A. Lab Overview

Goals

• Convert stems to clear questions you can answer in your own words.
• Find the proof line and match meaning, not keywords.
• Eliminate 3 options with reasons, then confirm the survivor.

B. Setup

• Timer ready.
• Highlighter rule: 3 marks per paragraph.
• Log sheet with columns: Q no, prephrase, proof phrase, picked option, reason to reject others.

C. 5 Step Protocol

1. Prime the stem
   Underline the focus words and write a 6 to 10 word prephrase.
2. Map and land
   Use anchors such as names, numbers, dates to reach the right zone in 15 to 25 seconds.
3. Capture proof
   Read two lines around the anchor. Copy a 6 to 10 word proof phrase.
4. Option surgery
   Test each option for four checks:
   • Voice: author or source matches the stem.
   • Scope: all, most, some, only, exactly, at least.
   • Polarity: positive vs negative, increase vs decrease.
   • Fit: equals the proof in meaning.
5. Decide
   Pick the first option that fits the proof and passes voice, scope, and polarity. If two seem close, choose the one you can prove with fewer assumptions.

D. Distractor Anatomy

• Keyword echo: shares words but flips meaning.
• Half true: needs an extra claim not in the text.
• Out of scope: true somewhere, not about the asked focus.
• Extreme scope: always, never, all, only when the text is softer.
• Polarity flip: miss not, lack, few, rarely.
• Time or condition slip: before vs after, only if, unless.

E. Option Surgery Table (copy for practice)

F. Benchmarks

• Zone locate: 15 to 25 sec
• Proof capture: 20 to 30 sec
• Full decision per item: 60 to 75 sec in practice
• Minimum elimination: 3 options with written reasons

G. Mini Items with Keys and Rationales

1) Text
The city introduced staggered work hours to cut congestion. After six months, peak traffic dropped by 12 percent while bus ridership increased.
Question What is the main reported effect of the policy?
A Lower weekend traffic
B Lower peak hour traffic
C Fewer bus routes
D Less car ownership
Answer B
Rationale Proof phrase: peak traffic dropped by 12 percent. Scope and polarity match.

2) Text
Researchers compared two diets. Weight loss was similar, but blood sugar improved more on the fiber rich plan.
Question Compared to the other diet, the fiber rich plan produced
A identical weight loss and better blood sugar
B more weight loss and identical blood sugar
C less weight loss and worse blood sugar
D no measurable changes
Answer A
Rationale Equal weight loss, superior glucose outcome. Others contradict the text.

3) Text
Although ticket prices rose, attendance stayed steady after free guided tours were launched.
Question Which statement is supported?
A Prices cut attendance
B Free tours offset a possible impact on attendance
C Gift shop sales declined
D Attendance rose sharply
Answer B
Rationale The text links tours to steady attendance. No data on gift shop or sharp rise.

4) Text
Solar canopies at the trial station power ticket machines only. Station lighting still uses the grid.
Question What do the canopies currently power?
A all station systems
B only ticket machines
C lighting and machines
D nothing
Answer B
Rationale Only machines are listed. Others overreach or contradict.

5) Text
Students who outlined before writing finished faster, but the average grade did not change.
Question What happened when outlines were used?
A Writing slowed and grades fell
B Writing was faster with no grade change
C Both speed and grades improved
D Grades improved despite slower writing
Answer B
Rationale Speed up, grades stable.

6) Text
The council will consider road pricing if public transport capacity increases first.
Question Under what condition will road pricing be considered?
A if a budget surplus occurs
B after an immediate trial
C only if transport capacity rises
D when congestion ends
Answer C
Rationale Conditional if statement controls the decision.

H. One Item, Full Surgery Demo

Item 3 above

• Proof: attendance stayed steady after free guided tours were launched.
• A Voice OK, but polarity wrong. Prices cut attendance is not stated. Drop.
• B Voice OK, scope plausible, fits proof without extra claims. Keep.
• C Out of scope. No gift shop data. Drop.
• D Polarity wrong. No sharp rise. Drop.
• Pick B.

I. 12 Minute Circuit

• Minute 1: Prime stems for four items. Write prephrases.
• Minutes 2 to 7: Do the four with full proof capture.
• Minutes 8 to 10: Reverse engineer two wrong options. Write why they fail on scope or polarity.
• Minutes 11 to 12: Log times and error tags, then rewrite two tighter prephrases.

J. Error Tags

• Wrong zone
• Keyword echo
• Scope mismatch
• Polarity flip
• Time or condition slip
• Proof too thin
• Voice mismatch

K. Scorecard

For 10 items:

• Accuracy = correct ÷ 10
• Proof rate = items with a quoted proof ÷ 10
• Elimination strength = average number of options you reject with a written reason
• Avg time per item

Targets after 2 weeks: 9 to 10 accuracy, 10 proof rate, 3.0 elimination strength, 60 to 70 sec per item.

L. Quick Reminders

• Read stem before options.
• Prephrase first.
• Prove with a line, not a feeling.
• If two options look close, pick the one that needs fewer assumptions.
• Move on at 75 seconds and return later.

Use this lab daily. Prephrase, land fast, capture proof, perform option surgery, then decide with confidence.