Reading tool
Reading trap scanner
Reading mistakes often come from answer choices that sound related but do not match the text. Use this scanner before selecting an option.
IELTSTOEFL
Trap types
| Trap | What it looks like | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword echo | The answer repeats a word from the passage. | Check whether the relationship is the same, not just the word. |
| Extreme wording | always, never, completely, impossible | Find proof for the strong claim before accepting it. |
| Opposite meaning | The option reverses cause/effect or problem/solution. | Underline who did what to whom. |
| Wrong paragraph | The idea is true elsewhere but not in the target paragraph. | Match the option to the exact paragraph or sentence. |
| Half-right answer | One clause is correct and the second is unsupported. | Every part of the option must be true. |
10-second scan
- Underline the key claim in the option.
- Find the matching sentence in the passage.
- Check qualifiers such as most, some, rarely, and only.
- Reject options with one unsupported clause.
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