1) The Marathon Mindset

Mixed sets are energy heavy because they force you to switch gears. You skim for structure, then retrieve tiny facts, then judge the writer’s stance, and finally map sentences to paragraphs. Treat the section like a marathon with three legs:

• Leg A: Locating Information
  Warm up your scanning and paragraph sense. This primes later questions.
• Leg B: MCQ retrieval and reasoning
  Use stem analysis and option repair to avoid keyword traps.
• Leg C: True False Not Given
  Finish with proof heavy decisions when your map of the passage is firm.

You will use one universal rule across all legs: no answer without a printed anchor. If you cannot underline the clause that proves your choice, it is either wrong or Not Given.

2) The One Page System you will carry

Draw this before you read.

• Title strip at the top: write the passage title and a 5 word prediction of topic and purpose.
• Margin codes for each paragraph: write one function tag such as background, method, result, problem, solution, contrast, example, future.
• Anchor marks: a thin underline for fact statements, a box around numbers, names, dates, and a circle on negatives like not, never, no.
• Timing bar: three marks for 18, 36, and 54 minutes to keep your pace honest.

This page is your external memory. Do not decorate it. Use it to point your eyes.

3) Locating Information - mapping sentences to paragraphs

This task asks you to pick which paragraph contains a given idea. It tests structure more than vocabulary.

A. Read the whole passage the right way

• Title, first paragraph first two lines, last paragraph last two lines.
• Then first sentence of each paragraph plus one middle sentence if the paragraph is long.
• Write a function tag in the margin. If a paragraph has two functions, write both in order.

B. Match by function, not only words

Given sentence: Studies disagree about the true cost.
Look for a paragraph tagged contrast or limitation rather than searching the whole text for the word cost.

C. Three traps to expect

• Synonym echo: the sentence uses words from two paragraphs. Choose the one that contains the same claim, not the same words.
• Example bleed: the sentence is a general statement, but one paragraph offers an example. If the line to match is general, pick the general claim paragraph, not the example.
• Scope mismatch: a sentence mentions Europe while a paragraph talks about one city. If the paragraph presents the same idea and then narrows, it is still the home of the idea.

D. Micro algorithm

1. Classify the target sentence as claim, contrast, definition, process step, result, or example.
2. Shortlist paragraphs with matching function tags.
3. Scan those paragraphs for a clause level anchor that states the same relation.
4. Select the paragraph even if synonyms differ.
5. If two fit, choose the one that states the idea first or most broadly.

4) Multiple Choice - retrieval, relation, and rejection

MCQ options are crafted to sound right. You win by proving relations, not nouns.

A. Stem read with 3 questions

• What is the focus: cause, result, reason, writer’s purpose, exception, main idea.
• What is the scope: one paragraph, one example, the whole passage.
• Which signals matter: look for not, except, most, main, primarily. Box them.

B. Option repair before you read

Convert each option into a short verb relation so you can test meaning later.

• A: X causes Y in rural zones
• B: X prevents Y in all zones
• C: X and Y correlate only in cities
• D: X has no effect on Y

When you go back to the passage you will match relations, not keywords.

C. When the answer is a sentence or phrase

• Read two lines before and after the likely anchor.
• Check the subject, verb, object and any small modifiers such as only, often, rarely, at least.
• Reject options that are correct in topic but wrong in relation or scope.

D. When the answer is a global purpose

• Use your margin function tags.
• Pick the option that best reflects the majority of paragraphs.
• If the author concedes a drawback but ends with a recommendation, the purpose is often to propose or argue, not to criticize.

E. Trap patterns

• Keyword mirror: option uses a word from the stem but flips cause and effect.
• Overreach: option turns may or tends into always.
• Half true bundle: option joins one true part with one unsupported part. Reject if both are not proved.

5) True False Not Given - the proof discipline

This is factual comparison. Ignore your outside knowledge. Align statements against the printed line.

• True means the passage explicitly supports the statement.
• False means the passage contradicts it. Watch for polarity flips with not or except.
• Not Given means the passage does not tell you, or key data are missing.

A. Three checks before deciding

1. Scope: all vs most vs some vs one example.
2. Polarity: not, except, only, at least.
3. Completeness: numbers, dates, names, conditions. If a key piece is missing, it is likely Not Given.

B. The NKP rule

For each statement find a Name, Key term, or Phrase in the passage that aligns. If none exists within 90 seconds, choose Not Given and move on. The NKP rule prevents fishing.

C. Avoid these two losses

• Reading a headline or title as proof for a detail inside the statement. Titles set topic, not facts.
• Selecting False when the text simply lacks the required specific. Lack is Not Given unless a line points the other way.

6) Decision trees to print and use

Locating Information

• Does the target sentence express a function I can label
  • Yes: shortlist matching paragraphs by tag.
  • No: underline two content words and scan for synonyms.
• In candidates, is the idea stated as a claim rather than inside an example
  • Yes: choose that paragraph.
  • Only examples present: pick the general claim paragraph that hosts them.

