Finding Textual Evidence

Locate evidence in passages to support answers

Finding Textual Evidence (SAT)

What Are Evidence Questions?

The SAT asks you to find specific lines that support your answer to the previous question.

Format:

  • Question 1: "What does the author suggest about X?"
  • Question 2: "Which choice provides the best evidence for the previous question?"

Strategy

Step 1: Answer Question 1 First

Read and answer based on the passage.

Step 2: Find Supporting Evidence

Look for lines that directly prove your answer.

Step 3: Check Both Ways

  • Does the evidence support your Q1 answer? ✓
  • Does your Q1 answer match the evidence? ✓

Common Mistakes

❌ Choosing lines that:

  • Mention keywords but don't prove the point
  • Are interesting but irrelevant
  • Partially support but aren't the BEST evidence

✅ Best evidence:

  • Directly answers the question
  • Uses specific details, not vague statements
  • Makes the claim explicit, not implied

Tips for Success

  1. Underline as you read - mark key claims
  2. Predict evidence before looking at choices
  3. Paired questions - if stuck on Q1, check Q2 evidence to help
  4. Eliminate weak evidence first

📚 Practice Problems

1Problem 1easy

❓ Question:

When looking for evidence, you should choose lines that:

A) Mention the topic B) Directly prove your answer C) Sound intelligent D) Are the longest

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

The best evidence directly proves your answer to the previous question.

  • A is wrong - just mentioning the topic isn't enough
  • C is wrong - fancy language ≠ good evidence
  • D is wrong - length doesn't matter

Answer: B - Directly prove your answer

SAT Tip: Evidence must PROVE, not just mention!

2Problem 2medium

❓ Question:

What should you do if you're unsure about Question 1 in a paired question set?

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

Strategy: Work backwards!

  1. Read Question 2 (evidence question) first
  2. Check what each evidence choice says
  3. Use the evidence to help answer Question 1
  4. Verify they match

Answer: Use the evidence choices to help answer Q1

SAT Tip: Paired questions help each other - use this to your advantage!

3Problem 3hard

❓ Question:

Why might the SAT include a choice that mentions the right topic but doesn't provide good evidence?

💡 Show Solution

Solution:

This is a trap answer that tests if you:

  • Actually understand what counts as evidence
  • Can distinguish relevance from proof
  • Read carefully vs. skim for keywords

Example:

  • Q1: "The author believes climate change is urgent"
  • Bad evidence: "Climate change is discussed widely" (mentions topic)
  • Good evidence: "We must act now or face catastrophe" (proves urgency)

Answer: To test if you can distinguish mentioning vs. proving

SAT Tip: Keywords alone don't make good evidence!

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