Intro to SATACT Reading Comparison SAT Critical Reading
- Slides: 8
Intro to SAT/ACT Reading
Comparison SAT Critical Reading ACT Reading • 1 section (65 min) • Multiple-choice (4 choices) • 5 passages (~800 words) with 10 -11 • 1 section (35 min) • Multiple-choice (4 choices) • 4 passages (~800 words) with 10 • Passage types, in this order (sorta): • Passage types, in this order: questions each • • Prose Fiction Social Science Humanities Natural Science • Graphs and charts • One double passage questions each • • Prose Fiction Social Science Humanities Natural Science • No graphs • One double passage
Reading Strategy 1: Hands-On Reading • Many students read passively, which leads to re-reading and poor comprehension. • Reading with a pencil and marking the text improves your ability to process the passage.
Reading Strategy 1: Hands-On Reading • What to mark: • • Main idea of passage (thesis) Main idea (topic sentence) Key examples Author’s opinion (if offered) • Underlining is ok, but be sure to write down the “connections” • What you write is less important than that you write.
Reading Strategy 2: “Speed” Reading • If you’re reading “hands-on, ” then you don’t need to worry about every detail. • Big picture > little details • You’ll be going back for details anyway • NEVER re-read!
Reading Strategy 3: Know Thyself • Know your strengths and weakness in reading, and approach the section accordingly. • For example, if you struggle with Prose Fiction, then save it for the end • You’re less likely to get these right, so why waste time you could be using on questions you’re more likely to get right? • If you have to guess, then your weak section is less of a loss
Reading Strategy 4: Divide and Conquer • Double passages can be tricky • Answers can come from either passage • Some questions are compare/contrast • Read Passage 1 first, then answer its questions • Read Passage 2, then answer its questions • Answer the compare/contrast questions
Hands-On Reading Exercise 0 • Read and mark the passage on the handout. • Don’t bother with the questions just yet. We’re focusing on the act of reading right now.
