SAT Reading Tips and Tricks

Keywords in function questions?

serves to, function, effect, and the author uses [ ] most likely to, ~to

Common mistakes in detail questions?

1. Did not contextualize: make sure to read around the given lines 2. Did not find general general expression/categorical word or did not find a synonym.

What are the steps to correctly answering big picture questions?

1. Find the thesis, and then turn the keywords into [General Expression/Category] 2. Find the conclusion to the thesis towards the end of the passage, and then turn the keywords into [General Expression/Category] 3. Go to the topic sentence of each paragraph and figure out the function of each. *Distinguish between opinions and observations of facts (Ex. argue VS evaluate)

Function question ex: The questions in lines 74-78 primarily serve to ("Why would mental athletes be conjuring images in their mind's eye when they were trying to learn three-digit numbers? Why should they be navigating like London cabbies when they're supposed to be remembering the shapes of snowflakes?) A) raise doubts about the reliability of the conclusions reached by Maguire. B) emphasize and elaborate on an initially puzzling result of Maguire's study of mental athletes. C) imply that Maguire's findings undermine earlier studies of the same phenomenon. D) introduce and explain a connection between Maguire's two studies and her earlier work.

A) raise doubts about the reliability of the conclusions reached by Maguire. B) emphasize and elaborate on an initially puzzling result of Maguire's study of mental athletes. C) imply that Maguire's findings undermine earlier studies of the same phenomenon. D) introduce and explain a connection between Maguire's two studies and her earlier work. 1. Consider the main idea of this paragraph (refer back to the topic sentence) Topic sentence: In the second study, Maguire is surprised at the finding: mental athletes use visual memory and spatial navigation ability to learn. 2. Mark the key words in the sentences in question (evidence). What is the category that those words commonly have? Category: A reason, memorization process 3. Make sure the category in #2 is related to the main idea in #1. This is called contextualizing. Connection: Questions emphasize that she does not know the reason behind the athletes using two regions of the brain, which are visual memory and spatial navigation, to memorize. (L 66 Surprised (topic sentence) + L 73 At first glance, this wouldn't seem to make any sense) Answer: B) emphasize and elaborate on an initially puzzlingresult of Maguire's study of mental athletes.

What does finding a general expression mean?

Find a category that sums up the list/examples Find a synonym to help with literal Qs ex. skills are strengthened -> positive effects/advantages ex. use of computers and the Net -> screen based technologies

Steps to correctly answering function questions

For this type of question, figure out why the author includes the piece of information. The question often points out a list or a figurative expression. 1. Don't just read the lines or the phrase named in the question. Read the lines to find the key words, and then find a category for those words. 2. Read the entire paragraph to figure out the main idea and the function. 3. If there is a strong connection between this paragraph and the previous/next, then look at the main idea and the function of the previous/next paragraph. 4. Contextualize. See how the category fits under the main idea and the function of the paragraph.

Big picture questions ex: Textual Evidence (Thesis): "hoping to create genetically engineered animals that saved human lives... One enterprise is now delivering on this dream [pharming]... engineer animals that produced healing human proteins in their milk. Then doctors could collect medicine by the bucketful." A) present the background of a medical breakthrough. B) evaluate the research that led to a scientific discovery. C) summarize the findings of a long-term research project. D) explain the development of a branch of scientific study

Textual Evidence (Thesis): "hoping to create genetically engineered animals that saved human lives... One enterprise is now delivering on this dream [pharming]... engineer animals that produced healing human proteins in their milk. Then doctors could collect medicine by the bucketful." [General Expression/Category] - medical use of pharming Result/Conclusion: "—human medicine... ATryn hit the market in 2006, becoming the world's first transgenic animal drug." [General Expression/Category] - successfully discovered medical use and the drug entered the pharmaceutical market Answer: present the background of a medical breakthrough

Common mistakes in function questions?

Tunnel visioning - only focusing on the lines/phrase in question instead of contextualize Not comprehending the literal meaning of the topic sentence or the lines/phrase in question

What are common mistakes when answered big picture questions?

You might have marked the wrong main idea, either the thesis or the topic sentence. If this happens often, you should focus on the format of a thesis for each passage type. Did not find the general expression/categorical word

What are keywords in literal comprehension/inference questions?

indicates, inferred, suggests, implies, emphasize, claims, conclude

Detail Question Ex: Categorize ""Steal, lie, and beat up people" in "The last time I spoke to my therapist about my family issues, I felt like I understood myself better. Today, I want to tell him that I often steal, lie, and beat up people. I'm sure he would have advice for me regarding this topic, and I trust that he will make me become a better person."

problems he wants to fix*the importance of contextualizing* without the context, you would think that it is simply immoral acts

Keywords in big picture questions:

the author's point of view, the primary purpose of the passage, focus shifts from A to B, the rhetorical strategy of the author, structure/organization