In a multiple-choice detail question, the wrong options are built from the passage on purpose. They reuse its words but change the meaning, the person, the time or the reason. The skill is to pick the option that answers the question, not the one that looks most like the text.
This lesson builds on tracking a reference, since one common distractor uses the wrong person for a pronoun.
How do I test an option?
Ask three questions of every option.
- Does it answer this question word? A “why” question needs a reason, not a time or a place.
- Is it about the right person, thing and time? Distractors often swap these.
- Is it supported by the text, or only similar to it? Find the line. If you cannot point to one, the option is out.
Then check whether the correct option rewords the text. That is a good sign, not a warning.
Worked example
Mei Ling joined the orchestra in January because her friend Jun had told her about it. At first she played the violin, but after the summer concert she switched to the flute, which she found easier to carry on the bus.
Question: Why did Mei Ling change instruments?
A She had heard about the orchestra from a friend. B She wanted to play in the summer concert. C The flute was simpler to transport. D The violin was too difficult for her.
Step 1, question word: “why … change instruments” needs a reason for the change.
Step 2, test each option:
| Option | Reuses from text | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| A | “friend”, “told her about it” | True, but explains why she joined, not why she changed. |
| B | “summer concert” | The concert is when she switched, not the reason. |
| C | none directly (“simpler to transport” for “easier to carry”) | Matches the reason in the text. |
| D | “violin” | The text never says it was too difficult. |
Answer: C. It is the only option that gives the reason for the change, and it rewords the text.
The mistake to watch for
Mistaken answer: A, because it contains the exact phrase “told her about it”.
The student matched words, not meaning. Option A is a true detail, but it is the answer to a different question (“Why did she join?”). The correction is to write the question word beside the options, then cross out any option that does not answer it, even if it is true.
Check yourself
1. “The museum has reduced its winter hours. It now closes at 4 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., although the café stays open until 5 p.m.” At what time does the museum close in winter? A 6 p.m. B 5 p.m. C 4 p.m. D 4.30 p.m.
Show answer
C, 4 p.m. A is the old time, and B is the café’s closing time. D is not in the text.
2. “Rainfall in the town was highest in November, but the wettest single day was in March.” In which month was the wettest single day?
Show answer
March. November is the month with the highest total rainfall, which is a different fact from the single wettest day.
3. “Danish trained every morning before school because the pool was too crowded after lessons.” Why did Danish train before school? A The pool was too crowded later. B He liked mornings. C His school lessons finished late. D The coach only worked mornings.
Show answer
A. It rewords “too crowded after lessons”. Options B, C and D give reasons that the text never states.
Where this leads next
The final lesson deals with a related skill, explaining why a plausible option is not supported. The overview page shows the full route. After that, try the mixed practice set and record any errors in the mistake log so you can see which kind of distractor catches you.
A teacher in English as a Second Language tuition can look at the options you chose and name the pattern behind them.