SAT strategies

Long reading strategies

1. Read questions, demarcate areas where lines and sentences are required 2. For contextual phrases and words, read 5 lines before and after passage to get the contextual meaning 3. Skim through passage and demarcate for specific words asked in questions 4. Read the passage by piece( short paras for every piece) 5. Outline reading ( Read the preamble, intro, topic sentences and the end to get the main idea) 6. For global pairs questions, use earlier strategies and find similarities/differences in tones, ideas, moods. Use the outline reading for easier reference

The vocabulary of tone

Admonishing warning Aloof detached Apologetic being sorry; admitting fault Assertive strongly stating Cautious hesitant Confrontationalargumentative Contrite remorseful Cynical seeing worst in people Defensive protecting ones point of view Derisive ridiculing Empathetic having feeling for others Emphatic stressing ones points Entreating begging, pleading Explanatory explaining Inquisitive asking questions Nostalgic remembering the past Penitent remorseful

Reflective remembering the past Sardonic sarcastic Scathing harsh Scholarly intellectual, cerebral Sensationalistic exaggerating emotions Skeptical doubtful Tentative hesitant Understated mildly suggested; unstressed Whybitter or ironic

The vocabulary for mood.

Amusement humor Bemusement puzzlement Detachment lack of concern Disdain scorn Disparagement belittlement Indignation anger Irony incongruity Mockery derision; insincere imitation Objectivityrealism;factualism;havingnoopinion Optimism positive thinking Pessimismnegative thinking Smugness self-satisfaction; complacency

Paragraph level compre strategies.

1. 2. 3. 4. Paraphrase parts of the passage that seem convoluted Predict the answer before answering the question Eliminate answers that seem wrong ( cross out the option completely) When asked for similarities and differences, look out for evidence. Mentioning an organisation DOES NOT MEAN that the passage has quoted it

Vocabulary strategies
1. 2. 3. 4. Read the blanks with variations of blank ie. Blanked/blanking/blankly Locate and demarcate context clues After reading a sentence, identify whether its a positive or negative word Mug the 1000 words

Writing strategies
Essay tips
Write a 5 paragraph essay Use the whole sheet with an extra line at the bottom First paragraph of essay is the thesis statement

Body paragraphs tips 1. Start of with topic sentence 2. Move on to 3 to 4 that explain topic sentence and provide examples 3. Elaborate on example for each paragraph 4. DO NOT digress by overelaborating on examples 5. Link all ideas together in a closing sentence 6. Be conversational and not formal 7. Avoid phrases like (In my opinion, I truly feel, I believe that) 8. Insert at least 9 superfluous words 9. Use inspiring life events and world events 10. Last sentence to tie up examples used 11. Topic sentences can be separated into different aspects(literary, historical, current, personal events) 12. Include details like names of stakeholders 9 rules of grammar to remember and follow 1. Noun Verb Agreement: a verb must agree in number (singular vs. plural) with the noun to which it belongs, not with a word or phrase in between. Find this error by putting a box around the Subject and the Predicate and checking for agreement. 2. Parallel Structure: Items linked by a conjunction such as and must all have the same grammatical structure. Incorrect Example: I like running, biking, and to swim. 3. Pronoun Antecedent: A pronoun must refer to a particular noun in the sentence and must agree in number and type with that noun. Typically it or they is misused. 4. Introductory Modifier: If a sentence does not begin with a noun phrase, it usually begins with an introductory phrase (usually a phrase attached to the beginning of a

sentence using a comma) must modify the noun that follows the comma, not a noun later in the sentence. These are hard to notice unless you are looking for them. 5. Verb Tense: All verbs in a sentence must be conjugated in the same tense unless intentionally referring to different time frames. 6. Comma and Semicolon Usage: A semicolon is only used to join together two independent clauses (and can be replaced by a period), while a comma can join two of these only when paired with a conjunction. 7. One-You Switcheroo: If the pronoun one or you is used, stick with the same pronoun throughout the entire sentence. If you EVER see the word one, look for this error.(STICK TO EITHER ONE NOT BOTH) 8. Conjunction Combinations: Neithernor, eitheror, not onlybut also, betweenand, no soonerthan : These phrases operate only in pairs that is, neither can never be used in a sentence without also using the word nor. 9. Wrong Preposition: Nouns and prepositional phrases must use the proper (idiomatic) preposition. Errors are more obvious to the ear than the eye. These can be extremely hard to notice. Examples: preoccupation with, in contrast to preferover, protestagainst.

Grammar questions to watch out for

In the early seventeenth century: Need past tense Mia and her aunt Hillary: Plural subject Either of the two pies: Singular subject Either: Need or Not only: Need but or but also Next September: Need future tense The young tennis enthusiasts Need plural pronouns: they, them, their Neither of the candidates: Need singular pronouns: he, she, him, her ,his , hers Swimming, jogging: Need a parallel gerund; fishing, hiking

NO ERRROR OCCURS IN 15-20% OF THE TIME

How to correct grammar:

1. Cancel out irrelevant parts to see if subject agrees with verb

2. Look out for verb preposition pairs which are incorrect Accuse of Agree to/with/on Apologise for Apply to for Approve of Believe in Care for/about Compare to/with Complain about Confide in Correlative Conjunctions Eitheror Neithernor Not only.but also As..as Just alsoso Both.and Introductory phrases are meant to modify the subject. Examples The subject must come first. Standing six feet tall and acing every test, Alex is not only handsome but also highly intelligent. (The introductory phrase modifies Alex.) Consist of Contribute to Cover with Decide on/upon Depend on/upon Dream on/about Escape from Excuse for Forget about Free from Hide from Hope for Insist on/upon Participate in Prevent from Protect from Recover from Release from Succeed in Wait for/on

Twenty minutes from town center and a short walk from the beach, the picturesque neighborhood is a beach lovers dream. (The introductory phrase modifies picturesque neighborhood.

Constructed of dense alloy, bundles of wire, and rustproof hinges, the robot represents the culmination of the mad scientists life work. (The introductory phrase modifies robot.)

Examples that are wrong Standing six feet tall and acing every test, handsomeness and intelligence distinguish Alex. (Incorrectmisplaced modifying phrase) Twenty minutes from town center and a short walk from the beach, a beach lovers dream can be found in the picturesque neighborhood.

Improving paragraphs
1. Read questions and demarcate specific lines, words 2. Read first paragraph very carefully, then skim through the rest 3. Read context( 5 lines before and after)