Words in Context

Sample Questions:
 Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
 Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
How to Approach “Completes the Text” Questions?
1. Read the entire passage once. This first read is to get a general understanding of the
passage. When you get to the blank space, skip that word, and continue reading. Do NOT
try to select your own word during your first read, as you often do not have enough context
or clues to know what the definition of the word should be.
2. Read the passage a 2nd time and look for clue word(s). As you read the passage again,
find the clue word(s) that tell you what the meaning of the blank part of the passage must
be. The clue words may be a single word or a longer phrase.
3. Identify the clue word(s).
4. Identify the relationship between the clue word(s) and the blank. Identify if the clue
words directly define the term in the blank, provide a similar definition or show a
continuation of the thought (synonym), or show a contrasting definition (antonym).
5. Look at the answer choices and pick the one that best matches.
6. If you are stuck between answer choices, eliminate words that you know are
incorrect.
How to Approach “Most Nearly Means” Questions
1. Read the entire passage once.
2. When you get to the underlined portion, DO NOT read the underlined word. Instead,
plug in “blank” as you read. This will ensure that you are using the evidence in the passage
to come up with your own meaning.
3. Read the passage a 2nd time and come up with your own meaning. As you read the
passage again, find the evidence that tells you what the meaning of the blank part of the
passage must be.
4. If you cannot pick your own word, try to identify the evidence in the passage.
5. Look at the answer choices and pick the one that best matches.
6. If you are stuck between answer choices, eliminate words that you know are
incorrect.
3 Common Types of Words in Context Questions
1. Definition in the passage
The clue word(s) provide a definition of the blank or the underlined word.
2. Synonym
A synonym is a word that has the same definition as another world. The clue in the
sentence is a single word or short phrase that is a synonym to the blank or underlined
portion.
When continuers appear, you need to look for words with a similar meaning, or the same
meaning, as the word in the blank.
And Furthermore Just as Similarly
Also In addition Moreover Too
As well as Likewise Not only…but also
Continuers also include cause, effect, and explanation words which indicate that the word is
causing a particular result or explain why something is occurring.
As a result In that Colons
Because Therefore Dashes
Consequently Thus
3. Antonym
An antonym is a word that has the definition opposite of another word. The clue in the
sentence is a single word or short phrase that is an antonym to the blank or underlined
portion.
When contradictors appear, you need to look for an answer that means the opposite, or that
is inconsistent with key words in the sentence.
Although However Meanwhile Unlike
But In contrast Nevertheless Rather than
Despite In spite of On the other hand Whereas
Even Instead of Paradoxically While, Yet

POE CRITERIA
 Beyond the Text (common definitions of the original word or words that seem logical
based on other parts of the passage)
 Extreme Language (words that go too far in the positive or negative direction)
 Opposite (words that convey the opposite tone of the one used by the author or a
character)
Text Structure and Purpose
Sample Questions:
 Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
 Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
 Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
How to Approach Purpose Questions
1. Read the entire passage. As you read the passage, you do NOT need to come up with
your own purpose.
2. Read the answer choices. ALWAYS read all 4 answer choices.
3. Eliminate incorrect answer choices. Answer choices on purpose ques ons are often
clearly wrong. Look for details in answer choices that are not in the passage and eliminate
any answer choices that include these details. Only eliminate answer choices that you are
100% sure are incorrect.
4. If you are confident that you know the answer, go back to the passage to verify your
answer choice is correct. Do not select your final answer without going back to the
passage.
5. If you are unsure which answer choice is correct, reread the passage and assess the
remaining answer choices 1 at a me. As you reread the passage, it will be easier to verify
if an answer choice is correct or identify why it is incorrect. If an answer choice is incorrect
for any reason, eliminate it.
6. If you are stuck between 2 answer choices, find the key difference. On harder purpose
questions, two answer choices can seem very similar. If you can find the key difference
between the answer choices, it will be easier to determine which one is correct.
3 Key principles for Purpose Questions
1. The main purpose is a twist on the main idea. Remember, the purpose explains WHY
the author wrote the passage not WHAT the passage is about.
2. The correct answer is often not explicitly supported in the text. There still must be
evidence in the text to support the correct answer, but it will not be directly matching
information in the passage. Correct answer choices are commonly more general or abstract
than the passage.
