Central Ideas and Details (SAT Reading)

SAT Reading Format

52 questions, 65 minutes

Passage types:

1. Literature (fiction)
2. History/Social Studies (2 passages or 1 paired)
3. Science (2 passages or 1 paired)

Identifying Central Ideas

Main Idea vs. Details

Main Idea:

• What the whole passage is about
• Author's primary purpose
• Usually more abstract/general

Supporting Details:

• Specific examples, facts, quotes
• Support the main idea
• More concrete/specific

Where to Find Main Ideas

First paragraph: Often introduces topic Last paragraph: Often reinforces/concludes Topic sentences: First sentence of paragraphs Thesis statement: Direct statement of purpose

Question Types

Type 1: Main Purpose

"The primary purpose of the passage is to..."

Common purposes:

• Describe a process
• Explain a concept
• Argue a position
• Compare two things
• Narrate an experience

Type 2: Central Claim

"Which choice best states the main idea?"

Strategy:

• Eliminate too narrow (just one detail)
• Eliminate too broad (beyond passage scope)
• Choose what covers the whole passage

Type 3: Function of a Detail

"The author mentions X primarily to..."

Why include this detail?

• Support main argument
• Provide an example
• Show contrast
• Transition to new idea
• Introduce evidence

Type 4: Best Evidence

"Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?"

Strategy:

• Re-read the cited lines
• Must directly support your previous answer
• Often appears in pairs

Working with Evidence

Direct Evidence

Explicitly states the answer

Quote clearly says what you need

Implied Evidence

Suggests the answer through context

Requires inference but still text-based

Strong vs. Weak Evidence

Strong: Directly relevant, clear Weak: Vague, tangential, unclear

SAT Reading Strategies

Read Actively

• Underline main ideas
• Bracket important details
• Note transitions and shifts

Answer in Order

Questions follow passage order (mostly)

Prove Every Answer

Point to specific lines that support it

Eliminate Wrong Answers

• Too extreme
• Not mentioned
• Opposite of passage
• Mixes up details

Paired Passages

Two passages on related topic

Question types:

1. Passage 1 only - ignore Passage 2
2. Passage 2 only - ignore Passage 1
3. Both passages - compare/contrast
4. How would author of Passage 2 respond - synthesis

Strategy:

1. Read Passage 1, answer its questions
2. Read Passage 2, answer its questions
3. Answer comparison questions

Central Ideas in Different Genres

Literature (Fiction)

Look for:

• Character development
• Theme (universal message)
• Conflict and resolution
• Narrative arc

History/Social Studies

Look for:

• Historical argument
• Author's perspective
• Evidence and reasoning
• Implications

Science

Look for:

• Hypothesis or theory
• Research findings
• Scientific process
• Significance of discovery

Common Wrong Answer Types

1. Too Specific

Only covers one paragraph or detail

2. Too Broad

Goes beyond passage scope

3. Not Mentioned

Sounds reasonable but isn't in passage

4. Extreme Language

"Always," "never," "only," "must"

5. Reversal

Opposite of what passage says

6. Mix-Up

Confuses different details from passage

SAT Tips

• Main idea appears multiple times throughout
• Read intro and conclusion carefully
• Best evidence questions point to specific lines
• Don't overthink - answer is in the passage
• Avoid outside knowledge - use only what's given
• Skim difficult sections first, return if needed
• Time management: ~13 minutes per passage