Understand the rule first
Good evidence proves the claim directly. Compare candidate quotations, reject general background and choose the detail that would persuade a careful reader.
Selecting evidence 11+ practice
Select the shortest, strongest textual evidence for an exact claim.
Claim: ‘Jon is reluctant to enter.’ Text: ‘Jon reached the doorway. He stepped back, shook his head and whispered, “You go first.”’
- ‘Reached the doorway’ only shows location.
- ‘Stepped back’ shows withdrawal.
- ‘You go first’ directly shows he avoids entering first.
A common misconception
Copying a long sentence about the same topic even when it does not prove the specific claim.
Reusable method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.Question 1 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich quotation best proves that Lina is exhausted?
- A‘Lina reached the final hill.’
- B‘Her backpack was blue.’
- C‘She stopped every few steps, struggling to keep her eyes open.’
- D‘The path curved beside the river.’
Need a hint?
Choose the detail that shows physical tiredness, not merely activity.
Show worked answer
Answer C: ‘She stopped every few steps, struggling to keep her eyes open.’
Stopping repeatedly and struggling to keep her eyes open directly demonstrate exhaustion.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 2 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich quotation best supports the claim that the room has been abandoned suddenly?
- A‘A calendar hung beside the door.’
- B‘Half-eaten meals remained on the table and one chair lay overturned.’
- C‘The room had four windows.’
- D‘Dust covered the highest shelf.’
Need a hint?
Look for unfinished activity and disorder rather than age alone.
Show worked answer
Answer B: ‘Half-eaten meals remained on the table and one chair lay overturned.’
Half-eaten food and an overturned chair suggest people left in the middle of events.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 3 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich evidence best proves that Arun changes his opinion?
- A‘At first Arun called the plan impossible; by sunset he was explaining how it could work.’
- B‘Arun listened to the plan in silence.’
- C‘The plan was written on a large sheet.’
- D‘Several people agreed with Arun.’
Need a hint?
The evidence must show both the earlier and later views.
Show worked answer
Answer A: ‘At first Arun called the plan impossible; by sunset he was explaining how it could work.’
The contrast between ‘impossible’ and explaining how it could work directly proves a change.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 4 of 10 Englishexam-styleClaim: ‘The dog recognises its owner.’ Which evidence is strongest?
- A‘The dog had a red collar.’
- B‘The gate opened slowly.’
- C‘At the familiar whistle, the dog raced past everyone else and leapt towards Maya.’
- D‘Maya carried a small bag.’
Need a hint?
Choose the detail connecting a familiar signal with a specific response to Maya.
Show worked answer
Answer C: ‘At the familiar whistle, the dog raced past everyone else and leapt towards Maya.’
The dog responds to the familiar whistle and singles Maya out, directly supporting recognition.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 5 of 10 Englishexam-styleClaim: ‘The journey is becoming dangerous.’ Which quotation is strongest?
- A‘They had travelled since dawn.’
- B‘The road narrowed until loose stones crumbled beneath the wheels.’
- C‘A village appeared on the map.’
- D‘Everyone carried water.’
Need a hint?
Find the changing condition that creates a physical risk.
Show worked answer
Answer B: ‘The road narrowed until loose stones crumbled beneath the wheels.’
A narrowing road and crumbling stones directly show increasing danger.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 6 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich quotation best proves that Arun is patient?
- A‘Arun checked the clock.’
- B‘Arun sat near the door.’
- C‘Arun had arrived before noon.’
- D‘For two hours, Arun waited without complaining or interrupting.’
Need a hint?
Choose evidence showing patient behaviour over time.
Show worked answer
Answer D: ‘For two hours, Arun waited without complaining or interrupting.’
Waiting for two hours without complaint or interruption directly demonstrates patience.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 7 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich detail best supports the claim that the house was abandoned hurriedly?
- A‘The front door stood open and a kettle was still boiling.’
- B‘The house had a tiled roof.’
- C‘Dust lay beneath the bed.’
- D‘A tree grew beside the wall.’
Need a hint?
Look for unfinished action and a sudden departure.
Show worked answer
Answer A: ‘The front door stood open and a kettle was still boiling.’
An open door and boiling kettle suggest the occupants left in the middle of what they were doing.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 8 of 10 EnglishcoreWhich quotation best proves that Mariam feels relieved?
- A‘Mariam read the message twice.’
- B‘Her shoulders relaxed and she began to laugh.’
- C‘Mariam placed the phone on the table.’
- D‘The room was quiet.’
Need a hint?
Choose the strongest physical change in emotion.
Show worked answer
Answer B: ‘Her shoulders relaxed and she began to laugh.’
Relaxed shoulders and laughter are direct behavioural evidence of relief.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 9 of 10 EnglishexamClaim: ‘The weather rapidly becomes more severe.’ Which evidence is strongest?
- A‘Clouds gathered beyond the hill.’
- B‘The forecast had mentioned rain.’
- C‘A light drizzle turned within minutes to hail that hammered the windows.’
- D‘Everyone had brought a coat.’
Need a hint?
The evidence must show both change and increasing severity.
Show worked answer
Answer C: ‘A light drizzle turned within minutes to hail that hammered the windows.’
The shift from light drizzle to hammering hail within minutes directly proves rapid worsening.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.
Question 10 of 10 EnglishstretchWhich evidence best supports the claim that Lena accepts leadership reluctantly?
- A‘Lena had led the group before.’
- B‘Everyone knew Lena’s name.’
- C‘Lena stood at the front of the room.’
- D‘Lena refused twice, then stepped forward only when nobody else volunteered.’
Need a hint?
Find evidence showing both unwillingness and eventual leadership.
Show worked answer
Answer D: ‘Lena refused twice, then stepped forward only when nobody else volunteered.’
Refusing twice shows reluctance, while stepping forward when others do not shows that she finally accepts leadership.
Quick method: Compare two possible quotations and choose the more specific one.