Question Focus: Time limit for collecting a Fall Replacement Pass
Correct Answer: FALSE
Passage Reference: The Last Day to Pick Up a Fall 2010 ASM Bus Pass or Fall Replacement Pass is December 23.
Why this is correct: The statement says you can pick it up before the end of the year, but the passage clearly says the last day is December 23. After that date, it is no longer possible.
Common Mistake: Students often think December 23 is close enough to the end of the year and mark TRUE. But the passage gives a clear cut-off date, so saying "before the end of the year" is wrong. This is a Contradiction trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'The Last Day to Pick Up ... is December 23' = Statement: 'before the end of the year'
Tips: When you see exact dates in the passage, be very careful with more general time expressions like "before the end of the year".
Key Vocabulary:
- last day = final date
- pick up = collect
Question Focus: Closing time of the SAC on December 23
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: StudentPrint will be closing for the semester at 3pm on December 23 and the Student Activity Center (SAC) will be closed until Sunday, January 9.
Why this is correct: The passage tells us StudentPrint closes at 3pm, but it does not say what time the SAC closes on that day. The passage does not discuss the SAC closing time.
Common Mistake: Students often assume the 3pm time applies to both places. This is a Context shift trap because the time refers only to StudentPrint.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'StudentPrint will be closing ... at 3pm' = Statement: 'The SAC will close at 3pm'
Tips: Always check which place or subject a time or detail belongs to. Do not transfer information automatically.
Key Vocabulary:
- closing = shutting
- semester = term
Question Focus: Availability of replacement passes after loss
Correct Answer: FALSE
Passage Reference: If you lose your pass between December 24 and January 10, you will not be able to obtain a replacement.
Why this is correct: The statement says replacement passes must be collected before January 23, but the passage clearly says you cannot get a replacement at all if it is lost in that period.
Common Mistake: Students notice January 23 in the passage and connect it to this situation. But that date applies to other cases. This is a Wrong section trap.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'not be able to obtain a replacement' = Statement: 'must be collected before 23rd January'
Tips: Check whether a date applies to the same situation described in the statement.
Key Vocabulary:
- obtain = get
- replacement = new one
Question Focus: Location for Spring/Summer pass collection
Correct Answer: TRUE
Passage Reference: Get your pass at Steenbock Library at the corner of Babcock and Observatory or at the Student Activity Center Main Lobby, 333 East Campus Mall 3rd floor lobby.
Why this is correct: The passage clearly states that Spring/Summer passes can be collected at the Student Activity Center, which is the SAC.
Common Mistake: Some students miss the full name and do not realise it means SAC. This is a Synonym match situation.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'Student Activity Center Main Lobby' = Statement: 'the SAC'
Tips: Learn common abbreviations and check if the full name appears in the passage.
Key Vocabulary:
- obtain = get
- distribution = giving out
Question Focus: Opinion about the best location
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: From January 10 to January 14 you can pick up a pass at Steenbock Library or the SAC from 10 am to 5pm.
Why this is correct: The passage lists places and times, but it does not give an opinion about which place is best. The passage does not discuss preference or quality.
Common Mistake: Students use logic or personal opinion to choose a place. This is a Not Given trap because IELTS never asks you to guess.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'you can pick up a pass at Steenbock Library or the SAC' = Statement: 'the best place is the Steenbock Library'
Tips: Words like "best" and "probably" often signal opinion. Check carefully if the writer actually gives one.
Key Vocabulary:
- probably = maybe
- best = most suitable
Question Focus: Opening hours after January 28
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: After the 28th, passes will be available at StudentPrint for the remainder of the semester. StudentPrint hours are 9:30am to 6:30pm Monday through Friday when classes are in session.
Why this is correct: The passage gives normal opening hours, but it does not say these hours are later than usual. There is no comparison.
Common Mistake: Students assume the hours are extended. This is a Partial truth trap because hours are mentioned, but not compared.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'StudentPrint hours are 9:30am to 6:30pm' = Statement: 'open later than usual'
Tips: If a statement includes comparison words like "later than usual", look for a clear comparison in the passage.
Key Vocabulary:
- remainder = rest
- usual = normal
Question Focus: Waiting time related to WisCard status
Correct Answer: NOT GIVEN
Passage Reference: If you have a new WisCard, you must wait overnight for your records to be updated before we can give you a pass.
Why this is correct: The passage explains what happens if the WisCard is new, but it does not say what happens if it is not new. The passage does not discuss waiting in that case.
Common Mistake: Students assume the opposite is true. This is a Reverse meaning trap because the passage only gives one condition.
Paraphrasing: Passage: 'If you have a new WisCard, you must wait overnight' = Statement: 'If your WisCard is not new, you can get it without waiting'
Tips: In TFNG, do not assume the opposite of a condition unless the passage clearly states it.
Key Vocabulary:
- valid = acceptable
- records = information
General Tips:
- TFNG questions follow passage order. Use the previous answer to help you locate the next one faster.
- To choose between FALSE and NOT GIVEN, ask: does the passage clearly say the opposite? If not, choose NOT GIVEN.
- Be careful with opinion words like "best", "probably", or "usually". These often lead to NOT GIVEN.
- Exact dates and times matter in IELTS Reading. Small differences can change TRUE to FALSE.
