12.Practice.Tests.for.the.SAT_2015-2016_1128p

12 KAPLAN'S GUIDE TO THE SAT CHANGE AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
ask you to revise and edit the passage based on the data presented in the graphic. These
questions will not require computation, only analysis of existing data.
QUESTIONS
The most prevalent question format on the SAT Writing and Language Test will ask you to
choose the best of three alternatives to an underlined portion of the passage, or to decide
that the current version is the best option. You will be asked to improve the development,
organization, and diction in the passages to ensure they conform to conventional
standards of English grammar, usage, and style. While you will be able to answer some of
these multiple-choice questions by looking only at a phrase, clause, or sentence, many of
the questions must be answered by considering the passage as a whole.
EXPRESSION OF IDEAS QUESTIONS
24 questions on the Writing and Language Test will be Expression of Ideas questions.
These questions can include sub-question types such as words in context, command of
evidence, and analysis of history/social studies or science.
These questions are further broken down into three categories: development, organization,
and effective language use.
Development
Organization
Effective
Language Use
Expression of Ideas Questions
Edit the text in terms of rhetorical purpose by assessing:
Proposition: Do the main ideas, central claims, counterclaims, and topic
sentences appropriately structure the text? Do they clearly and effectively
convey arguments, information, and ideas?
Support: Do the information and ideas like details, facts, and statistics
accurately support claims or ideas in the text?
Focus: Are certain information and ideas relevant to the topic and
purpose of the overarching text?
Quantitative Information: How do graphs, charts, and tables representing
quantitative information relate to the text?
Improve the logic and coherence of text at the level of sentence, paragraph,
or entire passage by assessing:
Logical Sequence: Are the information and ideas presented in the
most logical order?
Introductions, Conclusions, and Transitions: Are transition words,
phrases, and sentences used effectively to connect the information and
ideas of the text?
Improve language use to make sure it reinforces rhetorical purposes
by assessing:
Precision: Are the words chosen (diction) exact and appropriate for
the text?
Concision: Is the text wordy or redundant?
Style and Tone: Are tone and style consistent throughout the
text? Does the text's style and tone match its purpose?
Syntax: Does the text's sentence structure accurately reflect its
rhetorical purposes?