SAT Practice Text Connections

Front

How does Passage 2 relate to Passage 1?

Back

It builds upon the ideas in Passage 1 by emphasizing a different dimension of equality.

Answer explanation

Passage 1 argues that women need equal opportunities to succeed, focusing on removing barriers. Passage 2 does not contradict this, but it goes further: it claims that simply integrating women into male systems isn't enough—the system itself needs restructuring to value women’s perspectives. So, Passage 2 builds upon and expands the argument in Passage 1 by offering a more radical solution.

Front

🧾 Passage 1:

In her 1869 essay, “The Subjection of Women,” British philosopher Harriet Taylor Mill argued that women’s apparent lack of achievement was not due to inferiority, but to their lack of access to education and opportunity. She believed true equality could only emerge when both genders were allowed to compete fairly in every domain of life.

🧾 Passage 2:

In contrast, in a 1913 speech, U.S. activist Charlotte Perkins Gilman acknowledged the social advancements of women but warned that “mere participation” in male-dominated spheres would not suffice. Gilman contended that society must be reorganized so that women’s distinct perspectives were valued as foundational, not supplementary.

Which claim would both authors most likely agree with?

Back

Gender equality requires more than just legal or formal changes.

Answer explanation

Both passages emphasize that equality isn’t just about opportunity (Passage 1) or participation (Passage 2); there must be deeper societal change. Mill says women need equal footing, while Gilman argues the whole structure of society must reflect women’s perspectives. So, both would agree that formal equality isn't enough—substantive change is required.

Front

How does Passage 2 relate to Passage 1?

🧾 Passage 1:

In his 1837 address “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson urged Americans to develop their own intellectual independence rather than rely on European thought. He believed each individual must think for themselves and that society would benefit from a more original, self-reliant mode of scholarship.

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🧾 Passage 2:

In contrast, British author Matthew Arnold, in his 1869 work “Culture and Anarchy,” emphasized the need for individuals to immerse themselves in the “best that has been thought and said.” For Arnold, cultural refinement and exposure to established knowledge were essential for personal growth and societal progress.

Back

It challenges Emerson’s emphasis on originality by stressing the value of established knowledge.

Answer explanation

Emerson promotes original thinking and self-reliance, pushing back against dependence on older traditions. Arnold, however, argues that learning from existing, established culture is key to improvement. Therefore, Arnold’s view challenges Emerson’s by suggesting that intellectual development requires guidance from the past, not just independence.

Front

Which statement would the author of Passage 1 most likely disagree with?

Passage 1: In his 1837 address “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson urged Americans to develop their own intellectual independence rather than rely on European thought. He believed each individual must think for themselves and that society would benefit from a more original, self-reliant mode of scholarship.

Back

Scholars benefit from reading the most revered works of the past.

Answer explanation

Emerson’s whole point is that scholars should break free from over-reliance on the past. He would likely disagree with the idea that real growth comes from reverence for past works. While he doesn’t completely dismiss the past, he’s clear that it shouldn’t dominate new thinking.

Front

🧾 Passage 1:

In his 1837 address “The American Scholar,” Ralph Waldo Emerson urged Americans to develop their own intellectual independence rather than rely on European thought. He believed each individual must think for themselves and that society would benefit from a more original, self-reliant mode of scholarship.

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🧾 Passage 2:

In contrast, British author Matthew Arnold, in his 1869 work “Culture and Anarchy,” emphasized the need for individuals to immerse themselves in the “best that has been thought and said.” For Arnold, cultural refinement and exposure to established knowledge were essential for personal growth and societal progress.

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Which choice best describes a shared theme between both passages?

Back

The individual’s role in shaping the intellectual life of a nation.

Answer explanation

Both Emerson and Arnold agree that the individual plays a key role in advancing society intellectually—though they differ in how. Emerson wants originality and independence, Arnold wants cultivation through classical knowledge. But both emphasize the individual’s central role.

Front

🧾 Passage 1:

In her 1892 book, “Women and Economics,” Charlotte Perkins Gilman argued that the economic dependence of women on men was a significant barrier to their freedom and equality. She believed that women should be encouraged to pursue economic independence to achieve true liberation.

🧾 Passage 2:

In contrast, in her 1915 essay, “The New Woman,” feminist writer and activist, Virginia Woolf, emphasized the importance of women finding their own voices and identities beyond traditional roles. Woolf argued that societal change was necessary to allow women to express their individuality and creativity.

Which statement would both authors most likely support?

Back

True equality requires women to have their own economic and personal identities.

Front

How does Passage 2 relate to Passage 1?

🧾 Passage 1:

In her 1892 book, “Women and Economics,” Charlotte Perkins Gilman argued that the economic dependence of women on men was a significant barrier to their freedom and equality. She believed that women should be encouraged to pursue economic independence to achieve true liberation.

🧾 Passage 2:

In her 1915 essay, “The New Woman,” feminist writer and activist, Virginia Woolf, emphasized the importance of women finding their own voices and identities beyond traditional roles. Woolf argued that societal change was necessary to allow women to express their individuality and creativity.

Back

It challenges Gilman's views by suggesting that economic independence is secondary to personal identity.

Front

Which claim would the author of Passage 1 most likely disagree with?

🧾 Passage 1:

In her 1892 book, “Women and Economics,” Charlotte Perkins Gilman argued that the economic dependence of women on men was a significant barrier to their freedom and equality. She believed that women should be encouraged to pursue economic independence to achieve true liberation.

Back

Societal change is unnecessary if women achieve economic independence.

Front

Which statement would both authors most likely agree with based on Passage 1 and Passage 2?

Back

Financial independence is crucial for women's self-fulfillment.

Front

How does Passage 2 relate to Passage 1?

🧾 Passage 1:

In his 1903 work, “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of double consciousness, describing the internal conflict experienced by African Americans as they navigate their identity in a racially divided society.

🧾 Passage 2:

In her 1981 book, “Sister Outsider,” Audre Lorde emphasized the importance of recognizing and embracing differences among women, particularly in the context of race, sexuality, and class. She argued that intersectionality is essential for understanding the complexities of identity.

Back

It reinforces Du Bois's idea by highlighting the importance of multiple identities.