Master RC Title Questions
Title questions test scope assessmentânot just main idea. Learn to avoid too-broad and too-narrow traps, verify title accuracy systematically, and select appropriate titles in under 60 seconds.
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đˇď¸ Title & Scope Flashcards
Master scope assessment for accurate title selection
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đŻ Test Your Title & Scope Skills
5 CAT-style questions with detailed explanations
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Researchers at MIT have identified a protein, dubbed “repair factor 7” (RF7), that significantly accelerates wound healing in laboratory mice. The protein appears to activate dormant stem cells in skin tissue, prompting them to multiply and migrate to injury sites. Mice treated with RF7 showed 40% faster wound closure compared to control groups.
The discovery emerged from studying why some mouse strains heal faster than others. The researchers traced the difference to RF7 expression levelsâfast healers naturally produced more of the protein. Synthetic RF7 proved equally effective when administered to slower-healing strains. Human trials remain years away, as the protein’s effects on human tissue are unknown, but the research opens a promising avenue for wound treatment development.
The most appropriate title for this passage would be:
â Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage focuses specifically on ONE discovery (RF7 protein), at ONE institution (MIT), with a specific finding (accelerated wound healing in mice). The correct title matches this precise scopeâidentifying the researchers, the discovery, and its nature. It promises exactly what the passage delivers.
A is Too Broad: “Advances in Regenerative Medicine” implies multiple advances across the field. This passage discusses one protein discovery.
C is Too Broad + Wrong Focus: “The Science of Skin Regeneration” suggests comprehensive coverage. This passage reports one preliminary finding.
D is Too Broad + Misaligned: “New Treatments” implies treatments (plural) and chronic wounds specifically. The passage discusses one discovery that’s years from being a treatment.
The Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949 demonstrated Western resolve during the early Cold War’s most dangerous confrontation. When Soviet forces blockaded land routes to West Berlin, the United States and Britain organized continuous cargo flights to supply the city’s two million residents. At the operation’s peak, planes landed every three minutes, delivering coal, food, and medicine.
The airlift’s success surprised both sides. Stalin had calculated that supplying a major city by air was logistically impossible. The Western allies proved otherwise, maintaining deliveries through harsh winter conditions. After 318 days, the Soviets lifted the blockade, having failed to force Western withdrawal from Berlin. The episode established patternsâWestern technological and logistical capability countering Soviet territorial pressureâthat would recur throughout the Cold War.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for this passage?
â Correct! Option C is the answer.
Why C is correct: The passage focuses on ONE event (Berlin Airlift), during a specific period (1948-1949), examining its execution and significance. The final sentence contextualizes it within the Cold War, but the passage’s content is the airlift itself. The correct title captures both the specific subject and its broader significance.
A is Too Broad: “Confrontations: A History” implies multiple confrontationsâCuban Missile Crisis, Korean War, etc. The plural signals broader scope than this single-episode passage.
B is Too Broad + Missing Specificity: “Western Strategy” suggests systematic analysis of strategic thinking. This passage examines one tactical success.
D is Dramatically Too Broad: “1945-1991” implies 46 years; the passage covers 318 days in 1948-1949.
Singapore’s congestion pricing system, implemented in 1975, demonstrated that economic incentives could manage urban traffic more effectively than traditional infrastructure expansion. The system charged drivers variable fees to enter the central business district during peak hours, with rates adjusted based on real-time congestion levels.
Initial resistance proved short-lived. Within months, peak-hour traffic in priced zones dropped 45%, while public transit ridership increased 15%. The revenue generated funded transit improvements, creating a virtuous cycle of reduced driving and enhanced alternatives. Critics who predicted economic harm to downtown businesses were wrongâthe improved traffic flow actually increased commercial activity.
Other cities struggled to replicate Singapore’s success, facing political opposition that Singapore’s governance structure allowed it to bypass. London’s 2003 congestion charge eventually succeeded, though with more concessions to opponents. The Singapore model remains influential in urban planning discussions worldwide.
