When you encounter a multiple-choice question, what should you do first?

• A. Answer in your own words after reading the choices
• B. Read all choices first and then answer
• C. Eliminate obviously wrong options first
• D. Answer in your own words before looking at the choices

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to ensure you truly understand what the question is asking before you look at the options. Restating the prompt in your own words right away helps you confirm the task, catch any tricky wording (like not, always, or except), and settle on the exact thing you’re being asked to respond to. This creates a solid mental framework so you can evaluate the choices against your own understanding rather than getting pulled in by the way options are phrased.

By putting the question into your own terms first, you’re less susceptible to distractors or cleverly worded options that seem tempting but don’t match what the prompt truly requires. Once you’ve articulated the question, you can scan the options more effectively and pick the one that best fits your understanding of what’s being asked. El iminating obviously wrong options can be useful later, but the essential first step is grasping the question itself to guide the rest of your reasoning.