TOEFL Reading Negative Factual Information Questions

These questions ask you to verify what information is true and what  information is NOT true or not included in the passage based on information that is explicitly stated in the passage. To answer this kind of question, first locate the relevant information in the passage. Then verify that three of the four answer choices are true and that the remaining choice is false. Remember, for this type of question, the correct answer is the one that is NOT true.

How To Recognize Negative Factual Information Questions

You can recognize negative fact questions because the word “NOT” or EXCEPT” appears in the question in capital letters.

• According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true of X?
• The author’s description of X mentions all of the following EXCEPT…

Tips For Negative Factual Information Questions

• Usually a Negative factual Information question requires you to check more of the passage than a Factual Information question. The three choices that are mentioned on the passage may be spread across a paragraph or several paragraphs.
• In Negative Factual Information questions, the correct answer either directly contradicts one or more statements in the passage or is not mentioned in the passage at all.
• After you finish a Negative Factual Information question, check your answer to make sure you have accurately understood the task.

PASSAGE EXCEPT:

“The United States in the 1800s was full of practical, hardworking people who did not consider the arts-from theater to painting-useful occupations. In addition, the public’s attitude that European art was better than American art both discouraged and infuriated American artist. In the early 1900s there was a strong feeling among artists that the United States was long overdue in developing art that did not reproduce European traditions. Everybody agreed that the heart and soul of the new country should be reflected in its art. But opinions differed about what this art would be like and how it would develop.”

According to paragraph 1, all of the following were true of American art in the late 1800s and early 1900s EXCEPT:

• Most American thought art was unimportant.
• American art generally copied European styles and traditions.
• Most Americans considered American art inferior to European art.
• American art was very popular with European audiences.

Explanation

Something in Negative Factual Information questions, it is necessary to check the entire passage in order to make sure that your choice is not mentioned. However, in this example, the question is limited to one paragraph, so your answer should be based just on the information in that paragraph. Choice 1 is a restatement  of the first sentence in the paragraph: since most Americans did not think that the arts were useful occupations, they considered them unimportant. Choice 2 makes the same point as the third sentence:”… the United States was long overdue in developing art that did not produce European traditions. Choice 3 is a restatement of the second sentence in the paragraph: American artists were frustrated because of “the public’s attitude that European art was better than American art…” Choice 4 is not mentioned anywhere in the paragraph. Because you are asked to identify the choice that is NOT mentioned in the passage or that contradicts the passage, the correct answer is choice 4.