3. Incorrect answer choices are often clearly incorrect. Since purpose questions are more
abstract, the SAT must make incorrect answer choices clearly wrong. Be picky and look for
anything wrong with answer choices to eliminate. Also, look for too narrow answer choices
that only match a por on of the passage.
Incorrect answers to a Purpose question may:
 Include ideas from the passage but misrepresent the author’s reason for writing about them
 Include verbs that misrepresent the author’s reason for writing the passage or underlined
portion
 Inaccurately reflect the structure of the passage
The correct answer to a purpose question will:
 Correctly identify the author’s reason for writing a passage, using an appropriate verb
 Correctly describe the structure of a passage in a way that accounts for every part of the
passage and reflects the author’s overall purpose
 Correctly identify the author’s reason for including a portion of the passage, in light of the
structure of the entire passage, using an appropriate verb
Main Purpose vs. Main Idea
Main idea questions ask you to identify the main takeaway of the passage. So, Main Idea
questions are “What” questions that ask you what happened in the passage. On the other hand,
Main Purpose questions ask you to identify the main goal the author is achieving in the passage.
Main Purpose questions are “Why” questions that ask you why the author wrote the passage.
Main Idea - The primary argument the author is making. It is usually stated more or less directly in
the passage, usually in the introduction and conclusion.
Purpose - The rhetorical goal of the passage as a whole (e.g., explain, emphasize, describe).
While the primary purpose is based on the overall passage, there is often a key sentence that will
point to a particular answer.
POE CRITERIA
 Recycled Language (repeating words verbatim from the passage but using those words
differently from the passage
 Right Answer, Wrong Question traps (answers that are supported by the passage but only
describe the content of the passage and not the author’s purpose in writing it)
 Opposites (answers that express the opposite purpose or tone from what the author is
trying to do)
How to Approach Function Questions
1. Read the entire passage. On your first read, focus on understanding the passage.
2. Identify what the underlined sentence is connected to. The function of the underlined
sentence has to do with what other idea in the passage the underlined sentence is
connected to. The underlined sentence must be connected to the idea before, a er, or both.
3. Try to identify the type of function. If you can identify the type of function before reading the
answer choices, it will be much easier to find the correct answer choice.
Introduction Explaining a previous idea Example
Definition Connection between ideas Summary
Design of a study Findings/results
4. Assess the accuracy of each answer choice and eliminate incorrect answer choices.
Incorrect answer choices for Func on questions often include details that make them clearly
incorrect. Only eliminate answer choices that you are 100% sure are incorrect.
5. If you are unsure which answer choice is correct, reread the passage and assess the
remaining answer choices 1 at a time.
6. If you are stuck between 2 answer choices, find the key difference.
2 Tips for Success on Function Questions
1. Find the connection.
 Connected before: A sentence that is supporting, proving, or expanding on
information introduced in the previous sentence(s) of the passage is connected
before. Common functions for a sentence connected before are a definition, an
explanation of a previous idea, a finding/result, an example, and a summary
 Connected After: A sentence that introduces a concept, definition, or other
information that is important to understanding the following sentence(s) connects to
the ideas after. Common functions for a sentence connected a er are an introduction,
a definition, and context.
 Connected Before and After: A sentence that provides information that continues an
ongoing discussion in the passage is connected before and a er. Common functions
for a sentence connected before and a er are design of a study, connection between
ideas, and context.
2. Be REALLY Picky and Work Bakwards! Incorrect answer choices for Function questions
commonly have at least 1 thing in each answer choice that make the answer clearly
9 Common Types of Functions
1. Introduction: A sentence, especially the first sentence of the passage, often introduce the
topic that will be discussed in the passage.
Location in the text: First sentence of the passage (most commonly) or second
sentence (less commonly)
2. Definition: A sentence can provide a definition of a term, phrase, or something else
discussed in the passage. The definition helps readers understand a concept that would
otherwise be unfamiliar to them.
Location in the text: Anywhere in the passage
3. Explaining a Previous Idea: A sentence can provide a further explanation of a previous
idea introduced earlier in the passage. These sentences often give more information to help
explain a claim made earlier in the passage.
