The SAT: Taming the Wild Reading-Passage Question

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When you enter Critical Reading Passage World, take weapons.  Not whips and machine guns, but logic and comprehension skills. This section shows you how to tame the wild SAT reading question, whether it's attached to long or short passages.

Factually Speaking

Real-world knowledge never hurts, but the SAT Critical Reading questions never require you to know anything beyond what is in the passage.  So even though you once blew up the chemistry lab, don't panic if you're facing a passage about toxic waste.  Everything you need to know is right there; you don't need any extra chemistry (unless you're bonding with a really cute proctor.)

Never skip a fact-based question because they're almost impossible to get wrong.  The test-demons even refer you politely to the proper line in the passage so you can go directly to the answer you desire.

SAT fact questions do have a couple of traps built in.  Sometimes the test-writers word the passage in a confusing way.  Decoding the meaning successfully depends upon picking up the word clues embedded in the passage.  You way want to memorize these words so that they're in neon lights in your brain.  Here are a few of the SAT's favorite little words:

• Except, but, not, in contrast to, otherwise, although, even though, despite, in spite of: These words indicate contrast, indentifying, something that doesn't fit the pattern.
• And, also, in addition to, as well as, moreover, furthermore, not only ... but also, likewise, not the only: When you see these clue words, you're probably looking for something that does fit the pattern.
• Therefore, because, consequently, hence, thus, accordingly, as a result: Now you're in cause-and-effect land
• Than, like, equally, similarly: Time to compare two ideas, two quantities, two people, two actions ... you get the idea.
• Until, after, later, then, once, before, since, while, during, still, yet, earlier, finally, when: You're watching the clock (or calendar).  Think about the order of events when you see these clue words.

Time to pull out your secret decoder ring so you can attack this sample question, based on a nonexistent passage that I would actually love to read.

Example Exam

According to the passage, the distinction between "Mustard Yellow" (line 11) and "Hot Dog Pink" (line 55) is

(A) Picasso was extremely fond of hot dogs laced with mustard

(B) Both colors are created with the same artificial chemicals

(C) Mustard Yellow is found in nature, but Hot Dog Pink is found only in baseball stadiums.

(D) Neither color will ever reach the wall of the author's living room.

(E) Mustard Yellow belongs to the blue family.

Answer: (C)

Okay, I'm kidding in this question (What else is new?), but I actually tuck in a few real points about SAT fact questions.  Notice that the question asks you to find a distinction, or difference.  Right away you can rule out (B) and (D), because the state common characteristics.  The sneaky SAT-demons play tricks on people who read the question too quickly.  You can also rule out (A) because it doesn't mention either color.  That choice represents another SAT habit; the test-writers throw in an answer that may be true according to the passage (which contained  whole section on Picasso's eating habits as they related to his color choices) but irrelevant in terms of the question.  The test-demons are hoping you choose (A) because you remember the bit about Picasso's favorite snack, ignoring the fact that (A) doesn't address the color issue.  (By the way, I made this up.  For all I know Picasso was a vegetarian.)  (E) may be okay if the passage emphasizes the color families and tells you that while Mustard Yellow can party down with the Blues, but Hot Dog Pink can't.  The passage doesn't, so (C) is your best bet.  This choice clearly states a distinction, which is what the question calls for.