The best title for this passage would be:
â Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage focuses primarily on Singapore’s systemâits implementation, results, and influence. London appears briefly as a comparative note, not as a co-equal subject. The correct title centers on Singapore while acknowledging the broader significance (“pioneering”).
A is Too Broad + Topic-Only: “Solving Urban Traffic Congestion” suggests comprehensive coverage of multiple solutions. This passage examines one mechanism in depth.
C is Too Broad: “How Cities Manage Traffic” implies a survey of multiple cities and approaches. The passage focuses overwhelmingly on Singapore.
D is Too Broad + Wrong Focus: “Economics of Road Pricing” suggests theoretical economic analysis. This passage is a case study of implementation and outcomes.
Netflix’s pivot from DVD rentals to streaming in 2007 nearly destroyed the company before establishing its dominance. The transition required abandoning a profitable business modelâDVD-by-mail generated steady revenue with established logisticsâfor an unproven technology requiring massive infrastructure investment.
Early streaming offered limited content and unreliable quality. Subscribers initially declined as DVD-focused competitors like Blockbuster seemed better positioned. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings faced calls for resignation as stock prices plummeted 80% between 2011 and 2012, when the company attempted to separate DVD and streaming services with a disastrous pricing change.
The turnaround came through original content investment. “House of Cards” in 2013 demonstrated that streaming platforms could produce prestige television, attracting subscribers and establishing a template that competitors would later follow. The company that nearly failed during transition ultimately transformed how global audiences consume entertainment.
Which title most accurately reflects the content of this passage?
â Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage traces ONE company’s specific journeyâNetflix’s transition from DVD to streaming, including its near-failure and recovery. The title captures both the subject (Netflix) and narrative arc (transformation from near-failure to dominance).
A is Too Broad: “The Streaming Revolution” suggests comprehensive coverage of how streaming changed entertainment industry-wide. This passage is Netflix’s story specifically.
C is Far Too Broad: “Digital Disruption in Media Industries” could cover streaming, social media, digital journalism, podcasting, and more. This passage examines one company’s transition.
D is Too Narrow: “Rise of Original Streaming Content” captures paragraph 3’s discussion but misses the main narrativeâNetflix’s near-failure and transformation journey.
The traditional distinction between science and pseudoscienceâthat genuine science makes falsifiable predictions while pseudoscience doesn’tâfaces serious challenges. Karl Popper’s falsificationism, long the standard demarcation criterion, assumed scientists actually abandon theories when faced with contrary evidence. Historical examination reveals otherwise.
When Uranus’s orbit deviated from predictions, astronomers didn’t discard Newtonian mechanics. They hypothesized an unknown planetâNeptuneâwhose gravitational influence explained the discrepancy. The theory survived by adding auxiliary hypotheses rather than accepting falsification. Similar protective strategies appear throughout scientific history: phlogiston chemists, Ptolemaic astronomers, and early geneticists all defended theories against apparently falsifying evidence.
This doesn’t validate pseudoscience or equate it with science. Rather, it suggests falsifiability alone cannot distinguish them. The difference may lie not in method but in institutional practicesâpeer review, replication requirements, willingness to eventually reviseâthat accumulate over scientific communities but rarely characterize pseudoscientific ones.
The most appropriate title for this passage would be:
â Correct! Option B is the answer.
Why B is correct: The passage makes ONE specific argument: Popper’s falsification criterion doesn’t adequately demarcate science from pseudoscience. It provides evidence, acknowledges the continued validity of some distinction, and proposes an alternative (institutional practices). The title captures this specific argumentative thesis.
A is Too Broad: “Major Debates” suggests survey coverage of multiple debatesârealism, induction, theory choice, etc. This passage addresses one specific debate.
C is Too Broad + Topic-Only: “Understanding the Difference” suggests comprehensive coverage of how to distinguish science from pseudoscience. This passage critiques one proposed criterion.
