Misdirection is a common feature in the answer choices of all reading passages. In passages dealing with people, it involves stating an idea that is related to a person but does not directly address that person.

For example, the lines of a passage might focus on Donald Trump.

Incorrect answer choices might include key phrases such as “Donald Trump’s success” or “Donald Trump’s hair”.

Your job is to remember that Donald Trump is not the same as Donald Trump’s hair, no matter how good the answer choice might otherwise look.

PRACTICE QUESTION FOR MISDIRECTION WITH ---'S (PEOPLE)

Albert Einstein persists in the modern memory more than half a century beyond his death. According to one recent poll, while only 38% of Americans could name the serving vice-president, 90% could identify Einstein. To this day, the phrase “You’re no Einstein” carries currency.

1. The above lines primarily serve to
   (A) punctuate the pervasive renown of Einstein
   (B) scoff at the political ignorance of Americans
   (C) advocate the use of Einstein’s portrait on currency
   (D) denounce the widespread obscurity of physicists
   (E) laud the polls that survey the public about Einstein’s science

Focus carefully on misdirection in the answer choices to find the correct answer.

Think you've got the answer? Let's make sure.

The referenced lines focus on Albert Einstein, so the correct answer choice must focus on Einstein the man and not on one of his attributes. This fact allows you to quickly eliminate incorrect answer choices

   Choice (B) is incorrect because it includes no mention of Einstein
   Choice (C) is wrong because it addresses “Einstein’s portrait” and not Einstein.
   Choice (D) addresses all physicists and not Einstein
   Choice (E) focuses on “Einstein’s science” and not on Einstein

   Only choice (A) focuses on Einstein the man and, thus, is the correct answer.

Misdirection with Apostrophe

Lesson Includes:

—Overview of Misdirection with ---'s (People)

—Practice Question for Misdirection with ---'s (People)

SAT Math

SAT Writing

SAT Reading

SAT Vocabulary