Why qualifiers decide scores

One small word changes the truth of a claim. Always means without exception. Rarely means almost never. Mainly means more than half or the primary focus. Matching qualifier strength to the passage prevents True vs False vs Not Given mistakes and stops overgeneralising.

The qualifier spectrum

• All/Always/Every – 100 percent
• Usually/Generally/Typically/Often – over 50 percent, not all
• Mainly/Primarily/Largely/Mostly – focus on the biggest part
• Sometimes/Occasionally/At times – less than half, unspecific
• Rarely/Seldom/Hardly ever – very low frequency
• Never – 0 percent

Rule: If the statement’s qualifier is stronger than the text, it is likely False. If the text gives no frequency, it is often Not Given.

Paraphrase ladders to watch

• always → in every case → without exception
• usually → in most cases → tends to
• mainly → primarily → for the most part
• rarely → seldom → hardly ever
• sometimes → on occasion → at times
• many → numerous → a large number of
• few → a small number of → hardly any

Five step decision method

1. Underline the qualifier in the question and mark its strength.
2. Scan for matching topic words first.
3. Read two lines around the anchor to find the author’s qualifier.
4. Compare strengths using the spectrum.
5. Decide
   • Same strength or clear agreement → Yes/True
   • Opposite or stronger/weaker mismatch → No/False
   • No qualifier info → Not Given

Mini passage drills

Passage 1

Line 1: The clinic usually opens at 9 am on weekdays.
Line 2: During winter, it sometimes opens later due to staff training.

Statements
A) The clinic always opens at 9 am on weekdays.
B) The clinic occasionally opens later in winter.

Keys
A) False – text says usually, not always.
B) True – sometimes equals occasionally.

Passage 2

Line 1: The research team mainly studied coastal towns, with a few inland sites for comparison.

Statements
C) The study focused primarily on coastal towns.
D) The study examined many inland sites.

Keys
C) True – mainly equals primarily.
D) False – few contradicts many.

Passage 3

Line 1: The author notes that electric buses often reduce fuel costs.
Line 2: No data is provided on maintenance frequency.

Statements
E) Electric buses always reduce fuel costs.
F) Electric buses require less maintenance.

Keys
E) False – often is weaker than always.
F) Not Given – maintenance not stated.

Headline traps and fixes

• Absolute bait: always, never in the question vs usually, often in the text. → Likely False.
• Scope shift: text limits to one city or season, statement generalises. → False or Not Given.
• Silent qualifier: text gives a fact with no frequency. → If the item asks frequency, pick Not Given.

Quick qualifier map for headings and summaries

• Majority focus: mainly, most, largely → think dominant theme
• Partial: some, several, certain → subset or example
• Exception: only, alone, unique → exclusive claim

Error tags for review

• QN = quantifier mismatch
• SC = scope creep to all cases
• HM = half match accepted
• NG = avoided Not Given
• AB = absolute word trap

Timing plan per set

• 45 s skim to mark qualifiers in questions
• 40 s per item to find anchor and compare strengths
• Final 60 s check absolutes and scope words

Checklist before you move on

• Did I spot the qualifier in both question and text
• Do the strengths match on the spectrum
• Is scope the same for time and place
• If frequency is missing, did I choose Not Given
• Did I avoid absolute word traps

10 minute drill routine

• 2 min: copy the spectrum on a sticky note
• 3 min: do one mini passage set
• 3 min: rewrite each statement with a weaker and a stronger qualifier
• 1 min: tag one error and write a fix rule
• 1 min: read your qualifier map aloud

Build your unique study system

1. Create a Qualifier Bank: group words by strength with example sentences.
2. Keep a Scope Log: record common limits like in 2019, in the pilot, in coastal regions.
3. Run a Flip Drill: change always to usually in past errors and predict how the answer flips.
4. Weekly, test yourself with 10 mixed items and track QN errors.

Final advice

Treat qualifiers as numbers in words. Match their strength, protect scope, and do not upgrade or downgrade what the text says. With daily micro drills and a clear spectrum in mind, you will read faster, choose confidently, and keep easy marks.