SAT Critical Reading

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

Understanding Passage TypesActive Reading SkillsVocabulary in Context
Inference and EvidenceUnderstanding Author’s Purpose and ToneAnalyzing Arguments and Rhetoric
Applying Critical Reading to News and MediaEffective Note-taking for Study and LifeReading Comprehension at Work
Time Management on Test DayElimination TechniquesReading the Questions First
Understanding Passag...Active Reading Skill...Vocabulary in Contex...Inference and Eviden...Understanding Author...Analyzing Arguments ...Applying Critical Re...Effective Note-takin...Reading Comprehensio...Time Management on T...Elimination Techniqu...Reading the Question...
Basic Concepts

Vocabulary in Context

Decoding Meaning from Context

The SAT often tests your ability to determine the meaning of words as they are used in context, not just their dictionary definitions.

How to Tackle Vocabulary-in-Context Questions

  • Read Around the Word: Pay attention to clues in the surrounding sentences.
  • Replace and Check: Substitute the answer choices into the sentence to see which fits best.
  • Look for Contrast Words: Words like "however," "although," or "but" can signal a shift in meaning.

Real-World Benefit

This skill helps you understand unfamiliar words in any reading situation, not just on tests!

Practice Makes Progress

Try reading news articles or books and guessing the meaning of new words before looking them up.

Examples

  • Guessing that 'elated' means 'very happy' because the sentence describes someone celebrating a big win.

  • Noticing that 'novel' in a science passage refers to something 'new,' not a book.

In a Nutshell

Use context clues to figure out word meanings on the SAT and beyond.

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Inference and Evidence