Diploma Exam Preparation-Reading Comprehension

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Strategy 4: If words are in bold, pay attention.

In each series of questions, you will see key words in bold (e.g. “most strongly” or “best”). These are called evaluation questions. More than one (or even all) of the alternatives may seem correct. The word or phrase in bold will lead you to the correct answer.

Direct quotations from the passage may be provided in the questions. Highlight those passages in your Questions booklet. Use the details in the question to guide your selection of the correct answer.

When you see an evaluation question, always do the following:

Look at the information provided to you in the question stem.
Go back to the passage to re-read the portion of the text mentioned in the question before choosing your answer.

Let’s return to the sample question.

7. The adjectives provided in lines 6–8 and 11–15 most significantly illustrate the development of the mother’s sense of

fear

loss

weakness

hopelessness

In this question stem, the phrase “most significantly” appears in bold. These are directing words that tell you to evaluate all alternatives and choose the correct answer. The phrase itself tells you that more than one of the alternatives will be significant, but only one of them is “most” significant.

What clues do you see in the question stem?

Looking closely, you are directed to focus only on lines 6–8 and 11–15. This means that some of the alternatives might be significant to the rest of the text, but they may not be significant in the lines provided.
The stem also directs you to focus on the development of the mother.

Now, you can rule out alternatives that don’t apply to the particular lines mentioned in the question stem or to the mother.