SAT Reading
1. read the italics 2. read the first and last sentence of each paragraph 3. skim the passage looking for other significant details
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SAT Critical Reading is all about context - you're not being asked "if something is true" - you're being asked "if something is true IN THIS EXACT SITUATION
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Speak out loud and explain why answer choices are wrong, and automatically kill anything if you use the word "but."
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the author mentions "Loyalist women" to demonstrate that (a) women who demanded property rights during the American revolution were not considered disloyal (b) women on both sides of the American Revolution engaged in political activities (c) loyalist women were more vocal about their political views than other women (d) loyalist women were noted for their tea boycotts and fund raising (e) loyalist women tended to be more socially influential than those that supported the revolution
(a) might be implied but definitely not stated so... beep (b) i guess they did though not sure that is why he mentioned it (c) it doesnt say anything about them being more anything (d) nope. not even mentioned (e) noooope.
in the second paragraph the references to animals primarily serve to (a) suggest that animal play can be difficult to study (b) prove a controversial point about animal behavior (c) contrast w previous description of animal play (d) emphasize physical similarities between animals and humans (e) show the variety of animal play
(a) nope no mention of difficulties (b) no controversial points have been brought up (c) minimal previous description and no contrast (d) nope no emphasis on relationship to humans (e) yupperz
the statement primarily indicates that the author of passage 1 believes that (a) gender can create particular stylistic problems for a writer (b) people prefer to read novels written by authors of their own gender (c) readers and writers are often interested in discussions of romantic love (d) gender usually shapes an individual's use of language (e) a reader will experience difficulty expressing his or her inner voice
(a) nope, this is about readers (b) nope, not about the author's gender (c) not even close (d) mayb (e) but it isn't about the reader's inner voice. it is about the text matching up w listener.
1. Read the question with the answer choices covered. 2. Come up with your best answer based on the information available from the passage. 3. Kill all the answer choices that don't match your answer.
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1. what is the main idea? 2. why was it written? 3. what's the tone?
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99% Right is 100% Wrong!
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Ask, "what is NOT the tone of this writing?"
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Ask, "where would I find this writing?"
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Come up with your own answers before you look at the answer choices provided!
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General answers are always better than specific ones!
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If an answer choice is actually the "main idea" or the "primary purpose," then it could be the title of the entire passage.
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If you want to eliminate answer choices for vocabulary-in-context problems quickly, follow these two steps: 1. Come up with your own answer 2. Kill anything that is obviously ridiculous or total garbage 3. Take anything left after step #2 and try to kill it by plugging it back into the sentence as a synonym. 4. Read the entire sentence, front to back, with the new word in place of the original. This is extremely important, since you won't be able to see exactly how "out of context" the new word seems unless you read the entire sentence.
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Imagine the author/speaker saying it.
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On "primary purpose" questions, BE VERY WARY OF SPECIFICS. When they're asking for the "primary purpose," they're asking for the main idea. Specifics aren't main ideas, so watch out for them. You want the most general answer possible.
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Pay attention to EVERY word in every problem.
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Questions asked earlier on usually have to do with text from early on in the passage, and questions asked later on usually have to do with text from later on in the passage.
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Use the "What _____?" rule whenever you possibly can. Usually for all problems asking something like: "the author does this to _______."
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When deciding whether a word or answer is wrong, ask yourself (honestly) whether you could USE THE WORD AS A DIRECT SYNONYM FOR THE ONE YOU CAME UP WITH.
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When you're doing 2-blank sentence completion problems, ELIMINATE USING ONE BLANK AT A TIME!
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Whenever you see the word "AND," it is an enormous clue which will always help you to steal. The reason? "And" can only connect two nearly identical words.
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Whenever you steal or come up with an answer, you will become more accurate by KILLING AS MANY WORDS AS POSSIBLE and trying to keep ONLY THE VERBS.
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You must PLAGIARIZE the passage when coming up with your answers
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You need to pay EXTREMELY close attention to "according to," and every phrase like it, to avoid attribution error mistakes.
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kill the wrong answers instead of picking the right answers
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the more creative you try to be on the Critical Reading section, the worse you will do.
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The doctor -------- so frequently on disease prevention techniques that his colleagues accused him of ------. A) vacillated--inconsistency B) sermonized--fidelity C) wavered--steadfastness D) experimented--inflexibility E) relied--negligence
A
In line 15, "consumption" most nearly means a) supposition b) beginning a task c) using up goods d) advertising a product e) culmination
A B and E just don't make sense. although the essay being mentioned is on advertising, consumption has more to do w using up goods. must pay attention to what q is asking
The passage suggests that mr. watson would most likely agree with which statement? A) a dramatic style of preaching appleas most to discerning listeners B) mr howard is too much the gentleman-scholar to be a good preacher. C) a proper preacher avoids extremes in delivering his sermons. D) there is no use preaching to anyone unless you happen to catch him when he is ill. E) a man often preaches his beliefs precisely when he has lost them.
