Tip #6 Information-Based (Evidence) Questions : Identify question type, use location strategies, have an elimination process, avoid traps

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​Strategies for "Information-Based" Questions (Evidence Questions)
These questions test your ability to find, interpret, and apply evidence from the passage. Follow these steps:
1. Identify the Question Type

• "What is true about…?" → Direct evidence needed.
• "Why…?" → Requires cause-effect reasoning.
• "According to the text…?" → Must match exact wording or paraphrased evidence.

2. Locate Key Information

• Scan for keywords (but expect synonyms).
• Focus on relevant parts of the passage (e.g., if the question is about a "problem," ignore "solutions").

3. Eliminate Wrong Answers

• Contradictions: If the passage says the opposite, eliminate.
• No Evidence: If an answer isn’t supported, eliminate.
• Partial Truths: Some answers might be "half-right" but don’t fully match.

4. Beware of Traps

• Exact Keyword Matches ≠ Correct Answer (e.g., "blades" appears in both text and wrong answer B in the Mars helicopter example).
• Out-of-Scope Answers: Avoid choices that introduce new, unsupported ideas.

5. Match the Best Evidence

• The correct answer will align with the passage’s logic, even if phrased differently.

Practice

Model Passages & Questions

Passage 1 (Direct Evidence - "What is true?")

Text:
The Arctic tern holds the record for the longest migration of any animal, traveling up to 71,000 kilometers annually between the Arctic and Antarctica. Unlike other birds, terns do not rely on fat reserves for energy; instead, they feed continuously during flight, catching small fish and plankton. This strategy allows them to maintain their weight and endurance over extreme distances.

Question: According to the text, what is true about Arctic terns?

A) They store large fat reserves before migrating. 
B) They migrate farther than any other animal. 
C) They cannot feed while flying. 
D) They avoid flying over oceans. 

Passage 2 (Cause-Effect - "Why?")

Text:
In 2020, engineers developed a new type of concrete that absorbs carbon dioxide during curing. Traditional concrete production accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions, but this innovation reduces the carbon footprint by 50%. The key breakthrough was adding recycled industrial waste to the mixture, which chemically binds CO₂ without weakening the material.

Question: Why is the new concrete considered groundbreaking?
A) It uses cheaper materials than traditional concrete. 
B) It absorbs CO₂ while maintaining strength. 
C) It eliminates the need for curing. 
D) It increases global CO₂ emissions. 
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Elimination:

• A/C/D are either unsupported or contradict the passage.

Post-Task Assessment & Reflection

1. Evidence Accuracy:
   • Did you correctly identify the part of the passage that supported the answer?
   • Example: In the tern question, did you spot "do not rely on fat reserves" to eliminate A?
2. Elimination Efficiency:
   • How many choices could you rule out immediately?
   • Did you almost pick a "keyword trap" (e.g., "blades" in the Mars helicopter question)?
3. Time Management:
   • Did you spend too long searching for evidence? Practice skimming for keywords faster.
4. Patterns of Mistakes:
   • Do you often miss contrast words (e.g., "although," "but") that change the meaning?
   • Are you tricked by plausible-sounding but unsupported answers?

Key Takeaway:

• The SAT rewards precision. Train yourself to:
  ✔ Ignore answers that "sound right" but lack evidence.
  ✔ Anticipate synonyms (e.g., "absorbs" vs. "binds" in the concrete question).
  ✔ Flag and revisit tricky questions if time allows.

Answer Key

Passage 1
B) They migrate farther than any other animal. (✅ Direct evidence: "longest migration")
A) They store large fat reserves before migrating. (Contradiction: "do not rely on fat reserves")
C) They cannot feed while flying. (Contradiction: "feed continuously")
D) They avoid flying over oceans. (No evidence)

​Elimination:

• A/C contradict the text.
• D is unsupported.

Passage 2
B) It absorbs CO₂ while maintaining strength. (✅ Matches: "binds CO₂ without weakening")
A) It uses cheaper materials than traditional concrete. (No evidence)
C) It eliminates the need for curing. (Contradiction: "during curing")
D) It increases global CO₂ emissions. (Opposite of the text)

Elimination:

• A/C/D are either unsupported or contradict the passage.