T/F/NG Advanced Decision Tree (Reading)

Outcomes

• Locate the proof line fast.
• Decide confidently between False and Not Given.
• Cut errors caused by keywords, negation, and scope.

Core Definitions

• True: The text states the same idea in meaning.
• False: The text clearly contradicts the idea.
• Not Given: The text does not fully confirm or deny the idea.

The Decision Tree

1. Claim clean up
   Strip the question to a short claim. Underline names, time, numbers, and quantifiers.
2. Zone locate
   Scan anchors such as names, dates, rare nouns. Land on the paragraph in 15 to 25 seconds.
3. Proof line
   Read two lines above and below. If no clear match, skip and try the next anchor. No proof line means Not Given is possible.
4. Meaning match test
   Paraphrase the proof line. Compare meanings, not words. If equal in meaning, mark True.
5. Polarity check
   Watch for not, rarely, few, lack, fails to. If the claim and line point in opposite directions, mark False.
6. Scope and quantity test
   Compare all, most, many, some, only, exactly, at least, more than. If the line gives weaker or different scope, False. If scope detail is missing in the text, Not Given.
7. Time and condition test
   Check tense, dates, before, after, during, if, unless. A time shift or missing condition can flip True to False or force Not Given.
8. Final NG test
   If the topic appears but the exact claim part is unconfirmed such as number, cause, or degree, mark Not Given. Do not guess from world knowledge.
9. Evidence lock
   Write the proof line number or phrase. If you cannot write it, your answer is not ready.

Logic Toolkit

• Quantifiers: all, only, every, none, most, many, some, few, at least, exactly.
• Comparatives: more, less, higher, lower, better, worse.
• Superlatives: best, largest, earliest.
• Hedges: tends to, often, generally, likely.
• Time: previously, currently, by, since, until.
• Negation: not, never, seldom, without, lack.
• Conditions: if, unless, provided that, except.

Trap Radar

• Keyword echo: Same word appears but meaning differs.
• Quantity swap: many vs most, some vs all.
• Hidden negation: fail to, lack of, little.
• Time drift: past finding vs current claim.
• Part vs whole: result about one group applied to all.

Mini Cases

• Claim: Most adults prefer online banking.
  Text: Surveys show many adults prefer online banking.
  Decision: False. Many is weaker than most.
• Claim: The museum closed in 2019.
  Text: The museum reopened in 2020 after renovations.
  Decision: True. Reopened implies closed before 2020. 2019 is consistent if the paragraph states renovations started in 2019. Without that date in text, Not Given.
• Claim: The policy reduced traffic accidents.
  Text: Officials expect the policy to reduce accidents.
  Decision: Not Given. Expectation is not evidence of reduction.

Timing Protocol

• Locate zone: 15 to 25 seconds.
• Prove meaning: 20 to 30 seconds.
• If no proof in 45 seconds, mark a guess candidate and move on.

One Minute Audit per item

1. Do I have a proof line?
2. Are polarity and time aligned?
3. Is scope identical?
4. Can I state the paraphrase in my own words?
5. Did I avoid outside knowledge?

Practice Drills

• Negation flips: Convert 10 claims by adding or removing not, hardly, rarely. Decide True or False against sample lines.
• Scope swaps: Replace many with most, some with all, exactly with at least. Judge each as False or Not Given.
• Anchor races: Set 10 anchors and record average locate time. Target under 20 seconds.

Error Log Labels

• Wrong zone
• Missed negation
• Scope mismatch
• Time mismatch
• Assumption without proof

Proof Writing Template

• Q no:
• Claim:
• Proof line: copy 3 to 8 words from text
• Decision: T or F or NG
• Reason: polarity, scope, time, or missing info

Use the tree every time. If meaning matches, it is True. If meaning reverses, it is False. If meaning cannot be verified, it is Not Given.