Loading…
Master strategies for the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section.
Learn step-by-step with practice exercises built right in.
The SAT Reading section tests your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret passages. You will encounter:
A passage states: "The scientist's discovery, though initially met with skepticism, gradually gained acceptance as further experiments confirmed the results." What is the primary purpose of this sentence?
Analyze what the sentence does:
The sentence describes a process — a discovery went from skepticism to acceptance as evidence accumulated.
Primary purpose: To show how the scientific community's response to the discovery evolved over time.
Why other answers might be wrong:
For "purpose" questions, ask yourself: "Why did the author include this information?"
Review key concepts with our flashcard system
Explore more SAT Prep topics
"What is the primary purpose of the passage?"
"According to the passage, which of the following is true?"
"Based on the passage, it can be reasonably inferred that..."
"As used in line X, 'word' most nearly means..."
"The author includes the example in paragraph 3 in order to..."
Answer: To describe how the reception of the discovery changed as supporting evidence emerged.
A passage states: "The scientist's discovery, though initially met with skepticism, gradually gained acceptance as further experiments confirmed the results." What is the primary purpose of this sentence?
Analyze what the sentence does:
The sentence describes a process — a discovery went from skepticism to acceptance as evidence accumulated.
Primary purpose: To show how the scientific community's response to the discovery evolved over time.
Why other answers might be wrong:
Strategy: For "purpose" questions, ask yourself: "Why did the author include this information?"
Answer: To describe how the reception of the discovery changed as supporting evidence emerged.
In a passage, the author describes a city in great detail, noting its "gleaming towers" and "pristine avenues" in the first paragraph, then mentions "crumbling foundations" and "hidden alleyways" in the third paragraph. What technique is the author using?
This is a contrast/juxtaposition:
The author first presents the city positively ("gleaming," "pristine") and then reveals its hidden problems ("crumbling," "hidden").
Technique: The author is creating a contrast between appearance and reality (or surface vs. depth).
Purpose of this technique:
Answer: The author uses contrast/juxtaposition to reveal that the city's outward appearance conceals underlying problems.
SAT Tip: When the tone or imagery shifts within a passage, the question is almost always about why the author made that shift.
In a passage, the author describes a city in great detail, noting its "gleaming towers" and "pristine avenues" in the first paragraph, then mentions "crumbling foundations" and "hidden alleyways" in the third paragraph. What technique is the author using?
This is a contrast/juxtaposition:
The author first presents the city positively ("gleaming," "pristine") and then reveals its hidden problems ("crumbling," "hidden").
Technique: The author is creating a contrast between appearance and reality (or surface vs. depth).
Purpose of this technique:
Answer: The author uses contrast/juxtaposition to reveal that the city's outward appearance conceals underlying problems.
SAT Tip: When the tone or imagery shifts within a passage, the question is almost always about why the author made that shift.
A history passage discusses how Thomas Jefferson advocated for individual liberty while also owning enslaved people. A question asks: "Which choice best describes the overall structure of the passage?" What should you look for?
For structure questions, look at what each paragraph DOES:
In this case: The passage about Jefferson presents a contradiction (advocating liberty while owning slaves). The structure likely:
Answer format: "The passage presents an apparent contradiction and then explores its implications."
SAT Tip: Common passage structures:
A history passage discusses how Thomas Jefferson advocated for individual liberty while also owning enslaved people. A question asks: "Which choice best describes the overall structure of the passage?" What should you look for?
For structure questions, look at what each paragraph DOES:
In this case: The passage about Jefferson presents a contradiction (advocating liberty while owning slaves). The structure likely:
Answer format: "The passage presents an apparent contradiction and then explores its implications."
SAT Tip: Common passage structures:
A science passage discusses two competing theories about dinosaur extinction. Theory A attributes it to an asteroid impact; Theory B to volcanic activity. The author concludes that "recent geological evidence suggests both mechanisms may have contributed." How does the conclusion function within the passage?
Analyze the conclusion's role in the argument:
The passage sets up a dichotomy (Theory A vs. Theory B), then the conclusion offers a synthesis — both theories may be partially correct.
The conclusion functions to:
Why each wrong answer might be tempting:
Answer: The conclusion synthesizes the two competing theories by suggesting both contributed, providing a more comprehensive explanation supported by recent evidence.
SAT Strategy: Conclusions often do one of these: summarize, synthesize, qualify, or provide an implication.
A science passage discusses two competing theories about dinosaur extinction. Theory A attributes it to an asteroid impact; Theory B to volcanic activity. The author concludes that "recent geological evidence suggests both mechanisms may have contributed." How does the conclusion function within the passage?
Analyze the conclusion's role in the argument:
The passage sets up a dichotomy (Theory A vs. Theory B), then the conclusion offers a synthesis — both theories may be partially correct.
The conclusion functions to:
Why each wrong answer might be tempting:
Answer: The conclusion synthesizes the two competing theories by suggesting both contributed, providing a more comprehensive explanation supported by recent evidence.
SAT Strategy: Conclusions often do one of these: summarize, synthesize, qualify, or provide an implication.
In a paired passage set, Passage 1 argues that social media improves democratic engagement, while Passage 2 argues it creates echo chambers. A question asks: "How would the author of Passage 2 most likely respond to the claim in lines 12-15 of Passage 1?" How should you approach this?
Strategy for paired passage relationship questions:
Step 1: Read lines 12-15 of Passage 1 carefully. Identify the specific claim being made (e.g., "social media allows citizens to engage directly with elected officials").
Step 2: Understand Passage 2's main argument and perspective. The author argues social media creates echo chambers where people only hear views they already agree with.
Step 3: Think about how the Passage 2 author would view the specific claim:
Step 4: The Passage 2 author would likely argue that while direct engagement exists, it occurs within ideological bubbles, limiting the quality of democratic discourse.
Answer: The Passage 2 author would likely acknowledge the possibility of engagement but argue that such engagement is diminished by the tendency of social media platforms to reinforce existing beliefs.
Key SAT Principle: For "how would Author X respond" questions:
In a paired passage set, Passage 1 argues that social media improves democratic engagement, while Passage 2 argues it creates echo chambers. A question asks: "How would the author of Passage 2 most likely respond to the claim in lines 12-15 of Passage 1?" How should you approach this?
Strategy for paired passage relationship questions:
Step 1: Read lines 12-15 of Passage 1 carefully. Identify the specific claim being made (e.g., "social media allows citizens to engage directly with elected officials").
Step 2: Understand Passage 2's main argument and perspective. The author argues social media creates echo chambers where people only hear views they already agree with.
Step 3: Think about how the Passage 2 author would view the specific claim:
Step 4: The Passage 2 author would likely argue that while direct engagement exists, it occurs within ideological bubbles, limiting the quality of democratic discourse.
Answer: The Passage 2 author would likely acknowledge the possibility of engagement but argue that such engagement is diminished by the tendency of social media platforms to reinforce existing beliefs.
Key SAT Principle: For "how would Author X respond" questions: