Which approach is most effective after eliminating clearly wrong options in a multiple-choice item?

Which approach is most effective after eliminating clearly wrong options in a multiple-choice item?

• A. Compare them with the passage to determine which is best-supported.
• B. Choose the option you like best.
• C. Always pick the option with the most words.
• D. Pick the option with the longest sentence.

Answer: (A)

After you’ve ruled out obviously wrong choices, the best next step is to check which remaining option is best-supported by the passage. This means returning to the text to see where the option is explicitly stated or clearly implied by the details, and that it fits the passage’s scope. The option with the strongest, text-backed link is the correct one, even if another choice seems more appealing or plausible at first glance. Avoid relying on personal preference or superficial cues like word count or sentence length, because those do not reflect what the passage actually supports. If you can point to a line or a clearly drawn inference from the text that backs the option, that alignment is what makes it correct.

After you’ve ruled out obviously wrong choices, the best next step is to check which remaining option is best-supported by the passage. This means returning to the text to see where the option is explicitly stated or clearly implied by the details, and that it fits the passage’s scope. The option with the strongest, text-backed link is the correct one, even if another choice seems more appealing or plausible at first glance. Avoid relying on personal preference or superficial cues like word count or sentence length, because those do not reflect what the passage actually supports. If you can point to a line or a clearly drawn inference from the text that backs the option, that alignment is what makes it correct.