Short-Answer Questions: (Reading)

What this task tests

You read a question and write a short answer from the passage. Answers are usually one to three words and or a number. You must respect the word limit and copy spelling from the text.

Rules you must follow

• Word limit: one word only, two words, or no more than three words and or a number. A hyphenated word counts as one. A number counts as one.
• Source: use words from the passage unless the instructions allow your own words.
• Spelling and capitals: copy exactly for names and proper nouns.
• Format: write digits for numbers if the passage uses digits.

Five step method

1. Predict the answer type: person, place, reason, number, date, noun phrase.
2. Underline key terms in the question: subject, action, limits like in 2019 or in the UK.
3. Scan the passage in order for name, number, or keyword anchors.
4. Read closely two lines above and below the anchor to catch paraphrase.
5. Copy the shortest correct phrase that answers the question and fits the word limit.

High value question signals

• Who → person or group
• What → thing, action, or reason
• Where → place
• When → time or date
• How many How much → number, amount
• Why → reason words like because, due to, as a result of

Paraphrase map

• because of → due to, owing to
• increase → rise, grow, climb
• reduce → cut, lower, decline
• start → begin, launch
• cheap → low cost, affordable
  When the question uses one form, the passage may use another. Your answer must still be words from the passage.

Mini passage and practice

Passage
Line 1: The city opened a riverside market hall in 2021 to support small food businesses.
Line 2: Most stalls operate from 9 am to 6 pm, though fish vendors close earlier on Mondays.
Line 3: The tram stop is directly opposite the south gate of the hall.
Line 4: Visitors can borrow reusable crates for a small deposit.

Questions

1. What did the city open in 2021
2. When do most stalls operate
3. Which vendors close early on Mondays
4. Where is the tram stop in relation to the hall
5. What item can visitors borrow

Keys

1. market hall
2. from 9 am to 6 pm
3. fish vendors
4. opposite the south gate
5. reusable crates

Why these work
Each answer copies the shortest accurate phrase from the text and stays inside the limit.

Common traps and fixes

• Overwriting: adding extra words beyond the limit. Fix: choose the shortest phrase that still answers.
• Wrong scope: missing time or place limits. Fix: copy the phrase including the limiter, for example on Mondays.
• Synonym bait: question uses reduce, text uses cut. Fix: answer with the passage word.
• Grammar edits: changing singular to plural. Fix: copy the form in the text unless instructions allow your own words.
• Name fragments: writing only first name. Fix: if the text shows both names, copy the full name.

Proof of fit test

Before you move on, read your answer inside the question. If the sentence now makes correct sense and matches the text meaning, keep it. If not, reduce or adjust.

Error tags for review

• WL = word limit broken
• SC = scope missing time or place
• SY = synonym used instead of passage words
• SP = spelling or capital error
• NF = anchor not found or wrong line

Timing plan per set of 5 questions

• 30 to 45 s skim the passage for topic and structure
• 30 s predict answer type for all questions
• 40 s per question scan, read, copy
• Final 60 s check word limits and capitals

Quick checklist

• Did I respect the word limit
• Did I use passage words
• Did I include time or place if needed
• Is spelling correct for names
• Is the answer the shortest phrase that fits

Practice ladder

1. Type only: answer who, where, when without full reading
2. Anchor scan: find lines from numbers, names, or dates
3. Paraphrase hunt: collect three synonym pairs per passage
4. Mixed set: five questions under four minutes, then review tags

Build your unique study system

• Keep a limit log: write common limits and how they count, for example two words, a number.
• Make a synonym bank: add three pairs per set from real passages.
• Track error tags daily and write one fix rule, for example include time tag when present.
• Use a copy discipline: when in doubt, copy exactly from the passage and reduce to the shortest unit that still answers.

Final advice

Decide the answer type, find the anchor fast, and copy the exact shortest phrase within the limit. Guard your marks with careful spelling and scope. With small daily sets and strict checks, Short-Answer Questions become a reliable scoring area.