Location in the text: Middle or end of the passage
4. Design of a Study: In passages with a study, a sentence can describe the design of a
study. These sentences will outline the setup of the study and will not include any findings.
Location in the text: Middle or end of the passage.
5. Connection Between Ideas: A sentence in the middle of the passage can connect the
ideas in the previous sentence(s) to the sentence(s) that follow. These sentences help
continue the discussion of the passage.
Location in the text: Middle or end of the passage
6. Findings/Results: In passages with a study, a sentence can share the findings or results of
the study. These sentences can share specific findings or outline a broader conclusion
found based on the data.
Location in the text: Middle or end of the passage
7. Example: A sentence can provide an example of an idea described in the previous
sentence. The previous sentence will state a broader claim, and the example will be more
specific and will support the claim.
Location in the text: Middle or end of the passage
8. Context: A sentence can provide information that is necessary to understand other parts of
the passage. The information in a context sentence is critical for the reader to comprehend
some aspect of the rest of the text.
Location in the text: Anywhere in the passage
9. Summary: A sentence, most commonly the final sentence of a passage, can summarize
the main takeaway from the passage.
Location in the text: End of the passage
How to Approach Structure Questions
1. Read the entire passage. If the passage includes a description above the passage, make
sure to read that as well. As you read the passage, focus on the understanding the passage
as a whole. It is good to take note of the overall structure as you read, but you should NOT
try to come up with your own answer for the structure of the passage.
2. Read the answer choices. As you read each answer choice, look for details that make the
answer incorrect. Answer choices for these questions most commonly include statement
with multiple parts and can look like this:
A. It describes the goal of a particular study, then highlights a characteristic about the
participants in the study.
B. It defines a particular type of study, then outlines under what situations that type of
study should be used.
Whenever the answer choices have multiple parts, we can assess each part of the answer
choice independently. If any part of the answer choice is incorrect, eliminate that entire
answer choice!
3. Reread the parts of the passage (if necessary).
4. Select the correct answer.
If a question asks for the “main purpose” of the passage,
̶ Focus on why than what the passage was written [Why did the author write this?] (It
addresses author’s intentions, or their aim for writing particular texts)
̶ There is a main claim the author is making somewhere in the passage—each sentence will
in some way contribute to this claim
̶ Begin by determining the author’s main point about the topic of the passage, which will be
supported by the details in the rest of the passage.
̶ Contain a verb that describes the author’s specific reason
̶ The first sentence is most likely the key reason for the answer.
If a question asks for the “function” of a sentence,
̶ Refer to author’s reason for a portion of a passage [Why a sentence was included]
̶ The sentences before and after the indicated sentence will reference ideas that the
sentence in question interacts with.
If a question asks for the “overall structure” of the passage,
̶ Refers to how the ideas in a passage are organized so that they can effectively achieve the
author’s purpose
̶ You’re still looking for the main claim the author is making, but you want to examine each
sentence to see how that claim is supported
Cross-Text Connections
Sample Questions:
 Based on the texts,
̶ How a view point in one text would respond to a viewpoint from other text
̶ Something the texts have in common
̶ How the viewpoints in the texts differ
How To Approach Both Texts Agree Questions
1. Read Text 1.
2. Read the answer choices and eliminate incorrect answer choices. A er reading Text 1,
you will be able to identify answer choices that Text 1 would not agree with. Eliminate those
answer choices. Leave any answer choices Text 1 supports (or could support if you are
unsure).
3. Read Text 2.
4. Read the remaining answer choices. Do NOT reread the answer choices that you
already eliminated in step 3. Eliminate any answer choices that Text 2 would not agree
with.
5. Select the correct answer. Many incorrect answer choices agree with only 1 passage. By
reading 1 text at a me and assessing the answer choices a er each read, it is much easier
to avoid answer choices that only agree with 1 text.
How To Approach Most Likely Respond Questions
1. Read Text 1. Your first read is for general understanding of the text.
2. Reread Text 1 to understand the main takeaway (if necessary). Your goal is the
understand the position in Text 1 before moving onto Text 2.
3. Read Text 2.
4. Come up with your own answer. After reading both texts, try to identify how someone in
Text 2 would respond to the position in Text 1 (more common) or how someone in Text 1
would respond to the position in Text 2 (less common).
