Overview
This lecture provides strategies for answering common Digital SAT Reading section questions, including logical completion, main idea, function of sentences, evidence-based answers, and data interpretation.
Logical Completion Questions
- Read the passage and predict a word or phrase for the blank before viewing answer choices to avoid bias.
- Use context clues to determine the logical word or phrase that best fits the blank.
- Eliminate answer choices that do not logically or contextually fit.
Main Idea and Purpose Questions
- Summarize the main idea or purpose of the passage in your own words before checking answer choices.
- Select the answer that directly matches your summary and has textual support.
Function of Sentence/Structure Questions
- Identify the function of the underlined sentence in relation to the passage (e.g., supports, contrasts, illustrates).
- Compare the sentence to those before and after it to avoid common distractors.
Reading Comprehension & Evidence Questions
- Focus on finding direct textual evidence for answer choices.
- Be strict: eliminate answers that include unsupported claims like "favorite" or "wishes."
- Narrow your re-reading to relevant sections to efficiently find evidence.
Support/Weaken a Claim or Hypothesis
- Clearly identify the claim or hypothesis in the passage.
- Choose data or findings that directly support or weaken the stated claim—not those that are unrelated or tangential.
Using Data, Tables, and Graphs
- Understand what the data/table/graph represents before answering.
- Compare observed data with expected outcomes as described in the text.
- Use data to directly support or exemplify the claim in the passage.
Quotation Selection to Illustrate a Claim
- Identify the claim to be illustrated before reviewing answer choices.
- Select quotations that clearly and directly illustrate all aspects of the claim—not just related topics.
- Be mindful of narrative perspective, especially in poetry.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Logical Completion — Filling in a blank with a word/phrase that best fits the passage contextually.
- Main Idea — The central point or message of a passage.
- Function of Sentence — The role a sentence plays within the passage’s structure.
- Textual Evidence — Direct quotes or info from the passage supporting an answer.
- Support/Weaken — Using data or logic to strengthen or challenge a claim.
- Ethnographic Value — The significance of a work in representing cultures or societies.
- Narrative Perspective — The point of view from which a passage is written.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice predicting answers before viewing choices on SAT Reading questions.
- Mark and underline claims, hypotheses, or key information as you read.
- Review and practice with data interpretation questions using tables and graphs.
- Complete assigned SAT Reading practice passages using these strategies.