CRITICAL READING TIPS

Tran Viet Hung

1) SENTENCE COMPLETION APPROACH:
BASIC STEPS:
Step 0 - Do NOT look at the answer choices to avoid being confused before reading the
sentence.
Step 1 - Spot keywords in 2 main types of i) Content keywords AND ii) Context keywords
to find the clues. Here, content keywords are basically SAT vocabs that have their own
important meanings related to the blank(s) (e.g.: vehement, economy, etc...) while context
keywords are that link phrases and clauses together (e.g.: a) Parallel: like, just as, as ... as it
is, etc... b) Opposed: although, despite, unlike, surprisingly, notwithstanding, for all, still,
except for, etc... c) Progressive: if not, not just, but not, even, eventually, become, etc...)
Step 2 - Understand structure and Punctuation to see how words and phrases are linked
together in such a sentence (e.g.: colons (":") are used to introduce a list, define a terms, or
elaborate on previous clauses/terms)
Step 3 (Optional) - Find Connotation (positive(+)/negative(-)) and Synonymous
/Antonymous ideas for the required blank(s) to assist your choice, using clues obtained
from Step 1 & 2. It is often easier to recall a connotation of a word than the word itself,
saves time, and sometimes is enough to answer.
Step 4a - Anticipate your answer from all evidence obtained from Step 1,2, & 3, before
looking at the available options.
Step 4b - IF YOU CANNOT anticipate your answer, try to Find synonyms/antonyms
(especially in 2-blank ones) from the options for clues, as these words are usually related to
the correct answer. Pick any not-eliminated option as a tentative fit and try to make sense
of the question. Regardless of whether this choice is correct or not, it will help improve
your understanding of the question.
Step 5 - Exercise the Process of Elimination by checking each option with your
understanding of required connotation and necessary synonymous/antonymous wordings
for the blanks.
Step 6 - Double check by evaluating the question with your selected answer.

ADVANCED TIPS:
Trust your "hunch" with easy questions (e.g.: first 3 questions) and Doubt your "hunch"
with difficult questions (e.g: last 3 questions). For medium-level questions, beware of
secondary meanings of words.
Speed up for easy questions (<30s/question) and Slow down for medium/difficult ones
(between 30s and 60s each), trying to save time for the Reading part.
For complexly structured questions, a quick translation can help understanding.

 Eliminate surely wrong answers (e.g.: opposite connotation needed, not making sense,...)
NOT unknown/seemingly wrong words.
Use prefixes, roots, and suffixes to your advantage, YET be careful with special/tricky
words (e.g.: impassioned (=passionate), underscore (=emphasize), impassive (=without
passion), disinterested (=neutral), etc...)
For 2-blanks questions, Focus on the easier blank AND Use elimination consecutively to
reach the final answers. Also, you can Use the connotation relationship between 2 blanks
(both +/- OR opposite direction) to assist your choice. Remember that the correct answer is
the one that fits both somewhat imperfectly, NOT the one that fits one blank perfectly
and the other incorrectly.
When you can eliminate at least 2 answer choices, make an educated guess i) with as little
bias as possible AND ii) by matching the order of difficulties of the word with that of the
question (e.g.: Easy/Medium/Difficult questions get Easy/Medium/Difficult words as
answers)

2) GENERAL APPROACHES TO PASSAGE-BASED READING

Method
Summary

The Careful Reader

First 2-5 mins: Read the
whole passage carefully
to grasp the main ideas.
Highlight keywords and
note down main
ideas/topics/tones
Answer the questions in
order, starting with the
first few main-idea
questions. Use the main
ideas obtained to help
answer specific questions

Skim & Scan

First 1-2 mins: Skim the
whole passage quickly by
reading the first sentences
of each paragraphs and the
last sentence of the
passage. Get a few
keywords highlighted yet
not the topics/tones
Skip main-idea questions
and answer line-specific
ones. Leave main-idea ones
to the end when fully
understanding the passage

Advs

Good understanding of
the main ideas and tones
Reduce time to answer
the specific questions,
especially those linked to
the main ideas

Save time in Skimming

Pay enough attention to
each question
Less time pressure
Have better understanding
in answering the main-idea
questions

Disadvs

More time pressure

Takes more time to answer
Might waste time reading
specific questions and resome sections that are
read the passage
not asked in the
Not able to answer some
questions
specific questions linked to
the main ideas