D is Wrong Subject: “History of Scientific Revolutions” suggests coverage of paradigm shifts. This passage uses historical examples (Neptune) as evidence for a philosophical argument, not as its subject.
đĄ How to Master Title & Scope Questions
Strategic approaches to achieve 90%+ accuracy on title questions in under 60 seconds
The Self-Generated Title Anchor
The most powerful technique for title questions: create your own title BEFORE looking at options. This anchor prevents attractive wrong answers from swaying your judgment.
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1After Reading: Summarize in 10 Words
Ask yourself: “If I had to label this passage, what would I call it?” Create a rough titleâit doesn’t need to be elegant.
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2Include Both Content AND Scope
Your title should capture: What topic? What angle? What boundaries? “Something about Singapore’s traffic pricing system and its success.”
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3Use Your Anchor to Evaluate Options
Compare each option to your self-generated title. Significant deviations need strong justification. If you thought “Singapore traffic,” but option says “Global Urban Planning”âtrust your instinct.
Without an anchor, you’re vulnerable to “sounds good” biasâchoosing options that seem impressive or comprehensive. Your self-generated title grounds you in what the passage ACTUALLY covers, making scope errors obvious.
The Four Trap Recognition System
RC title questions contain four systematic traps. Learn to label each wrong answer by trap type, and elimination becomes automatic.
Trap 1: Too Broad
Signal: General terms, comprehensive claims, category labels for specific examples
Test: “What else would this title include that the passage DOESN’T cover?”
Example: “The Future of Automotive Retail” for a passage about Tesla’s sales model
Trap 2: Too Narrow
Signal: Focuses on one paragraph, mentions one example of several, captures supporting point
Test: “Does this title cover ALL major sections?”
Example: “Google’s Remote Work Policy” for a passage about three tech companies
Trap 3: Catchy But Inaccurate
Signal: Dramatic language, definitive claims for tentative passages, sensational framing
Test: “Would the author approve this as representing their work?”
Example: “The Death of Traditional Business” for a nuanced analysis
Trap 4: Topic-Only
Signal: Identifies subject but not angle, could fit many different passages
Test: “Does this tell me what the passage DOES with the topic?”
Example: “Renewable Energy Subsidies” for a passage arguing for solar-focused subsidies
As you eliminate options, mentally label each: “Too broad,” “Too narrow,” “Topic-only.” This explicit labeling trains pattern recognition. After 20 questions, you’ll spot traps instantly.
The All-Sections Verification Method
Before selecting a title, verify it covers ALL major passage sectionsânot just the opening or the most memorable part.
- Mentally divide the passage into 3-5 major sections (usually matches paragraphs)
- For each section, ask: “Does this title work as a heading for THIS content?”
- If ANY section falls outside the title’s scope, the title is incomplete
- Correct titles accommodate ALL sections, even if emphasis varies
Example Application:
Passage Structure:
- Para 1: Introduces obesity epidemic
- Para 2: Discusses dietary causes
- Para 3: Discusses sedentary lifestyle
- Para 4: Evaluates interventions
- Para 5: Recommends policy changes
Title Option: “Diet and the Obesity Crisis”
Verification: Covers Para 1-2 â | Misses Para 3-5 â
Verdict: Too narrowâonly 2/5 sections covered
Students often choose titles matching Paragraph 1 because that’s freshest in memory. But many passages open with background before narrowing focus. Always check whether the title accommodates where the passage GOES, not just where it STARTS.
Scope Dimension Analysis
Every passage has scope boundaries across multiple dimensions. Assess each dimension during first reading to quickly filter title options.
The Four Scope Dimensions:
- Subject: Is this ONE example or a category? ONE company or an industry?
- Time: Specific period (1948-1949) or historical sweep (20th century)?
- Geography: One country? One region? Global patterns?
- Perspective: Arguing one position? Comparing views? Neutral survey?
Quick Scope Check After Reading:
Fill in these blanks mentally:
“This passage is about [specific subject], during [time frame], focusing on [geographic area], from [perspective type].”
Then reject any title option that implies broader coverage in ANY dimension.