MCQ

• Can I restate each option as a verb relation
  • Yes: read anchors and match relations.
  • No: rewrite until each option is testable.
• Does the option overreach in scope or strength
  • Yes: reject.
  • No: keep as a contender only with a clause level anchor.

TFNG

• Can I find NKP within a paragraph
  • No: Not Given.
  • Yes: align polarity and scope. If both match, True. If polarity flips or scope is ruled out, False.

7) Worked micro passage set

Read the short passage and answer all three types. Then check the rationales.

Passage
To reduce commuter traffic, the city trialled a flexible start policy. Offices that allowed arrival between 7 and 10 saw fewer cars at 8.30. However, companies that rotated weekly rules reported confusion and no change in traffic. The transport office now plans to coordinate train frequency with the flexible window rather than build new lanes.

A. Locating Information
Which paragraph states that changing rules frequently removed the benefits of the policy

• Only one paragraph exists, treat each sentence as a unit.
  Answer: The second sentence.
  Why: It expresses the contrast idea with rotating weekly rules and no change.

B. MCQ
What is the main purpose of the transport office’s next step
A expand road capacity
B improve match between trains and arrival window
C force firms to adopt a 9 am start
D end the flexible start policy
Answer: B.
Why: Plans to coordinate train frequency with the flexible window. No mention of building lanes or forcing fixed start times.

C. True False Not Given
1 The flexible start policy reduced traffic across all companies.
2 The city will build additional lanes if trains fail to reduce traffic.
3 A flexible window that remains stable helped at 8.30.
Answers
1 False. Only offices that allowed arrival between 7 and 10 saw fewer cars, not all companies.
2 Not Given. No conditional plan about lanes after trains.
3 True. The first sentence reports fewer cars at 8.30 for stable flexible windows.

8) Speed Drills that actually work

Drill 1: Function map sprints
Pick any article. In 6 minutes label the function of the first line of each paragraph. Goal: quick paragraph sense for Locating tasks.

Drill 2: Option repair
Choose five MCQ items. Rewrite all options as verb relations in under 90 seconds each. Aim for testable options only.

Drill 3: NKP hunting
For ten TFNG statements, underline the Name, Key term, or Phrase in the text that matches. If you cannot, mark Not Given and move on. Train this cut.

Drill 4: Polarity flips
Create ten pairs that differ only by not, only, at least, more than. Read at speed. Decide True vs False, but justify with the exact small word.

Drill 5: Time wall
Run a 15 minute block: 4 Locating, 4 MCQ, 4 TFNG. Do not exceed 15 minutes. Log misses by scope, polarity, relation, or fishing.

9) Error taxonomy with a fix for each

1. Scope creep
   You changed many to most or all.
   Fix: circle quantifiers and rewrite the statement with the exact scope.
2. Relation swap
   You matched nouns, not cause or contrast.
   Fix: convert options to verb relations before matching.
3. Example trap
   You chose a paragraph with an example when the claim lives elsewhere.
   Fix: tag EX in example paragraphs. Choose the host claim.
4. Polarity miss
   You ignored not, only, except, at least.
   Fix: box negatives and thresholds. Read again only for those words.
5. Fishing
   You scanned for long minutes with no anchor.
   Fix: NKP rule. No match in 90 seconds means Not Given or skip and return.
6. Order panic
   You solved items in the order listed even when types were mixed poorly.
   Fix: use the Marathon order in Section 11.

10) Timing management that keeps accuracy alive

• Total Reading: 60 minutes across 3 passages.
• Within a mixed passage target:
  • Locating Information: about 40 seconds each after mapping
  • MCQ: 60 to 90 seconds each
  • TFNG: 60 to 90 seconds each

Rule: pick and tag L for any item that crosses 90 seconds without an anchor. Return only if you can add a new line of proof.

11) The Marathon order for mixed sets

If the test presents types in a random sequence, reorder mentally:

1. Locating Information
   Fast wins and builds a paragraph map.
2. MCQ retrieval items
   Where the answer is sentence level with a clear stem.
3. MCQ global purpose
   Use your paragraph map.
4. TFNG
   Now your anchors are ready and risks of Not Given guesses are lower.

This order reduces eye jumps and protects time for proof heavy decisions.

12) Mini bank of practice items with keys

Passage A

Bird strikes around airports peak during migration. One strategy moves grass height to favor species that avoid runways. Another uses radar to detect flocks and adjust departures. Although costs rise, delays from emergency inspections fall.

1 Locating: The line about an approach that manipulates habitat
2 MCQ: What is the main benefit claimed for radar use
A cheaper operations
B fewer emergency inspections
C safer flights at night only
D fewer flocks overall
3 TFNG: Raising grass height reduces all birds near runways

Keys
1 Paragraph sentence 2. Habitat manipulation equals moving grass height.
2 B. Radar lets staff adjust departures which reduces emergency inspections.
3 False. All is too strong. The paragraph favors species mix, not total reduction.

