SAT CRITICAL READING

SAT CRITICAL READING

Sentence Completion Portion

The Sentence Completion

Sentence Completions work as follows: Each stem has one or two blanks, which

indicate missing a word or short phrase. Each item has five answer choices that

supply words or short phrases for those omissions.

One of these choices provides the best fit within the sentence’s meaning when plugged into the sentence.

Important Info the SAT doesn’t tell you…

Fact #1: Each sentence contains ALL the information you need to define the word that fits in the blank.

Importance: You don’t need to look at the answer choices first…Use your CONTEXT CLUES instead! You can use the context of the sentence to figure out what the missing words mean.

Important Info the SAT doesn’t tell you…

Fact #2: Every answer choice makes the sentence grammatically correct.

Important Info the SAT doesn’t tell you…

Fact #3: Sentence completions appear in order of difficulty: Questions 1-4 are easy Questions 4-8 are moderate Questions 9-12 are difficult

Importance: When answering #1-8, you can usually trust your first instincts. If you’re on questions 9-12, look out for the SAT’s “trick” choices.

TYPES:

Continuation sentences show a cause-and-effect relationship between their parts.

Contrast sentences contain a “twist.” Something surprising occurs within the sentence.

Amplification sentences present an idea or description that grows in magnitude—bigger, smaller, louder, quieter.

PROVE technique

P: positive or negative blankR: reveal the compass word and prove-it

phraseO: off wrong answersV: view the relationships between the

blanksE: everything works together

Compass words:

Words that connect ideas that are similar

and, also, besides, for example,

in other words, likewise, another,

in addition, moreover, furthermore

**Semi-colons and colons show similar ideas!

Compass Words…

Words that connect ideas that are opposite

or in contrast

But, not, instead, however, in contrast, on the other hand, although, despite, in spite of, yet, even while, except,

nevertheless, notwithstanding, regardless

AND NOW….

SomePractice!!