SAT Prep
Reading Comprehension*
Strategies for:
-Reading passages
(short, long, double passages)
-Multiple Choice Questions
SHORT Passages*
Strategy #1- READ QUESTIONS
Short passages are only ONE paragraph with
one-two multiple choice questions that follow.
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Read the multiple choice questions that
proceed the reading selection.
This will give students a better
understanding as to what the passage
is about and what questions will need
to be answered.
Strategy #2- Identify Types of
Questions
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There are six types of multiple choice
questions:
 Main idea
 Specific detail
 Inferences
 Tone/ attitude
 Vocabulary
 Technique
Main Idea* Questions
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Main idea- questions that test one’s ability to
find the central thought/ purpose of a passage
or to judge its significance
Presented in the following form:
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The main point of the passage is to…
The passage is primarily concerned with…
The author’s primary purpose in this passage is to
Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea
of the passage?
Which of the following titles best describes the content of the
passage?
Specific detail* Questions
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Questions that test students ability to understand
what the author states explicitly. A question
directly related to a specific idea.
Presented in the following format:
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According to the author…
The author states all of the following EXCEPT
According to the passage, which of the following is true of
the…
Which of the following statements is (are) best supported by
the passage…
In lines 16-19……
Which of the following is NOT cited in the passage as
evidence of…
Inference* Question
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Questions that test a student’s ability to go beyond
the author’s explicit statements and see what may
be implied/ suggested.
Presented in the following format:
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It can be inferred from the passage that…
The passage suggests that the author would support which of the
following views?
The author implies that…
The author apparently feels that…
According to the passage, it is likely that…
The passage is most likely directed toward an audience of…
Which of the following statements about… can be inferred from the
passage?
Tone/attitude* Question
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Questions that test one’s ability to sense the
author’s or character’s emotional state (attitude/
feelings).
Presented in the following form:
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The author’s attitude to the problem can best be presented as…
Which of the following best describes the author’s tone in the
passage?
The author’s tone in the passage is that of the person attempting
to…
The author’s presentation is marked by a tone of..
The passage indicates that the author experiences a feeling of..
Vocabulary* Question
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Questions that test one’s ability to work out
the meaning of words from their context.
Presented in the following format:
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As it is used in the passage, the term _____ can best
be described as..
In paragraph 2, the term ____ means…
The phrase ______ is used in the passage to mean
that…
In the passage, the word _____ means…..
Technique* Question
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Questions that test one’s ability to recognize
a passage’s method of organization or
technique (format in which ideas are
presented)
Presented in the following format:
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Which of the following best described the
development of this passage?
In presenting the argument, the author does all of the
following EXCEPT
The relationship between the first and second
paragraph can best be described as…
SHORT*
Reading Passages
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Short reading passages are usually
only ONE paragraph long
They are about 100 words or so.
About one-two multiple choice questions proceed a
short reading passage.
When completing the short reading passages:
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Read the multiple choice questions first, then read the passage.
Try to identify the “type” of question (6)
(Main idea, specific detail, inference, tone/attitude, vocabulary,
technique) .
Understanding the questions will give students direction when reading.
Note: There will most likely not be a italicized intro. for short reading
passages.
*LONG
Reading Passages
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Read the introduction (background info.)
before reading the passages.
Try to read the multiple choice questions- if
there are more than five multiple choice
questions, quickly skim them to get an idea as
to what passage is about- you will not have
enough time to thoroughly read them or
identify the “types” of questions
Underline key ideas in the passage that may be
helpful when answering the M.C. questions
*DOUBLE
Passages (compare/ contrast)
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For the “double” passage section of Reading
Comprehension, there will be two passages.
Use the following strategies for double passages:
Read italicized intro. (background info.) if given
 Read Passage #1 only (first)
 Answer the multiple choice questions pertaining to
Passage #1 only
 Read Passage # 2
 Answer the rest of the multiple choice questions
(some will pertain to passage #2 only, and the others will
compare/ contrast both passages)
NOTE: Underline important info. in the passages as you
read.
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PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
PRACTICE!
(in text and on collegeboard.com)
Make sure to apply these reading and
multiple choice question strategies for
the Reading Comprehension section!
Good Luck! 