This scope assessment takes 5-10 seconds during or after first reading but saves 30+ seconds during the question. Instead of evaluating each option from scratch, you’re checking whether each matches your pre-established scope parameters.
Master RC Title Questions for CAT 2025
Title questions test scope assessmentânot just main idea. Learn to evaluate boundaries systematically and avoid the four common traps.
What RC Title Questions Actually Test
RC title questions ask you to select the most appropriate title for a passage. This sounds simple but involves two distinct evaluations that students often conflate.
First, the title must capture the main ideaâwhat the passage primarily argues, explains, or discusses. A title about renewable energy won’t work for a passage about urban planning, even if both fall under “policy topics.”
Second, the title must match the passage’s scopeâthe boundaries of what’s included and excluded. A passage specifically about solar energy in California shouldn’t have a title suggesting it covers all renewable energy globally.
The Two-Part Title Test:
1. Content accuracy: Does the title reflect what the passage is about?
2. Scope precision: Does the title match what the passage actually coversânot more, not less?
Many wrong answers pass the first test but fail the second. They’re “about” the right topic but claim either broader or narrower coverage than the passage provides.
Title questions differ from main idea questions in an important way. Main idea questions ask for the central argument or thesisâa statement of what the passage claims. Title questions ask for an appropriate labelâa phrase that accurately describes both content AND scope. A correct main idea might make a poor title if it ignores the passage’s specific scope limitations.
Pause & Reflect
Think about the last RC passage you read. Can you identify its main idea AND its scope boundaries? Where does the passage’s coverage end?
If you can state the main idea but struggle to define boundaries, you’re vulnerable to “too broad” trapsâtitles that sound comprehensive but promise more than the passage delivers.
Scope boundaries include: subject specificity (one company vs. an industry), time frame (one year vs. a decade), geographic focus (one country vs. global), and perspective range (one view vs. multiple views).
After reading any passage, practice this: “This passage covers [subject] but NOT [related broader topic].” The “NOT” clause defines your scope boundary.
Understanding Scope: The Key to Title Questions
Scope refers to the boundaries of what a passage covers. Every passage makes choices about what to include and exclude, and titles must reflect those choices.
Consider the scope dimensions you should assess for any passage:
Subject matter scope: Does the passage discuss one specific aspect of a topic or the topic broadly? A passage about Mozart’s influence on Beethoven has narrower subject scope than a passage about Classical music influences generally.
Time scope: Does the passage focus on a specific period, trace historical development, or discuss timeless concepts? A passage about 19th-century labor movements has different time scope than one about labor movements throughout history.
Geographic scope: Does the passage discuss one region, compare regions, or address global patterns? A passage about deforestation in Brazil differs in scope from one about tropical deforestation worldwide.
Perspective scope: Does the passage present one viewpoint, compare multiple viewpoints, or survey a debate? A passage defending one theory has different scope than one surveying competing theories.
Scope Assessment Example:
Passage discusses: How three tech companies (Apple, Google, Microsoft) adapted remote work policies during 2020-2021
Subject scope: Remote work policies (specific), tech companies (specific subset)
Time scope: 2020-2021 (specific period)
Geographic scope: Not specified/implied US-based companies
Perspective scope: Descriptive comparison, no argument
Too broad: “The Future of Remote Work” (implies predictions, broader than three companies)
Too narrow: “Google’s Remote Work Transition” (ignores Apple and Microsoft)
Correct scope: “How Three Tech Giants Navigated Remote Work: 2020-2021”
Test Your Understanding
A passage discusses Tesla’s direct-sales model challenging traditional car dealerships. Which title option is too broad vs. appropriately scoped?
Too Broad: “The Future of Automotive Retail” â This suggests industry-wide analysis and future predictions. The passage is about ONE company’s challenge to ONE business model.
Also Too Broad: “Technology Disrupting Traditional Industries” â This suggests multiple industries and multiple technologies. Way beyond scope.
