- Devon plans to take a vacation in June. Before reading closely, which question would best focus his reading on the information he needs?
Answer: How should I request planned leave, and how early must I submit the request?
When you're about to read a workplace memo or email, asking yourself a focused question beforehand helps you zero in on what matters to you, rather than absorbing every detail equally. This skill — called purposeful reading — is especially useful when a document covers multiple topics but you only need specific information.
Devon is planning a vacation, which means he needs to know two things: how to request planned time off and how far in advance to do it. That's exactly what answer A asks — it directly targets the information Devon needs before he even starts reading, making it the best focusing question.
Choice B asks about the company's reasoning for switching from email to the website. That background information doesn't help Devon take his vacation — it's interesting context, but not actionable. Choice C addresses unexpected illness, which is a separate situation entirely; Devon isn't calling in sick, he's planning ahead. Choice D asks when supervisors will finish reviewing requests — but the memo doesn't include that information, and it's not what Devon needs anyway. A good focusing question should lead you toward information that's actually in the passage and relevant to your goal.
The key trap here is choosing answers that relate to the general topic of the memo (time off) without checking whether they match Devon's specific situation (planned vacation). On questions like this, always ask: "Does this question reflect what this particular person actually needs to know?" That habit will help you eliminate distractors that are topically related but personally irrelevant.
- A worker asks while reading, What must I complete before the report can be submitted? Which note best answers that question?
Answer: Enter purchases, attach receipts, select a department code, and correct every item marked in red.
When a passage gives you a set of instructions, questions like this one test whether you can identify all the required steps — not just some of them. The key word here is "must": you're looking for every condition that has to be met before submitting the report.
Reading the passage carefully, you'll find four requirements: enter each purchase and attach a receipt, select the correct department code, review the report, and correct every item marked in red. The Submit button only becomes active after all marked items are fixed — meaning skipping even one correction locks you out of submitting. Answer A captures all four of these steps accurately and completely, making it the correct note to answer the worker's question.
Answer B is wrong in two ways: it says to wait until the following Wednesday before attaching receipts (Wednesday is the payment date, not a step in the process), and it omits selecting a department code entirely. Answer C misreads the timeline — correcting marked items must happen before submission, not after receiving payment, and submitting by Friday is about payment timing, not a required pre-submission step. Answer D is dangerously incomplete; it says to correct only one marked item and send remaining corrections later, but the passage is clear that the Submit button won't activate until all marked items are corrected.
A useful strategy: when a passage describes a step-by-step process, mentally check whether each answer choice includes all required steps and puts them in the right order. Distractors often mix up timing, drop steps, or partially complete a requirement — any of those flaws should eliminate the choice.
- A reader is unsure what pending means. Which strategy and conclusion are best supported by the surrounding sentences?
Answer: Reread the explanation after the word; pending means received and still being reviewed.
When you encounter an unfamiliar word in a passage, the most reliable strategy is to use context clues — the sentences immediately surrounding the unknown word. These nearby sentences often define, explain, or illustrate the word's meaning without you needing any outside knowledge.
In this passage, the sentence right after "pending" explains that the application "is not yet ready for a final decision" and that staff are still "checking the documents." This tells you the application is in progress — received but still under review. That makes A the correct answer: it correctly uses the surrounding explanation to conclude that pending means received and still being reviewed.
B distorts the final sentence. The passage says staff will contact you if information is missing — meaning it might not be missing at all. Concluding that the application is rejected because information is "definitely missing" contradicts what the text actually says.
C focuses on only one phrase ("final decision") and stretches it to mean the application is approved. But the passage never says it's approved — it explicitly says a decision hasn't been made yet. Pulling a single phrase out of context leads you to a conclusion the passage doesn't support.
D ignores the passage entirely and relies on outside assumption. The passage directly states "you do not need to send another application," which is the opposite of what D concludes. Always prioritize what the text says over prior assumptions.
Strategy tip: When a question asks about an unfamiliar word, read the full paragraph — not just one phrase. The sentences around the word usually contain the definition. Trust the text first.
- A student is summarizing the rules for a neighborhood website. Which summary preserves the important exception in the passage?
Answer: Residents may bundle smaller branches for regular collection, but they must await instructions for large storm-damaged limbs.
When a passage contains both a general rule and an exception to that rule, a good summary must capture both — leaving out the exception changes the meaning in a way that could mislead readers. That's exactly what this question is testing.
The passage has two parts: a standard rule (bundle branches under four feet and forty pounds for regular collection) and a clear exception (after a major storm, wait for special city instructions before placing large limbs at the curb). Answer D captures both parts faithfully — it acknowledges the normal bundling process and flags the storm-damage exception. That makes D the strongest summary for a neighborhood website, where accuracy really matters.
