A correct option often says the same thing in other words. A wrong option may use the text’s own words but change the meaning. Compare meaning, not vocabulary.
This lesson belongs to reading short texts. It builds on finding purpose, audience and main message, and leads to eliminating distractors using evidence.
What are the four steps?
Step 1: find the sentence in the text that answers the question. Step 2: put its meaning into your own words. Step 3: read each option and ask whether it means the same. Step 4: reject options that change a detail.
Keeping your own version of the meaning stops the words on the page from pulling you.
Worked example: a club notice
Text: “The badminton club will not meet next Thursday because the hall is being repaired. Training resumes the week after.”
Question: Why will the club not meet next Thursday?
- Option A: “The hall is being painted.”
- Option B: “The place where they play cannot be used.”
- Option C: “Training has ended for the year.”
Put the answer in your own words first: the hall is under repair. Now test the options. Option A copies “the hall is being” but says painted, which changes the detail. Option C contradicts “training resumes”.
Option B uses none of the text’s words, yet it means the same as “the hall is being repaired”. The answer is B.
| Option | Words match? | Meaning matches? |
|---|---|---|
| A: hall is being painted | Yes | No |
| B: place cannot be used | No | Yes |
| C: training has ended | No | No |
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to choose the option with the most matching words. It feels safe because the words are on the page.
| Step | Wrong | Right |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Count matching words | Match meaning |
| Choice | “hall is being painted” | “place cannot be used” |
| Result | Wrong answer | Correct answer |
The fix is to rewrite the sentence in your own words before you look at the options.
What are common paraphrase pairs?
Learn these everyday pairs so you spot them quickly.
- shut, closed
- resumes, starts again
- repaired, fixed
- cannot be used, unavailable
Check yourself
Text: “Tickets for the school play are sold out, so extra seats will be added at the back.” Which option is a paraphrase? (a) “There are no more tickets, and more seats will be put at the rear.” (b) “Extra tickets are on sale at the back.”
Answer
(a). “Sold out” is paraphrased as “no more tickets”, and “added at the back” as “put at the rear”. Option (b) copies “extra” and “back” but says tickets are on sale, which the text does not say.
What to study next
Go on to eliminating distractors using evidence. The claim, evidence and revision desk helps you check a match. If you would like a teacher to read with you, see online one-to-one English tuition.