Another common question type accompanies a
scenario filled with details. These test your reading comprehension skills (see chapter 6 to brush up!),
because you must identify key details from the information presented that will lead you to the most logical outcome. The difficult part of these questions is recognizing which details are important. Always refer back to the details of
the story after you read and understand what the question is asking. Then, use your process of elimination.
Let's look at a passage.
In the middle of the afternoon, two men wearing masks and gloves walked into a check-cashing store. When they entered the store, there were three customers waiting in line. One of the men threw all three against the wall and kept them at gunpoint. The other masked man walked up to the counter that had bulletproof glass and pointed a firearm at the teller. He then told the teller not to step on the alarm button, which is located on the floor behind the counter. The perpetrator then stated, “I know you got a money delivery an hour ago. Fill up this bag or we will shoot the customers.” The teller unlocked the secured door and filled the bag with the money.
The other masked man ordered the customers to empty their wallets and purses. The robber then walked up to a female customer, made lewd remarks, and ripped her blouse. The female slapped the robber across the face, catching her nail by his eye under the mask, which caused a slight scratch and some bleeding. The robber then threw her to the ground and kicked her. At this time, the other masked man yelled, “Tommy, stop. Leave her alone!” At this point, the bag was filled with the money, and they both fled the store with the bag.
Answer the following question based on the
above information.
Based on information provided, which of the following is MOST likely to be true?
Based on the scenario given, what can the police assume from the statements and actions of the robbers? Let’s review. As the robbers entered the store, one of them threw the customers against the wall. This behavior does not really tell us anything in particular.
As we read on, we learn about the robber who approached the counter. The robber tells the teller not to step on the alarm button. We have to assume he somehow knows that a) such a button exists and b) it is on the floor, because he cannot see past the counter. The next thing he states is, “I know you got a money delivery an hour ago.” Therefore, we need to put these two pieces of information together to guide us to the correct answer.
Choice (A) states that the robber has been watching the times of the delivery. That may well be true, as he knew about the timing of the last delivery. However, it does not explain how he knew about the alarm button. Choice (B), which states the perpetrator was bluffing when he said he knew the store recently received a money delivery, is not the best answer. The robber was very specific in his language about the timing of the money delivery. This small but significant detail eliminates this choice. Finally, Choice (D) is just an assumption that does not really fit into the details of the crime. Therefore, logically speaking, considering only the information given, the correct choice is (C).
This leads us to the following question.
What is the most reliable physical evidence the police can use to investigate this crime?
This question asks about physical evidence that may have been left behind. As with all scenario-based questions, look to what you are given, and only to what you are given. The answer can always be found in the passage, and you cannot assume anything that is not there on the test.
We know in the scenario there was a physical altercation, and that would be where we
would look for and find the physical evidence.
Choice (A) is not the best answer. Yes, you were given the fact that the robbers wore masks and gloves to throw you off, but that does not mean no physical evidence was left behind. NEVER just mark (A) if it looks "okay" and move on. Read on to make sure there is not a better choice.
Choice (B) can be eliminated because the scenario never states that there are cameras at the store—remember, no assumptions! Eliminate and move on. Same for Choice (C)—you are never told that one of the victims took a cell phone picture. One very well might have, but you can only answer questions based on what is given to you.
Choice (D) is the best and most logical answer. What happened, and how did physical evidence get left behind? The details of the story tell us that the victim scratched one of the robbers and cut him with her fingernail. The correct answer matches the details of the story.
When you are dealing with scenario-based questions, it is not a bad idea to skim over the questions first, before you go on to read the passage. Doing so will help you to focus on the information in the story you will need to answer the specific questions, and not get distracted by unnecessary information. Unless you are a speedy reader, it can be a waste of your time to exert energy into reading the scenario without even knowing what the test is looking for.
Elimination is your friend for all of these question types. Rule out the choices that have nothing to do with the question or are based on information not included in the passage. Keep in mind that no matter what format your test uses, there has to be a
clear-cut right answer.