Thinking Logically About the Questions | The Complete SAT Course - Class 10 PDF Download

Using Logic on the Questions

Using logical reasoning can significantly aid in tackling the most challenging SAT Critical Reading questions. For example, if one answer choice implies another, it cannot be correct without both answers being correct; therefore, it must be wrong. This may sound confusing, but let's look at an example:
Suppose the question asks about the author's attitude towards the "transgressions" mentioned in line 12. The options are:
(A) dismissiveness
(B) vehement opposition
(C) ambivalence
(D) disapproval
(E) resignation

Without even reading the passage, you can tell that the answer cannot be (B). This is because (B) implies (D). If someone vehemently opposes something, they definitely disapprove of it as well. So, if (B) were correct, (D) would also have to be correct, but there can't be two correct answers! Therefore, (B) must be incorrect.

It's important to note that questions that can be solved without reading the passage are rare on the SAT (despite what some test-prep companies might claim). Nevertheless, logical thinking remains an invaluable tool in answering these questions. The key is to combine this logical approach with a thorough understanding of the passage.

Meet Logic’s Best Bud, Common Sense

Utilizing fundamental principles of common sense can greatly benefit you in answering Critical Reading questions on the SAT exam. Logic helps you identify what is necessarily true based on given assumptions, while common sense helps you determine what is likely true based on the same assumptions.

• Let’s go back to the question above. Your common sense tells you that writers write about things they care about. And even if they’re only writing on assignment and don’t really care about the subject, they at least have to pretend that they care about the subject. So decent writers almost never write with a dismissive tone toward their subjects. So choice (A) dismissiveness is probably not the right answer. 
• But don’t be too hasty—it’s remotely possible that the author is really saying, “These transgressions are what other people focus on, but they really don’t matter.” Just check the passage quickly to see if this is the case—but chances are, anyone who writes about transgressions isn’t indifferent about them. So logical elimination, with quick passage checks, can help a lot. 
• So now you’re left with choices (C) ambivalence, (D) disapproval, and (E) resignation. The answer is (C) if the author thinks the transgressions are both good and bad (remember ambivalent means “having conflicting feelings,” not “unclear and vague”—that’s ambiguous), (D) if he criticizes it consistently, and (E) if he thinks they’re bad, but he can’t do anything about them.

What Can You Do in 500 Words?

Is it possible to "accurately describe the history of European political reform" in just 500 words? I certainly cannot, and nor can the authors of SAT passages. However, it is feasible for someone to "propose a few political reforms" within a 500-word limit. Thus, when tackling purpose questions on the SAT exam, apply common sense to rule out implausible or trivial purposes.
Which of the following best expresses the purpose of the passage as a whole? 
(A) to describe the relationship between literature and history (too big a task—eliminate)
(B) to belittle modern literary critics (possible, but that seems petty—eliminate)
(C) to refute a misconception (very possible and worthwhile—keep)
(D) to delineate a new mode of literary analysis (too big a task—eliminate) (E) to suggest several remedies for a problem (very possible and worthwhile—keep)

When responding to general questions in the context of the SAT exam, utilize your logical reasoning to consider the scope of a 500-word essay. The topic should not be too insignificant or superficial, but at the same time, it should not be overly ambitious.