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Test Taking Tips
Main Idea Questions
Incorrect responses to main idea items fall into two categories: (1) Some are too broad or general. They suggest
that the passage includes much more than it actually does; (2) Other incorrect answers are too narrow. They
focus on details within the passage that support the main idea. The details may be attention-getting and
interesting, but they do not describe the central facts. They are tempting, however, because they are direct
statements from the passage.
1. The best statement of the main idea of this passage is:
a. Buddhist monks bring Wu to power. (Important detail, but the focus is on her, not the monks.)
b. Women in China were not equal to men. (Too broad and general, or not even really covered.)
c. Empress Wu’s ambition for her young lovers leads to her downfall. (Very interesting, but a detail.)
d. Empress Wu ruthlessly usurped power but became an able ruler of a great empire.
(D is the correct choice; it includes all major points.)
2. The best title for this passage is:
a. Confucians Defeat Wu (Detail)
b. Empress Wu and Her Lovers (Very interesting, but a detail.)
c. Empress Wu, Ruler of China (C is correct; sounds best since it is general enough for all details)
d. Rulers of China (Too broad; this passage is about only one woman.)
Detail Questions
These questions check your ability to understand material that is directly stated in the passage. To find or
double-check an answer, note a keyword in the question and then quickly glance at the passage for that word.
When you locate the term, reread the sentence for clarification. (Note the use of “except”; look for the only
false item to be the correct answer.)
3. Empress Wu did all of the following except
a. consolidate the T’ang Dynasty. (True, this is stated in the fifth paragraph)
b. accuse the empress of sorcery. (True, this is stated in the second paragraph)
c. appoint the brother of a young favorite to an important governorship.(True; last paragraph)
d. poison her husband. (False, she did not do this, so D is the correct answer.)
Implied Meaning Questions
Remember, an implied meaning is suggested but not directly stated. Clues in the passage lead you to make
assumptions and draw conclusions. Favorable and unfavorable descriptions suggest positive and negative
opinions toward a subject. Look for clues that help you develop logical assumptions based on the text.
4. The author implies that Empress Wu
a. was a devout Buddhist. (She was aided by them, but her religious zeal is not suggested.)
b. killed the first empress’s baby daughter (No, she accused the former empress of doing this.)
c. let her vices lead to her downfall (True, rewarding her young lovers probably hurt the empire.)
d. Conquered Korea to satisfy the Confucian historians. (She did conquer Korea, but it is not suggested that
she tried to satisfy the Confucian historians.)
Purpose Questions
The purpose of the passage is not usually stated. Instead, it is implied and is related to the main idea. Always
ask yourself “What was the author’s purpose in writing this material?”
5. The purpose of the passage on Empress Wu is
a. To argue (No side is taken)
b. To explain (Yes, because the material is factual, like a textbook.)
c. To condemn (The reading is not judgmental.)
d. To persuade (No point of view is argued.)
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Vocabulary Questions
These questions test your general word knowledge as well as your ability to figure out meaning by using
context clues.
6. As used in the third paragraph of the passage, the best definition of usurped is
a. Earned (This is too positive to describe her ruthless behavior.)
b. Won (Again, this is too positive for her negative actions.)
c. Bought (No payoff is suggested.)
d. Seized (Yes, she took control and then tried to make it legal.)
Read All Options
Even if the first answer seems undisputedly correct, read all the options. Be careful, and consider each answer.
Multiple-choice tests usually ask for the best answer, not for any one that is reasonable.
7. The author suggests that
a. the empress wanted the emperor dead.
b. the sons of the empress were disobedient.
c. Wu’s sons plotted against the emperor.
d. the emperor gave the empress immense power. (Although the first option may be tempting, the last answer
is implied by the quote describing her power and thus is correct.)
Predict the Correct Answer
As you read, the stem (or beginning) of a multiple-choice item, anticipate what you would write for a correct
response. Develop an answer in your mind before you read the options, and then look for a choice that
corresponds to your thinking.
8. At the end of her reign, the Empress Wu was
a. decapitated.
b. married.
c. pushed from power.
d. imprisoned.
(It says in the last sentence that she “was forced to abdicate.” Answer C most closely matches this answer.)
Figure Out the Difference Between Similar Options
9. Empress Wu was
a. supported by many Buddhists.
b. supported by all the Buddhists.
c. beloved by the poor.
d. the greatest ruler of the T’ang Dynasty.
(The last two answers are not suggested by the passage. Close inspection shows that the word all is the only difference
between the first and second answers and is the reason that the second is untrue. Thus A is the correct answer with the
qualifying word “many” is correct.)
Use Logical Reasoning When Two Answers Are Correct
Some tests include the option all of the above and none of the above. If you see that two of the answers are
correct and are unsure about a third, all of the above would be a logical response.
10. Empress Wu was a
a. concubine.
b. mother.
c. wife.
d. all of the above.
(D is the correct answer. If you recall that Wu was a concubine and a mother but are not sure that she was a wife, all of
the above would be your logical option because you know that two of the choices are correct.)
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Look Suspiciously at Directly Quoted Pompous Phrases
In searching for distractors, test makers sometimes quote a pompous phrase from the passage that doesn’t make
much sense. Such a phrase may include lofty, ornate, and seemingly important language from the passage, yet
still be incorrect. However, you may read the phrase and think, “Oh yes, I saw that in the passage. It sounds
good, so it must be right.” Be sure authoritative phrases make sense before choosing them.
