Topic 2b Reading and Vocabulary PDF

Critical Reading The Time Vampire Know the directions BEFORE you take the test. Reading them is the time vampire: they suck the time right out of your test!  The Time Demon When the Time Demon is breathing down your neck,...

Critical Reading The Time Vampire Know the directions BEFORE you take the test. Reading them is the time vampire: they suck the time right out of your test!  The Time Demon When the Time Demon is breathing down your neck, remember: Accuracy is better than wild guessing! Use content from: -humanities -social studies -natural sciences -literature 13 Sentence Completions 35 Passage-Based Reading Questions (100- to 800-word passages) Format of Critical Reading Sections Sentence Short Long Completion Passages Passages Section 1 1-8 9-12 13-24 (2 Passages) (2 Passages) Section 3 25-29 30-33 34-48 (2 Passages) (2 Passages) 13 questions 8 questions 27 questions total total total  Critical Reading: Sentence Completions Sentence Completion Directions Each of the following sentences contains one or two blanks; these blanks indicate that a word or set of words has been left out. Below the sentence are five words or phrases, lettered A through E. Select the word or set of words that best completes the sentence. Roger said the report was significant; Heather contradicted him, saying that all the information presented was _______. Because Heather is contradicting Roger, the correct response is the word that is most nearly the opposite of “significant.” (A) contemporary (B) scintillating Choice (E) is correct. (C) objective (D) irrevocable “Immaterial” means inconsequential or irrelevant. (E) immaterial Information that is immaterial is by definition not significant. Sentence Completion YouTube Resources  PSAT Critical Reading: How to Predict the Answer to Sentence Completions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmgp- bWHWB4&list=PLb9g9Sq3aRCsc2vk6YcYBq8W2kYWgzzOD&index=1  PSAT Critical Reading: How to Answer Definition Sentence Completion Questions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtZJZsg6MQ  PSAT Critical Reading: How to Answer Contrast Sentence Completion Questions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnCFeg1pSJw&list=PLb9g9Sq3aRCsc2vk6YcYBq8W2kYWgzzO D  PSAT Critical Reading: How to Answer Cause-and-Effect Sentence Completions  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNgwRASYCQ Kaplan’s Critical Reading: How to Answer Sentence Completions The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, looking for clues. 2. Predict an answer 3. Select the choice that best matches the prediction. The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, 1. Feeling _____ about her latest victories, looking for clues. the tennis champion looked smugly down at the row of trophies on her mantelpiece. 2. Predict an answer 2. Her employers could not complain about 3. Select the choice that her word because she was _____ in the _____ of her duties. best matches the 3. Although eighteenth-century English prediction. society as a whole did not encourage learning for its own sake in women, nonetheless it illogically _____ women’s sad lack of education The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, 1. Feeling _____ about her latest victories, looking for clues. the tennis champion looked smugly down at the row of trophies on her mantelpiece. 2. Predict an answer 2. Her employers could not complain about 3. Select the choice that her word because she was _____ in the _____ of her duties. best matches the 3. Although eighteenth-century English prediction. society as a whole did not encourage learning for its own sake in women, nonetheless it illogically _____ women’s sad lack of education The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, 1. Feeling _____ about her latest victories, looking for clues. the tennis champion looked smugly down at the row of trophies on her 2. Predict an answer mantelpiece. A. downcast 3. Select the choice that best B. agitated matches the prediction. C. indifferent D. complacent E. philosophical The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, 2. Her employers could not complain about looking for clues. her word because she was _____ in the _____ of her duties. 