Hi, I want feedback on my strategy to solve verbal questions, and also have some specific doubts listed below as Confusion 1, Confusion 2 and Confusion 3. Here’s my approach:
Step 1: Read the sentence.
Step 2: Apply the EASIEST BLANK FIRST strategy. If it’s a 2-blanker/3-blanker, assess which blank to solve first. I pick up the blank where I am able to apply the below math strategy with ease.)
Step 3: Apply the MATH STRATEGY, or pick other strategies if math strategy is inapplicable.
Step 3.1: Assess whether the blank is part of an idea that supports or contrasts? (As I read the sentence, I look for support/contrast words closer to the blank.)
Step 3.2: Upon locating the support/contrast words, look for evidence to support/contrast. (Confusion 1: For contrasting ideas, how do we ascertain whether to look for evidence to the left or to the right?)
Step 3.3: Ascertain the connotation of the evidence.
[If it is a supporting idea (i.e., +ve) and evidence has a positive connotation, then the blank must be +ve, applying ++ = +. If support but evidence has negative connotation, then blank is -ve (+ - = -).
If it is a contrasting idea (i.e., -ve) and evidence has a negative connotation, then the blank must be +ve, applying – = +. If contrasting idea, but evidence has a positive connotation, then blank is -ve (- + = -).
If evidence is neutral (regardless of whether the idea is a support/contrast), the blank has to be neutral.] (CONFUSION 2: These questions fluster me and I am not confident about the approach/answers. How to resolve this?)
Step 4: Apply the SEMANTICS STRATEGY. Make a semantic guess for the blank(s).
Step 5: Pick the answer that most closely matches the semantic prediction. (Where unable to make a semantic guess, I pick answers based on connotation strategy.)
Step 6: Apply ATTACK FROM BOTH SIDES strategy, marking each incorrect option as either “no evicence”, “contradictory” or “I don’t know”. (CONFUSION 3: Picking up the answer first and then applying the attack from both sides strategy seems counterproductive as it clouds judgement. Would you suggest to go through the options sequentially?)