11. Wu was installed as empress because
a. the Son of Heaven folded his hands.
b. the imperial title was suppressed in conspiracy.
c. the prophecy in Buddhist scriptures identified her by name.
d. the brilliant conniving of an ambitious woman was successful.
(The first two are pompous and do not make sense. The third is false because of the phrase “by name.”
The last answer, D, is correct, even though it was implied.)
Validate True Responses
If you are told that all the answers are correct except one, verify each response and, by the process of
elimination, find the one that does not fit.
12. Empress Wu was all of the following except
a. a scheming concubine.
b. a ruthless woman.
c. the first woman to rule China.
d. the founder of the T’ang Dynasty. (Always note the “except” and look for the response that is false. The first
three answers are true and the last is untrue, so D is the correct answer.)
Recognize Flaws in Test Making
Professionally developed reading tests are usually well-constructed and do not contain obvious clues to the
correct answers. However, some teacher-made tests are hastily written and thus may have errors in test making
that can help you find the correct answer. Do not, however, rely on these flaws to make a big difference in your
score, for such errors should not occur on a well-constructed test.
Example: Grammar
Wu’s ambition was to become an a. concubine, b. empress, c. lover, or d. Buddhist
(The “an” suggest an answer that starts with a vowel. Thus “empress” is the obvious answer.)
Example: Clues from Other Parts of the Test
Information in one part of the test may help you with an uncertain answer in another section.
During Wu’s reign, China defeated a. Vietnam, b. India, c. Russia, or d. Korea
(A previous question mentions the conquest of Korea.)
Example: Length
On poorly constructed tests, longer answers are more frequently correct.
The author suggests that Wu promoted the cosmetics peddler to commander-in-chief because he
a. was a good soldier.
b. knew how to sell.
c. had been a Buddhist monk.
d. was her lover and she wanted to give him favors. (In an effort to be totally correct without question, the test maker
has written the last—and the longest—answer; D is correct.)
Avoid answers with “100 Percent” Words
All and never mean 100 percent, without exception. In a true-false question, a response containing either word is
seldom correct. Rarely can a statement be so definitely inclusive or exclusive. Other 100 percent words to avoid
are no, none, only, every, always and must. Example: Empress Wu was hated by all the Chinese Confucian historians.
(All means 100%, and thus is too inclusive. Surely one or two Confucians might not have felt so strongly against Wu.)
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Consider Answers with Qualifying Words
Words such as sometimes and seldom suggest frequency but do not go so far as to say all or none. Such
qualifying words can mean more than none and less than all. By being so indefinite, they are difficult to dispute.
Therefore, qualifiers are more likely to be included in a correct response to a true-false question. Other qualifies
are few, much, often, may, many, some, perhaps, and generally. Example: Empress Wu was hated by many of the
Chinese Confucian historians. (The phrases from the passage, “she found little favor” with Confucians and “They played
up her vices” suggest dislike. The statement is true. )
Do Not Overanalyze
Try to follow the thinking of the test writer rather than overanalyze minute points. Don’t make the question
harder than it is. Use your common sense, and answer what you think was intended. Remember, your first
answer is usually correct. Example: Empress Wu fought Korea and won. (Of course Empress Wu was not standing on
the front line of battle with a sword, but as the leader of China, she was ultimately responsible for the victory. Thus the
answer is true.)
True Statements Must Be True Without Exception
A statement is either totally true or it is incorrect. Adding an incorrect and, but or because phrase to a true
statement makes it false and thus an unacceptable answer. If a statement is half true and half false, then it is
false. Example: The Chinese Confucian historians plotted against Empress Wu because they were concerned about the
welfare of the poor people of China. (It is true that the Confucians plotted against Wu, but their reasons for doing so are
not stated in the passage. The statement is half true and half false, so it is false.
If Two Options Are Synonymous, Eliminate Both.
If two items say basically the same thing but only one answer is possible, then neither can be correct. Eliminate
the two and spend your time on the others. Example: The purpose of this passage is: a. to argue, b. to persuade, c. to
inform, or d. to entertain. Because “argue” and “persuade” are basically synonyms, you can eliminate both and move on to
other options.
Simplify Double Negatives by Canceling Out Both
Double negatives are confusing and time-consuming to unravel. Simplify a double-negative statement by first
canceling out both negatives. Then reread the statement without the confusion of the two negatives, and decide
on the accuracy of the statement. Example: Empress Wu was not unscrupulous. (Cancel out the two negatives, not and
un. Reread the sentence without the negatives. Empress Wu was scrupulous. This is a false statement.)
Certain Responses Are Neither True Nor False
For some items, you are not given the clues necessary for judging their accuracy. There is not sufficient
evidence to indicate whether they are true or false. Example: Empress Wu was loved by the Chinese people. (The
passage does not provide clues to indicate that she was loved or not loved by the Chinese people.)
A Few More Tips…
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Read the Question Carefully; Look for the Best Answer
Read to Comprehend; Don’t Fixate on Details—Details are important, but you need to understand the overall
message the author is trying to convey to the reader.
Skim the Questions First, But Don’t Try to Read the Passage to Answer All Questions at the Same Time
Activate Your Highest Potential; Stay Positive
Be Prepared, Stay Alert, and Make Sure You Are Comfortable (Sleep well the night before, eat, comfort/clothing).
Interact With the Text; Use Your Active Reading Skills
RELAX; Take a deep breath; You Can Do It!