5. Read the answer choices. Look for an answer choice that matches your answer. Eliminate
any answer choices that are clearly incorrect.
How to Approach Describes a Difference Questions
1. Read Text 1.
2. Read Text 2.
3. Read the answer choices. As you read each answer choice, look for details that make the
answer incorrect. Answer choices for these questions most commonly include statements
about both Text 1 and Text 2 and look like this:

A. The author of Text 1 argues that the elements in the meteorite sample support the
crater moon theory, while the author of Text 2 dismisses the meteorite sample as
irrelevant to the crater moon theory.
B. The author of Text 1 believes that the crater pattern on the moon is similar to one
found on Mars, whereas the author of Text 2 implies that there is not enough
information to make that conclusion.
As you can see, we can assess each half of the answer choice independently. If either half
of the answer choice is incorrect, eliminate that entire answer choice!
4. Reread the Texts as necessary. You will almost always have to go back and reread parts
of or the full texts. Once you know the answer choices, you can go back to the passage to
see if the statements in the answer choices match the texts.
5. Select the correct answer.
How to Make Connections Between Texts
̶ If the question asks about the view of an author, determine the main idea of the text.
Remember, you need to identify not just the topic of the passage but the author’s main
point about the topic. Paraphrase the author’s view in your own words
̶ If the question asks about the view of someone mentioned in the passage, paraphrase this
view in your own words. These views might be explicitly stated in the passage (Some
scientists have argued that…), or they might be based upon information given in the
passage (The results of a research study)
̶ Pay attention to any clue words in the passage that provide hints about viewpoint
The correct answer to a Connection question will:
 Provide a relevant and accurate connection
 Correctly reflect the view points from both
POE CRITERIA
 Opposites (answers that take the opposite viewpoint that Text 2 expresses, such as
agreeing with Text 1 when Text 2 actually disagrees)
 Extreme Language (answers that take a stated opinion or claim further than the relevant
passage can support)
Central Ideas and Details
Sample Questions:
 Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
 According to the text, why would a boat built for a freshwater lake be ill-fitted for a saltwater
environment?
 According to the text, what is true about Jonathan?
How to Approach Main Idea Questions
1. Read the entire passage. If the passage includes a description above the passage, make
sure to read that as well. As you read the passage, try to identify the main idea.
2. Come up with your own main idea. A er reading the passage, state the main idea (your
main takeaway) in your own words. You can simply write down a few words that summarize
the main idea of the passage.
3. Read the answer choices. ALWAYS read all 4 answer choices.
4. Eliminate incorrect answer choices. Only eliminate answer choices that you are sure are
incorrect. If you are unsure, leave the answer choice.
5. If you are not sure which answer choice is correct, find the key difference between
the remaining answer choices. Most commonly, students are stuck between 2 answer
choices at this point. If you can find the key difference between the answer choices, it will
be easier to determine which one is correct.
6. Select the correct answer.
How to Identify the Main Idea
1. The main idea is not just a topic of the passage (dogs), but the author’s main point about
the topic (why dogs are good pets)
2. Can be found in the first sentence, or last sentence of the passage
3. The other sentences in the passage include details that support the main idea of the
passage (details that dogs are loyal, protective and playful)
4. IT can be explicitly stated in a single sentence but it can also be a summary of the
statements made in the passage, especially if the author is describing an experiment or
telling a chronological story
POE CRITERIA
 Right Answer, Wrong Question (answers that focus on an accurate detail that is not the
main focus of the other sentences)
 Recycled Language (repeated words that are used differently in the answer than in the
passage)
 Beyond the Text answers (conclusions that seem logical but are not ideas supported
directly by the passage itself)
4 Keys for Success on Main Idea Questions
1. Identifying The Topic. What is the passage about? The topic is most commonly
introduced in the first 1-2 sentences and is discussed throughout the rest of the passage.
2. Identify The Relationship. The first 1-2 sentences set the stage for the passage, often
introducing the topics and providing background information for context. As the passage
continues, you need to identify the relationship. The common relationships are listed below:
o Continuation – the passage continues the discussion of the topic introduced in the
first 1-2 sentences
o Further Support – the passage supports a position, fact, or argument introduced in
the first 1-2 sentences. This is common for science and history passages
o Contrast – the passage provides information that contrasts the position, fact, or
argument introduced in the first 1-2 sentences. This is a common relationship for
science passages.
