SAT 03.

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Arizona State University *

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101

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Philosophy

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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When do we know that we have the right answer? The Best Strategy is to arrive at the correct answer through a Process of Elimination (POE) of the wrong answers based on the traps that the examiner has set for you. But a misconception needs to be cleared at thisstage. What we are looking for is not the right answer . In SAT we could have more than one right answer. What we are looking for is the best among the available answers. There is obviously no credit for the second best answer. It is all the more necessary, therefore, that you do not jump to an answer that appears to be right on the first look, but arrive at the best answer only by eliminating the second best, the third best et el. Can we answer the questions based on our prior knowledge of the topic? Strictly no! . Prior knowledge may help you to get a grip of the topic. But this should not come in way of the requirement to answer the questions based entirely on the information furnished in the passage. Be sure to work within the context of the passage. Your own views or opinions may sometimes conflict with the views expressed in the passage. However, you will often be able to eliminate some of the answer choices simply on the basis of commonsense, which you will be called upon to use in ample measure. Speed Building (A) Looking for Sign Posts! Certain words instantly tell you a lot about the structure of a passage. For example, if a sentence begins, “on the one hand,” you would expect to find an “on the other hand” later in the sentence. These structural signposts show an alert reader what’s going to happen later in a passage. Here are some structural signposts to look out for. Yet again special attention should be given to the words/phrases given within inverted commas (“ ”) , because invariably these words/phrases have particular relevance in context of the passage. Trigger Words Take a look at the following example First paragraph: Most people believe that the UFOs have extra–terrestrial origin. Second paragraph: HOWEVER (trigger word), scientists have unearthed enough evidence their genesis lies in the obscure labs sponsored by CIA.In this example the trigger word signals that the second paragraph will modify or qualify what was gone before. A trigger word at the beginning of any paragraph is a sure sign that this paragraph will disagree with what was stated in the preceding one.Trigger words are important even if they do not appear at the beginning of a paragraph; they

always signal a change of meaning, even if it is only within a sentence. Here are the trigger words that often appear in the Comprehension passages. 14 _ Although (even though) Despite (in spite of) HoweverNonetheless On the other hand While ButExcept Nevertheless Notwithstanding UnlessYet Some structural signposts let you know that there will be “first of all” it stands to reason that there will be a “second of all” and perhaps a “third of all” . Other signs of continuation: By the same token In addition LikewiseSimilarly This (implies a reference to preceding sentence) Thus (implies a conclusion) “Yin–YangWords” One of frequently occurring types of passage contrasts two opposing view points and certain words immediately give this away. See if you can supply the second half of the following sentences: The traditional view of the causes of global warming focuses on the burning of fossil fuel. (Second half: However, the new view is that there is some other cause.) Until recently, it was thought that the Mayan civilization was destroyed as a result of drought... (Second half: However, now we believe that space invaders destroyed them.) The classical model of laissez–faire capitalism does not even admit the possibility of government intervention... (Second half: But the rock and roll version of laissez–faire capitalism says, “Let me just get my checkbook.”) Before 1960, it was commonly assumed that the atom was the smallest particle in the universe. (Second half: However, after 1960 scientists began to suspect that there was something even smaller.) Whenever you spot a “yin” word, you should realize that there is a “yang” on the way. Some other yin–yang words:

15 _ Yin Generallymost scientists think on the one handthe old viewthe widespread belief Yang (however, this time . . . )(but Doctor Spleegle thinks . . .) (on the other hand . . . ) (however, the new view . . .) (but the in–crowd believes . . .) (B) Pre-reading, Skimming, Scanning and Prediction Here reading can be categorized under three heads: If the subject matter of the passage is entirely new to the student, it might help if s/he does the reading twice: the first ‘reading’ to be ‘a bird’s eye-view’ or a pre-reading exercise only. The bird’s eye-view may constitute reading the opening couple of statements, the first statement of each body paragraph, and the concluding couple of statements . A bird’s eye view will afford the students a good grasp of the main idea of the passage. Such pre-reading will also enable the student to decide what to look for and read in the second assay. Skimming means: Read some; Leave some. The students should develop the habit of reading for idea that requires them to skip unnecessary/ supporting detail. There may be a small phrase in a sentence that is worth noting. The rest needs to be skipped. Skimming is useful for noting the important points of the passage. Scanning is like looking for a needle in a pile of grass. Your eyes may be looking at the grass, but not actually ‘seeing’ it as the focus is only on the needle. Scanning is useful for locating specific detail, where you know in which paragraph the detail may lie. Prediction means trying to anticipate what may lie ahead. Trying to predict not only helps build focus, but also increases reading speed. . (C) Phrase Reading The RC passage is not a collection of words. It is rather an expression of ideas. The ideas are in phrase form. The grammatical structure of the sentences is irrelevant for the purpose of reading comprehension. Only the structurally important phrase needs to be read carefully. We need a lot of practice so as to develop the habit of reading for the relevant phrases, not for the words/sentences. . (D) Varying reading speed: All the content of the reading passage is not equally important. So why should you spend uniform time? The reading has to be at varying speed: speed through the content till you come across something very important – slow down here, even mull what is being discussed here – then speed up again when the content is repetitive or elaborative – detail that you can

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always infer or predict We do not prescribe a set reading style. Select the one that you are comfortable with. Also vary the style as per the type of reading topic involved and the type of questions that you have to answer. After all, you cannot have the same speed for a work of fiction and for an abstract topic on philosophy.