The SAT Critical Reading Section Continued: Passage-

Based Questions

Review and Moving Forward

What are the Passage-Based Questions?

• Questions based on Passages 100 to 850 words long

• Example: p 57

• Some questions are based on one passage, and some questions are based on a pair of passages. For each pair, one of the passages supports, opposes or complements the other’s point of view

Types of Questions• 1. Extended Reasoning Questions: ask about

overall theme or meaning of passage, author’s purpose or attitude, or tone of passage.

• 2. Vocabulary-in-Context Questions: ask about the meaning of a word as it is used in the passage.

• 3. Literal Comprehension Questions: understanding the information in the passage

• 4. Questions Involving Paired Passages and Paragraphs: Ask about the relationship between the two passages

Some Approaches to Reading the Passages

• Mark the passages or make short notes (but don’t mark too much)

• Use your knowledge and experience carefully (separate what you think from what the author thinks)

• If you are having a hard time with a passage, read the questions before you finish the passage

Ready4College Website Content

• What are the four types of Passage-Based Questions? (Page 50, 52, and 53)

• What are some approaches we have learned for reading the Passages? (Hint: Bottom of Page 49, Top of Page 50)

•What are some new Vocabulary Words we have learned? Passage, Support, Oppose, Complement

Type of Question # 1: Extended Reasoning Questions

• Often include words or phrases like: Probably, Apparently, Seems, Suggests, It can be inferred, the author implies

• To answer these, it helps to know the difference between Facts, Assumptions, and Inferences

• It helps to understand the Logic, Style, and Tone of the Author

•Facts: Statements known to be true and that can be shown to be true.

•Assumptions: Suppositions or Propositions that writers make to reach their conclusions. (Sometimes these are unstated)

• Inferences: Conclusions you reach based on what has been said in a passage. To infer is to arrive at a conclusion through reasoning.

Type of Question # 2: Vocabulary-in-Context Questions

• Context: the particular situation in which the word is used, including information given in sentences before and after.

• Example: Bottom of Page 52

• Tips:

1. One word can have many meanings. Answer choices often include several different meanings of the word

2. Look at the context in which the word appears

3. Reread the surrounding text of the word that is used

Ready4College Website Content• What are Facts? Page 51

• What are Assumptions? Page 51

• What are Inferences? Page 52

• What are 3 tips for answering Vocabulary-in-Context Questions?

(Top of Page 53)

• New Vocabulary Words?: Context

Type of Question # 3: Literal Comprehension Questions

• Literal Comprehension: Direct Understanding of Information Presented

• Some Approaches for Literal Comprehension Questions:

1.Find the place in the passage where the detail is discussed

2.Cross out incorrect responses

3.Be sure you can support your answer by referring to words or phrases within the passage that support it

Type of Question #4: Questions Involving Paired Passages and Paragraphs

• Key Words and Phrases: Table 6.1, Page 54

• “According to the author”, “According to the Passage”

• “Best”, “Chiefly”

• “Except”, “The author implies”, “It can be inferred”. “The author suggests”

• “Least”, “Mainly”, “Most”, “Only”, “Primarily”

• What do these mean?

Website Content

•What are Literal Comprehension Questions? p53

•What are at least 3 approaches for Literal Comprehension Questions? P53

• Name and explain at least 5 Key Words or Phrases we Learned for “Questions Involving Paired Passages and Paragraphs” (p54)

Some Approaches for answering Passage-Based Questions

•Keep in mind that the answers come from the passage

•Don’t forget that an answer choice can be both true and wrong

• Try Eliminating Choices

•Double-check the other choices

•Don’t jump from passage to passage

Website Content

•What are at least 4 Approaches to Passage-based Reading Questions? (Page 55 and 56)

Ready4College GAME SHOW !Passage-Based Questions

• Part 1 : Books and Computers Allowed!

• Part 2: No Books Allowed!

• What are the four types of Passage-Based Questions?

• What are at least 3 approaches for reading the passages?

• What does it mean to support, oppose, or complement a point of view?

• What does context mean?

• What are literal comprehension questions?

• What are facts, assumptions, and inferences?

• Name and explain at least 5 Key Words or Phrases we Learned for “Questions Involving Paired Passages and Paragraphs” (Hint… where Is table 6.1?)

Part 2: Real Practice Questions!