Verbal ReasoningPractice

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Reading Detail

Free category · verified explanations after every question

Reading Detail questions test whether you can retrieve a specific fact from the passage and match it to the option that states it accurately — including where the correct option paraphrases the passage rather than quoting it.

Next step

Choose how you want to practise.

Start guided for explanations after every answer, or skip ahead to the checkpoint.

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Guided practice

10 questions, unseen-first, with the answer explained after each one.

Checkpoint

10 randomised questions, scored at the end. Take it any time — pass 8/10 and this category is done.

Mode

How to think about it

  1. Locate the sentence in the passage that the question is about.
  2. Verify the option against it word by word — distinguish a faithful paraphrase from a subtle change of meaning.
  3. Check the question's exact scope: watch for 'except', 'only', 'unless' and other limiters.
  4. Resolve pronouns and references ('it', 'they', 'this') back to what they point to in the passage.

The most common trap

Answering from memory instead of re-reading the passage.

Read the full method guide

Worked example

Reading Detailcross sentence retrievalmedium

Any applicant with fewer than ten staff qualifies for the small-team funding stream. The review panel meets twice a year. The Harlow workshop employs six staff. The application form is limited to four pages.

According to the passage, which statement is correct?

Choose an answer to reveal the explanation

Verified answer: C — The Harlow workshop is eligible for the small-team funding stream.

The evidence

Any applicant with fewer than ten staff qualifies for the small-team funding stream. The review panel meets twice a year. The Harlow workshop employs six staff. The application form is limited to four pages.

The highlighted text decides the answer.

What to notice

The eligibility threshold sits in one sentence and the Harlow workshop's staff count in another; only joining them settles whether the workshop qualifies.

The rule

Read the rule's cut-off, then find the figure it tests in another sentence: six staff is fewer than ten, so the Harlow workshop qualifies for the small-team funding stream.

Why the others are wrong

  • A — The Harlow workshop is too large for the small-team funding stream.: Contradicts the passage: six staff is fewer than ten, so the workshop qualifies rather than being too large.
  • B — Every applicant qualifies for the small-team funding stream.: Over-generalised: only applicants with fewer than ten staff qualify, not every applicant.
  • D — Successful applicants receive their award as a single lump sum.: Not stated: the passage never says how an award is paid — award structure is outside what the passage covers.
  • E — The Harlow workshop qualifies because the review panel meets twice a year.: Conflation: the panel meeting twice a year is unrelated to eligibility, which depends only on staff count.
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