The Fast Reader

First 1 min: Look at all the
questions to find lines that
the questions refer to. Go
back to the passage the
bracket these lines
Start to read the passage
with a slow pace for the
bracketed lines and a fast
pace for the non-bracketed
lines. Make frequent pauses
at these bracketed lines to
answer the corresponding
questions, while leaving the
main-idea ones for the last
Good understanding of the
passage and its supporting
evidence for each question
Optimize on reading the
required/not required parts
Keep your reading focus and
save time from re-reading
the passage
Much more time pressure
Still require reading all the
passages, some of which
might not be asked

3) CHARACTERISTICS OF RIGHT vs WRONG ANSWERS:

Right answer
o Paraphrase the passage:
It uses synonyms for the adjectives and verbs,
or employs synonymous ideas
Sometimes, when there is no synonym, it
might use the same wordings
o

Include all ideas in the passage:

It includes all important ideas from the cited
line, unlike wrong answer that drops certain
portion of the information

Usually more general:

It often uses "broad" wordings and "less
specific" language, even "vague"
Note that on occasion, when questions ask
about specific things, right options can be
specific

Can be proved by the passage:

When in doubt, go back to the passage to find
supporting keywords. If you can point out to
a/some specific portion(s) of text that prove
the answer, it is likely the correct answer.
Remember NOT to read "very far away" from
the mentioned lines. Usually, +/- 2 lines should
be enough.
When two options are both supported by the
text, choose the one that is i) more frequently
cited AND ii) more closely related to the main
idea

Wrong answer
Copycat wordings:
It copies exact words/phrases from the passage
BUT i) It expresses opposite ideas OR ii) It talks
about irrelevant information OR iii) It uses
opinionated comparison (E.g.: A equals/better
than B)
Opposite meanings:
It shows ideas that are basically opposite to the
relevant ideas
It takes advantage of your self-doubt in
capturing the correct ideas of the passage
Extreme answers:
It uses EXTREME wordings such as: all, never,
must, absolutely, complete, outrage, best, etc..
--> rarely a correct answer
Note that NEGATING an extreme word is NO
LONGER extreme, thus could be a correct
answer. E.g.: not always, not fully, not all,
incomplete, etc...
Recently, there are an INCREASING number of
correct answers with extreme wordings (e.g.:
complete agreement) in SAT Tests.
True but answer different things:
It is based on true statement from the passage
but does not answer the specific question
It uses fact/inference from an earlier OR later
portion of the text, but NOT the line reference
required by the question
In paired passage, it could be true for Passage 1
while the question asks about Passage 2 (or
both Passages)

Half-true answer:
It seems correct initially BUT adds new
opposite/irrelevant information that makes it
wrong
Note that just a SINGLE "wrong" keyword
spoils the whole option
True to your own assumption:
It makes much sense to YOUR OWN
experiences/assumptions/expectations BUT
actually not supported by the passage
The lesson is NOT to presuppose anything

Note: These characteristics cannot substitute reading the passage for the correct answer.
Moreover, as College Board is fully aware of the such aforementioned characteristics, it is now
trying to formulate various choices with no clear pattern of right and wrong answers.

4) ADVANCED TIPS FOR PASSAGE-BASED READING:

Read LITERALLY (i.e.: Make NO assumption/interpretation/faraway inference) AND CRITICALLY
(i.e.: Grasp ideas quickly and Master paraphrase skill).
If you are reading fast, Consider writing down 1-3 words summary for each paragraph. Also,
develop a habit to Highlight important words in an unconscious manner as you pass through
the passage.
For shorter passages, Read more carefully to avoid missing even a single keyword. For longer
passage, Skim to get a basic understanding of the passage BUT Slow down on the questions.
For paired-passages, Note that:
Two passages often share the same topic but do not always have the same/opposite
opinions. In fact, they usually have different perspectives.
Unless you are confident with your reading skill or the pairs are of short/medium lengths,
Read Passage 1 then Tackle questions exclusively limited to Passage 1. Follow with reading
Passage 2 and Answer questions only related to Passage 2, leaving the questions that
contrast the two passages for the last.
For questions that compare the two passages, Make sure that you understand which
Passage is asked AND which Passage is just used as a reference.
The main ideas of the passage are usually located in i) The first few sentences ii) Last sentence
of paragraph 1 or First sentence of paragraph 2 iii) The last few sentences. If you struggle to
get the main ideas of the passages (e.g.: Fiction passages, unclear passages, etc...), do NOT
waste your time trying to understand it YET Focus on highlighting important words.
Except for a Vocab question, ALWAYS read (at least) 1 SENTENCE BEFORE AND AFTER the
reference lines, as these sentences are directly linked to the question (e.g.: give example,
provide general context, continue explanation, present opposite ideas, etc...). If that is not
enough, keep going back and forth a few more sentences from the specified lines until you
grasp the idea(s). However, be careful with the danger of going "too far".
Unless the selected option CLEARLY matches the referenced idea, Use an AGGRESSIVE process
of elimination (See section 3) for Characteristics of Wrong answers) that might consume time
but greatly enhance accuracy.
When you fail to grasp the idea of reference lines and/or narrow down to 2-3 seemingly
correct answers, Pick a reasonable option as a preliminary answer to work on. Then go back
the passage to find supporting evidence of words/phrases. Use this as an opportunity to both
Deepen your understanding of the questions and Eliminate/Backup your tentative option. You
can then Repeat the process with the remaining options to reach an answer, essentially trading
off time for accuracy.

