Detail, Inference, Application, Assumption, Weaken and Strengthen

Question 1

Detail: Don’t Memorize

Answer 1

Don’t memorize the details! Focus on the big picture.

• Use the specific details provided to understand the passage
• Notice where in the passage details lie to prepare ourselves to find them again as necessary in order to answer questions

Question 2

Detail: Information Finding

Answer 2

1. Find the focus of the question in the question stem
2. Find keywords to look for in the question stem or, in some cases, in an answer choice. Good keywords include: dates, capitalized names, technical words
3. Find info we need in the passage

Be careful:

• Sometimes we may have to find info in sentences other than the sentences that include keywords.
• Sometimes the GMAT uses synonyms or related words, rather than the same words, in a question and in the passage.

Question 3

Detail: Correct Answers

Answer 3

• Detail questions generally will not say what the passage says in the exact same way the passage says it.
• Some Detail correct answers restate something in the passage almost word for word.
• A Detail correct answer can be a rearranged version of a statement in the passage and say something based on, though not exactly the same as, what the passage says.

Question 4

Detail Trap #1:

Distortion

Answer 4

To avoid choosing a Distortion choice in a Detail question, we go back to the passage and confirm that a choice we are considering reflects what the passage says, paying attention to verbs, nouns, and modifiers

Question 5

Detail Trap #2:

Stretch

Answer 5

To avoid choosing Stretch choices in Detail questions, whenever we see extreme markers or strong language in a choice, we have to confirm whether the choice actually says what the passage says or takes things too far

Question 6

Detail Trap #3:

Speculation

Answer 6

To avoid choosing a Speculation choice in a Detail question, we simply keep in mind that the correct answer to a Detail question is not what could be true or what’s true in reality. It’s what’s true according to the passage, and we always go back to the passage to confirm whether a choice we’re considering matches what the passage says.

Question 7

Detail Trap #4:

Opposite

Answer 7

Opposite choices in Detail questions say the opposite of what the passage says.

Question 8

Detail Trap #5:

Half Right

Answer 8

A Half-Right trap choice in a detail question is incorrect because part of the choice accurately reflects what the passage says, but the rest of the choice says something the passage doesn’t say.

Question 9

Detail Trap #6:

Nearby

Answer 9

Detail RC questions can include Nearby trap choices, which are choices that are based on language in the passage located near keywords from the question stem but don’t correctly answer the question.

Question 10

Detail Trap #7:

Matches but Incorrect

Answer 10

A Matches but Incorrect choice in a Detail question restates something said by the passage, but it does not correctly answer the question asked.

Question 11

Detail Trap #8:

Wrong Comparison

Answer 11

Wrong Comparison choices express comparisons that do not match the passage.

• Misrepresent a comparison that appears in the passage
• Expressing a comparison that does not appear in the passage at all

Question 12

Detail Trap #9:

Mix-Up

Answer 12

Mix-Up trap choices mix up what goes with what. Often appear in passages that discuss multiple similar topics.

• When a passage discusses multiple ideas, opinions, methods, or other topics, we should not try to memorize or even fully process all the details of who or what goes with what as we read a passage. Rather, as we’re reading, we should notice that the passage discusses multiple topics and get the basic idea of what’s said.

Question 13

Inference (RC): Overview

Answer 13

• Inference: An unwritten conclusion that is supported by the info in a passage.
• In CR: Correct answer must be true given what the statements in the passage say
• In RC: The relationship between the passage and the correct answer is often little looser than “must be true.” Rather than look for what “must be true,” simply look for what is “logically supported by the passage.”
• Question stem: What all Inference question stems have in common is that they ask what can be concluded from what the passage says.

Question 14

Inference (RC): Correct Answers

Answer 14

1. State a conclusion supported by a single statement in the passage.
2. Reverse something the passage says to state the logical equivalent of what the passage says.
   → “X > Y” ‘s logical equivalent is “Y < X”
3. State a conclusion supported by two or more statements in the passage.

Question 15

Inference (RC) Traps

(Similar to Detail Traps)

Answer 15

1. Distortion
2. Stretch
3. Speculation
4. Opposite
5. Half-Right
6. Nearby
7. Matches but Incorrect
8. Wrong comparison
9. Mix-up

Question 16

Application

Answer 16

Application questions ask us to apply info from the passage in a context outside of the passage.

Tests our ability to grasp relationships, make connections, and understand the author’s opinions, sentiments, and motivations.

Question 17

Identify the Assumption (RC)

Answer 17

1. Find in the passage the conclusion mentioned in the question stem.
2. Find in the passage the evidence used to support the conclusion.
3. Find the choice that states an assumption necessary for connecting the evidence to the conclusion.

Question 18

Weaken the Argument

Answer 18

1. Find in the passage the conclusion mentioned in the question stem.
2. Find in the passage any evidence used to support the conclusion, or if there is no evidence, seek to understand the context in which the conclusion appears.
3. Find the choice that casts the most doubt on to the conclusion.

Question 19

Strengthen the Argument

Answer 19

1. Find in the passage the conclusion mentioned in the question stem.
2. Find in the passage any evidence used to support the conclusion, or if there is no evidence, seek to understand the context in which the conclusion appears.
3. Find the choice that supports the conclusion.