Tips for Taking True/False Tests (PDF) - The Excel Program

MULTIPLE-CHOICE CLUES1. GIVEAWAY CLUE - Look to see if the exact word or phrase or a similar word orphrase is used in both the question and one of the answer choices. In addition, checkto see if a word or phrase in the question has the same meaning as a word or phrase inone of the answer choices.Examples:Rocks formed by sediment and deposited in layers on the ocean floor are called:a. igneous rocks.b. metamorphic rocks.* c. sedimentary rocks.d. none of the aboveThe belt of volcanoes called the Ring of Fire is located in the area:* a. that nearly circles the Pacific Ocean.b. below the southern tip of Africa.c. to the north of Iceland.d. none of the above.2. A or AN CLUE - Look to see if the question ends with the words “a” or “an”. Theword “a” is used before words that begin with consonants and the word “an” is usedbefore words that begin with vowels (a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y). The test-writercan eliminate this clue by using a(n) in the test question.Examples:The form of government in which the ruling power belongs to a few persons is an:a. monarchy.* b. oligarchy.c. democracy.d. plutocracy.A cone-shaped hill of sand and gravel is called a:a. esker.b. augite.c. oxime.* d. kame.3. SINGULAR OR PLURAL CLUE - Check to see if the test-writer used grammaticalconsistency between the question and the correct answer. When an answer choiceshould be singular all the other answer choices for that question should be singular. Ifthe test-writer inadvertently mixes in plural with singular answer choices or vice versa,this provides a clue.