SAT English Practice Questions Note

Summary: This note covers 35 challenging English questions designed to prepare for the SAT. The questions encompass a variety of types found in the English section of the exam, including words in context, main idea, main purpose, inferences, command of evidence, cross-text connections, punctuation, verbs, modifiers, transitions, summarizing information from notes, and conventions of Standard English.

Highlights:

Emphasis on pre-solving: The note emphasizes the importance of pausing the video and attempting each question independently before reviewing the explanations.
Strategic approach: Different question types require different approaches. For instance, command of evidence questions benefit from reading the prediction or conclusion first, then finding supporting evidence.
Contextual clues: Emphasis is placed on using context clues, particularly for words in context questions.
Ignoring jargon: For technical or scientific passages, the note suggests focusing on the core meaning and relationships between concepts, rather than getting bogged down in unfamiliar terminology.
Odd verb out trick: This trick helps identify the correct verb tense by testing answer choices with singular and plural pronouns.
Modifier strategy: The note provides a strategy for modifier questions: take the answer choices and apply them to the phrase before the comma to see which one logically connects.
Cross-text connections: The note recommends reading the responding text first and then analyzing the other text from that perspective.
Summarization questions: Focus on the goal of the summary, particularly when notes are provided, and try to eliminate answers that don't align with the goal.
"Almost unbearable" and "equanimity": The note illustrates how, even without knowing the meaning of "equanimity," the context clue "almost unbearable" helps infer the opposite meaning.

Detailed Content by Question Type:

Words in Context: Focused on using context clues within sentences to predict the meaning of the word in question. Examples include predicting "straightforward explanation," "intriguing anomaly," and the verb "prescribed."
Main Idea/Main Purpose: Differentiated between the two: main idea focuses on what the text is about, while main purpose focuses on what the text does. An example analyzed the main purpose of a poem as praising an author.
Inferences (Logically Completes the Text): Focused on drawing conclusions based on information presented in the text. Examples include inferring the effect of conspicuous editing on viewer identification and inferring the existence of undiscovered advantages of prolonged sleep.
Command of Evidence (Supporting/Weakening Claims): Emphasized reading the conclusion or prediction first, then finding supporting or weakening evidence. An example analyzed evidence related to sediment influx in streams and its effect on sorting.
Cross-Text Connections: Focused on identifying the relationship between two texts, particularly when one text responds to another. An example explored how one text agreed with the claim of another but offered stronger supporting evidence.
Punctuation: Covered various punctuation rules, including using commas with non-essential information, semicolons to separate independent clauses, and avoiding comma splices.
Verbs: Emphasized using the "odd verb out" trick and considering tense consistency within sentences and paragraphs. Examples included using past perfect tense ("had already served") and simple present tense ("rain").
Modifiers: Presented a strategy for tackling modifier questions: apply answer choices to the phrase before the comma to find the logical connection. Examples included identifying a novel as a "coming-of-age story" and "superlubricity" as a "nearly frictionless state."
Transitions: Focused on choosing transitions that reflect the logical relationship between sentences or clauses, such as contrast ("nonetheless") and intensification ("indeed").
Summarizing Information from Notes: Emphasized understanding the goal of the summary and using the notes to identify key information. An example involved summarizing the "kelp highway hypothesis."
Conventions of Standard English: Addressed a variety of grammatical concepts, such as avoiding comma splices and run-on sentences, and choosing the correct verb form in complex sentences.