2. Predict an answer A. derelict…performance 3. Select the choice that best B. importunate…observance matches the prediction. C. meticulous…postponement D. assiduous…execution E. hidebound…conception The Kaplan Method for Sentence Completions 1. Read the sentence, 3. Although eighteenth-century English society as a whole did not encourage looking for clues. learning for its own sake in women, nonetheless it illogically _____ women’s sad 2. Predict an answer lack of education. A. palliated 3. Select the choice that best B. postulated matches the prediction. C. decried D. brooked E. vaunted Sentence Completion Questions  Three Types of Questions  Definition  More than half of questions  Rest of the sentence defines the blank(s)  Contrast  About one-quarter of questions  Rest of the sentence describes opposite  Cause and Effect  Least common question  One part of the sentence brings about a predictable result in the other http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtZJZsg6MQ&list=PLb9g9Sq3aRCsc2vk6YcYBq8W2kYWgz zOD Sentence Completion: Definition Normally an individual thunderstorm lasts about 45 minutes, but under certain conditions the storm may _____, becoming ever more severe, for as long as four hours.  More than half of questions A. wane  Rest of the sentence defines the blank(s) B. moderate  Identify clues C. persist  Look for punctuation D. vacillate E. disperse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmgp- bWHWB4&list=PLb9g9Sq3aRCsc2vk6YcYBq8W2kYWgzzOD&index=1  Sentence Completion: Contrast  About one-quarter of test questions  Rest of the sentence describes opposite Although the drummer played _____, the  Pay attention to key words: other instruments were clearly _____.  Although A. Quietly…missing  While B. Poorly…ignored  But C. Loudly…audible  Yet D. Enthusiastically…unappreciated  On the contrary E. Quickly… synchronized  Despite  Even though  However http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnCFeg1pSJw&list=PLb9g9Sq3aRCsc2vk6YcYBq8W2kYWgzzOD Sentence Completion: Cause and Effect  Least common question  One part of the sentence brings about a predictable result in the other  Refer back to the three steps we discussed Because her delivery was _____, the effect of earlier: her speech on the voters was nonexistent. 1. Read the sentence, looking for clues. A. halting 2. Predict an answer B. plausible 3. Select the choice that best matches the C. moving prediction. D. respectable  Cause and effect Clues E. audible  Given  After  Therefore  Thus  Leading to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNgwRASYCQ Kaplan’s Strategies for Sentence Completions: The Forward Method 1. Cover up the answer choices 2. Read the Sentence Completion and determine its type. 3. Supply your own words to complete the sentence. 4. Match your prediction to the answer choices. 5. Plug your choice back into the SC. USEFUL FOR EVERY SENTENCE COMPLETION Kaplan’s Strategies for Sentence Completions: The Forward Method Ignoring criticisms that the film was 1. Cover up the answer choices excessively _____ and biased, the director 2. Read the Sentence Completion and resisted efforts to make changes designed to determine its type. produce a less fierce, more _____ story. 3. Supply your own words to complete the A. placid…prejudicial sentence. B. tranquil…neutral 4. Match your prediction to the answer C. Brutal…unfair choices. D. violent…even-handed 5. Plug your choice back into the SC. E. long…compact Kaplan’s Strategies for Sentence Completions: The Backward Method 1. Use positive or negative signs to determine what type of word you will need. 2. Assign positive or negative signs to each answer. 3. Eliminate the choices that don’t fit, then select from the rest. 4. Plug your choice back into the Sentence Completion. THIS SHOULD BE YOUR BACKUP PLAN, WHEN THE FIRST STRATEGY ISN’T WORKING. Kaplan’s Strategies for Sentence Completions: The Forward Method Some linguists argue that when the term 1. Use positive or negative signs to “unique” is used loosely, the concept determine what type of word you will becomes _____, losing its power to identify need. people, things, or concepts that are one of a kind. 2. Assign positive or negative signs to each answer. A. conservative 3. Eliminate the choices that don’t fit, then B. sensational select from the rest. C. domestic 4. Plug your choice back into the Sentence D. scarce Completion. E. diluted Barron’s Tips for Handling Sentence Completion Questions Tip #1: Before you look at the answer choices, read the sentence, substituting the word “blank” for the missing word.  Think of words you know that The psychologist set up the experiment to might make sense in the test the rat’s _____: he wished to see how well context. the rat adjusted to the changing conditions it had to face.  You may not come up with the A. reflexes exact word, but you may come up with a synonym. B. communicability C. stamina D. sociability E. adaptability Tip #2: Look for words or phrases that indicate a contrast between one idea and another.  Words like: We expected the winner of the race to be  Although jubilant about his victory, but he was _____ instead.  