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Eliminating Distractors
Learn to cross out wrong answers by spotting words whose meaning just doesn't fit.
ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning
What Is a Distractor?
A distractor is a wrong answer choice that is put there on purpose to trick you. It might look right or sound fancy, but its meaning does not match the question.
Spot the Right One
Word: HAPPY — which choice means the same?
Why Eliminating Helps
Better Odds
Cross out 2 wrong choices and your guessing chance jumps from 1 in 4 to 1 in 2.
Less Confusion
Fewer choices left means it is easier to compare the ones that remain.
More Confidence
You feel sure about your answer when you know why the others are wrong.
The Big Rule
Think of it like sorting: keep the words that belong together in meaning, toss out the ones that don't.
Keep or Toss?
Looks Right vs. Means Right
Looks/Sounds Right
A choice may rhyme, start with the same letter, or be a topic you just talked about. That is a trap.
Means Right
The only thing that matters is the meaning. If the meanings match, keep it.
Steps to Eliminate
1
Read the key word. Say its meaning in your own words.
2
Check each choice. Ask: does this mean the same thing?
3
Cross out unrelated meanings. Toss choices that are clearly off-topic.
4
Pick the best of what's left. Choose the closest match in meaning.
Example 1: GIANT
Example 2: CALM
Example 3: RARE
Common Mistakes
✕ Picking a Look-Alike
Choosing a word just because it sounds or starts the same as the key word.
✕ Picking the Opposite
Opposites feel related, but they mean the reverse. Toss them out.
✕ Rushing
Not reading every choice before answering, so you miss a better match.
Keep or Eliminate?
| Type of Choice | Keep? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Same meaning | Yes ✓ | It matches the key word |
| Opposite meaning | No ✕ | Means the reverse |
| Unrelated topic | No ✕ | Has nothing to do with it |
| Look-alike word | No ✕ | Spelling, not meaning |
Question 1 of 5
Which word means the same as QUICK?
QUICK means fast. "Quiet" is a look-alike, "slow" is the opposite, and "sweet" is unrelated — all distractors.
Question 2 of 5
Which choice is a distractor (a wrong answer) for the word TINY?
"Huge" means the opposite of tiny, so it is a distractor. Small, little, and teeny all match the meaning.
Question 3 of 5
For the word GLAD, which choice should you eliminate because its meaning is unrelated?
"Muddy" has nothing to do with feelings — it is unrelated and should be eliminated. The other three all mean glad.
Question 4 of 5
Which choice means the same as BRIGHT, and which is a "look-alike" trap?
BRIGHT means shiny. "Brown" starts with the same letters as bright — that is a look-alike trap. "Dark" is the opposite, and "heavy" is unrelated.
Question 5 of 5
After crossing out the opposite and the unrelated choices for BRAVE, which answer should you keep?
After eliminating "scared" (opposite), "tasty" and "quiet" (unrelated), the only meaning match is fearless.
Quick Review
1
Distractors are wrong answers on purpose.
2
Meaning matters — not spelling or sound.
3
Cross out opposites and unrelated words.
4
Pick the best meaning match from what's left.