TT3
3. How to Decide Which Method to Use
After you have skimmed the material and studied "what is asked" in a question, you need to decide which answering method to use. This page suggests how to do that.
The words in "What is Asked" often suggest which method to use:
- If a question asks about historical circumstances, try the "main idea" method. (See Example 20.)
- If a question asks which choice captures the main idea or purpose of the material, try the "main idea" method. (See Example 13.)
- If a question asks you to infer or apply what is in the material to a different situation, try the "main idea" method. (These questions are often difficult, because the answer isn't in the material itself. See Example 6.)
- If a question asks about how a particular word is used in the material, or about the meaning of a word, try the "main idea" method. (See Example 18.)
- If a question asks which choice does not fit some criterion, try the "details" method. (I call these "negative" questions. See Examples 2 and 15.)
- If a question asks which choice represents bias, opinion or propaganda rather than facts, try the "direct" method. (See Examples 3 and 17.)
- If a question asks you to compare capitalism and communism, try the "direct" method. (See Example 12.)
- If a question asks which choice describes a direct causal relationship, try the "direct" method. (See Example 10.)
The question's material can also suggest which method to use:
- If the material emphasizes a table, graph or map, try the "details" method. (Such questions are common. See Examples 1, 5, 7, 9 and 16.)
- If the material emphasizes a photo or cartoon, try the "details" method. (See Example 19.)
- If the material emphasizes a diagram, try the "main idea" method. (These are unusual in Social Studies, but common on the Science test.)
- If the material is very short or there isn't any material, you have to use the "direct" method. (See Example 12.)
Sometimes it isn't clear which method to use. Then you have to try one and shift to another if it doesn't work. (See Examples 4, 11 and 15.) Remember that you only have to answer three questions out of five correctly.
"THE TEST-TAKING SKILLS YOU NEED"