However A. triumphant  Despite B. mature  But C. morose  An antonym or near antonym D. talkative may be the correct answer E. culpable Tip #3: Look for phrases or words that indicate support for a concept. The simplest animals are those whose bodies  Words such as: are least complex in structure, and that do  Likewise the same things done by all animals, such as  Similarly eating, breathing, moving, and feeling in the most _____ way.  In the same way A. haphazard  In addition B. bizarre  Additionally  Also C. advantageous  A synonym or near-synonym for another D. primitive word in the sentence may be the correct E. unique answer. Tip #4: Look for words or phrases that indicate one thing causes another. We ran out of food toward the middle of the Words like: day, so by the time we returned to camp that evening we were ______. Because A. Footsore B. Reckless Since C. Envious Therefore D. Ravenous E. Tasteless Thus Tip #5: Look for signals that indicate a word is being defined.  Phrases such as: As a child, Menuhin was considered a _____,  In other words gifted with extraordinary musical ability.  That is A. heretic  Which means B. prodigy  Also look for special punctuation clues, C. mendicant such as : D. renegade  commas  hyphens E. precursor  Parentheses  These words and punctuation marks are used to set off definitions Tip #6: If you’re having vocabulary trouble, look for familiar word parts.  Prefixes After a tragedy, many people claim to have  Page 188 had a _____ of disaster.  Suffixes A. deviation  Page 204 B. proclamation  Roots C. presentiment  Page 193 D. brink E. verdict Tip #7: Work out whether the missing word is positive or negative. No matter how hard Ichabod tried to appear smooth and debonair, he still struck those who met him as a particularly _____ young man.  Then test the answer choices for their A. heroic positive or negative sense, eliminating those that don’t work. B. promising C. mendacious D. ungainly E. precocious Tip #8: In a sentence completion question with two blanks, eliminate answer choices by testing one blank at a time. The author portrays research psychologists not as disruptive _____ in the field of  First read the entire sentence and choose psychotherapy, but as effective _____ a blank on which to focus. working ultimately toward the same ends as  Insert the appropriate word of each the psychotherapists. answer pair in that blank. A. proponents…opponents  Ask yourself whether this particular word B. antagonists…pundits makes sense in this blank. C. interlocutors…surrogates  If a word makes no sense in the sentence, you can eliminate that answer pair. D. meddlers…usurpers E. intruders…collaborators Sentence Completion Practice Resources  Test Prep Practice  http://www.testpreppractice.net/PSAT/Sentence-Completion-PSAT-Practice-Tests.aspx  Major Tests  http://www.majortests.com/sat/sentence-completion.php  Word Dyanmo  http://dynamo.dictionary.com/90655/barrons-psat-sentence-completion-practice-questions  Flash Cards: http://dynamo.dictionary.com/90655/barrons-psat-sentence-completion-practice- questions/print Building Your Vocabulary Online Vocabulary Resources  Word Part Practice  Root Words: http://www.vocabulary.co.il/root-words/  Prefixes: http://www.vocabulary.co.il/prefixes/  Suffixes: http://www.vocabulary.co.il/suffixes/  PSAT Vocabulary Practice:  http://www.quia.com/jg/160741.html  SAT Vocabulary Practice  http://www.vocabulary.co.il/sat-games/  Critical Reading: Reading Comprehension Critical Reading Directions The passages below are followed by questions on their content; questions following a pair of related passages may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided. Passage Excerpt: After I left the room, I began to sift my impressions. Only the day before, an acquaintance had warned me to watch carefully for sleight-of-hand tricks, especially as the man had earlier been a stage conjuror. Question: The “acquaintance” mentioned in line 2 can best be described as a The acquaintance mentioned in line 2 warns the author to (A) skeptic “watch carefully for sleight-of-hand tricks.” (B) hypocrite (C) hoaxer (D) confidant Choice (A) is correct. (E) mystic In warning the author to watch out for tricks, the acquaintance is showing that he is skeptical about the telepathist's supposed powers. Reading Comprehension: What to Expect  Questions following passages are not ordered by difficulty, however, the passages are usually arranged in order from easiest to most difficult  2 short passages  Followed by between 2-5 questions  2 long passages  Followed by up to 12 questions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB3bP23mmzw &list=PL2KH8Ghffd72ewK6XOJfV-d5DCsyRkEtx Reading Comprehension: What to Expect Passage Types Humanities Social Studies Natural Sciences Literature Reading Comprehension: What to Expect Questions are never based on outside knowledge. All of the information you need to answer the