- What is David asking Carlos to help with?
Answer: Load David's belongings onto a truck early on Saturday morning
When reading a short message or email, your job is to find the main request — the specific action the writer is asking for. Look for key phrases like "could you" or "can you help me," which signal a request.
In David's message, the clearest request is: "Could you come over at 8:00 AM to help me load the truck?" The word "load" means to put things onto the truck, and David even mentions he has "a lot of boxes and furniture" — the belongings that need to be loaded. This confirms that B is correct: David is asking Carlos to help load his belongings onto a truck early Saturday morning.
A is a trap because the truck is mentioned, but David never asks Carlos to drive it. Driving and loading are two very different actions — don't let a familiar word like "truck" pull you toward the wrong answer. C confuses a reward with a request. David says he will buy lunch for Carlos — this is something David is offering, not something he's asking Carlos to do. D mentions packing into bags and doing it before Saturday, but the message says nothing about bags, and the help is needed on Saturday morning, not before.
A useful strategy: always go back to the passage and find the exact words that match the answer. The correct answer should be supported by specific language in the text — not just a topic that sounds related. If an answer adds details the passage never mentions (like "bags" or "drive"), it is almost always wrong.
- What does the notice ask the customer to do to access their account again?
Answer: Answer security questions on the website to prove who they are
When reading notices or announcements, your job is to find the specific action the writer is asking you to take. Look for key instruction words like "must," "should," or "need to."
In this notice, one sentence tells you exactly what to do: "To unlock it, you must verify your identity by answering your security questions on our website." That makes A the correct answer — the customer must answer security questions on the website to prove who they are. The notice uses the word "must," which signals a required action.
B is a trap because the notice actually says the opposite — it warns you to "NOT share your password with anyone, including our staff." Calling a staff member and giving your password would go against the notice's instructions.
C is incorrect because the notice never mentions creating a new password or new security questions. It only asks you to answer existing security questions. Be careful not to add details that aren't in the text.
D is tempting because the notice says the account is "temporarily locked," but it never says the company will unlock it automatically. The customer must take action — waiting is not an option the notice offers.
A helpful strategy: when a reading question asks "what does the notice ask you to do," go back and find the sentence with action words like "must," "need to," or "please." That sentence almost always contains the answer. Also watch for "NOT" in the passage — it often makes one of the wrong answers look right at first glance.
- According to the email, what are employees asked to do BEFORE the meeting?
Answer: Send a reply email to Tom by Monday confirming their attendance
When a question asks what employees must do before a meeting, your job is to find actions with a deadline that comes earlier than the meeting itself. Scan the email for time words like "by," "before," or specific days.
In this email, Boss Tom gives two instructions: reply to the email by Monday to confirm attendance, and bring a project update report to the meeting. The word "by Monday" is the key — Monday comes before Tuesday's meeting, making this a before-the-meeting task. That makes C the correct answer. Tom directly asks staff to "reply to this email by Monday to confirm you are coming," which means sending a confirmation email before the meeting takes place.
A is a trap because it sounds related to the report, but Tom never asks anyone to print copies for the whole room. That detail was invented — always check that the answer matches what the passage actually says. B describes going to Conference Room B on Tuesday at 9:00 AM, which is accurate information from the email, but this is the meeting itself, not something done before it. The question specifically asks about actions taken before the meeting. D mentions preparing a report and presenting it to the team, but the email only says to bring the report — it never mentions a formal presentation.
A helpful strategy: when you see the word "before" in a question, underline any time references in the passage (days, deadlines, clock times). Match those clues to the answer choices, and eliminate anything that happens at or after the event.
- What is Linda asking Maria to do?
Answer: Give her a ride from her home to her appointment on Friday afternoon
When reading a short message or letter, focus on the main request — what is the writer asking the other person to do? Look for action words like "can you," "please," and "help."
In Linda's message, the key sentence is: "Can you pick me up at my house at 1:30 PM?" "Pick up" means to drive somewhere to get a person and take them somewhere else. Linda tells Maria her address (45 Oak Street) and explains she has a doctor's appointment at 2:00 PM. This means Linda wants a ride from her home to her appointment — which makes B the correct answer.
Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. A adds information that isn't in the letter — Linda never asks Maria to wait at the doctor's office. Be careful of answers that take something true and add extra details that aren't supported by the text. C is incorrect because Linda already has an appointment — she just needs transportation. Making an appointment is never mentioned. D is a trap: yes, Linda mentions her car is broken, but she doesn't ask Maria to fix it. She explains the broken car as the reason she needs a ride, not the problem she wants solved.
A useful strategy: on reading comprehension questions, always return to the text and find the exact sentence that answers the question. If an answer choice includes something the passage never says, eliminate it — even if it sounds helpful or logical.
- What does the Garcia family ask neighbors to do if the party noise is a problem?
Answer: Contact the Garcia family directly by knocking on their door or texting them so they can lower the music
When reading a short note or letter, focus on what the writer directly asks or instructs. Questions like this one test your ability to find specific information that is clearly stated in the text — so read carefully and match the passage's words to the answer choices.
The Garcia family writes: "please knock on our door or send me a text at 555-0278, and we will turn the music down right away." This sentence gives two clear actions: knock on the door or send a text. The result? The family will lower the music. Choice C matches this exactly — it says to contact the Garcia family by knocking or texting so they can lower the music. C is the correct answer.
Choice A is a trap because it sounds official and reasonable, but the passage never mentions a "noise complaint line." The Garcias want neighbors to contact them, not a government or city service. Choice B misreads the passage completely — the party guests are already in the backyard, but neighbors are not invited to join. The letter is about managing noise, not extending an invitation. Choice D is tempting because the passage does say the party ends at 10:00 PM, but the Garcias never tell neighbors to simply wait. They actually offer a solution so the problem can be fixed immediately.
A helpful strategy: when a question asks "what does the writer ask you to do," look for action words in the passage — verbs like knock, text, or call. Those words point directly to the answer. Ignore details that are true but don't answer the specific question being asked.
- What does the school ask the parent or guardian to do?
Answer: Write and sign a note explaining why Ana was absent and deliver it to the office within three days
When reading a letter like this one, your goal is to find the specific action the writer is requesting. Focus on words like "please," "must," or "need to" — these signal the main request.
In this letter, Principal Johnson makes three clear requests: send a written note, have it signed by a parent or guardian, and deliver it to the school office within three days. That matches answer B exactly — it captures all three parts of the request accurately.
Answer A is incorrect because the letter never asks anyone to visit the school or speak with Principal Johnson in person. That detail is invented and not supported by the passage. Answer C is wrong because the letter says nothing about future attendance or the rest of the semester — it only addresses the two days Ana already missed. Answer D sounds close, but notice the key difference: the letter asks for a written note, not a phone call. Replacing "written note" with "call" changes the meaning entirely, making D incorrect.
Choices A and D are classic traps — they contain details that sound reasonable for a school situation but aren't actually in the passage. Always go back to the text and ask yourself: Did the passage actually say this?
A useful tip for reading comprehension questions: underline or mentally highlight the action words in the passage (here: "send," "signed," "given"). Then match those specific words to the answer choices. The correct answer will reflect what the passage truly says, not what you might expect a school to do.
- What does the library want the student to do FIRST?
Answer: Bring the book back to the library by Friday
When a question asks what someone wants you to do "first," look for the main request in the message — the most direct action the writer is asking for.
In this library notice, the main request appears early and clearly: "You must return the book to the main desk by this Friday." The word "must" signals that this is the primary, required action. Everything else in the letter supports or follows from that central request, making C the correct answer.
Let's look at why the other choices miss the mark. A is a trap — the letter actually says you will receive a fine if you don't return the book, meaning the fine hasn't happened yet. Paying a fine is not what the library is asking you to do first. B is also a trap because the phone number is only given as an option if you cannot come in person — the library is not asking everyone to call and explain themselves. D describes one possible way to return the book, but the letter never mentions asking a friend; this detail is invented and not supported by the passage.
