Reading Main Idea & Author’s Purpose
What does “main idea” refer to in a passage?
The overall point or message the author is trying to convey.
What does it mean to determine a word’s meaning in context?
To figure out the word’s meaning based on how it’s used in the passage.
What is a “paired question” on the SAT?
Two questions: one asks about a claim, the other asks for evidence supporting it.
What formula finds the area of a rectangle?
Length × Width.
What is the first step when solving a one-variable equation?
Isolate the variable on one side.
What is the author’s purpose if a passage explains a process?
To inform or teach the reader.
What should you do if a word has multiple meanings?
Use clues from the sentence or surrounding sentences.
What is the first step to answer a paired question?
Identify the main idea or claim in the passage.
How do you find the perimeter of a shape?
Add all side lengths together
What does “simplifying an expression” mean?
Combine like terms and remove unnecessary symbols.
What is the purpose if a passage expresses the author’s feelings about a topic?
To persuade or show opinion.
How can prefixes and suffixes help you understand vocabulary?
They provide hints about the word’s meaning
What makes evidence “strong” in SAT reading?
It directly supports the claim or answer in the passage.
What is the Pythagorean theorem used for?
To find the length of a side in a right triangle.
What is a common strategy for solving word problems?
Translate the words into an equation or expression.
What is the tone of a passage that criticizes something?
Critical or disapproving.
What is a strategy for unfamiliar words on the SAT?
Eliminate choices that don’t match the context of the sentence.
How can you quickly find supporting evidence in a passage?
Look for keywords from the question in the text.
What is the volume of a cube formula?
Side³.
How can you check your answer to an algebra problem?
Substitute it back into the original equation
Why is identifying the main idea important on the SAT?
It helps answer questions about the passage and select supporting evidence.
Why is context more important than dictionary definitions on the SAT?
Because the SAT tests how words are used, not just their literal meaning
Why does the SAT include paired questions?
to test comprehension and the ability to connect claims with evidence.
Why is knowing formulas important for the SAT?
It allows you to solve geometry and trigonometry questions quickly.
Why is it important to understand patterns and relationships in math problems?
It helps solve complex problems efficiently.