Appropriately Scoped: “Tesla’s Challenge to the Dealership Model” â Captures the specific company, the specific conflict, and nothing more.
If a title could accurately describe dozens of different passages, it’s probably too broad for THIS specific passage.
Four Traps in RC Title Questions
RC title questions contain systematic traps. Understanding these traps helps you avoid them even under time pressure.
Trap 1: Too Broad
The most common trap offers titles that cover a larger topic than the passage actually discusses. These titles sound impressive and authoritative but promise content the passage doesn’t deliver.
A passage analyzing one company’s marketing strategy might offer trap options like “Marketing in the Digital Age” or “How Companies Build Brands.” These titles could apply to hundreds of different passagesâthey’re too general to accurately label this specific passage.
Detection strategy: For each title, ask “What else would fall under this title that the passage DOESN’T cover?” If significant content would be expected but isn’t provided, the title is too broad.
Trap 2: Too Narrow
The opposite trap offers titles that capture only part of what the passage discusses. These titles might accurately describe one section while ignoring others.
A passage covering three causes of urban pollution might offer a trap option like “Vehicle Emissions and City Air Quality”âaccurate for one paragraph but missing industrial emissions and construction discussed elsewhere.
Detection strategy: Check the title against ALL major sections. A title should make sense as a label for paragraphs 1, 2, 3, AND 4ânot just one or two sections.
Trap Recognition Practice
A passage presents evidence on both sides of the social media/teen mental health debate, noting risks AND benefits. What type of trap is “Social Media: The Silent Killer of Teen Minds”?
This is the “Catchy But Inaccurate” trapâa dramatic, attention-grabbing title that misrepresents the passage’s balanced content.
The passage presents both risks and benefits, but this title only captures the negative side and does so sensationally. It ignores the nuance and balance that characterize the actual passage.
Test for catchy traps: “Would the author approve this as representing their work?” If a balanced academic passage gets a sensational one-sided titleâthat’s a trap.
“Social Media’s Complex Effects on Adolescent Well-being” â Captures the nuanced, balanced nature of the actual discussion.
Trap 3: Catchy But Inaccurate
This trap offers titles that sound clever or dramatic but misrepresent the passage’s actual content, tone, or stance.
A nuanced passage presenting evidence on both sides of a debate might offer a trap option like “Why Critics Are Wrong About [Topic]”âcatchy and definitive, but inaccurate for a balanced passage that doesn’t dismiss critics.
Catchy Title Red Flags:
⢠Dramatic language (“Revolution,” “Crisis,” “Death of”) for measured passages
⢠Definitive claims (“Why X Is True”) for tentative analyses
⢠One-sided framing (“The Case Against X”) for balanced discussions
⢠Clever wordplay that distorts meaning
Ask: “Would the author approve this as representing their work?” If the title sensationalizes or oversimplifies, it’s probably wrong.
Trap 4: Topic-Only
This trap offers titles that correctly identify the passage’s topic but fail to capture what the passage DOES with that topicâits argument, angle, or approach.
A passage arguing that standardized testing harms education might offer “Standardized Testing in Schools” as an option. This identifies the topic accurately but could describe dozens of passages taking different angles. It doesn’t capture this passage’s specific argumentative stance.
Detection strategy: Ask “Does this title tell me what the passage DOES with the topic?” A good title hints at the argument, comparison, explanation, or evaluationânot just the subject matter.
The Verification Method
Rather than choosing titles intuitively, verify your selection through systematic checking.
The All-Sections Test
Mentally divide the passage into its major sections (usually 3-5). For each section, ask whether the proposed title makes sense as a heading for that content.
If a title fits paragraphs 1-2 perfectly but doesn’t accommodate paragraphs 3-4, it’s probably too narrowâcapturing only the early content and missing where the passage goes later.
Apply the All-Sections Test
A passage has 5 paragraphs: (1) Intro to antibiotic resistance, (2) Hospital protocols, (3) Public health policy, (4) Research priorities, (5) International cooperation. Does “Antibiotic Resistance in Hospitals” pass the test?
