True/False Tests

TEST TAKING STRATEGIES

Every part of a true sentence must be TRUE

o If any one part of the sentence is false, the whole sentence is false

Pay close attention to NEGATIVES, QUALIFIERS, ABSOLUTES and LONG SENTENCES:

Negatives can be confusing.

q If the question contains negatives such as “no, not, cannot”, drop the negative and read what remains.

q Decide whether that sentence is true or false. If it is true, its opposite, or negative, is usually false.

q EXAMPLE: It is not possible to find a cornfield anywhere near Plainfield.

Qualifiers are words that restrict or open up general statements.

q Words like “sometimes, often, frequently, ordinarily” open up the possibilities of making accurate statements. These words are more likely to reflect reality, and usually indicate TRUE answers.

q EXAMPLE: Sometimes it snows in the fall.

Absolute words restrict possibilities.

“No, never, none, always, every, entirely, only” imply the statement must be true 100% of the time and usually indicate FALSE answers.
EXAMPLE: Every single tree loses its leaves in the fall.

Long Sentences often include groups of words set off by punctuation.

Pay attention to the “truth” of each of the phrases. If one is false, it usually indicates a FALSE answer.
EXAMPLE: Summers in Chicago are usually pretty hot; however, Chicago usually gets snow at least once in July.

GUESSING:

Often true/false test contain more true answers than false answers. You have more than a 50% chance of being right with true. Review past tests for patterns.