questions is in the passage (with the exception of PSAT Vocabulary words). There may be a few unfamiliar terms, however those terms that are specific to the topic will be defined in the text. (You may be asked to define a word in context as well.) Reading Comprehension: YouTube Resources PSAT Critical Reading: Score Raising Strategies: How to Make Reading Passages Easier and Faster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIDd9Fe27zM&list=PL2KH8Ghffd72ewK 6XOJfV-d5DCsyRkEtx&index=14 How to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB3bP23mmzw&list=PL2KH8Ghffd72e wK6XOJfV-d5DCsyRkEtx  Kaplan PSAT Playlist:  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2KH8Ghffd72ewK6XOJfV- d5DCsyRkEtx  Sparknotes: Critical Reading Section: Reading Passages Essential Concepts 1.Topic and Scope 2.Purpose and Main Idea 3.Tone Reading Passages: Essential Concept #1 Topic and Scope Topic is the subject matter treated in a passage Scope is the breadth of the topic covered in the passage Reading Passages: Essential Concept #2 Purpose and Main Idea Purpose is the reason the author is writing. Main idea is the central point the author is making. These questions are often combined. Reading Passages: Essential Concept #3 Tone Tone is based on a passages style and the particular words used in the passage. The way an author uses language indicates his or her attitude toward his or her subject matter. All correct answers tend to align with the author’s tone. Essential Concept Practice One of the world’s most celebrated crusaders for social justice and peace is South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Despite his prominence, however, Archbishop Tutu has always made time for Topic and Scope? his people. One the day in 1984 that he was named winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Purpose and Main Idea: reporters and photographers mobbed the seminary where he was staying. A press Tone? conference was hastily set up. Just as it was to begin, the archbishop’s student assistant entered the courtyard, returning from a family funeral. Leaving the microphones and cameras behind, the archbishop went to comfort her. The world press could wait, her grief could not. Reading Passages: The Big 5 Question Types Question Type Your Task Vocabulary in Understand the meaning of a word in relation to Context the sentence or passage. Literal Demonstrate your understanding of specific Comprehension aspects of the passage. Attitude Identify the writer’s attitude toward the subject. Big Identify the passage’s purpose or main idea. Picture/Purpose Inference Take something given in the passage and use it to figure out something else. Vocabulary in Context In line 25, “plasticity” most nearly means A. Nervous energy  Reread the referenced line IN ADDITION B. Strength and endurance TO the sentence just before and just after. C. Mobility and pliancy  Test Tip: Answer these first because they D. Organic coherence correspond to specific line numbers. E. Muscular memory Literal Comprehension According to Graham, most people believe  Test whether you understand that spontaneous theatrical moments something specific about the A. are the product of disciplined passage. rehearsal and training B. happen only because the actor is  Generally give you a broad gripped by a sudden emotion area of the text to return to C. are dependent on the audience’s  Knowing the main idea and willingness to suspend their disbelief using your notes in the outline D. depends on the quickness of the actor’s reaction time. will help E. are more objective than subjective Attitude Focus on the author’s The author’s tone in describing the Indian survivors can best be described attitude or tone toward as: the subject matter A. skeptical As you read, pay close B. detached attention to the author’s C. elegiac tone, even marking major D. obsequious tone words E. impatient Big Picture / Purpose Ask about a passage’s In these passages, both Graham major purpose or main and Waters are idea A. Examining their consciences Look for phrases like: B. Presenting their artistic creeds C. Criticizing their opponents Main idea D. Analyzing their impact on their Primary purpose fields E. Reassessing their chosen Main point professions Inference  Ask for implied information  Take a piece of information in the It can be inferred from the passage that one passage to figure out something else of the following is true of epiphytes  Because you are not simply using A. They lack root systems. information from the text, these may be B. The do not require large amounts of soil for more difficult than specific detail growth. questions C. They are incapable of photosynthesis.  Require you to understand the entire D. They are hard to perceive in the dense passage rain forest canopy.  