Section-by-Section Check:
⢠Para 1 (Intro): â Antibiotic resistance â covered
⢠Para 2 (Hospital protocols): â Hospitals â covered
⢠Para 3 (Public health policy): â Extends beyond hospitals
⢠Para 4 (Research priorities): â Extends beyond hospitals
⢠Para 5 (International cooperation): â Extends beyond hospitals
Verdict: Only 2/5 sections covered. Title is TOO NARROW.
“Addressing Antibiotic Resistance: From Hospitals to Global Policy” â Captures the full scope from local protocols to international cooperation.
The Expectation Test
Read the title option as if it were a headline. Ask: “If I saw this title, what content would I expect to find in the article?”
Then check: Does the passage actually deliver that expected content?
If a title says “How AI Will Transform Healthcare” but the passage only discusses one diagnostic tool at one hospital, the title creates expectations the passage doesn’t fulfill. Too broad.
The Self-Generated Title Anchor
Before looking at options, generate your own rough title based on your understanding of the passage. This title serves as an anchorâoptions that deviate significantly need strong justification.
If you read a passage and think “This is about how Tesla challenged car dealerships,” but the title options include “The Future of Automotive Retail,” your instinct correctly identifies that the option is too broad. Your self-generated anchor helps resist attractive-sounding wrong options.
Time-Efficient Strategy for RC Title Questions
Title questions should take 45-60 seconds with the right approach. Here’s the efficient method.
Step 1: Recall Main Idea and Scope (10 seconds) â Before looking at options, quickly recall what the passage covers and what boundaries it has.
Step 2: Generate Your Own Title (10 seconds) â Create a rough title capturing both main idea and scope. It doesn’t need to be elegantâit’s an anchor for comparison.
Step 3: Evaluate Options Against Your Anchor (20 seconds) â Compare each option. If it deviates significantly from your anchor, it needs strong justification.
Step 4: Verify and Select (5-10 seconds) â For remaining options, do a quick all-sections check. Select the option that best covers everything.
Final Self-Assessment
After reading this guide, can you explain the difference between “too broad” and “topic-only” title traps to someone who hasn’t studied them?
Too Broad: The title promises MORE coverage than the passage provides. It includes topics, time periods, or geographic areas the passage doesn’t actually discuss.
Example: “Global Climate Solutions” for a passage about Germany’s solar subsidies.
Topic-Only: The title correctly identifies WHAT the passage is about but fails to capture the passage’s ANGLE or ARGUMENT. It could describe many different passages on the same subject.
Example: “Standardized Testing in Education” for a passage arguing against standardized testing.
“Too broad” = wrong SCOPE (promises too much). “Topic-only” = missing ANGLE (doesn’t capture what the passage DOES with the topic). Both fail, but for different reasons.
Time-Saving Tip: Your self-generated title is your anchor. Options that differ dramatically from it need strong justification. If you thought “This is about one company’s strategy” and an option says “Industry-Wide Strategic Shifts,” trust your reading. The option is probably too broad.
Ready to test your understanding? The flashcards above cover every nuance of title and scope questions, and the practice exercise gives you real CAT-style questions to apply these strategies.
Internal Links
â Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RC title and scope questions answered
Title questions appear in approximately 30-40% of CAT RC passages, typically yielding 5-8 title-related questions across the VARC section. Some questions ask directly for the “best title” while others test scope understanding indirectly through phrasing like “the passage is primarily concerned with” or “which of the following is NOT discussed.”
The frequency makes title questions strategically important, but many students underestimate their difficulty. Title questions have a deceptive simplicityâeveryone knows what a title isâyet error rates remain high because students conflate “related to the topic” with “appropriate for the passage’s specific scope.”
The fastest strategy is to assess scope dimensions during your first reading, then use that assessment as a filter when evaluating title options.
During your first read, note these scope markers:
- Subject specificity: Is this about one example, several examples, or a general category?