3. Recognize The Structure.
o Introduction, Then Key Takeaway. This is the most common structure for main
idea questions. The first 1-2 sentences introduce the topic and provide information
for context. In the rest of the passage, the author shares new information about the
topic. For questions with this structure, the main idea is usually in the final 1-2
sentences.
o Continuous Narrative. For continuous narrative passages, the main idea is a
summary of the main takeaway from the passage. The main idea is the
argument/point that is built throughout the passage. 7
 For fiction and poetry passages with a continuous narrative, ask yourself,
“What happened?”
 For all other types of passages with a continuous narrative, ask yourself,
“What is the main point the author is making?”
o Out With the Old, In with the New (Science Passages, History Passages). Many
science and history passages begin with a description of how something used to be.
Scientists formerly believed ____ or historians initially believe that _____. The
passage then introduces something new (a new study, a new discovery, etc.) and
shares how this new information has changed the understanding.
– For passages with this structure, ask yourself, “What changed?” The main
idea is the answer choice that describes what changed based on the new
information.
4. Find the Main Takeaway. What is the most important thing in the passage? A er you
identify the topic, identify the relationship, and recognize the structure, you are ready to find
the main takeaway. The main takeaway can be a position, an argument, or a topic
discussed through the passage. No ma er what, the main takeaway always communicates
something about the topic.
How to Locate the Relevant Detail
1. If you see the words according to the text or based on the text in the question stem, you
have a Retrieval question that is asking you WHAT the passage said. The question could
ask for many different types of details, such as why or how something happens, but these
details will be something you can definitively find in the passage each time.
2. The correct answer will always be explicitly stated in the passage
3. Clue words in the questions stem can help you focus in on the specific detail(s) needed to
answer the question.
4. Make you own paraphrased prediction of the correct answer since the wording of the
correct answer choice will not exactly match the wording in the passage.
5. The correct answer will specifically answer the question not just provide a detail from the
passage and paraphrase a detail explicitly stated in the passage
POE CRITERIA
 Recycled Language (repeating words verbatim from the passage but using those words
differently from the passage)
 Beyond the Text (making outside assumptions not supported by the passage)
 Extreme Language (go beyond what the passage states)
Command of Evidence Questions (Textual)
Sample Questions:
 Which finding, if true, would most directly undermine/weaken Smith’s hypothesis?
 Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researcher’s claim?
 Which quotation from the surveys best illustrates the claim?

How to Identify Evidence that Supports or Weakens

̶ Identify the specific hypothesis or clam. Paraphrase the hypothesis or claim in your own
words.
̶ Provide additional information, beyond what is provided in the passage, that strengths,
weakens, or illustrates a claim or hypothesis, as identified in the question
̶ Have a direct logical relationship to the claim or hypothesis
3 Tips for Success on Claims Questions
1. Anticipate the evidence. After assessing the claim and other evidence in the passage, you
should have an idea of what you are looking for BEFORE you go back to the answer
choices.
2. Find the connection across the passage (for harder questions). For harder Support the
Claim and Weaken the Claim questions, the evidence in the passage that you will need to
fully understand the claim will go beyond the claim itself. You will need to find how the claim
in the passage connects with other relevant information in the rest of the passage.
3. If you get stuck, reread the claim. If you get stuck at any point when answering a Claims
question, your first move should be to go back and reread the claim. Think of the claim as
our homebase. If we get lost, we should always return there to find out way.
For harder questions, you should read the claim at least twice. Rereading the claim can be
an effective method to make sure that you are 100% clear on exactly what you are looking
for. Additionally, if you are stuck between 2 answer choices and cannot tell which one is
correct a er rereading the claim (and more of the passage if necessary), it may become
clear which answer choice is correct and which one is incorrect.
POE CRITERIA
 Half-Right (answers that only address part of the claim from the question)
 Opposite (answers that would weaken when they are supposed to support the claim and
vice versa)
 Extreme Language or Beyond the Text (assumptions that are unsupported by the passage)
Illustrates The Claim
1. Identify the claim. The claim is almost always clearly stated directly before the blank, so it
should be easy to identify.
