thoroughly to ace the exam.

Categories and Question Types

Importance of Reading Comprehension Skills

The reading section of the SAT exam holds great value and helps in analyzing the real potential of the student in terms of language understanding and acquisition. Students must practice the entire SAT English section strategically to score high. The SAT English section showcases the student's ability in the following ways:

• Think critically: It assesses the candidate's ability to analyze and evaluate arguments.

• Understanding context: It assesses candidates' ability to understand different perspectives and contexts.

• Evidence-based Reading: Reading comprehension develops the skill of using evidence to conclude, and this helps the candidates in both academics and real-life situations.

• Expansion of Lexical resources: preparation for the SAT helps the candidate to develop his/her language skills and gain vocabulary that can be used naturally

While preparing for the SAT exam, one of the common challenges that students face is feeling stuck while selecting the right option, even after using the elimination method accurately. Most of the time, candidates complain that they are stuck between two options and that they feel both are correct. However, they need to understand that they are expected to reach the most accurate answer and select only one option that is the most suitable, and for this, they need to understand the traps that are given in the options. Some of the common traps that can help students reach accurate answers are given below.

Traps in Multiple Choice Answers for the Verbal Reading Section

Trap 1: The “All of the Above” Dilemma

This option, as the right answer, seems fascinating, but you need to be careful. It could also lead to a broad versus narrow focus. The options that are framed could either broaden or narrow down the subject of focus in the argument.

• When to Consider This Option

Consider this option: “All of the above”, only if all the options represent the content that is given in the passage.
For example, if the passage discusses the merits of renewable sources of energy and the options include: "solar energy reduces greenhouse gases," "wind energy is sustainable," and "fossil fuels are renewable," the last choice undermines the "All of the above" option.

• Signs That “All of the Above” Might Be Incorrect

Students must read the passage carefully. “All of the above” might be incorrect with the below-given example, as it has the trap of broad versus narrow focus.
Example: If the passage statement has, “citizens of the USA have a right to own a gun.” and the options include: humans have a right to own a gun, Texans have a right to own a gun, senior citizens of US have guns as a right, All of the above. You should understand the broad trap used in the first option, wherein the word humans is used in place of US citizens.

Trap 2: Irrelevant Distractors

In this type of trap option, critical words from the passage are used in options to lure you into selecting the option that is probably discussing something irrelevant.

• Identifying Answer Choices That Seem Related

You should be able to search for specific information that is asked in the question.
For example, A question asks about the author's argument for renewable energy, and one choice mentions fossil fuel statistics. While related, it doesn't address the author's main argument.

• Strategies to Eliminate Distractors

1. Read the question statement and understand it.

2. Match the given options considering what is asked in the question and the information given about it in the passage.

Trap 3: The “Extreme Language” Pitfall

In this type of trap, the options will have extreme words, while the information given in the passage will not be so.

• Recognizing Absolute Terms

These options include words like all, every, none, any, inevitable, impossible, etc.

For example:

Passage: Adult monarchs feed on the nectar from flowers, which contain sugars and other nutrients. Unlike the larvae that only eat milkweeds, adult monarchs feed on a wide variety of nectar-bearing flowers. They will visit many different kinds of flowers in their search for food

Trap option: All monarchs feed on nectar from flowers.

** Do be wary of any option which is extreme for any question type; they are usually wrong unless the element of extremity is present in the passage.

• Evaluating Answer Choices with Qualifiers

Qualifiers like “often,” “sometimes,” and “usually” indicate more accurate and less extreme answers.

Trap 4: Similar-Sounding Choices

This kind of trap confuses students with the tone of the segment. The answer choices seem very close to each other. However, you are expected to read carefully and understand the context.

• How Close Answers Can Mislead You

Let's check this with an example:

Passage: Discussion on a scientific study on the effects of a new diet. The question might ask for the main conclusion of the study. Here are your answer choices:

A. The diet significantly improved participants' overall health.

B. The diet led to minor improvements in participants' overall health.

C. The diet significantly improved participants' physical performance.

D. The diet led to significant health benefits in some areas but not in others.

These answers might all sound plausible because they use similar terms: "significantly improved," "minor improvements," and "health benefits."

