A quick tip about 'MOST' as a distractor
Before we see the tip, try this Multiple Choice question from a Passage 3 reading about mixed-ability classes.
Q30 What does the word ‘scaffolding’ refer to?
A the factors which prevent a student from learning effectively
B the environment where most of a student’s learning takes place
C the assistance given to a student in their initial stages of learning
D the setting of appropriate learning targets for a student’s aptitude
In the 1930s, psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasised the importance of targeting a student’s specific ‘zone of proximal development’ (ZPD). This is the gap between what they can achieve only with support – teachers, textbooks, and so on – and what they can achieve independently. The purpose of teaching is to provide and then gradually remove this ‘scaffolding’ until they are independent.
'MOST' as a distractor
Option B is a distractor, and you can quickly identify it as a distractor because of the word ‘most’ (it is often used in True False Not Given questions).
If you see 'most' in a question, you need to look for a number or percentage (or a synonym like 'the majority’) to confirm the answer.
In this paragraph, there is no information about HOW MUCH learning takes place in a specific environment.
If you want to double-check that your answer is correct, turn the statement into a question e.g.
"How much learning takes place in this environment?" (we don’t know).
There's another example in Q27 (see previous post)
Q27 The writer describes the Romeo and Juliet lesson in order to demonstrate
❌ C how unsuitable Shakespeare is for most* teenagers. ("How many teenagers are not suited to Shakespeare?” - we don't know)
There's a similar distractor with 'FEW' (see 'little and few')
Q27 The writer describes the Romeo and Juliet lesson in order to demonstrate
❌ A how few students are interested in literature. ("How many students are interested in literature?" - we don't know)
So what is the answer to Q30?
30 The word ‘scaffolding’ refers to
C the assistance given to a student in their initial stages of learning
In the 1930s, psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasised the importance of targeting a student’s specific ‘zone of proximal development’ (ZPD). This is the gap between what they can achieve only with support – teachers, textbooks, and so on – and what they can achieve independently. The purpose of teaching is to provide and then gradually remove this ‘scaffolding’ until they are independent.
Explanation
It's important to notice the use of the second 'this' to refer back to the SUPPORT that they get in the initial stages of learning (before they become independent).