An inference is an unobserved fact that E. They need different nutrients than other one believes must be true given other plants do. observed facts YouTube Resources:  PSAT Critical Reading: How to Make Passages Easier and Faster  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIDd9Fe27zM  Barrons: Improving Critical Reading Comprehension Vocabulary Questions Tip #1: Tackle In line 13, “frabbledrab” vocabulary in-context most nearly means questions the same A. snipsnop way you do sentence B. kangasplat completion questions. C. replix D. oggitty Remember: words have multiple E. thrumble meanings, so make sure you check the context of the word. Main Idea Questions Tip #2: When asked to  Sample questions: find a passage’s main idea, be sure to check Which of the following best the opening and states the central thought of the passage? summary sentences of each paragraph. The primary purpose of the  Ask yourself: Who or what is this passage is to… passage about? What feature of In the second paragraph of this subject is the author talking about? What is the author trying the passage, the author to get across about this feature of primarily stresses that… the subject? Specific Detail Questions Tip #3: When you Sample Questions: answer specific According to the author, what is the reason for… detail questions, The “fatal objections” to point to the precise astrology referred to in line 25 are… words in the To the author, a belief in passage that astrology is… support your answer choice. Inference Questions Tip #4: When you answer inference questions, look  Sample Questions: for what the passage  The author implies that… logically suggests, but  The passage suggests that… does not directly state.  It can be inferred from the passage that… Use your judgment.  The author would most likely… Look for clues in coming  The author probably up with your own considers… conclusion. Attitude/Tone Questions Tip #5: When asked to figure out an author’s  Sample Questions: attitude or tone, look The author’s attitude for words that convey toward….is… emotion, express The author regards the idea values, or paint that… with… pictures The author’s tone in the passage… Images and descriptive phrases Literary Technique Questions  Sample Questions:  Which of the following best Tip #6: Familiarize describes the development of yourself with the this passage? common terms used to  In presenting the argument, describe and author’s the author does all of the technique. following except?  The statement in lines 8-9 is an Even if you don’t know them example of… all, you can eliminate incorrect choices.  In the passage, the author makes the central point primarily by… Logic/Application Questions  Sample Questions:  With which of the following Tip #7: Think about how statements would the author the ideas in the passage be most in agreement? are logically organized.  The author’s argument would  What point is the author be most weakened by the making and what ideas discovery of which of the support this point? following?  Look for qualifiers, such as:  The author’s contention would somewhat, often, or almost. be most clearly strengthened if which of the following were found to be true? Critical Reading Review Format of Critical Reading Sections Sentence Short Long Completion Passages Passages Section 1 1-8 9-12 13-24 (2 Passages) (2 Passages) Section 3 25-29 30-33 34-48 (2 Passages) (2 Passages) 13 questions 8 questions 27 questions total total total Sentence Completion Directions Each of the following sentences contains one or two blanks; these blanks indicate that a word or set of words has been left out. Below the sentence are five words or phrases, lettered A through E. Select the word or set of words that best completes the sentence. Describe the sentence completions. Critical Reading Directions The passages below are followed by questions on their content; questions following a pair of related passages may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided. Page 14 Describe the reading comprehension section. Reading Comprehension: What to Expect  Questions following passages are not ordered by difficulty, however, the passages are usually  Passage Types arranged in order from easiest to  Humanities most difficult  Social Studies  2 short passages  Natural Sciences  Followed by between 2-5 questions  Literature  2 long passages  Followed by up to 12 questions Reading Comprehension: What to Expect Questions are never based on outside knowledge. All of the information you need to answer the questions is in the passage (with the exception of PSAT Vocabulary words). There may be a few unfamiliar terms, however those terms that are specific to the topic will be defined in the text. (You may be asked to define a word in context as well.)