Passage B

Historic districts limit neon signs to protect streetscapes. Some retailers argue that dim designs hurt footfall. Data show mixed results that vary by block, with tourist lanes unaffected but side streets losing evening trade.

1 Locating: The sentence about uneven impact by location
2 MCQ: The writer’s overall view is that restrictions
A always reduce footfall
B have zero effect on visitors
C produce effects that depend on where shops sit
D should be removed immediately
3 TFNG: Side streets gained shoppers after limits were imposed

Keys
1 The last sentence.
2 C. Mixed results by block.
3 False. They lost evening trade.

Passage C

Solar farms compete with food crops for land in some regions. Dual use trials raise panels higher and graze sheep below. Output per hectare rises when both power and wool are counted, yet fencing and labor costs also increase.

1 Locating: The line that states the net gain per hectare from dual use
2 MCQ: The author implies dual use
A eliminates all conflicts
B often increases outputs and costs together
C is cheaper than single use farms
D works only for wool
3 TFNG: Panels must always be raised for grazing to work

Keys
1 The third sentence.
2 B. Output rises while costs increase.
3 Not Given. Always and must are not supported.

13) Language assets that speed matching

• Cause signals: because, due to, stems from, drives, leads to
• Contrast signals: however, whereas, in contrast, despite, although, yet
• Result signals: therefore, as a result, consequently, hence
• Example signals: for instance, for example, such as
• Limitation signals: but, a caveat, constrained by, remains unclear
• Purpose signals: to, in order to, with the aim of

Use these to tag paragraphs fast and to anchor MCQ relations.

14) Two week Mixed Set Marathon plan

Day 1
Learn the One Page System. Map two passages only by function without answering questions.

Day 2
Locating drills. Do 12 locating items in 10 minutes. Focus on function first.

Day 3
MCQ option repair. Take 15 options, rewrite as relations, then answer with proof.

Day 4
TFNG NKP sprints. 15 statements, 15 minutes. No fishing.

Day 5
Mixed block: 4 Locating, 4 MCQ, 4 TFNG in 15 minutes. Log errors by scope, relation, polarity, fishing.

Day 6
Repeat Day 5 at the same time limit, raise accuracy target by 10 percent.

Day 7
Light review. Copy signal lists and decision trees from memory.

Day 8
Full passage at 20 minutes with mixed types. Use the Marathon order.

Day 9
Second passage at 20 minutes. Focus on MCQ global purpose.

Day 10
Third passage at 20 minutes. Emphasize TFNG precision.

Day 11
Full test simulation at 60 minutes. Record fill ratio, average time per type, and drift count.

Day 12
Autopsy day. Sort misses into the error taxonomy and schedule targeted drills.

Day 13
Speed stretch: 15 minute mixed block, then 10 minute mixed block. Keep proof quality.

Day 14
Final simulation. Aim for steady pace under the timing bar marks at 18, 36, 54 minutes.

Targets by Day 14

• Locating accuracy 85 percent
• MCQ accuracy 75 to 80 percent
• TFNG accuracy 80 percent
• No more than 2 Not Given guesses without the NKP check
• Drift count 2 or fewer per passage

15) Checklists you can read in under a minute

Locating

• Function tag the paragraph
• Match idea, not word
• Pick general claim over example
• If two fit, choose first statement of idea

MCQ

• Box not, except, main
• Rewrite options as verb relations
• Prove with a clause, reject overreach
• For purpose, pick what most paragraphs do

TFNG

• Find NKP within 90 seconds
• Match scope and polarity
• Missing data means Not Given
• Title is never proof of detail

16) Transfer and review discipline

Even in Reading, the last minute matters.

• Move answers in a fixed order. Do not hop around.
• Put a small dot next to any answer you changed during review. Change it only with a new anchor.
• If time is short, review TFNG for polarity words first. These are the easiest to fix with proof.

17) Quick glossary

• Anchor: the exact phrase that proves your answer.
• Function tag: a one word label for a paragraph’s job, like contrast or method.
• NKP: Name, Key term, or Phrase used to locate the proof line in TFNG.
• Relation: the connection an option claims, like X causes Y, X contrasts with Y, X is a reason for Y.
• Scope: the width of a claim, controlled by quantifiers such as most or some.
• Polarity: positive or negative force added by not, only, except.
• Drift: losing time on a question with no proof.

18) Final routine card for test day

1. Title, 5 word purpose, quick paragraph map with function tags.
2. Do Locating items to warm scanning.
3. MCQ retrieval, then MCQ purpose with option relations.
4. TFNG last with NKP and polarity checks.
5. No anchor, no answer.
6. 90 second wall per hard item with L tag and move.
7. Review polarity items first, then scope overreach.

Make this your standard operating procedure. You will feel calmer, move faster, and keep accuracy high across all three types.

Closing note

Mixed sets reward structure and proof. When you map paragraphs by function, rewrite options as relations, and refuse to answer without an anchor, you stop bleeding time and start collecting marks. Run the drills, respect the timing bar, and let the Marathon order guide your attention. The result is predictable progress and a Reading section that feels controlled rather than chaotic.