Test traps

This chapter is one big warning. We’re going to spend it discussing the most common traps the ACT Reading section will use to trick you. So take note, because you will see these on the test, and it’s your job to be cautious and not fall for these tricks.

Test trap #1: Familiar language

A wrong answer may copy language that you’ve already read from the passage. Because those words are familiar to you, you might be tempted to choose that answer and move on. Be suspicious of these answers. Just because that answer choice has language you’ve seen before, doesn’t mean it answers the question. It may even switch familiar words from the passage around to mean something that is untrue. Here’s an example of the familiar language trap:

Now that you’ve read the question, take a moment to look at the passage below. Notice that there is familiar language from the passage found in answer choices A, C, and D as annotated in the passage.

Now take a moment to answer the above question.

What do you think it is? Hint: it’s a bit ironic.

To guard against the familiar language trap:

1. Be suspicious of familiar language in answer choices.
2. Ask yourself if your chosen answer truly answers the question.
3. Cover up the answer choices and answer the question in your own words before looking at the answer choices so they don’t have a chance to confuse you.

You might have recognized the above example as an inference question. Remember that an inference question won’t have an answer that is found directly in the passage. This is another clue that B is the only possible, correct answer. It is the only answer choice that forces you to infer something rather than to find the answer written on the page.

Test trap #2: Extreme words

Be suspicious of extreme words in the answer choices. Reading answer choices will use words like “always, never, best, worst, etc.” which put a powerful restriction on that answer choice. If, for example, the passage says that Megan often goes for walks on Sundays, then an answer choice saying that Megan always goes for walks on Sundays would be false. It may sound right at first read, but it’s actually false.

So, be suspicious of extreme or absolute language. This doesn’t mean that it could never be correct, but it often isn’t. Better (safer) words from answer choices are ones like “many, usually, often, some, etc.”

To guard against the trap of extreme words:

1. Be suspicious of extreme or absolute language.
2. Check to see if the answer choice’s extreme words make the statement false.

Test trap #3: Irrelevant information

Beware of answer choices with information irrelevant to the question. An answer choice might give you a true statement, but does it answer the question? Or, does the information have to do with the passage at all? Here’s an example of this trap:

Now that you’ve read the question, visit the passage below. Notice that all four answer choices are found in the passage, meaning they are all true statements by themselves.

However, as you’ve probably now figured out, only one answer choice is truly answering the question.

Do you know which one it is?

To protect yourself against the irrelevant information trap:

• Ask yourself: “What is this question asking?” Keep this at the forefront of your mind as you answer the question. It can be easy to get caught up in choosing between answer choices. It often leads to students forgetting what the question is really asking in the first place.

Look out for these traps during your practice and on test day, and you’ll be prepared for any tricks the test has up its sleeve.