Reading Comprehension Flashcards

A passage states that a novel 'subverts expectations by presenting the villain as the most empathetic character.' 'Subverts' most nearly means:

Answer: Undermines or overturns

To subvert is to undermine a conventional expectation—here, the expectation that villains lack empathy.

An author opens a passage with a striking anecdote about a single child affected by poverty, then presents national statistics. This structure most likely aims to:

Answer: Create emotional engagement before introducing broader evidence

Beginning with a personal story creates empathy and draws readers in before the author broadens the argument with statistical evidence.

A student reads: 'The legislation passed with bipartisan support, yet critics on both ends of the political spectrum remained vocal.' What tension does this sentence highlight?

Answer: A contradiction between legislative success and continued opposition

The sentence contrasts the bill's bipartisan passage with the persistence of critics from both parties, revealing that formal success did not end debate.

In an SAT passage about marine biology, a table shows that coral reef biodiversity declined 40% between 1980 and 2020. A claim states that 'reefs have remained largely stable.' The table:

Answer: Directly contradicts the claim about reef stability

A 40% decline in biodiversity is inconsistent with a characterization of 'largely stable,' making the table contradictory evidence.

An author repeatedly uses the phrase 'we must act now' throughout a persuasive passage. This repetition is best described as:

Answer: Anaphora used to create urgency and reinforce a call to action

Repeating the same phrase at regular intervals (anaphora) is a rhetorical device that builds rhythm, emphasis, and a sense of urgency.

A passage describes how the printing press 'democratized knowledge.' This phrase suggests the printing press:

Answer: Made information accessible to a much wider segment of the population

To 'democratize' something means to make it available to everyone, not just an elite—here, knowledge spread beyond clergy and scholars.

A passage's tone shifts from hopeful in the first half to cautionary in the second half. This shift most likely reflects the author's intent to:

Answer: Acknowledge potential benefits before warning about risks

A hope-to-caution shift is a deliberate rhetorical structure: the author validates optimism before urging readers to consider risks.