Answer A fails because it removes the size and weight limits entirely, suggesting all branches can go out as long as they're tied. That misrepresents the rule. Answer B is actually the opposite of what the passage says — it implies residents can place large fallen limbs out during regular post-storm collection, when the passage explicitly says they should not do this until special instructions are posted. This is the most dangerous distractor because it sounds reasonable but directly contradicts the passage. Answer C overcorrects by saying residents must wait for instructions before placing any yard waste at the curb, which is far too broad — regular bundled branches can still go out on collection day.
A useful strategy: whenever a passage includes the word "however" or "but," that signals an exception you must protect in any summary. If an answer choice ignores or contradicts that exception, eliminate it immediately.
- After previewing the title and heading, Leon predicts that the passage will announce a permanent ban on afternoon calls. How should he revise that prediction after reading?
Answer: Group calls should move out of the open office during a trial period, after which the plan will be reviewed.
When a question asks you to revise a prediction, your job is to compare what you initially expected with what the passage actually says — then find the answer that best matches the text's real content.
Leon's original prediction — a permanent ban — comes from a reasonable first glance at the title ("Reducing Noise") and heading ("A New Quiet-Hour Plan"). But once you read carefully, two details stand out: calls are only restricted in the open office (not eliminated entirely), and the plan runs for a six-week trial before managers decide what comes next. That makes D the correct answer. It captures both key facts — the calls move out of the open office, and the plan is temporary and under review — without adding or removing anything the passage actually says.
Answer A is wrong because the passage never mentions a permanent ban or any process for selecting which employees must comply. The plan applies to all staff during the trial. Answer B goes too far in the opposite direction — the passage does ask employees to avoid open-office calls starting next month, not after the survey results come in. Answer C misreads the scope: employees aren't asked to stop all conversations, only group calls in the open office, and for the full six weeks, not just until the survey.
A useful strategy here: whenever a question involves predictions or revisions, underline specific words in the passage like "tested," "trial," "temporarily," or "permanent." These words are almost always the hinge that separates a correct answer from a tempting distractor.
- Which study plan best follows the directions and uses previewing, questioning, and summarizing in the intended order?
Answer: Preview the titles and assignment, form a question for each lesson, answer it after reading, and combine the answers into a review.
When a passage gives you a step-by-step process, your job is to match each answer choice against those steps in order. Here, the directions outline three phases: (1) preview titles and the final assignment before reading, (2) write and answer a question during each lesson, and (3) use those answers to write a review at the end.
Choice B follows this sequence exactly — you preview the titles and assignment first, generate a question for each lesson before or as you read it, answer that question after reading, and finally combine all answers into a review. That's a perfect match.
Choice A fails on two counts: it has you copy entire paragraphs (which the directions explicitly forbid) and inspect the titles after reading, reversing the previewing step entirely.
Choice C skips the questioning and reading process almost completely — you write the review before finishing the lessons and only read content that fits what you already wrote. This turns the process backwards and defeats the purpose of studying.
Choice D gets the questioning step right but never answers the questions until the course ends, meaning you skip the "answer in one or two sentences after reading" step. Unanswered questions can't be combined into a meaningful review, so the final product would be hollow.
Study tip: When directions describe a process, underline the verbs and their order — words like "before," "after," and "at the end" are signals for sequence. On reading-skills questions, the wrong answers often keep some correct steps but scramble the order or add a forbidden action, so check each choice point by point.
- Which summary avoids claiming more than the passage supports?
Answer: Missed appointments decreased after several clinic changes, and text reminders may have contributed to the decrease.
When a passage presents multiple possible explanations for an outcome, a good summary should reflect only what the evidence actually shows — no more, no less. This kind of question tests your ability to distinguish between what a passage states, what it suggests, and what it assumes.
The passage tells you two things clearly: missed appointments decreased, and several changes happened at the same time — text reminders, extended evening hours, and an improved cancellation line. Clinic staff say reminders "may have helped," but they stop short of claiming the reminders were the sole cause. Answer C captures this precisely: it acknowledges the decrease happened, names multiple changes as context, and uses careful language ("may have contributed") that matches the passage's own tone. That makes C the best summary — accurate, balanced, and appropriately cautious.
Answer A goes far beyond the evidence by claiming text reminders caused the entire decrease and that other changes had "no measurable effect." The passage explicitly raises other factors, so this is a direct contradiction. Answer B invents a causal story about evening hours and then adds a false detail — the passage never says most patients declined text reminders, and evening hours aren't connected to that choice. Answer D swings too far in the opposite direction: the passage does confirm that missed appointments decreased, so saying the clinic "cannot determine whether" a decrease occurred is wrong. The uncertainty is about why it happened, not whether it happened.
