What is the Q-type for a Q-stem that asks, 'the passage states which of the following?'

What is the Q-type for a Q-stem that asks, 'the passage states which of the following?'

• A. Detail
• B. Inference
• C. Main Idea
• D. Vocabulary

Answer: (A)

Identify a statement that is explicitly stated in the passage. This type of question focuses on exact facts as they appear in the text, not on interpretation or reading between the lines. Because the stem asks what the passage states, the correct choice will be a detail that is directly present in the text. Why this is the best fit: it requires selecting a fact that the author actually wrote, rather than what you can infer or what the passage as a whole is trying to convey. So you’re looking for a line or fact that could be quoted from the passage. What makes the other types different: an inference question asks you to deduce something not directly stated, based on clues; a main idea question asks for the overarching point or purpose of the passage; a vocabulary question asks for the meaning of a word or phrase used in the passage. Example: if the passage states that “the committee approved the plan yesterday,” a correct detail choice would be something explicitly stated, like “the plan was approved” (as written), whereas statements about future effects (inference) or the overall purpose (main idea) would not be the direct text.

Identify a statement that is explicitly stated in the passage. This type of question focuses on exact facts as they appear in the text, not on interpretation or reading between the lines. Because the stem asks what the passage states, the correct choice will be a detail that is directly present in the text.

Why this is the best fit: it requires selecting a fact that the author actually wrote, rather than what you can infer or what the passage as a whole is trying to convey. So you’re looking for a line or fact that could be quoted from the passage.

What makes the other types different: an inference question asks you to deduce something not directly stated, based on clues; a main idea question asks for the overarching point or purpose of the passage; a vocabulary question asks for the meaning of a word or phrase used in the passage.

Example: if the passage states that “the committee approved the plan yesterday,” a correct detail choice would be something explicitly stated, like “the plan was approved” (as written), whereas statements about future effects (inference) or the overall purpose (main idea) would not be the direct text.