Literal Comprehension of Informational Text
What this domain tests
This domain asks whether a third grader can find facts stated directly in nonfiction passages about science, history, or everyday topics. Candidates should understand main topic versus supporting details, sequence of events or steps, comparisons, and cause-and-effect statements that are stated outright. They should know how to read headings, captions, and bold words as aids, and how to locate answers by returning to the text rather than relying on memory. Recognizing the difference between a fact and an opinion is also part of this domain.
Traps in questions
A common trap is an answer choice that is true in real life but not stated in the passage. Another trap is confusing a detail with the main topic, or reversing a cause and its effect. Questions with "according to the passage" require exact text support, while questions with "most likely" lean toward inference. Students may also pick a choice that mixes up two details, such as two different animals or dates.
Rule of thumb
For literal questions, point to the sentence that proves the answer. If no sentence supports it, the choice is probably wrong even if it sounds true.
Worked example
Passage states: "Bees carry pollen from flower to flower. This helps plants make seeds." Asked why bees are important to plants: choices are "They make honey," "They carry pollen so plants make seeds," "They build hives," "They scare away birds." Only the second choice is stated. Answer: the pollen choice.