2. Select the answer choice that illustrates the claim. As you assess each answer choice,
ONLY look for the claim. If the claim in the passage is that a character is scared of his own
abilities, select the answer choice that shows him being scared of his abilities. It’s that
simple!
Support/Weaken the Claim
 Support The Claim: The correct answer is evidence supporting the claim or a portion of the
claim.
 Weaken The Claim: The correct answer is evidence disproving the claim or a portion of the
claim.
How to Approach Support/Weaken the Claim Questions
1. Read the question and recognize that it is a Support/Weaken the Claim question. Look for
the word “support” or “weaken” in the question
2. Read the entire passage. On your first read, focus on understanding the passage.
3. Find the claim in the passage.

4. Identify the keywords from the claim. You need to know EXACTLY what you are looking
for before you go to the answer choices.
5. Relate the claim back to other portions of the passage (if necessary). For some
claims, you need to reread the passage and related the information in the claim back to
other portions of the passage.
6. Anticipate the evidence. At this point, you should have a clear idea of what type(s) of
evidence can support or weaken the claim. If you can anticipate the type(s) of evidence
BEFORE reading the answer choices, identify the correct answer is much easier.
7. Read the answer choices. Read and assess each answer choice 1 at a me, going back to
the passage as necessary.
8. Return to the passage and reread as necessary. For easier questions, the correct
answer may immediately be clear on your first read of the answer choices. For harder
questions, you should go back to the passage, as the information that you need to fully
understand the claim is commonly related to other portions of the passage beyond the
claim itself.
9. Select the correct answer.
Command of Evidence Questions (Quantitative)
Sample Questions:
 Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the example?
 Which choice best describes data from the table that support the scientist’s claim?
 Which choice best describes data from the graph that weakens the researcher’s claim?
How to Read Tables and Graphs
̶ To effectively analyse the graph or table:
 Examine its titles and labels
 Identify what type of information it provides (and does not provide)
 Optionally, read a data point or two to make sure you understand the information
presented
̶ You don’t necessarily need to consider all the information provided in the graph or table.
Focus on determining exactly what data from the graph or table is relevant for logically
completing the blank in the passage. The passage context near the blank will indicate what
type of quantitative evidence would support the claim or detail from the passage.
Incorrect answers to a Quantitative Command of Evidence question may:

Provide data that is true based on the graph or table but does not directly support the claim
or detail from the passage
 Provide data that contradicts the information provided in the graph or table
The correct answer to a Quantitative Command of Evidence question will:
 Provide a detail that directly supports the claim or detail from the passage
 Accurately reflect the data in the graph or table

POE CRITERIA
 Right Answer, Wrong Question (answers that provide accurate representations of the
information from the chart but fail to address the claim that they are supposed to be
illustrating, supporting, or weakening. They can focus on the wrong variable entirely or only
focus on one variable when they need to focus on two
 Half-Right (only addressing some of the claim, especially if the author names multiple
conditions in their statement)
 Opposite
How to Approach Complete the Example Questions
1. Read the passage
2. Identify the example/statement/claim you are completing. This should be easy to find,
as the example/statement/claim is almost always clearly stated directly before the blank.
3. Understand the graph or table. Read the title, axes, and other labels to understand what
the graph is showing and how it is related to the passage.
4. Find the relevant part of the table or graph. For easier questions, the last sentence of
the passage often directs you to a specific por on of the graph of table. For harder
questions, you may have to consider the table or graph as a whole.
5. Assess each answer choice 1 by 1.
 First, check if the answer choice matches the data. Many incorrect answer choices
include statements that do not match the data in the graph or table. Eliminate any
answer choices that do not match the data.
 Next, check if the answer choice completes the example/statement/claim. Correct
answer choices must both match the data correctly AND complete the
example/statement/claim. Incorrect answer choices commonly correctly match the
data but are incorrect because they are not relevant to the example/statement/claim
in the passage.
6. Select the correct answer choice that completes the example. Make sure the answer
choice you select (1) is an accurate representation of the data and (2) completes the
example/statement/claim.
