Tips for TOEFL Negative Factual Information Questions:
Understanding the Question Type
- Identifies what is NOT mentioned or NOT true according to the passage
- Look for answer choices that ARE explicitly stated (these are incorrect)
- Correct answer = information not directly connected in the passage
Strategic Approach
- Read the passage carefully first
- Underline key events and their connections
- For each answer choice, ask: "Is this explicitly stated in the passage?"
- If clearly stated = incorrect answer
- If not stated/connected = potential correct answer
Common Traps
- Confusing chronological sequence ≠ causation
- Mixing up stated facts vs. implied connections
- Missing temporal markers (dates, time periods)
Practice Tips
- Create timeline of events while reading
- Look for connector words (because, therefore, as a result)
- Practice identifying relationships between events
- Mark direct statements vs. implications
Practice Question
During the dark days on Easter Island, a new form of religion became dominant: the Birdman Cult. The older religion, in which the power called mana was believed to reside in hereditary leaders, was replaced by the Birdman Cult around 1500 CE. This religion dictated that deceased ancestors still provided for their descendents, but the living no longer contacted the dead through offerings to the moai statues. In the Birdman Cult, contact with ancestors was made through a competition. The island started its reform through the cult around 1760, as people cooperated to grow crops and the population began to increase. However, just as the society had begun to get back on its feet, foreigners arrived on the island and brought with them various diseases and pests that caused the population of Easter Island to decrease drastically. The worst occured in the 1860s, when slave raiders came from Peru and forcibly removed half of the people from the island. Among those taken were the tribal leaders and the last practitioners of rongorongo, a writing system that was unique to the Rapa Nui society of Easter Island. When the slave raiders were forced to return their surviving slaves, those who had been enslaved brought more new diseases that killed even more people. The Spanish also brought a new system of writing, which was later used to gain official control of the island by manipulating the chief of the Rapa Nui into signing an official document. Foreigners also introduced Christianity to the indigenous people in 1878, which ended the Birdman Cult.
According to the passage, which of the following was NOT the result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s?
A. The islanders lost their tribal leaders.
B. Half of the people were enslaved.
C. Christianity replaced the Birdman Cult.
D. Spanish writing replaced the native writing system.
Correct Answer
A. The islanders lost their tribal leaders.
B. Half of the people were enslaved.
C. Christianity replaced the Birdman Cult.
D. Spanish writing replaced the native writing system.
Explanation
(A) The islanders lost their tribal leaders.
→ Incorrect. According to the passage, a result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s is that the islanders lost their tribal leaders. The passage states, "Among those taken were the tribal leaders and the last practitioners of rongorongo, a writing system that was unique to the Rapa Nui society of Easter Island." Because this information in the answer choice is stated in the passage, this answer choice is incorrect.
(B) Half of the people were enslaved.
→ Incorrect. According to the passage, a result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s is that half of the people were enslaved. The passage states, "The worst occurred in the 1860s, when slave raiders came from Peru and forcibly removed half of the people from the island." Because this information in the answer choice is stated in the passage, this answer choice is incorrect.
(C) Christianity replaced the Birdman Cult.
→ Correct. According to the passage, a result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s is not that Christianity replaced the Birdman Cult. Although the passage states that "foreigners also introduced Christianity to the indigenous people in 1878, which ended the Birdman Cult," the passage does not mention that this was a result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s. No direct connection is made between the invasion and the introduction of Christianity. Because this information is not mentioned as one of the results of Peru invading Easter Island, this answer choice is correct.
(D) Spanish writing replaced the native writing system.
→ Incorrect. According to the passage, a result of Peru invading Easter Island in the 1860s is that Spanish writing replaced the native writing system. The passage states, "Among those taken were the tribal leaders and the last practitioners of rongorongo, a writing system that was unique to the Rapa Nui society of Easter Island ... The Spanish also brought a new system of writing." Because this information in the answer choice is stated in the passage, this answer choice is incorrect.
Example Framework:
- Find key event (e.g., "Peru invading in 1860s")
- List explicit results
- Compare each option against your list
- Choose option not directly connected to key event
Key Vocabulary from the text
- dominant (adj)
- Definition: most important, powerful, or influential
- Example: "The lion became dominant in its pride after defeating the previous leader."
- Context: Think of it like becoming CEO of a company - having the most power and control
- indigenous (adj)
- Definition: naturally existing in a place; native
- Example: "The indigenous tribes have lived in this rainforest for thousands of years."
- Context: Like native plants growing naturally in your local park
- drastically (adv)
- Definition: in an extreme way; severely
- Example: "The company's profits drastically decreased during the recession."
- Context: Think of a dramatic before/after weight loss photo
- manipulate (v)
- Definition: to control or influence someone/something cleverly or unfairly
- Example: "The politician tried to manipulate public opinion through false promises."
- Context: Like a puppet master pulling strings
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