5) SUMMARY OF TONES: (+ = positive, - = negative, 0 = neutral)

Tone Keywords
Category Descriptions
Accusatory
-Charging of wrong doing
Admonishing, admonitory, speculative 0
Telling the future in advance
Argumentative, analytical, balanced,
0
Provide two-sided analysis with pros and cons
evenhanded
Assured, certain, unequivocal,
+
Writing with lots of sure statements
assertive, confident
Apologetic, shame
Regretfully excusing voice
Appreciation, admiration, celebratory, +
Showing good attitudes with many positive keywords
encouraged, proud,
Apathetic, ambivalent, indifferent,
0
Lacking concern, showing little or no interest
aloof, detached, uninterested
Amused
+
Entertained, expressed by a smile or laugh
Awe
++
Huge wonder
Bitter, outrage, resentful
-Exhibiting strong animosity as a result of pain or grief
Cynical
-Questioning the basic sincerity and goodness of people,
asserts that nothing can be changed
Concerned, worried, alarmed, anxious Showing warning of something
Condescending, patronizing
-A feeling of superiority
Colloquial, Informal
0
Using casual/non-academic words
Callous, cold, uncaring
0
Unfeeling, insensitive to feelings of others
Critical, disapproving
Finding fault
Conventional, conservative
0
Lacking spontaneity, originality, and individuality
+
Curious, intrigued
Asking question, wanting to know more
-Disdainful, scornful, irreverent,
Showing or feeling that something is worthless or lacks
condemnatory, contemptuous, hostile,
respect
ribald, insolent, dismissive
Didactic, instructive
0
Author attempts to educate or instruct the reader
Empathetic, sympathized
+
Sharing feelings with others
Earnest, sincere, genuine
+
Being intense, without deceit or pretense
Erudite, scholarly, polished,
0
Using clear, objective, formal, and direct language
Evocative
0
To trigger readers' feelings/thoughts
Factual, informative, objective,
0
Providing details with an unbiased view
disinterested
Forthright, straightforward
+
Being directly frank without hesitation
Haughty, arrogant
Being proud and vain to the point of arrogance
Hyperbolic, exaggerated
Employ exaggeration technique
Impatient
Unwilling to wait
Indignant
Marked by anger aroused by injustice
Intimate, close-knit
+
Very familiar
Judgmental
Authoritative and often having critical opinions
Jovial, exuberant, delight, joyous,
++
Very happy attitude
ecstatic
Mocking, derisive, droll
Treating with contempt or ridicule
Morose, gloomy, sullen, surly,
Tending toward sad reflection

despondent, solemn, melancholy,

somber
Malicious, hurtful
Nostalgic, regretful, wistful, repentant,
penitent, remorseful
Obsequious, submissive
Pessimistic, hopeless
Quizzical, eccentric, puzzled, confused,
bemused, bewildered, baffled,
nonplussed
Resigned, frustrated
Reverent, Respectful
Reflective, pensive, thoughtful,
contemplative,
Sarcastic, caustic, stinging, biting,
sardonic,
Satiric, ironic, ridiculing
Skeptical, incredulous, doubtful,
unconvinced, disbelieving,
Sanguineous, optimistic, cheerful,
hopeful
Sentimental, romantic
Uncertain, equivocal, tentative
Whimsical, wry, witty

