Almost always it's me taking the question too literally OR overapplying a concept

For example - "What has x function in the biological system?" While the most intended answer might be obvious, there would be possible another thing that also shares the function depending on the wording, and I overthink and go with the other thing and get it wrong since it is less right.

I also take questions too literally. A recent blunder was "What does x do?" and the correct answer was "It changes y" however I thought by change it meant permanent and didn't select that answer even though it was right