Mastering Expression of Ideas Questions in the SAT Reading & Writing Section

The SAT R&W section is designed to assess a range of linguistic skills. This section is made up of multiple-choice questions that require you to analyse passages of written text and answer questions about them. You’ll see lots of different types of questions: some will ask you to interpret data, point out grammatical errors and improve elements of the text by refining or clarifying how it expresses a certain idea. You’ll have just 64 minutes to complete the reading part and 35 minutes for the writing and language part, so it’s vital not to waste any time.

As mentioned already, these questions focus on enhancing the quality of a passage of written text. And whilst grammar and punctuation are important, you can expect these questions to dig deeper into more challenging things. For example, you’ll probably be asked how a sentence could be changed to improve its coherence, argumentation and flow. This requires an understanding of how certain words and sentence structures can be used to make writing clearer, more persuasive or more impactful.

When approaching the SAT R&W section, read everything thoroughly and actively. This means not just reading the words, but also thinking critically about why the passage has been written, as well as its structure, clarity and effectiveness. Here are some pointers to help you do this:

1. As you read through for the first time, try to figure out what the passage’s main argument is. What exactly are they trying to say?
2. Next, think about the structure of the passage. How are the paragraphs ordered? What kinds of words or phrases do they use to transition between paragraphs?
3. Finally, think about the purpose of the text. Why has it been written? Who is the intended audience? Understanding more about these things will help you to make better and more informed revisions.
   

Regular practice will be key to improving your answers to these types of questions, so do as many past papers as you can! And after you take practice tests, be sure to review your answers. Try to understand why the correct choices are better than the incorrect alternatives. Over time, this will really help you to improve your performance.

It’s really important to be both efficient and accurate when taking the SAT. But of course, this is easier said than done. Here are a few tips:

1. Skim passages first to get a sense of the overall structure and argument before you dive in deeper.
2. Answer the easiest questions first to give yourself more time on the hardest questions later.
3. Keep an eye on the clock and don’t lose track of time. Try not to spend an excessive amount of time on any one question; if you’re stuck, it’s probably best to move on and tackle other questions.

If you come across that’s overly complicated, it’s a great idea to break it down into smaller, simpler parts. This will make the text clearer and easier to understand, also enhancing its overall argument.

Example: “The advancements in renewable energy technologies, which have seen rapid development over the past decade, have provided us with new methods of generating power that are both sustainable and environmentally friendly, thus reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”

Simplified: “Advancements in renewable energy over the past decade have given us sustainable, environmentally friendly ways to generate power, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”

When taking the SAT, clarity should always take precedence over style. It’s tempting to use more sophisticated words to seem smarter, but the best way to succeed is actually by making the wording more straightforward and precise.

Example: Instead of saying, “The implementation of this innovative technology is indicative of a paradigm shift in the industry,” it would probably be better to say, “This new technology shows how the industry is changing.” The second option is clear and to the point, whilst the first looks flowery and overcomplicated.

Always think about the passage's overall context when practising these questions. After all, you need to understand the purpose of the text if you’re going to try to improve it! Focus on making changes that make the passage’s main points clearer and easier to understand.

One common mistake that lots of test-takers make is using overly complicated sentences. It’s much, much better to keep things simple and clear and avoid sentences with many different parts. If you follow this advice, you’ll be less likely to make errors and your revisions will be more effective.

Another common mistake is focusing too much on individual sentences without considering the entire paragraph or passage. Get into the habit of thinking not just about the sentence you’re revising, but also about how your changes will affect the passage as a whole. Thinking in this way will help you to retain the passage’s overall argument.

It’s crucial to ensure that any changes you make are in line with the passage’s tone. A sudden shift in tone can make the passage feel disjointed or inconsistent. Whether the tone is formal, informal, or somewhere in between, your revisions should match it.

Lastly, make sure that any changes you make fit with the text’s tone of voice. A sudden change in tone can be jarring and make the passage feel inconsistent or strange. Think about whether the passage’s tone is formal or informal, professional or conversational, and ensure that your changes are in line with that.

To do well on the Expression of Ideas questions on the SAT, you’ll need to develop a clear and concise writing style. You can go about this by practising different types of questions and then reviewing your answers. Clarity, coherence and context are the keys to success here, so remember these three C’s! If you’d like further guidance and support, A-List offers both online and in-person SAT preparation courses throughout the year. The next available course is on December 14th in-person at our London office. Sign up today to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence for test day!

A-List has been a leader in US university pathways for almost 20 years.

All of our tutors are first class graduates from leading US universities - including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Dartmouth and University of California - they combine in depth subject knowledge with insight into what it takes to succeed in some of the world’s most demanding academic environments.

For each subject area, we train our students in a thorough grounding of foundational to advanced content, stretching them with material beyond past papers and drills to produce articulate, well-rounded thinkers.

To enquire about A-List SAT support services, contact our Client Service team at +44 (0)20 3004 8101 or info@alisteducation.co.uk, anytime during our office hours Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm.