2.4 True / False / Can't Tell

T/F/CT questions give you a statement (not a question) and three options:

• True - the passage supports this statement
• False - the passage contradicts this statement
• Can't Tell - the passage doesn't address this (not enough information)

These make up ~25-30% of VR questions and appear in 2-3 of your 11 sets. They're the bread and butter of VR.

Five steps, target 10-15 seconds per statement:

1. Read the statement. Understand what it means - rephrase in your own words if needed. Don't just read the words.
2. Pick your keyword. Same rules as 2.3 Finding the Right Keywords: proper nouns, numbers, dates, distinctive terms.
3. Scan the passage. Eyes move through the text looking only for your keyword or a related term.
4. Read 2-3 sentences. The sentence containing the keyword plus one before and one after.
5. Apply MOO. Match → True. Opposite → False. Outside → Can't Tell.

Compare the statement to what the passage says, then apply the matching rule:

The golden rule of Can't Tell: If you find yourself reasoning beyond what the passage says - bringing in real-world knowledge, making assumptions, or connecting dots the passage doesn't connect - it's Can't Tell.

This trips up more students than anything else. Here's the one-line rule:

If the passage doesn't address it at all, it's Can't Tell. If the passage says the opposite, it's False.

False requires evidence against the statement - the passage must actively contradict it. Can't Tell means the passage is silent on the topic. Think of it this way: you can't call someone a liar if they never spoke.

Example 1: Direct Match (True)

Passage excerpt:

"In 1883, when the Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia exploded, observers in London, New York and Glasgow reported unusually red sunsets for several months afterwards. Meteorologists at the time linked this to fine particles, or aerosols, in the upper atmosphere."

Statement: "The red sunsets observed in London, New York and Glasgow after the Krakatoa eruption were attributed to aerosols high in the atmosphere."

Example 2: Subtle Contradiction (False)

Passage excerpt:

"As many foreign footballers now enjoy playing in England, Portuguese international Ronaldo followed his fellow countryman Tiago to play for Manchester United."

Statement: "Ronaldo was the first foreign footballer to play for Manchester United."

Trap: The statement sounds plausible. But "followed his fellow countryman" directly contradicts "first."

Example 3: Outside Knowledge Trap (Can't Tell)

Passage excerpt:

"A volcano on Earth is a vent or fissure in the planet's crust through which lava, ash, rock and gases erupt."

Statement: "Volcanoes are a threat to human lives."

This is the classic Can't Tell trap. Your brain screams "obviously true!" but the passage doesn't address it. Ignore outside knowledge.

Example 4: Two-Part Statement Trap (False)

Passage excerpt:

"Lord Eden Dell's family has owned a valued Picasso painting since 1750. He inherited the county from his father upon his death."

Statement: "Lord Eden Dell has owned the land since 1750."

Critical trap: One part of the statement is true, giving a false sense of security. Always check EVERY part of the statement against the passage.

These patterns appear repeatedly in T/F/CT. Memorise them.

Trap 1: Superlative vs Comparative

Passage: "Ahmed has a higher salary than his colleagues."
Statement: "Ahmed has the highest salary in the team."
Answer: Can't Tell
Why: "higher" (comparative) ≠ "highest" (superlative). Someone else could earn even more.

Trap 2: Qualifier Mismatch

Passage: "Exercise can improve mental health."
Statement: "Exercise will definitely improve mental health."
Answer: Can't Tell
Why: "can" (possibility) ≠ "will definitely" (certainty).

Trap 3: Future Tense

Passage: "The technology shows promise for treating cancer."
Statement: "This technology will cure cancer."
Answer: Can't Tell
Why: "shows promise" ≠ "will cure". No passage can guarantee the future.

Trap 4: Reversed Logic

Passage: "All doctors are university graduates."
Statement: "All university graduates are doctors."
Answer: False
Why: Logic doesn't reverse - A → B does not mean B → A.

1. Confusing False and Can't Tell - If the passage says nothing about the topic, it's Can't Tell, not False. False requires the passage to say the opposite.
2. Using outside knowledge - "Everyone knows volcanoes are dangerous" -> irrelevant if the passage doesn't say it.
3. Only checking half the statement - Always verify every claim in the statement, especially two-part statements.
4. Spending too long - If you can't resolve it in 15 seconds, make your best guess and move on. These are worth the same as every other question.