On a GRE 'it can be inferred' question, which kind of choice is most often the trap distractor?
AA choice that follows necessarily from a single sentence in the passage
BA choice that overstates the author's position by replacing 'some' with 'all' or 'most'
CA choice that paraphrases the author's central claim without using its words
DA choice that draws on a fact the passage explicitly mentions
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. A choice that overstates the author's position by replacing 'some' with 'all' or 'most'
Inference traps usually overgeneralise. ETS describes inference as reasoning from incomplete data and inferring missing information; the legitimate inference must follow necessarily. Replacing 'some' with 'all' or 'most' is the classic move that breaks necessity. Paraphrase without overreach is exactly what a good inference answer does.
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