SAT Reading Tips

Mrs. McIntyre
Five Levels of Comprehension

Level One: Read the introductory material that precedes (comes before) the passage. It gives you
hints about what you are going to read!

Level Two: Read the passage carefully, giving the first third of the passage your greatest level of
focus and concentration. Make brief marginal notations to help yourself build a sense of the
passage. An example of marginalia is on the reverse of this page.
o Significant parts:
first two paragraphs
first sentence or two of each body paragraph
concluding paragraph
o Break the reading into halves or thirds to make it more manageable.

Level Three: Read the questions with great focus and attention; underline or circle key words.
o Key words can include: never, not, always, all, most, except, agrees, disagrees,
undermines, underscores, initially, ultimately, contradicts, counters, verifies, confirms.

Level Four: Reread pertinent or

referenced parts of the passage with greater focus. Maintain concentration!
o Visualize what is being described in the text
o React and respond to what you are reading. Let the authors ideas prompt a
response in you.

Level Five: Reread the four answer choices very carefully. Notice and underline or circle key words
in the answer choices that can change the nature of the choice, such as always, never, quickly, and
so on. Once you have narrowed the answer choices down to two possibilities, shift into high gear to
look for subtleties in the answers. Select the best choice.
o Answer the questions based on what the passage states or implies. Do not read
into and beyond what the author has written.

Focus on this for hints!

breaking a rule?

Akira came to speak to Chie

She seem surprised

Bow = respect

She seems cold towards him

Not a lot of time

Chie sees him as a child