SAT Critical Reading

A comprehensive guide to mastering the SAT Critical Reading section, focusing on reading comprehension, vocabulary, inference, and test strategies.

Reading Comprehension FundamentalsVocabulary in ContextMaking Inferences
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and PerspectiveInterpreting Evidence and Supporting ClaimsComparing Multiple Texts
Applying Critical Reading to Everyday MediaBuilding Vocabulary for College and CareerEffective Note-Taking While Reading
Time Management on the Reading SectionEliminating Wrong Answer ChoicesActive Reading Techniques
Reading Comprehensio...Vocabulary in Contex...Making InferencesAnalyzing Author’s P...Interpreting Evidenc...Comparing Multiple T...Applying Critical Re...Building Vocabulary ...Effective Note-Takin...Time Management on t...Eliminating Wrong An...Active Reading Techn...
Advanced Topics

Comparing Multiple Texts

Synthesizing Information

Some SAT Critical Reading questions involve two related passages. You’ll need to compare how the authors approach a topic.

Steps to Success

  • Read each passage carefully, identifying main ideas and tones.
  • Look for similarities and differences in perspective, argument, and evidence.
  • Pay attention to how each author addresses the topic or responds to the other.

Skills for Life

Comparing texts helps you become a sharper reader and thinker, letting you weigh different viewpoints before making decisions.

Helpful Hints

  • Make a quick table or Venn diagram to organize similarities and differences.
  • Don’t assume the authors agree just because the topics are related.

Examples

  • One author supports renewable energy, while the other raises concerns; you identify both stances and the reasoning behind them.

  • You recognize that both authors discuss climate change but use different evidence and tones.

In a Nutshell

Learn to compare and contrast the approaches of two different authors on a shared topic.

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Applying Critical Reading to Everyday Media