- Time boundaries: Does it focus on a specific period, trace development over time, or discuss timeless principles?
- Geographic limits: Does it discuss one region, compare regions, or address global patterns?
- Perspective range: Does it advocate one view, compare multiple views, or survey a debate?
The distinction matters because correct answers for each question type can differ even when testing the same passage.
Main idea questions ask what the passage primarily argues, explains, or discusses. The answer is typically a statement or claimâsomething the passage asserts. Question stems include: “The passage is primarily concerned with…” “The main argument of the passage is…”
Title questions ask for an appropriate label that captures both content AND scope. The answer is typically a noun phrase functioning as a title. Question stems include: “The best title for this passage would be…” “An appropriate heading for this passage could be…”
Passage: Argues that microfinance has succeeded in Bangladesh where traditional aid failed
Main idea (correct): “Microfinance succeeds where traditional aid programs fail” â
Title option: “The Success of Microfinance” â Too broad, passage is Bangladesh-specific â
Better title: “Microfinance in Bangladesh: A Development Success Story” â
Title questions should take 45-60 seconds using the systematic approach. They don’t require returning to the passage for detail verificationâthey test your overall comprehension of content and scope.
⢠10 seconds: Recall main idea and scope parameters
⢠10 seconds: Generate your own title before looking at options
⢠20 seconds: Evaluate options against your anchor
⢠5-10 seconds: Verify and select
Total: 45-60 seconds
If you’re spending 90+ seconds on title questions, you’re likely second-guessing your comprehension rather than trusting your understanding. The self-generated title anchor helpsâif your instinct was “This is about Tesla and car dealers,” trust that instinct when evaluating options.
These are opposite scope errors, and recognizing which direction the trap goes helps you evaluate options correctly.
Too broad titles claim more coverage than the passage provides. Signs include: uses category terms when passage discusses one example, implies multiple time periods when passage focuses on one, suggests global scope when passage is region-specific.
Too narrow titles miss significant portions of what the passage covers. Signs include: mentions one example when passage discusses several, covers one paragraph’s topic not the whole passage, focuses on supporting evidence rather than main argument.
⢠For “too broad” suspicion: “What else would this title include that the passage DOESN’T cover?” If a lot, it’s too broad.
⢠For “too narrow” suspicion: “Does this title cover ALL major sections?” If not, it’s too narrow.
Some passages shift scope across sectionsâopening with a specific example, generalizing to broader principles, then returning to specific applications. These passages require titles flexible enough to accommodate the shifts.
Strategy: Identify the dominant scope
Ask: What scope gets the most attention? What’s the passage’s center of gravity? The title should anchor on the dominant focus while being flexible enough to include secondary scope.
⢠Para 1: Introduces climate change broadly (wide scope)
⢠Para 2-4: Focuses specifically on Pacific island nations (narrow scope)
⢠Para 5: Discusses global implications (wide scope again)
Dominant focus: Pacific islands (3 paragraphs vs. 2 paragraphs of global context)
Good title: “Pacific Island Nations and Climate Change: Local Vulnerability, Global Stakes”
Beware of opening-paragraph bias: Students often choose titles that match paragraph 1 because that’s their freshest memory. But many passages open with broad context before narrowing.
Improving title question accuracy requires building the habit of scope assessment during first reading and using systematic verification during question answering.
Week 1-2: Build scope awareness during reading
For 20 passages, practice explicit scope identification. After reading, write down: Subject, Time, Geography, Perspective. This forced articulation trains you to notice scope naturally.
Week 3-4: Practice the self-generated title technique
For 15 passages, create your own title before seeing options. Then evaluate how official options compare. When the correct answer differs, analyze whyâwhat did you miss about scope?
Week 5-6: Focus on trap recognition
For 15 title questions, explicitly label each wrong answer by trap type: too broad, too narrow, catchy but inaccurate, topic-only. This systematic labeling trains pattern recognition.
Week 7-8: Timed practice with verification
Set a 60-second maximum per title question. Practice using the all-sections test under time pressure.
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