TOEFL Reading: Factual and Negative Factual Questions

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edited September 2016 in TOEFL Test
One type of question you may encounter in your TOEFL test is Factual Information and Negative Factual Information questions.

Factual Information questions ask you to recognize information that is explicitly stated in the text.  These may include facts such as major ideas, supporting details, or definitions. Negative factual information questions are similar,
except that, instead of only one answer being true, three of the four answers are true, and you have to determine which one is false.

Factual Information questions will have phrases like "According to the paragraph," or "Paragraph X answers which of the following?" in the question. For Negative Factual Information questions, look for the words "NOT" or "EXCEPT" in capital letters.

Here are some tips for answering Factual and Negative Factual Information questions:

1. Don't automatically select an answer just because it contains words or phrases from the paragraph. Make sure you carefully evaluate each option to determine if it is correct.

2. For the Negative Factual Information questions, remember that you're looking for an answer that either isn't in the paragraph, or directly contradicts information in the paragraph.

Now, let's try a Negative Factual Question...

Read the passage and answer the Negative Factual question that follows.

One important natural function of laughter is to help us control our emotions.  The person who purposely looks for the element of humour in an uncomfortable situation is making use of an important procedure in emotional control.  The ability to laugh off an awkward incident has saved many an unpleasant moment in social life.  Laughter is superb relaxation.  There is something about laughter which can seep away annoyance, jealousy and even disgust. Laughter can turn aside anger because it is contagious.  The old observation about the yawn is true of the laugh, too.  Your laughter will make another person laugh, and he, in turn, will make your own laughter more hearty.

According to the passage, everything is true about laughter EXCEPT

A  It can help to reduce feelings of irritation.
B  It can be used as a way to regulate how we feel.
C  It can magnify the intensity of laughter in others.
D  It can accompany feelings of jealousy and disgust. 

Be careful when selecting your answer, because 3 of the choices are going to match information in the paragraph, and only one will not. By the way, you can know it's a Negative Factual Information question because of the word EXCEPT in capital letters.  Choose your answer and then click below to see if you were correct!


The correct answer is D


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