An SAT Reading & Writing micro-topic under Command of Evidence: Textual (Information and Ideas). Free to read — no account needed.
A choice misrepresents the text when it does not match what the passage says. Sometimes it contradicts the text outright; other times it makes a claim the text never actually makes. In both cases, the choice is wrong because the passage does not support it.
Passage: The museum's night tour was a big hit with visitors. Guests explored dim galleries by flashlight and heard spooky stories. Many said it was the most fun they had all year. Question: Which choice misrepresents the passage? Choice A: Visitors enjoyed the museum's flashlight night tour. Choice B: Visitors found the night tour boring and left early. Choice B misrepresents the passage, because it says the opposite of "a big hit" and "the most fun," so Choice A is correct.
Misrepresenting can also be subtle. Watch for strong words like "only," "best," or "always" that claim more than the text supports. If a passage says a plan "helped" students, a choice saying it was "the only reason" students improved misrepresents it by claiming too much.
To check, hold each choice up against the passage. Ask whether the text really says that, or whether the choice has changed, flipped, or exaggerated it. If it does not match, it misrepresents the text.
Worked examples
Passage: A study found that students who ate breakfast scored a little higher on a morning quiz. The researchers tested only one class at one school. Question: Which choice misrepresents the study? Choice A: Eating breakfast was linked to slightly higher quiz scores in the class studied. Choice B: Eating breakfast guarantees higher test scores for every student. Choice B misrepresents the study, because "guarantees" and "every student" claim far more than one small class showed, so Choice A is correct.
Passage: The town planted trees along Main Street to give shade in summer. Within a few years, the sidewalks were cool and pleasant even at noon. Question: Which choice misrepresents the passage? Choice A: The new trees made the sidewalks cooler in summer. Choice B: The new trees made the sidewalks hotter in summer. Choice B misrepresents the passage, because it says the opposite of what the text describes, so Choice A is correct.
Passage: A company reported that its new sports drink helped runners stay hydrated longer than plain water. Question: Which choice misrepresents the report? Choice A: The drink kept runners hydrated longer than plain water. Choice B: The drink is the best hydration option available anywhere. Choice B misrepresents the report, because the text only compares the drink with water, not with every option, so Choice A is correct.
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