4.3 Fact Extraction from Passages
Key Takeaways
- Fact-extraction stems target who, what, when, where, and how many — locate the exact sentence before choosing
- Match numbers and names precisely; nearby figures and roles are common distractors
- Exception language (except, unless, only if, does not apply) often contains the tested fact
- Close-but-wrong options usually reuse a real passage detail under the wrong condition or person
- Confirm the same condition applies (shift, tow type, deadline type) before accepting a matching number
4.3 Fact Extraction from Passages
Quick Answer: Fact-extraction items ask for who, what, when, where, how many, or a specific condition. Success comes from matching the passage's exact wording, especially numbers, names, and policy exceptions — not from approximating.
If main-idea questions ask for the forest, fact questions ask for a marked tree. MCOLES reading passages are built so the needed fact is present, but nearby distractors look almost right. Your edge is disciplined location and comparison.
The Fact-Extraction Checklist
When a stem signals a detail question ("according to the passage," "how many," "who is responsible," "when must"), run this checklist:
| Cue in the stem | What to hunt in the passage | Common near-miss |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Role, unit, named person, or office | A different role mentioned in the next sentence |
| What | Action required or object involved | A related but optional action |
| When | Clock time, deadline, effective date, shift | A different timeline in an exception clause |
| Where | Location, district, room, facility | A secondary location used only for overflow |
| How many | Counts, limits, durations, distances | A number from an example, not the rule |
Underline or mentally pin the exact phrase. Then match options word-for-word where possible. Paraphrase is fine only when the meaning stays identical.
Numbers: Exact Match Beats "About Right"
Policy and report language loves numbers: within 30 minutes, no more than 3 riders, after 72 hours, two copies. Distractors often change one digit or swap units.
Guardrails:
- 30 minutes ≠ 30 hours, and 3 business days ≠ 3 calendar days if the passage specifies the type of day.
- An example number is not always the rule number. "For example, Unit 12 towed 4 vehicles" does not mean the policy limit is 4.
- Ranges matter: "at least 2" is not the same as "exactly 2."
Name and title precision
Names work the same way. If the passage says Sergeant Hale reviews the form and Lieutenant Omar stores the file, a choice that swaps them is wrong even though both names appear. Titles also matter: "the shift supervisor" may not be the same person as "the precinct commander" in that passage's world.
Exceptions and Limiting Language
Fact items frequently hide the answer in an exception. Train your eye for:
- except, unless, only if, other than, does not apply to
- may vs must
- including vs limited to
Pattern: General rule in sentence 1; exception in sentence 2; question asks about the exception case; wrong choices quote the general rule.
| Passage pattern | Correct extraction | Trap |
|---|---|---|
| "All beat officers file Form A, except downtown bike officers, who file Form B." | Bike officers → Form B | Choosing Form A because it is mentioned first |
| "Reports are due by 0600 unless the incident is still active at shift end." | Active incident → different timing rule | Always answering 0600 |
| "Visitors need an escort after 1800, not before." | After 1800 only | Claiming escorts are always required |
Worked Example (Original Passage)
Passage:
Riverdale Patrol Directive 7-C: Between 2200 and 0600 hours, any traffic stop that results in a vehicle impound must be radioed to Dispatch within 10 minutes of the tow truck's arrival. Day-shift stops (0600–1359) follow the standard 20-minute notification window. The 10-minute night rule does not apply to privately arranged tows requested by the vehicle owner; those tows are logged on Form T-2 within 1 hour instead. Sergeant Prieto reviews all Form T-2 filings before noon the next business day. Officer Kim maintains the tow vendor contact list but does not approve impounds.
Fact-extraction walkthrough
Question A — When must Dispatch be notified for a 2330 impound tow (agency tow)?
Find the night window (2200–0600) → within 10 minutes of tow truck arrival.
Trap: choosing the day-shift 20-minute window because it appears in the next sentence.
Question B — What deadline applies to a privately arranged owner-requested tow at 2330?
Exception clause → Form T-2 within 1 hour; the 10-minute radio rule does not apply.
Trap: applying 10 minutes anyway because the stop occurred at night.
Question C — Who reviews Form T-2 filings?
Sergeant Prieto, before noon the next business day.
Trap: Officer Kim, who only maintains the vendor list.
Close-but-wrong number/name map
| Stem target | Correct | Close-but-wrong distractor |
|---|---|---|
| Night agency impound radio timing | 10 minutes from tow arrival | 20 minutes (day rule) |
| Owner-requested private tow | Log Form T-2 within 1 hour | Radio Dispatch within 10 minutes |
| Form T-2 review | Sergeant Prieto | Officer Kim |
| Night hours | 2200–0600 | 0600–1359 (day shift) |
Matching Exact Wording Carefully
Use a compare-and-confirm method:
- Locate the sentence that contains the fact.
- Read one sentence before and after for exceptions.
- Place the option beside the sentence and ask: Same person? Same number? Same condition?
- If the option adds a word like always, all, or immediately that the passage lacks, treat it as suspect.
Wording swaps to watch
| Passage says | Dangerous option rewrite |
|---|---|
| "within 10 minutes" | "immediately" |
| "next business day" | "next calendar day" |
| "radioed to Dispatch" | "emailed to Records" |
| "does not apply to privately arranged tows" | "applies to all tows at night" |
Building Speed Without Losing Accuracy
Fact items should become your fastest reading points once the method is automatic:
- Stem first for detail questions (know the target: who/when/number).
- Scan for digits and capitalized names.
- Verify exception words before locking.
- Only then read remaining options to eliminate near-misses.
Do not celebrate finding a matching number until you confirm it sits under the same condition the question asks about. The Riverdale example is built so every wrong number appears somewhere — that is intentional exam design.
Section Checkpoint
Fact extraction is not about memorizing policing practice. It is about retrieval fidelity: same who, same when, same count, same exception. Master that fidelity here, and later inference items become safer because you will know exactly what was (and was not) stated.
Carry forward
- Checklist: who / what / when / where / how many
- Exact numbers and names beat approximations
- Exceptions often hold the real answer
- Close-but-wrong distractors reuse real passage facts in the wrong slot
According to Riverdale Patrol Directive 7-C in this section, when must Dispatch be radioed for an agency impound after a traffic stop at 2330?
Under the same Riverdale directive, which statement is correct for a privately arranged tow requested by the vehicle owner at 2330?
Who reviews all Form T-2 filings under Riverdale Patrol Directive 7-C?
A passage says bike officers may carry 'at most 2 spare radio batteries,' and an example notes Officer Ruiz once used 1 spare during a storm. A question asks for the policy limit. What is the correct extraction?