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VR overview

Find evidence — judge it honestly — stay inside the passage.

Guide page1 of 10
44questions
22 minsection time
~2 minper passage
11passages

Core method

One method for almost every question — PROVE

Use this five-step check instead of trying to remember separate approaches for each question type.

P — Passage only

The passage is your entire world. Do not use outside knowledge, assumptions or what is 'probably' true. If the passage does not say it, you cannot use it.

R — Read the question

Before reading closely, work out what you are being asked. Notice strong words like all, always, every, never, only — these often create traps.

O — One anchor word

Use the most distinctive word in the question to locate the relevant part of the passage. Names, dates and unusual terms work best.

V — Verify

Ask: does the passage actually support this exact answer? Compare the wording and strength of the evidence against the statement.

E — Evidence

Before choosing, you should be able to say: 'I know this because the passage says…' If you cannot point to the sentence, be suspicious.

Two question formats

T/F/CT

True / False / Can't Tell

A statement is given. Decide whether the passage supports it, contradicts it, or leaves it unresolved. The most important rule: no evidence ≠ False. Silence means Can't Tell.

A–D

Multiple Choice

Four options. One is best supported by the passage. Distractors borrow real details and quietly change a word, person, time or strength. Eliminate by evidence, not by feel.

T/F/CT subtypes

True / False / Can't Tell subtypes

1

Direct Retrieval

The answer is explicitly stated in the passage.

“Where does it say this?”Open →
2

Inference

The conclusion must follow necessarily from two or more facts.

“Must this be true?”Open →
3

Comparisons

The statement describes a ranking, amount or relationship.

“Direction, base and time correct?”Open →
4

Scope & Evidence

The claim may be stronger or broader than the passage's evidence.

“Is this going beyond the evidence?”Open →

MCQ subtypes

Multiple Choice subtypes

1

Direct Retrieval (MCQ)

One option accurately restates a specific fact.

“Which option matches the text?”Open →
2

Inference (MCQ)

The right answer follows from the text using the fewest assumptions.

“Does this require any added assumption?”Open →
3

Main Idea & Purpose

The question asks what the passage is mainly arguing or doing.

“Is this the whole passage or one detail?”Open →
4

Author & Speaker View

You must identify who holds a view and how strongly.

“Whose opinion — and how certain?”Open →
5

Meaning in Context

A quoted word or phrase — what does it mean in this passage?

“What meaning fits this sentence?”Open →

T/F/CT — the three decisions

TRUE

The passage states or clearly implies it. You can point to the sentence.

FALSE

The passage gives evidence against it. Silence alone is never enough for False.

CAN'T TELL

The passage neither proves nor contradicts it. When in doubt, this is usually right.

Top traps across all VR questions

Some → All

The passage says some or several. The option says all or every. Wrong unless the passage says all.

May → Will

The passage says may or might. The option says will or does. Too strong.

Association → Causation

Two things correlate in the passage. The option says one caused the other. Not established.

False vs Can't Tell

No evidence for a claim ≠ evidence against it. Uncertainty is Can't Tell.

Outside knowledge

Something true in real life is irrelevant unless this passage says it. Passage only.