Your strategy: watch for summaries that use absolute language like "caused," "only," or "no effect." If the passage uses hedging words like "may" or "might," the correct answer usually mirrors that caution.
- Marta previews the title and headings before reading the guide. She needs to learn whether unfinished answers will remain available the next day. What is the best conclusion from her preview?
Answer: The guide probably answers her question in Completing Weekly Lessons because that section discusses saving work.
When you preview a text by reading its title and headings, you're looking for clues about content — not exact word matches. Each heading acts like a promise: it tells you what that section probably covers. Your job is to match the idea behind your question to the idea behind each heading.
Marta's question is whether unfinished answers will still be there the next day. Think about what that really means: she wants to know if her work gets saved. The heading "Completing Weekly Lessons" explicitly mentions saving your work, which is exactly the concept she needs. That makes B the best conclusion from her preview — the section most likely answers her question because saving work directly relates to whether incomplete answers carry over.
A is tempting if you assume "Getting Started" covers everything a beginner needs, but its description focuses on signing in and opening the course — not saving progress. That's a different task entirely. C makes a logical leap that's too large: lost answers aren't automatically website problems. A technical problem means the site itself isn't working, not that you forgot to save. Jumping to "Getting Technical Help" misidentifies the category of her concern. D represents a very common reading trap — assuming that if the exact word isn't in the heading, the topic isn't covered. Good readers match concepts, not just vocabulary. The word "unfinished" doesn't need to appear; "saving your work" carries the same meaning.
The key strategy: when previewing, ask yourself what idea is this heading promising? Train yourself to match concepts, not keywords — that skill will serve you across every reading question on this exam.
- Which statement is the best summary of the passage?
Answer: Adult cardholders may borrow internet devices under rules about loan length, renewal, return location, and overdue items.
When a question asks for the "best summary," your job is to find the answer that covers the passage's main ideas accurately and completely — without adding, exaggerating, or leaving out key points.
This passage covers four distinct topics: who can borrow devices, how long, renewal conditions, where to return them, and what happens when items are overdue. A strong summary captures that full scope. Choice B does exactly this — it names the borrower (adult cardholders), the item (internet devices), and correctly signals that rules exist around loan length, renewal, return location, and overdue items. It doesn't distort any detail; it gives you an honest, broad overview of everything the passage addresses.
Choice A is tempting because it gets some facts right, but it directly contradicts the passage, which states the library does not charge late fees. Confusing "account block" with a "fee" is a classic misreading trap. Choice C focuses only on the return-location rule and invents a reason — that the book slot may damage devices — which the passage never states. Narrowing a summary to one detail, or adding information that isn't there, are both summary mistakes. Choice D misleads you by suggesting borrowers automatically get fourteen days. The passage says seven days with one possible renewal only if no one else has reserved the device — so fourteen days is not guaranteed, and the passage doesn't mention making requests at the service desk for renewals.
Strategy tip: For summary questions, mentally check each answer against every part of the passage. If an answer contradicts one fact, adds unsupported details, or ignores most of the passage, eliminate it — even if part of it sounds familiar.
- Nia remembers her password, but the website will not let her sign in after several incorrect attempts. What is the most efficient reading strategy?
Answer: Read Unlocking an Account closely because the preview matches the cause of her sign-in problem.
When you encounter a help center, table of contents, or any document with section previews, the most efficient reading strategy is to match your specific problem to the section description that fits it — then read only that section closely. This saves time and avoids confusion from irrelevant information.
In Nia's case, she knows her password but has been locked out after too many incorrect sign-in attempts. Look at the section previews: "Unlocking an Account" says to use it "after too many unsuccessful sign-in attempts." That description matches her situation exactly, word for word. Choice C is correct because it directs her straight to the section built for her problem.
Choice A is wrong because it assumes every sign-in issue requires a new password. Nia already remembers her password — resetting it would not solve a lockout and would actually be an unnecessary step. Choice B is tempting if you assume phone or email verification is involved, but nothing in Nia's situation mentions contact information being the problem — that section is for updating account details, not resolving lockouts. Choice D misreads the purpose of "Protecting Your Account," which is about recognizing suspicious messages and strengthening passwords — not a match for a simple lockout caused by too many attempts.
The strategy tip here is to treat section previews like a map: they tell you exactly where to go before you read anything in depth. On questions like this, always match the person's specific problem to the preview that describes it, and be careful of answer choices that sound related but describe a different issue entirely.
