Understanding Reading Comprehension: How to Determine What "Them" Refers To in Line 6
When tackling standardized tests, academic essays, or complex literary analyses, one of the most common challenges students face is the "referent question.But "** are designed to test your ability to track pronouns and maintain coherence across a text. " Specifically, questions like **"In line 6, 'them' refers to...Mastering the art of identifying pronoun antecedents is not just about passing a test; it is about developing a deep, analytical understanding of how language connects ideas Took long enough..
Understanding what a pronoun refers to requires a blend of grammatical knowledge and contextual awareness. Whether you are reading a scientific journal or a classic novel, the ability to pinpoint the exact noun a pronoun replaces is the key to unlocking the author's intended meaning.
The Concept of the Antecedent
To understand what "them" refers to in any given line, you must first understand the concept of the antecedent. An antecedent is the noun or noun phrase that a pronoun replaces to avoid repetitive language. As an example, instead of saying, "The scientists studied the cells, and the scientists found that the cells were mutating," a writer will say, *"The scientists studied the cells, and they found that them (the cells) were mutating.
In this scenario, "the cells" is the antecedent. When a question asks you to identify what "them" refers to in line 6, it is essentially asking you to find the specific plural noun mentioned previously that logically fits the action or description associated with that pronoun Turns out it matters..
Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying the Referent
When you encounter a question asking about a pronoun in a specific line, do not guess based on a quick glance. Follow this systematic approach to ensure accuracy:
1. Locate the Pronoun and its Immediate Context
Start by finding line 6 and highlighting the word "them." Read the sentence containing the pronoun and the sentence immediately preceding it. Pronouns almost always refer to a noun mentioned before they appear. If "them" is in line 6, your answer is likely located in line 5 or the latter half of line 4 Most people skip this — try not to..
2. Identify All Plural Nouns
Since "them" is a plural object pronoun, it can only refer to a plural noun. Scan the previous sentences and list every plural noun you find. If the text mentions "the researchers," "the results," and "the participants," all three are potential candidates.
3. Apply the "Substitution Test"
This is the most reliable method for verifying your answer. Take each potential plural noun you identified and substitute it directly into the sentence in place of the word "them."
- Example: "The researchers analyzed the results. They found that them were inconsistent."
- Test 1: "They found that the researchers were inconsistent." (Does this make sense in context?)
- Test 2: "They found that the results were inconsistent." (This makes logical sense).
4. Check for Logical Consistency
Ask yourself: Does the action being performed by "them" align with the nature of the noun? If the sentence says, "The students read the books and then threw them away," it is logically impossible for "them" to refer to the students (unless the story is very strange). It must refer to the books.
Scientific Explanation: The Linguistics of Anaphora
In linguistics, this process is known as anaphora. Consider this: an anaphoric reference occurs when a word refers back to a previously mentioned entity. This is a fundamental tool in human communication because it allows for "economy of language." If we had to repeat the full name of every subject in every sentence, reading would become tedious and slow Simple, but easy to overlook..
The brain processes anaphora by creating a "mental model" of the discourse. When the brain encounters a pronoun, it searches its short-term memory for the most recent and most salient (prominent) noun that matches the pronoun's gender and number. Even so, ambiguity occurs when there are multiple plural nouns, leading to what linguists call ambiguous pronoun reference. This is exactly why examiners ask these questions—to see if you can resolve ambiguity using logic and context.
Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Many students lose marks on these questions because they fall into common traps. Be mindful of the following:
- The "Closest Noun" Trap: Many readers assume the pronoun refers to the noun closest to it. While this is often true, it is not a rule. The antecedent might be several phrases away if the intervening words are merely descriptive.
- Ignoring the Number Agreement: "Them" is plural. If you choose a singular noun as the answer, you are grammatically incorrect. Ensure the noun you choose is plural.
- Overlooking the Subject vs. Object: Remember that "them" is an object pronoun. It is the recipient of an action, not the doer. If the entity is performing the action, the writer would have used "they."
- Assuming Based on General Knowledge: Do not answer based on what you think the topic is about. Answer based strictly on what is written in the text. If the text says "The cats chased the dogs and then ate them," the cats are eating the dogs, regardless of your personal belief that cats don't eat dogs.
Practical Example for Analysis
Consider the following short passage: (Line 1) The architects designed the skyscrapers with reinforced steel. *(Line 3) On the flip side, the city inspectors questioned the designs.That said, * *(Line 4) They warned the architects that the structures were unstable. But * *(Line 5) The architects ignored the warnings. In real terms, * *(Line 2) They believed that the materials would withstand the earthquake. * *(Line 6) They insisted that them were perfectly safe No workaround needed..
Question: In line 6, "them" refers to...
Analysis:
- Identify plural nouns: architects, skyscrapers, materials, inspectors, designs, structures, warnings.
- Substitution:
- "They insisted that the architects were perfectly safe." (Possible, but unlikely context).
- "They insisted that the warnings were perfectly safe." (Nonsensical).
- "They insisted that the structures were perfectly safe." (Highly logical).
- Conclusion: "Them" refers to the structures (or the skyscrapers).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What if there are no plural nouns in the previous sentence? A: Look further back. While the antecedent is usually nearby, it can occasionally be found a few sentences prior, especially if the author is maintaining a consistent theme throughout a paragraph.
Q: Can "them" refer to a general group of people not explicitly named? A: In formal reading comprehension tests, the answer is almost always a specific noun explicitly mentioned in the text. Avoid answers like "the people" if the word "people" does not appear in the passage.
Q: What is the difference between "they" and "them" in these questions? A: "They" is the subject (the one doing the action), while "them" is the object (the one receiving the action). If the question asks about "them," look for the entity being acted upon.
Conclusion
Determining what "them" refers to in line 6 is a exercise in precision and logic. By identifying the antecedent, applying the substitution test, and ensuring grammatical agreement, you can move from guessing to knowing. This skill does more than help you score higher on a test; it trains your mind to analyze the structural integrity of an argument and the flow of information. The next time you encounter a pronoun reference question, remember to slow down, list your candidates, and test each one until the logic clicks into place Simple, but easy to overlook..
