SAT Focus: Reading Strategies

True or False: Extreme answers, which often include words like 'never' or 'always', are usually the correct answer choice.

• True

• False

• Sometimes

• Rarely

What should you do if you encounter unfamiliar words in a passage?

• Ignore the words and continue reading.

• Use context clues from the surrounding text to infer the meaning.

• Look up the words in a dictionary immediately.

• Skip the passage altogether.

What is the benefit of annotating a passage while reading?

• It helps to engage with the text and retain important information.

• It allows for faster reading without comprehension.

• It makes the text look more appealing visually.

• It reduces the need for taking notes after reading.

How can you effectively manage your time during the reading section of the SAT?

• Practice pacing yourself by timing your reading and answering questions.

• Read all passages in detail before answering any questions.

• Skip difficult questions and return to them later without a time limit.

• Answer questions based on your first impression without reading the passage.

What is a common misconception about the location of the main idea in a passage?

• That it is always found in the last paragraph.

• That it is always found in the first paragraph.

• That it is always found in the middle of the passage.

• That it can be found in any random paragraph.

What role do transition words play in understanding a passage?

• They signal relationships between ideas and help clarify the author's argument.

• They are used to confuse the reader and obscure the main point.

• They serve as decorative elements that have no real function.

• They indicate the length of the passage and its complexity.

What makes wrong answer choices incorrect in reading comprehension questions?

• They cannot be supported with direct evidence from the passage.

• They are too complex to understand.

• They are always longer than the correct answer.

• They contain irrelevant information that is not in the passage.

What should you do if you finish reading a passage but still have unanswered questions?

• Ignore the questions and move on to the next passage.

• Review the passage and look for specific evidence that relates to the questions.

• Ask someone else to answer the questions for you.

• Make a guess based on what you remember from the passage.

How can understanding the author's tone enhance comprehension?

• It provides insight into the author's perspective and intent.

• It makes the text longer and more complex.

• It allows readers to ignore the main ideas.

• It helps in memorizing the text better.

What is the purpose of skimming a passage?

• To memorize every detail of the text.

• To get a general understanding of the content and structure before reading in detail.

• To analyze the author's writing style in depth.

• To summarize the passage in one sentence.