• Techniques to Differentiate Between Similar Options

The best way here is:

1. Re-read the part of the passage discussing the results.

2. Use the elimination method, eliminate choice C if the passage mentions only health improvements and physical performance.

3. Differentiate between “overall health” and “some areas but not others”. If the passage states overall health without qualifiers, eliminate choice D.

4. Pay attention to whether the improvement was described as “significant” or “minor”. This helps you choose between A and B.

Trap 5: Misleading Context Clues

This type of trap option will usually contain information not given in the passage and will feed on the possible speculation the student can have on reading the given information.

• Analyzing the Passage Carefully

The scientists experimented and determined that the oxygen levels had increased by 30%. This would imply that some enormous change had taken place which altered things in an unprecedented manner.

Trap Option: The oxygen levels in the atmosphere must have increased due to the emergence of numerous varieties of fauna.

Trap 6: The “Half-Right” Answer

Under this trap, the options will have half correct and the other half information either absent or overly presented. This is done to ensure that the candidates read in entirely and pay attention to details.

• Understanding What Makes an Answer Incomplete

Students must understand that the answer should completely match what is asked in the question statement.

Example of Half Right Trap option:

Passage: As a group, sharks and batoids eat almost anything: fishes, crustaceans, molluscs, marine mammals, and other sharks. While some sharks are probably not very selective feeders, certain sharks eat some foods more than others. For example, hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.) are known for eating stingrays; bull sharks eat other sharks, and smooth dogfish (Mustelus spp.) eat crabs and lobsters.

Trap option: Usually, most sharks eat almost anything, but bull sharks eat mostly crabs and lobster.

• Strategy for Identifying the Most Accurate Choice

Eliminate all options that do not directly answer the question. These traps are mostly found in the main idea type of questions.

Trap 7: Faulty Cause and Effect Relationship

This trap will use the content given in the passage in an incorrect logical way.

For example:

Passage: If I have $400, then I can buy a cycle.

Trap option: If I had a cycle, I had $400.

• Contextual Understanding of Vocabulary

To overcome this type of trap, you as a student need to have effective SAT verbal reading practice and must logically analyze the information by looking at the grammar and the transitional or connecting words used in the passage.

Trap 8: Overconfidence in First Impressions

This trap is usually a careless error when students just attempt the answer without careful reading. Always remember that you need to manage time for each answer and not be in a hurry. Even if you have attempted an answer quickly, give the minimum time that is required for each question by checking the given answer before finally submitting it.

• Importance of Reevaluating Initial Choices

Always read the passage carefully and consider all the potential points mentioned in the passage, avoiding biases and surface details rather than the content of the passage.

• Techniques for a Thoughtful Review

1. Be mindful while reviewing all the options.

2. Use the elimination method to narrow down the choices.

3. Cross-check each option against the passage.

4. Use an annotation strategy to understand the context.

Important Tips for Overcoming Traps

Some of the best ways to overcome the traps and be more focused on reaching the correct answer are analyzing the right facts, and transitional words, and understanding the punctuation marks like colons and semi-colons.

1. Developing a Strategic Approach

While you prepare for the SAT and practice the reading section, develop strategies for each question type that help you reach accurate answers.

The students must read the SAT Reading Tips to deep dive into strategies and practice most efficiently.

2. Practice with Sample Questions

We highly recommend all our students study smartly and attempt the SAT mock tests, giving themselves a real exam-like environment. Time yourself and attempt the SAT practice test.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Multiple Choice

The art of attempting multiple-choice questions develops if students use strategic methods of eliminating the wrong options. Starting with focused reading and using SAT preparation tips, students will be able to ace the SAT.

1. Building Confidence Through Preparation

As you prepare and practice the SAT mock tests, you will gain confidence and will be able to feel exam-readiness. We suggest that you prepare for 2-3 months so that you score high on the SAT and be eligible for various scholarships that the universities offer.

2. Continuous Improvement and Learning

Maintaining consistency while preparing for the SAT will help you overcome all the obstacles. Be mindful and practice maintaining a balance between SAT preparation time and taking care of your physical and mental health.

Also Read:

• SAT Math Section Preparation Tips
• Exam Day Tips for SAT
• SAT Writing Section Prep Tips