Evidence-Based Reading Flashcards

A student reads a passage about renewable energy and must identify the author's 'central claim.' The central claim is best defined as:

Answer: The main argument the author is trying to convince the reader to accept

The central claim is the author's primary argument or thesis—the main point they are advancing throughout the entire passage.

In a passage, a scientist writes: 'We cannot yet say with certainty whether this mechanism causes the observed effect, but the correlation is robust and the hypothesis merits rigorous investigation.' The word 'robust' most nearly means:

Answer: Statistically strong and consistent

In scientific writing, 'robust' describes a finding or correlation that is statistically strong, consistent across measurements, and not easily disrupted by minor variations.

Two passages address the same historical event. Passage 1 is written by a participant and emphasizes personal sacrifice. Passage 2 is written by a historian decades later and focuses on political consequences. What does comparing these two passages primarily illustrate?

Answer: That perspective and purpose shape how the same event is interpreted and emphasized

Comparing the two passages demonstrates how an author's perspective, proximity to events, and purpose fundamentally shape their interpretation and emphasis.

A passage includes this sentence: 'Despite its initial promise, the program was quietly defunded after internal audits revealed significant mismanagement.' The word 'quietly' most likely implies the defunding was done:

Answer: Without public announcement or transparency

Used adverbially here, 'quietly' implies the defunding occurred without public disclosure or announcement, suggesting a lack of transparency.

A passage arguing that homework should be limited states: 'Studies show that beyond two hours per night, additional homework yields no academic benefit and increases student anxiety.' An author who opposes this position would most likely argue that:

Answer: The studies cited may not account for subject-specific differences in workload needs

The strongest counterargument acknowledges the evidence but challenges its generalizability by pointing out that different subjects may have different optimal homework thresholds.

On the Digital SAT, 'Words in Context' questions ask about the meaning of a word as it is used in a specific passage. The most important strategy for answering these questions is to:

Answer: Consider the word's meaning based on the surrounding sentences and overall context

Words in Context questions test contextual meaning, so the correct answer reflects how the word is used in that specific passage, which may differ from its most common definition.

A passage about architecture concludes: 'The building stands not merely as shelter but as argument—a physical manifesto for what a city could become.' The metaphor 'physical manifesto' suggests the building:

Answer: Embodies and communicates a bold vision or ideology through its design

Calling the building a 'physical manifesto' is a metaphor suggesting its architectural form itself expresses a strong ideological vision for urban life, just as a written manifesto expresses political ideas.