G2 English Referent-Chain Control | Learner’s Guide Vol 0073

G2 English K200 comprehension can fail on a tiny word. Pronouns and demonstratives such as he, they, it, this and those compress information, but they also create hidden ownership questions. This seventy-third Learner’s Guide develops referent-chain control: track exactly who or what each referring expression points to before building an inference, paraphrase or summary.

This is distinct from Vol 0063 Evidence-Window Control and Vol 0067 Dual-Evidence Inference. The narrow skill here is reference: before asking what a sentence implies, establish what its compressed nouns actually mean.

The referent test

Use four filters in order: grammar, proximity, meaning and chronology. Substitute the candidate noun into the sentence. Then ask whether the surrounding action, source ownership and time sequence still make sense. A nearby noun is not automatically the correct referent if the resulting meaning is impossible.

1. he after two male characters

In a case involving he after two male characters, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

For practice, rewrite the sentence twice: once with the correct noun restored and once with the strongest distractor noun restored. Explain exactly where the distractor version fails. Then answer the original comprehension question. This separates reference resolution from inference so a mistaken pronoun does not contaminate the rest of the answer.

2. she after two female characters

In a case involving she after two female characters, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

3. they after a group and an organisation

In a case involving they after a group and an organisation, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

4. it after an object and an idea

In a case involving it after an object and an idea, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

5. this referring to the previous event

In a case involving this referring to the previous event, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

6. that referring to a claim rather than a noun

In a case involving that referring to a claim rather than a noun, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

7. these after a list of reasons

In a case involving these after a list of reasons, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

8. those contrasting two groups

In a case involving those contrasting two groups, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

9. former and latter

In a case involving former and latter, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

10. such referring to a described behaviour

In a case involving such referring to a described behaviour, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

11. one as a substitute noun

In a case involving one as a substitute noun, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

12. ones as plural substitution

In a case involving ones as plural substitution, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

13. who in a relative clause

In a case involving who in a relative clause, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

14. which in a relative clause

In a case involving which in a relative clause, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

15. where as place reference

In a case involving where as place reference, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

16. when as time reference

In a case involving when as time reference, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

17. there as place versus existential there

In a case involving there as place versus existential there, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

18. then as time versus consequence

In a case involving then as time versus consequence, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

19. so as consequence versus substitution

In a case involving so as consequence versus substitution, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

20. do so as action substitution

In a case involving do so as action substitution, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

21. the decision after several proposed actions

In a case involving the decision after several proposed actions, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

22. the problem after several difficulties

In a case involving the problem after several difficulties, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

23. the change after multiple trends

In a case involving the change after multiple trends, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

24. the result after several measurements

In a case involving the result after several measurements, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

25. the response after several speakers

In a case involving the response after several speakers, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

26. the proposal after competing plans

In a case involving the proposal after competing plans, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

27. the group after multiple populations

In a case involving the group after multiple populations, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

28. the figure after table and graph references

In a case involving the figure after table and graph references, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

29. the increase after several variables rise

In a case involving the increase after several variables rise, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

30. the decline after several measures fall

In a case involving the decline after several measures fall, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

31. the former view after a viewpoint shift

In a case involving the former view after a viewpoint shift, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

32. the later event used to explain an earlier pronoun

In a case involving the later event used to explain an earlier pronoun, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

33. a quoted pronoun whose speaker changes

In a case involving a quoted pronoun whose speaker changes, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

34. reported speech with nested speakers

In a case involving reported speech with nested speakers, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

35. a pronoun across paragraph boundary

In a case involving a pronoun across paragraph boundary, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

36. a demonstrative at the start of a paragraph

In a case involving a demonstrative at the start of a paragraph, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

37. a summary sentence with ambiguous they

In a case involving a summary sentence with ambiguous they, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

38. a situational-writing pronoun with unclear audience

In a case involving a situational-writing pronoun with unclear audience, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

39. a continuous-writing pronoun after scene change

In a case involving a continuous-writing pronoun after scene change, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

40. a non-narrative text with repeated institutional nouns

In a case involving a non-narrative text with repeated institutional nouns, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

41. a narrative with two characters acting in sequence

In a case involving a narrative with two characters acting in sequence, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

42. a comparison question with this and that

In a case involving a comparison question with this and that, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

43. a language-effect answer that quotes an unclear referent

In a case involving a language-effect answer that quotes an unclear referent, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

44. a paraphrase that replaces a precise noun with it

In a case involving a paraphrase that replaces a precise noun with it, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

45. a final answer whose pronoun could point to two evidence sources

In a case involving a final answer whose pronoun could point to two evidence sources, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

46. a question stem whose referent differs from the passage referent

In a case involving a question stem whose referent differs from the passage referent, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

47. an inference that depends on who knew the information

In a case involving an inference that depends on who knew the information, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

48. a sentence where grammar permits two referents but chronology permits one

In a case involving a sentence where grammar permits two referents but chronology permits one, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

49. a sentence where proximity suggests one referent but meaning supports another

In a case involving a sentence where proximity suggests one referent but meaning supports another, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

50. a chain of three pronouns that must preserve the same entity

In a case involving a chain of three pronouns that must preserve the same entity, do not answer from proximity alone. List the plausible antecedents, substitute each candidate into the sentence and reject any candidate that breaks grammar, source ownership, chronology or the logic of the paragraph. The correct referent should make the local sentence coherent and remain consistent with the wider passage state.

Referent chains across questions

Once a referent is resolved, carry it forward only while the text continues to support the same entity. Scene changes, new speakers, paragraph shifts and new comparison groups can reset the chain. Re-resolve when ambiguity returns rather than assuming the previous ownership continues indefinitely.

Links

Use the Secondary English Learning Hub for reading capability, the Examination Craft hub for timed checking, Vol 0072 for independent verification, and the PSLE Learner’s Guide for earlier comprehension foundations.

Official-source discipline

For current K200 assessment requirements, use the official SEAB 2027 G2 syllabus directory and linked English Language syllabus. If SEAB updates the syllabus, the current official document takes priority.

Final rule

Resolve ownership before interpretation. A sophisticated inference built on the wrong referent is still wrong. Restore the noun, verify the chain, then infer.

Small Group Tutorials

How to Perform in the new G2 SEC Examinations | Learner’s Guide Vol 0073 | English: Referent-Chain Control — Resolve Who or What Every Pronoun Points To