SAT ENGLISH

SAT English: An Overview

Instructor: Ethan Muhl

About the Section: 4 Main Topics

  • Information and Ideas:

    • Interpret or evaluate information from passages or charts.

  • Craft and Structure:

    • Words in context, rhetorical analysis, connections between texts.

  • Expression of Ideas:

    • Improving effectiveness of written expression.

  • Standard English Conventions:

    • Conforming to core Standard English Conventions (Sentence structure, punctuation, etc).

Format

  • Structure of the Test:

    • 2 distinct sections that combine all topics; no separate sections for reading and writing.

    • Each question has its own written passage, ~150 words in length.

    • Several different question types and passage formats.

    • The test is adaptive: the first English section features all levels of questions (easy, medium, hard). Based on performance in section 1, the test will adapt and give different questions for section 2.

Strategies

  • Preparation Tips:

    • Read the Question and Answers first to anticipate information needed.

    • Use process of elimination; knowing what answers cannot be correct is important.

    • If an answer has 90% of the qualities you like but 10% that you don’t, this is NOT correct.

    • Do not leave any questions blank.

  • Time Management:

    • 32 minutes per section, manage your time effectively.

SAT English: Information and Ideas

Four Subtopics

  • Command of Evidence - Textual

    • Focus on identifying evidence that supports claims.

  • Central Ideas and Details

    • Identify the main idea and details in texts accurately.

  • Inferences

    • Make logical conclusions based on provided evidence.

  • Command of Evidence - Quantitative

    • Use data from graphs and tables to substantiate answers.

Command of Evidence - Textual

  • Types of Questions:

    • Scientific Evidence: interpret a hypothesis and determine research outcomes without prior experience in science.

    • Literary Evidence: analyze arguments presented in literature and identify corresponding quotations.

Examples of Textual Evidence

  • Analyzing various art exhibitions and their claims (e.g., "This Is the Day" and "The Dirty South") indicating different forms of artistic expression.

  • Examining studies on deep-sea organism adaptations supporting claims about molecular changes under pressure.

  • Understanding literature's emotional nuances (Wordsworth's poem).

Central Ideas and Details

  • Identifying Main Ideas:

    • Recognize the primary focus of texts and advocate for unifying themes across paragraphs.

  • Careful Reading Necessary:

    • Stray beyond the focus: ensure insights resonate with the text’s core message.

Subject-Verb Agreement

  • Rules for Agreement:

    • Singular subjects match with singular verbs, plural with plural.

  • Common Errors:

    • Misplacing subjects leads to incorrect agreement.

Examples

  • Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin was important in the women’s clubs movement.

  • The triangle representing the mountain itself is regarded as stunning.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

  • Antecedents:

    • Understand what noun a pronoun is replacing, requiring agreement in person and number.

  • Examples:

    • Each of the players has his own locker.

Plurals and Possessives

  • Sourcing Correct Forms:

    • Singular possessive nouns followed by ’s.

    • Plural possessive nouns ending in s require s’ (workers’ dedication).

  • Complex Cases:

    • “Every” and “each” require singular possessives: “Each student should bring his or her own lunch.”

Key Examples

  • At the turn of the century, Matthew Henson was a pioneering explorer.

  • The Medici family was crucial for the arts in Italy.

Additional Topics

  • Subject-Modifier Placement: Ensure clear connections between subjects and their modifiers to maintain grammatical accuracy.

  • Boundaries: Understanding clauses' roles (independent vs. dependent) in sentences along with basic punctuation rules to ensure coherence.

Additional Practice with General Topics

Various Examples and Their Functions

  • Scientists discover that plastic consumption dropped significantly depending on urban development strategies and cultural adjustments in the decor of cities.

  • Changes in political discourse regarding landmark events such as the War of 1812 highlight how patterns in historical understanding evolve.

  • Natural disasters prompt public and governmental systems to adapt strategies for future crisis management.

Closing Note

  • Mastery over subjects such as Standard English conventions, subject-verb agreement, pronoun antecedents, and effective use of transitions, helps construct fluid and coherent narrative trajectories across writing prompt scenarios.