How to Approach Support/Weaken the Claim Data Questions
1. Read the entire passage. On your first read, focus on understanding the passage.
2. Find the claim in the passage.
3. Identify the keywords from the claim. Make sure you are clear on EXACTLY what the
claim is.
4. Understand the graph or table. Read the title, axes, and other labels to understand what
the graph is showing.
5. Find how the graph is connected to the passage. This usually involves rereading the
passage to find the connection.
6. Read the answers.
 First, check if the answer choice matches the data. Incorrect answer choices may
include statements that do not match the data in the graph or table. Eliminate any
answer choices that do not match the data.
 Next, check if the answer choice supports or weakens the claim. The correct answer
must both match the data correctly AND support or weaken the claim. Incorrect
answer choices commonly correctly match the data but are incorrect because they
are not relevant to the claim.
7. Return to the passage and reread as necessary.
8. Select the correct answer
Inferences
Sample Question:
 What choice most logically completes the text?

In order to complete the text, the correct answer choice must:

1. Complete the idea presented in final sentence(s). The final sentence or last two
sentences will often in some way direct you to what idea you are completing.
2. Make a claim based on the information presented in the passage. The final sentence
that most logically completes the text in some way reflects the information portrayed in the
passage.
3. Connect the information presented in the passage. There is ALWAYS evidence in the
passage to support the correct answer choice. The correct answer in some way connects to
the ideas presented in the rest of the passage.
4. Be a conclusion that can logically supported by what is stated in the passage
How to Approach Completes the Text Questions
1. Read the entire passage. On the first read, try to get a general understanding of the
passage.
2. Reread the final sentence(s).
3. Identify the idea that needs to be completed. Since we are completing the final
sentence, you need to be clear on EXACTLY what idea you are being asked to complete.
This is a critical step and helps you identify what information in the rest of the passage is
important.
4. Reread the passage. Find the information in the passage that connects to the idea that
needs to be completed. To do this, you may need to reread the passage 2-3 times. Take
your me to do this correctly, as it will really help you answer the ques on correctly.
5. Come up with your own completion(s). At this point, you should have an idea of some
potential completions to the sentence.
6. Read the answer choices. At this point, you are looking for an answer choice that matches
your completion(s) you came up with in step 6. Always read all 4 answer choices.
7. Eliminate incorrect answer choices. Incorrect answer choices often include details that
are not in the passage at all or are not related to the idea you are completing.
8. Select the correct answer.
POE CRITERIA
 Recycled Language
 Right Answer, Wrong Question (can focus on a single detail from the passage rather than
serve as a conclusion to the entire passage)
 Beyond the Text (logical or real-world conclusions that are not supported by the passage
can really seem justified)
POE CRITERIA
 Opposite: These answer choices use a single word or phrase that make the answer
convey a tone, viewpoint, or meaning not intended by the author. This can include a
word such as not in the answer or a negative vocabulary word when the tone of the
passage was positive.
 Extreme Language: These answers look just about perfect except for a word or phrase
that goes too far beyond what the passage can support. This also includes answers that
could be called insulting or offensive to a person or a group.
 Recycled Language: These answer choices repeat exact words and phrases from the
passage but put the words together to say something that the passage didn’t actually
say. They often establish relationships between the words and phrases that do not exist
in the passage.
 Right Answer, Wrong Question: These answer choices are true based on the
passage, but they don’t answer the question that was asked. For example, they might
state what the author said when the question was asking why the author said it.
 Beyond the Text: These answers might initially look good because they make sense or
seem logical based on outside reasoning, but they lack support within the passage itself.
 Half-Right: These answers address part of but not the entire question task. They can
also have one half of the answer address the question perfectly and the other half
contain at least one of the traps mentioned previously
Incorrect Answer Types on SAT Reading and Writing
 Out of Scope-contains a statement that is too broad, too narrow, or beyond the purview of
the passage
 Extreme-contains language that is too strong (all, never, always, every, none) to be
supported by the passage
 Distortion-based on details or ideas from the passage but distorts or misstates what the
author says or implies
 Opposite-directly contradicts what the correct answer must say
 Misused Detail-accurately states something from the passage but in a manner that
incorrectly answers the question