SAT 2 Passage Based Strategies Short, Long, and Paired Passage Strategies

All Passages Include fiction and nonfiction Topics include Majority will be nonfiction Topics include Natural science: scientific discovery, theory, or controversy Social studies: history, politics, economics Humanities: artist, music, philosophy But don’t worry: You are not expected to draw from outside knowledge. Everything you need to know will be in the passages themselves.

Types of Questions Vocabulary in context Extended Reasoning However: the vocabulary is going to fit in the context of the passage Not stand alone Extended Reasoning Ask you to draw conclusions from or evaluate info from passage Ask about overall theme, message, purpose, attitude, sometimes even “tone” of the writer Include words like “probably, apparently, seems, suggests, the author implies”

Continued…. Literal comprehension Information that is DIRECTLY presented from the text Example: Find the place in the text where a particular detail is discussed. “line 1, 2, or 3” Recognize different interpretations of the same fact or idea

Facts, Assumptions, and inferences Statements known to be true A foot has 12 inches Assumptions Suppositions or propositions that author makes to reach their conclusions Not proven fact “According to the author...” Inferences Conclusions you reach based on what has been said in a passage This requires you to read between the lines

Short Long Paired Passages Types of Passages Two passages 100-150 words Approximately 2-3 questions Long 400-850 words Approximately 8-13 questions Paired Passages Two passages Require you to make connections

Short Passages Remember: there are only 2 or 3. Key Strategy: Read the questions FIRST Remember: there are only 2 or 3. Why? Keep the questions in mind while you read Know what you are looking for Given line references, so you know WHERE to look

Short Reading: Problem set 4 Lets Practice! Short Reading: Problem set 4 Read the questions! What are you looking for when you read the passage?

Long Passages Do NOT want to use the same strategy as Short passages WHY? With 8-13 questions it is more difficult to remember what to look for Too time consuming Key Strategy: Taking Notes/Concept Maps Underlining the main points Track the main idea throughout

Practice Passage 1 Lets Practice! Read the Blurb (Words in italics above the prompt) Underline the main point Circle/take notes in the margins of other KEY words/info that relates to the main point

Paired Passages There are short paired passages Given 2 passages Different aspects of the same topic Two opinions Asked to compare or relate them to one another There are short paired passages You may want to skim the questions first There are long paired passages Remember to take notes

Paired Passage Strategies Key Strategy: “chunking” Read Passage 1 Find and answer questions about Passage 1. Read Passage 2 Find and answer questions about Passage 2. Lastly, answer questions about BOTH. Questions regarding both passages will always be last.

Why is this strategy helpful? You don’t have to try to remember the differences between the two passages. If you take notes, the differences will be more clear You are “chunking” the information Receive info from Passage 1 Answer questions for Passage 1 Don’t risk confusing the two passages Implement strategies you already know For short or long passages

Practice Passage 7 Lets Practice! Read Passage 1 Read Passage 2 Find and answer questions about passage 1 Read Passage 2 Find and answer questions about passage 2 Answer questions about BOTH passages last