A useful strategy for reading comprehension questions like this: watch for words like must, should, please, and need to — these signal the writer's main request or instruction. Also, be careful with answer choices that use details from the passage but twist their meaning (like A and B do here). Always go back to what the text actually says, not what sounds reasonable on its own.
- What does the notice ask tenants to do if they need water on Thursday during the repair hours?
Answer: Store water in tubs or large containers before 10:00 AM on Thursday
When reading notices or announcements, your job is to find the specific action the writer wants you to take. Look for command words like "please," "must," or "should" — these signal the main instruction.
In this notice, the key sentence is: "Please fill your bathtubs or large containers with water before 10:00 AM on Thursday if you need water during that time." This sentence directly answers the question. The notice tells tenants to collect and store water ahead of the shutdown — which makes D the correct answer. It matches the passage almost word for word.
Now let's look at why the other choices don't work. A is a trap because the notice does mention the building manager — but only for questions, not for requesting a special water supply. Reading carefully matters here; don't assume a detail means something the passage never says. B describes something that will happen (water returns at 3:00 PM), but the question asks what tenants are asked to do — waiting is not an instruction the notice gives. C is completely made up. The notice never mentions any part of the building where water stays on, so this choice has no support in the passage at all.
A helpful strategy: when a question asks "what does the notice ask you to do," scan the passage for action words directed at the reader — words like fill, contact, or please. Those are your answer clues. Avoid choices that mention details from the passage but twist their meaning, like choice A does here.
- The message asks the patient to arrive early. Why?
Answer: To have enough time to complete some new patient paperwork before the appointment
When reading a short message like this, your job is to find the answer in the text itself — not to guess or use outside knowledge. The passage tells you exactly why the patient should arrive early: to fill out some new patient forms. That makes A the correct answer. The passage states, "Please arrive 10 minutes early to fill out some new patient forms." This is a direct match — arriving early gives the patient time to complete paperwork before the appointment begins.
Now let's look at why the other choices are wrong. B says the dentist's schedule runs early and appointments start ahead of time — but the passage never mentions anything about the dentist's schedule being early. This is information that isn't in the text. C suggests the dental office wants to confirm insurance information over the phone, but the only reason the office mentions calling is if the patient needs to cancel — not for insurance purposes. D claims parking is difficult near the office, but the passage says nothing about parking at all. This is a common trap: it sounds like a realistic reason to arrive early, but it is not supported by anything written in the message.
The key strategy here is to stick to the text. On reading comprehension questions, the correct answer will always be supported by words actually written in the passage. If you find yourself thinking, "Well, that could be true in real life..." — stop. That is a sign you are adding outside information. Always ask: Where does the passage say this?
- What does Rosa want Kevin to do right now?
Answer: Look near the front door and keep the umbrella in a safe place until Sunday
When reading a short message or email, focus on what the writer is asking the other person to do right now versus later. Rosa's email has two time frames: what she wants Kevin to do immediately, and what will happen on Sunday.
Reading carefully, Rosa says she does not need the umbrella right now, but she asks Kevin to "put it somewhere safe so it doesn't get lost." Then she says he can return it when they see each other on Sunday. This tells you the immediate request is to find the umbrella near the front door and store it safely — making D the correct answer. It matches both actions Rosa describes for right now.
Choice A is wrong because Rosa clearly says she does not need the umbrella right now, so there is no reason for Kevin to bring it to her home. Choice B sounds reasonable, but Rosa never asks Kevin to call her or report back — she only asks him to keep the umbrella safe. Choice C contains a detail that is partially true (returning it Sunday is correct), but it says "at his apartment," which Rosa never mentions — she simply says "when we see each other." More importantly, C ignores the right now part of the question entirely.
A useful strategy: when a question asks what someone wants done right now, underline or mentally note any time words in the passage — "right now," "before Sunday," "then," etc. These time clues help you separate the immediate request from future plans and avoid traps like C, which mixes a true detail with a false one.
