Grade: 3 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Eliminate Wrong Answers Lesson: 5 of 6 SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Review Mistakes

Learning from mistakes helps you get better! In this lesson, we will look at common errors students make and learn how to avoid them.

Mistakes Help Us Learn!

Everyone makes mistakes when taking tests. The important thing is to understand WHY you got something wrong so you can do better next time. Here are the most common mistakes students make:

  • Reading too fast - Missing important details in the passage
  • Not checking the passage - Answering from memory instead of looking back
  • Picking the first good answer - Not reading all the choices
  • Ignoring key words - Missing words like "not," "except," or "mainly"

Practice Avoiding Mistakes

These questions will help you practice being careful and avoiding common mistakes.

Common Mistake: Reading Too Fast
Jake wanted to buy a new book. He had saved five dollars. The book cost eight dollars. Jake asked his mom if he could do extra chores to earn more money.

1. How much MORE money does Jake need to buy the book?

A) Five dollars
B) Eight dollars
C) Three dollars
D) Thirteen dollars

Answer

C) - Jake has $5 and needs $8. The question asks how much MORE he needs: $8 - $5 = $3. Reading too fast might make you pick A (how much he has) or B (how much the book costs). Always do the math and answer what the question actually asks!

Common Mistake: Not Checking the Passage
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621. The Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal together. They ate turkey, corn, and pumpkin. The celebration lasted for three days.

2. How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last?

A) One day
B) Two days
C) Three days
D) One week

Answer

C) - The passage says "The celebration lasted for three days." Some students might guess "one day" because modern Thanksgiving is one day. Always check the passage instead of using what you already know!

Common Mistake: Picking First Good Answer
Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They use their trunks to breathe, smell, drink water, and grab things. Elephants are very smart and have excellent memories. They live in family groups led by older females.

3. What is the MAIN idea of this passage?

A) Elephants use their trunks for many things
B) Elephants are large, smart animals with interesting features
C) Elephants have good memories
D) Elephants live in family groups

Answer

B) - While A, C, and D are all true and mentioned in the passage, B is the MAIN idea that covers everything. Do not pick the first answer that looks correct - read ALL choices and pick the BEST one!

Common Mistake: Ignoring Key Words
Birds have feathers and wings. Most birds can fly, but some cannot. Penguins and ostriches are birds that cannot fly. Penguins use their wings to swim, and ostriches use their legs to run very fast.

4. Which of these is NOT true according to the passage?

A) Birds have feathers
B) All birds can fly
C) Penguins cannot fly
D) Ostriches can run fast

Answer

B) - The question asks what is NOT true. The passage says "Most birds can fly, but some cannot." So "All birds can fly" is NOT true. Watch for the word NOT - it changes what you are looking for!

Common Mistake: Reading Too Fast
Maya made cookies for her class party. She made 24 chocolate chip cookies and 12 sugar cookies. She put 6 cookies in each bag to share with her friends.

5. How many bags of cookies did Maya make in TOTAL?

A) 4 bags
B) 6 bags
C) 12 bags
D) 36 bags

Answer

B) - Maya made 24 + 12 = 36 cookies total. With 6 cookies per bag: 36 / 6 = 6 bags. Reading too fast might make you miss that you need to add BOTH types of cookies first, then divide. Take your time with math questions!

Common Mistake: Not Checking the Passage
Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, even though Mercury is closer to the sun. This is because Venus has a thick atmosphere that traps heat. Venus is about the same size as Earth.

6. Which planet is closest to the sun?

A) Venus
B) Earth
C) Mercury
D) Mars

Answer

C) - The passage says "even though Mercury is closer to the sun." Students might pick Venus because the passage is mostly about Venus being hot. But the passage clearly states Mercury is closer to the sun. Always read carefully!

Common Mistake: Picking First Good Answer
Anna wanted to learn to play the piano. She practiced for 30 minutes every day after school. At first, the songs were hard. After three months of practice, Anna could play her favorite song perfectly.

7. What is the BEST lesson from this passage?

A) Pianos are fun to play
B) Anna liked music
C) Practice helps you get better at things
D) Songs can be hard

Answer

C) - The passage shows how Anna improved through daily practice. While other answers might seem okay, C captures the BEST and most important lesson. Read all choices before picking!

Common Mistake: Ignoring Key Words
Cats are independent pets that like to explore. They sleep for many hours during the day. Cats are good at catching mice and climbing trees. Unlike dogs, cats usually do not need to be walked outside.

8. According to the passage, what do cats usually NOT need?

A) Sleep
B) Food
C) To be walked outside
D) To explore

Answer

C) - The passage says cats "usually do not need to be walked outside." This question has TWO key words to watch: "NOT" and "usually." The passage says cats do not usually need walks, while they do need everything else mentioned.

Common Mistake: Reading Too Fast
The school library has 500 books. Last week, students borrowed 75 books. This week, they returned 50 books and borrowed 30 more. The librarian wants to add 100 new books next month.

9. How many books are in the library RIGHT NOW?

A) 500 books
B) 445 books
C) 545 books
D) 400 books

Answer

B) - Start with 500 books. Last week: 500 - 75 = 425. This week: returned 50 (+50) and borrowed 30 (-30). So: 425 + 50 - 30 = 445 books. Do not count the 100 new books - those are coming NEXT MONTH, not now! Watch for time words!

Common Mistake: Not Checking the Passage
Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that were over 3,000 years old. The honey was still perfectly good to eat! Bees make honey from the nectar of flowers.

10. How old was the honey found in Egyptian tombs?

A) 300 years old
B) 1,000 years old
C) Over 3,000 years old
D) 30,000 years old

Answer

C) - The passage clearly says "over 3,000 years old." Do not guess based on what sounds right - check the exact number in the passage! Numbers are easy to mix up if you do not look back.

Tips to Avoid Mistakes

  • Slow down: Read the passage and question carefully
  • Look back: Always check the passage before answering
  • Read all choices: Do not stop at the first answer that looks good
  • Circle key words: Watch for NOT, EXCEPT, MAINLY, BEST, and numbers
  • Check your work: If you have time, go back and review your answers