A doesn't like theatrical grimace or violence B) blatantly wrong. not mentioned at all. C) good. general, but applies. D) quite random E) nope
Based on the information in the passage, Wilson's letters can be described as A) cynical B) spontaneous C) critical D) preachy E) witty
A) no such examples in text B) "reflect his changing moods" "informal" says not a studied manner C) says he is passionate and others are critical of him D) nope, eloquent and passionate E) some perhaps, but not all
Which of the following in Passage 1 exemplifies the "subtleties" mentioned in Passage 2, line 15? A) inexorable advance (line 1) B) battering rams (line 4) C) lakes, frontier towns, mountain ranges (line 7) D) connotations (line 8) E) Frankensteinian concotions
A) not subtle at all B) also not referring to subtleties C) these are just examples of a different type of subtle in the name of suv D) connatations is even synonymous w subtleties! E) just a description
sleep actually occurs --- though one may receive clues signaling its --- for several minutes before one falls asleep. a) gradually....abruptness b)erratically...solace c)temporarily...length d0inevitably...approach e)instantaneously...onset
ABC are all definitely wrong. inevitably isn't really true. instantaneously has more to do with the time mentioend later.
The controversial tax fueled a sustained ----- that could not be ------- by the Prime Minister's impassioned speeches. A) rebellion..challenged B) interrogation..fortified C) conflagration..fostered D) denial..restrained E) uprising..quelled
E
several of huffman's characters are -------, and so resist and impulse to ------- the social standards of their times. (a) heretical... denounce (b) obsequious... assimilate to (c) recalcitrant ... migrate to (d) itinerant... habituate to (e) iconoclastic... conform to
a character can either conform to social standards or resist social standards. if a character resists any impulse to conform to social standards, he or she must be an iconoclast. heretic = individual w controversial opinions; denounce = to condemn, obsequious= overly submissive; assimilate = make similar; recalcitrant = hesitant to obey; itinerant = wandering; habituate = become accustomed to; iconoclast= one who attacks submission.
in line 60 flatly most nearly means a) evenly b) tautly c) shallowly d) unemphatically e) unequivocally
a) doesnt make sense b) doesnt make sense c) yes he is shallow but that isn't what flatly means d) meh no e) without a doubt. yeah. there is no doubt in flatness. flat is flat.
opponents of the research institute label it ---- anachronism; its shcolars, they allege, have ---- rivaling those of pre-Revolutionary French nobility. a) an elitist.. perquisites b) a monarchical. . tribulations c) an irreproachable. . luxuries d) a reprehensible. . afflictions e) a commendable. . privileges
a) elitists works, don't know what perquisites means b) tribulations doesn't fit into the second blank c) if it has opponents it certainly can't be faultless d) afflictions is problems, so doesn't work e) commendable means praise so doens't go w opponents
in context, mulcahy's "condolatory smile" is most probably an expression of both a) cynical skepticism and comical self-pity b) sincere compassion and whimsical delight c) profound surprise and delighted appreciation d) bitter disappointment and sly criticism e) condescending sympathy and amused scorn
a) he feels pity, but not for himself b) not even c) not even d) you thought e) definitely amused scorn. condescending yes. yes.
the phrase "ironies of his biography" refers to Mulcahy's belief that a) he has not received the recognition and rewards he deserves b) he has been more active later in his academic career than at its beginning c) he is ridiculed by his friends despite his impressive academic achievements d) his personal life is not as satisfying as his professional career e) his personality is not suited to his schoarly pursuits
a) he has alot of awards but he wants more recognition so maybe b) no dates given c) no mention of friends d) nope 4 kids sounds nice e) as a whole it doesnt seem like he is, but nothing in this passage says that specifically
the passage suggests that Stanton and Anthony prevailed against Bloomer because their position a) defied the male status quo b) asserted women's political rights c) opposed Douglass' ideas d) was recognized as being politically wise e) had financial consequences
a) nope b) it does, but that isnt why they prevailed c) on the contrary, they sided with him against bloomer d) a bit generally but maybe e) not mentioned
compared to the author of passage 2, the author of passage 1 regards linnaeus with more a) cynicism b) bafflement c) appreciation d) nostalgia e) resentment
a) nope, that would be author of 1 about passage 2 b) nope c) maybe d) nope e) nope
a discerning publishing agent can--promising material from a mass of submissions, separating the good from the bad. a) supplant b) dramatize c) finagle d) winnow e) overhaul
a) supersede and replace b) just not c) obtain (something) by devious or dishonest means d) remove (people or things) from a group until only the best ones are left e) nah dawg
both passages emphasize which of the following aspects of Linnaeus' work? a0 extent to which it contributed to natural science b) the way in which it limits present day science c) the degree to which it revived an interest in biology d) the decisiveness with which it settled scientific disputes e) the kinds of scientific discoveries on which it built
a) yes, though they have different opinions b) nope, just the second one c) not at all d) nope e) nope more like scientific discoveries which built on it
