🛡️ Avoiding Distractors
Examiners deliberately include distractors in the audio. Knowing their patterns helps you avoid falling for them.
Tap to learn how to avoid each trap!
Same Word, Different Meaning
A distractor uses an exact word or phrase from the audio but applies it in a com...
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Extreme Language
The distractor uses absolute words like "always," "never," "all," "none," or "co...
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Partial Truth
The distractor contains some correct information from the audio but adds, change...
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Order Confusion
The distractor rearranges the sequence of events or the order of information pre...
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Same Word, Different Meaning
A distractor uses an exact word or phrase from the audio but applies it in a completely different context or meaning. This tricks students who match words rather than meaning.
How to Avoid: Focus on the overall meaning of the sentence, not individual words. Ask yourself: does this option reflect what the speaker actually meant?
Extreme Language
The distractor uses absolute words like "always," "never," "all," "none," or "completely" when the speaker used more moderate language like "usually," "sometimes," or "most."
How to Avoid: Be suspicious of options with extreme or absolute words. Speakers rarely make absolute statements. Compare the strength of language in the option versus the audio.
Partial Truth
The distractor contains some correct information from the audio but adds, changes, or omits a critical detail, making the overall statement inaccurate.
How to Avoid: Check every part of the option against what you heard. If even one detail is wrong, the entire option is wrong. Do not select an option just because part of it sounds right.
Examiners Are Sneaky!
The Cambridge team designs distractors that sound correct at first. Their favourite trick? Playing a word from the passage that sounds similar to the answer but means something different. Always check: does your answer match the meaning, not just the sound?