在选择题的细节题里，错误选项是用文章的材料故意做出来的。它们重复文章的词，却改变了意思、人物、时间或原因。这项技能是选出回答了题目的选项，而不是看起来最像原文的选项。
这一课建立在追踪指代之上，因为一种常见的干扰项，正是把代词指向了错误的人。
怎样检验一个选项？
对每个选项问三个问题。
- 它回答这个疑问词吗？ “why” 题要的是原因，不是时间或地点。
- 它说的是正确的人、物和时间吗？ 干扰项常把这些调换。
- 它有原文支持，还是只是相似？ 找出对应的那一行。指不出来，就淘汰。
然后看正确选项有没有把原文换了说法。这是好迹象，不是警告。
例题
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.
题目： 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.
第 1 步，疑问词： “why … change instruments” 需要换乐器的原因。
第 2 步，逐个检验：
| 选项 | 重复了原文的什么 | 结论 |
|---|---|---|
| A | “friend”、“told her about it” | 属实，但这是她为什么加入，不是为什么换乐器。 |
| B | “summer concert” | 音乐会是她换乐器的时间，不是原因。 |
| C | 没有直接重复（用 “simpler to transport” 代替 “easier to carry”） | 与原文的原因吻合。 |
| D | “violin” | 原文从未说小提琴太难。 |
答案：C。 只有它给出了换乐器的原因，而且是对原文的换说法。
要避开的错误
错误答案： A，因为它有完全相同的短语 “told her about it”。
这个学生配对的是词，不是意思。选项 A 是真实的细节，但它回答的是另一个问题（“Why did she join?”）。改正的方法是把疑问词写在选项旁边，凡是没有回答它的选项都划掉，即使它是真的。
自我检测
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.
显示答案
C，4 p.m. A 是以前的时间，B 是咖啡馆的关门时间，D 文中没有。
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?
显示答案
March。 November 是总雨量最高的月份，这是与“单日最湿”不同的事实。
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.
显示答案
A。 它把 “too crowded after lessons” 换了说法。B、C、D 给出的原因，文中都没有说。
接下来学什么
最后一课讲一项相关技能：解释为什么看似合理的选项没有依据。总览页列出完整路线。之后试做综合练习，并把错误记在错题记录里，看看哪一种干扰项最容易让你上当。
English as a Second Language 补习的老师可以看你选过的选项，并指出背后的模式。