Rule 4
AGREE → find the LCD
Drill 9
For agreement questions, pick the simplest, broadest claim both texts back. Hedged language (may, could, often, in some cases) is preferred — narrow claims survive both authors' scrutiny.
Text 1: cause is A. Text 2: cause is B. LCD: "this phenomenon has a cause worth studying"
RecognitionPicks a narrow overlap instead of the broad claim both texts support.
Rule 5
NO vs YES-BUT ★
(featured)
Drill 12
Most disagreements are YES-BUT: Text 2 accepts the main point but disputes one piece (cause, scope, scale). A choice claiming they "fundamentally disagree" or "completely reject" is almost always wrong.
"agrees the effect is real but disputes the cause" beats "rejects Text 1 entirely"
RecognitionChoice says authors 'fundamentally disagree' or 'completely reject' each other.
Rule 6
Reversal trap
Right idea, but the choice flips which author said it. Sounds familiar because the words are from the passage — they're just attributed backwards.
Trap: "Text 2 would agree that X" — when X is actually Text 2's claim, not Text 1's
RecognitionChoice attributes Text 2's claim to Text 1, or vice versa.
Rule 7
Extreme trap
Choice uses absolute words — always, never, must, impossible, only, completely. Cross-text answers almost never go absolute. If you see one of these, it's probably wrong.
Trap: "Text 2 would say X is impossible" — passage just questioned the strength of the evidence
RecognitionChoice uses absolutes like always, never, must, or only to overstate what the text actually says.
Rule 8
Only-One-Text trap
Choice is supported by one text but not the other. Kills AGREE questions — both authors have to back it. Check each summary independently before picking.
Trap: claim appears clearly in Text 1, but Text 2 never addresses it
RecognitionChoice supported by one text while the other never addresses it.
Rule 9
Outside-Info trap
Choice sounds reasonable but isn't in either text. Common-sense knowledge doesn't count — only what the two passages actually say.
Trap: "both authors would agree more research is needed" — true-ish, but never stated
RecognitionChoice sounds reasonable from common sense but neither text states it.
Rule 10
Wordplay + Overstated Conflict
Choice reuses passage vocabulary with the meaning bent, OR exaggerates a partial disagreement into a total one. Two flavors of the same trick: words feel right, the logic doesn't match.
Trap: borrows a phrase from Text 1, twists it into "the authors entirely disagree"
RecognitionChoice reuses passage vocabulary while exaggerating partial disagreement into total.
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