SAT reading and writing

What are the four main categories of idea relationships in transitions?

Agreement/disagreement, sequence/order, addition/exemplification, and cause/effect.

What are the steps to answering a transition question? 

Summarize the text in your own words, Identify the relationship between the passage’s ideas, Choose the transition that matches the relationship. 

What transition shows cause and effect?

Therefore

What transition introduces an example?

For instance

Which transition adds more information to the first sentence? (addition/exemplification)

Furthermore

Give me one transition to show an agreement of ideas and one to show a contrast/disagreement of ideas.

Similarly is an agreement, and however is a contrast/disagreement.

What transition fits a sequence or time relationship?

Previously

What should you do if two transition choices have the same function?

Eliminate them both they can’t both be right.

When is it correct to use a semicolon (;) on the SAT?

To link two independent clauses without a conjunction, or to separate list items that already contain commas.

What are the correct uses for a comma (,) on the SAT?

Separate items in a list (of 3 or more), Set off nonessential elements, Link a dependent clause to an independent clause, and Link independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction.

When is it correct to use a colon (:) on the SAT?

Only after an independent clause, to introduce a list or explanation.

What is the main SAT-approved use of a dash (—)?

To separate a nonessential element from the rest of the sentence, either in the middle or at the end.

What is an independent clause?

A clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence.

What is a dependent clause?

A clause that must be linked to an independent clause.

How do you correctly join two independent clauses using coordination on the SAT?

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

How do you create a dependent clause using subordination on the SAT?

Use a subordinating conjunction (e.g., although, because, while) and often a comma if the dependent clause comes first.

How can you tell if a supplement is nonessential?

Remove the supplement from the sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, the element is nonessential and should be punctuated.

What punctuation can be used to separate nonessential elements?

you can use commas, dashes, or parentheses

When punctuating a nonessential element, how does its position in the sentence affect punctuation?

If it's at the beginning or end, use one punctuation mark. If it's in the middle, use punctuation on both sides.

What’s the SAT rule about “that” vs. “which” in relative clauses?

Clauses starting with “that” are usually essential (no commas). Clauses starting with “which” are usually nonessential (use commas or other punctuation).

How do you approach cross-text connections questions?

Summarize the texts, determine the relationship, test the choices

What is FANBOYS?

The only coordinating conjunctions in English: (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

What is coordination?

the linking of two independent clauses within a single sentence using a comma and then a coordinating conjunction

What is subordination?

linking two clauses by making one of the clauses dependent by using a comma then a subordinating conjunction.

“ambu” (root)

move

“andro” (root)

man

“anthro” (root) 

human

“bellu” (root)

fight

“clam” (root)

shout

“clin” (root)

bend

cred (root)

trust

fract (root)

break

gnos (root)

knowledge

grad (root):

to go

greg (root):

group

gyn (root):

female

her (root):

to stick

jac (root):

to throw

ject (root):

to throw

lum (root):

light

meta (root):

change

morph (root):

shape

narco (root):

sleep

oper (root):

work

pac (root):

calm

phon (root):

sound

senti (root):

emotion or feeling

somn (root):

sleep

soph (root):

wise

spec (root):

look

ven (root):

come

vid (root):

to see

voc (root):

call

vol (root):

will

a- / an- (prefix):

without

ab- (prefix):

away

ad- (prefix):

toward

anim- (prefix):

mind and spirit

ante- (prefix):

before

anti- (prefix):

against or opposite of

auc- (prefix):

increase

aug- (prefix):

increase

aud- (prefix):

to hear

auto- (prefix):

self

ben- (prefix):

good

bon- (prefix):

good

circum- (prefix):

around

co- (prefix):

joint or together

con- (prefix):

with

contra- (prefix):

against or opposite

de- (prefix):

separation or negation

hyper- (prefix):

over or excess

hypo- (prefix):

beneath or below

inter- (prefix):

between or among

intra- (prefix):

within or inside

ir- (prefix):

not

mal- (prefix):

bad or wrongful

post- (prefix):

behind or after

pre- (prefix):

before

pro- (prefix):

forward movement or advancement

se- (prefix):

apart

sub- (prefix):

below, secondary, or part of

super- (prefix):

above or excess

syn- (prefix)

with or together

trans- (prefix):

across or through

ultra- (prefix):

beyond or on the far side of

vice- (prefix):

in place of

-able (suffix):

capable of

-ate (suffix):

make or function

-cess (suffix):

move or yield

-cede (suffix):

move or yield

-cide (suffix):

to kill

-cis (suffix):

shorten

-ette (suffix):

feminine role or smaller form

-ist (suffix):

a person related to something

ology (suffix)

the study of something

-ous (suffix):

full of