--

Being purposely hurtful

Sentimental or wistful yearning (to a past)

Polite and obedient in order to gain something

Seeing the worst side of things; no hope
Being at odd, not having full understanding

++
0

Being reluctant to accept

Treating a subject with honor and respect
Illustrating innermost thoughts and emotions

--

Express sneering connotations

Making fun of, showing weakness in order to make a

point, using words with non-literal/opposite meaning
Showing doubts via questions and disbeliefs

Being positive, believing in positive outcomes

+
0

Reveals feelings but not reasons

Using unsure words such as maybe, perhaps, etc...
Being odd, strange, fun

6) SUMMARY OF RHETORICAL PURPOSES:,

Rhetorical Methods
Alliteration
Allusion

Allegory
Ambiguity
Analogy
Anecdote
Antithesis
Appeals to: authority,
emotion, logic/reason

Aphorism
Comparison, Simile

Descriptions
The repetition of initial consonant sounds or any vowel sounds within a formal
grouping, such as a poetic line or stanza, or in close proximity in prose
A figure of speech which makes brief, even casual reference to a historical or
literary figure, event, or object to create a resonance in the reader or to apply a
symbolic meaning to the character or object of which the allusion consists.
Narrative form in which characters and actions have meanings outside themselves;
characters are usually personifications of abstract qualities
Use of language in which multiple meanings are possible
Comparison of two things that are alike in some respects. Metaphors and Similes
are both types of analogy
A brief story or tale told by a character in a piece of literature
Juxtaposition of sharply contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words or phrases
The speaker i) claims to be an expert or relies on information provided by experts
(appeal to authority) OR ii) attempts to affect the listener's personal feelings
(appeal to emotion) OR iii) attempts to persuade the listener through use of
deductive reasoning (appeal to logic/reason)
A concise statement designed to make a point or illustrate a commonly held belief
Use like and as to make explicit comparisons between unlike things

Contradiction, Paradox,
Inconsistency
Deductive
Disclaimer
Epiphany
Figurative language
Foreshadowing
Hyperbole, Exaggeration
Idioms
Imagery
Inductive
Irony
Juxtaposition
Litotes
Metaphor
Motif
Onomatopoeia
Oxymoron
Parallelism

Parody
Personification
Perspective
Qualification
Rhetorical Question
Repetition, Amplification
Sarcasm
Satire
Symbolism
Understatement,
Euphemism

A direct opposition between things/statements compared

The reasoning process by which a conclusion is drawn from set of premises and
contains no more facts than these premises
A statement that denies something, especially responsibility
A sudden or intuitive insight or perception into the reality or essential meaning of
something usually brought on by a simple or common occurrence or experience
Language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the
literal interpretation. It includes Simile, Metaphor, Personification, Hyperbole,...
To hint at or present things to come in a story or play
An overstatement characterized by exaggerated language to emphasize a point
Inherited quirks of language that native speakers understand without question
Sensory details in a work that involves any or all of the five senses
Conclusion or type of reasoning whereby observation or information about a part of
a class is applied to the class as a whole (Contrast with deductive)
A situation or statement characterized by significant difference between what is
expected or understood and what actually happens or is meant
Placing of two items side by side to create a certain effect, reveal an attitude, or
accomplish some other purpose
Form of understatement that negates the negative to achieve emphasis & intensity
Compare unlike things without explicitly stating the comparison
Recurrent device, formula, or situation that often serves as a signal for the
appearance of a character or event
A word capturing or approximating the sound of what it describes, e.g.: buzz or hiss
A figure of speech that combines two apparently contradictory elements, as in
"deafening silence"
Recurrent syntactical similarity where several parts of a sentence or several
sentences are expressed alike to show that the ideas in the parts or sentences equal
in importance. It also adds balance, rhythm, and clarity to the sentence
A satirical imitation of a work of art for purpose of ridiculing its style or subject.
Things, which are not persons, are given a persons abilities
A character's view of the situation or events in the story
A statement or assertion that makes another less absolute
Questions are not meant to be answered, either unanswerable or clearly yes/no
Conscious and purposeful replication of words or phrases to make a point
A sharp caustic remark. A form of verbal irony in which apparent praise is actually
bitterly or harshly critical.
A literary style used to make fun of or ridicule an idea or human vice or weakness
Use specific things as symbols of abstract concepts
(opposite to Hyperbole) Substitution of a milder or less direct expression for one
that is harsh or blunt