throughout pass 1, the author seeks primarily to convey a0 his resemblance to his ancestors b) his ambivalence about his journey c) the difficulties of traveling in a foreign country d0 his need to deny his american origins e) the depth of his desire to track down his roots
choice a is incorrect b/c author has no desire to know what his ancestors looked like. choices c and d are incorrect. nothing in passage supports them. choice e is incorrect. though on one level the author does have this desire, on the other hand he feels attempting to do so is a meaningless exercise. (ambivalence)
because nevada receives only 7 inches of rainfall each year, the nevada state government has put forth strong recommendations to its municipalities that urge them to practice ---- with water and to avoid ---- during the driest times of the year. a) latency. . dissemination b) complacency. . circumspection c) salvation. . discretion d) husbandry. . improvidence e) partisanship . . immoderation
dissemination=spread, improvidence=wastefulness, latency=inactivity, husbandry=controlled use of resources
the author's comments about Bob Dylan chiefly suggest that A) Dylan readily abandoned political rock and roll for folk music B) folk music gave voice to political concerns long before rock and roll music did C) rock and roll swiftly replaced folk music int he public's affections D) Dyland lacked the necessary skills to convey his political message musically E) Dylan betrayed his fan's faith in him by turning away from political commentary
dylan is given credit for "introducing the explicit policies of folk music to rock and roll." clearly this implies that, at the time dylan introduce politics to rock, folk music was already an openly political medium through which artists expressed their convictions. A) nope, he included it B) perhaps. C) doesn't state that D) not necessarily, he just gave up on it. also to narrow to be chiefly E) yes, but not chiefly at all. B
the comments by allan eustis in line 75-85 suggest that he believes that viewers of television weather forecasts a) expect to be entertained by forecasters and their antics b) believe that forecasting is a very serious task c) are humbled by the technical aspects of meteorology d) are more interested in the accuracy of forecasts than they used to be e) are not sympathetic to television meteorologists
eustis' comments suggest that television viewers are not sympathetic to television meteorologists. he says that "the audience is just waiting for (the forecaster) to be wrong, and that the audience expresses the natural instinct to "laugh at someone who's trying to be a shaman about the weather". this suggests that the audience finds the mere "presumptuousness" of the forecaster's task to be funny, not their antics per se.
when judging passag 1 by the author of passage two, find evidence for whatever answer you pick
gh
with extra time, check that bubbles match circles in test booklet
ght
the author's attitude towards winning the fellowship can best be described as one of a) graceful acquiescence b) whole hearted enthusiasm c) unfeigned gratitude d0 frank dismay e) marked ambivalence
like the author of passage 1 the author of passage 2 feels a marked ambivalence about his prospective journey. he is happy to have won but unhappy of going to japan instead of london.
the trytophan in the thanksgiving turkey had ---- effect, inducing sleep in those who consumed it. a) a mundane b) a depreciatory c) an invigorating d) a lugubrious e) a soporific
lugubrious=gloomy, soporific=tending to induce sleep
the author of Passage 1 is most affected by the voyageur's A) inventiveness B) hardships C) strength D) zest E) diligence
narrator comments on voyageur's strength and dangers faced on trail. however, most impressed by "unsurpassed nonchalance and joy in wilderness". to narrator this exuberance or zest is outstanding.
Laila performed her tasks at the office with---, completing all her projects in record time. a) alacrity b) conformity c) deliberation d) recrimination e) exasperation
not b d or e. alacrity is brisk and cheerfulr eadiness. cheerful readiness doesnt work, but brisk sure as heck does.
in line 27, the word "sanction" most nearly means: a) penalize b) approve c) destroy d) formally decree e) control
passage states that treating animals well requires that we not sanction practices that deny them their rights. this means that we should not approve such practices.
the author of p2 would likely characterize the concept of animal rights described in passage 1 as a) a misnomer b) an anachronism c) a moral necessity d) a clever application e) inconsistent w the "rights view" discussed in passage 1
since the author of pass 2 argues that animals cannot have rights b/c the concepts of rights is essentially human, the author would regard this use of term as incorrect
in line 2, "dessert" is used as an example of something that is a) generally unhealthful b) occasionally trivial c) frequently avoided d) often expensive e) usually savored
the dessert in this sentence is something that is saved for last and compared to the part of the broadcast more people watch than any other. it is savored.
their comments in line 32 and 33 suggest that Burchill and Parsons primarily regard consumers as A) invariably dimwitted B) markedly ambivalent C) compulsively spendthrift D) unfamiliar with commerce E) vulnerable to manipulation
to B and P, consumer is "a potential Moron" who can be kept quiet and content by being handed consumer goods as a distraction. A) plays to closely to single word Moron B) nope C) okay, that is a consumer, but doesn't relate to paragraph D) nope E) maybe. vague. but yes.