Which approach is recommended when two answer choices are very similar?

• A. Check explicit or strongly implied support in the passage and rule out less supported options.
• B. The option with the more concise wording is usually correct.
• C. Choose the one that repeats a phrase from the question.
• D. Always choose the longer option.

Answer: (B)

When two answer choices are very similar, the best choice is typically the one with the most concise wording. This happens because test writers aim for clear, precise statements that reflect exactly what the passage supports, without extra qualifiers. The concise option tends to express the claim directly and accurately, while the longer one often adds hedges or extra details that can introduce drift from the evidence. So if both options seem equally supported, the shorter, more compact version usually matches the text best. Just make sure the concise statement still aligns with what the passage actually says.