SAT Reading Comprehension: Long Single Reading Passages

These passages are sort of like Triple Whoppers. At first glance, they seem pretty good. After all, how bad can three beef patties in a 2,000 calorie home be? The problem is that by the you see the Triple Whopper on the SAT, you have already eaten a series of Whoppers (short reading passages) and Double Whoppers (medium reading passages). So, when the time comes to digest the long reading passage, all you want to do is puke.

But there is a way to avoid projectile vomiting. Break the long passage down into bite-size snacks. This method works because the questions for the long single passage usually follow the passage from the beginning. So after you digest the first paragraph of the passage, you can switch over and answer the block of questions that deal with paragraph one. You can then follow the questions paragraph by paragraph. The passage is still an ordeal, but this method should help you keep the passage down.

LONG SINGLE READING PASSAGES

Total Number of Passages per SAT Test: 1

Lines per Passage: 80 - 85

Questions per SAT Test: 13

% of Total Reading Questions: 27%

Most Common Subjects: Fiction, History, Science

Common Questions: All

Most Common Attitude: Neutral

Most Common Purpose: To Explain

TIPS FOR LONG SINGLE READING PASSAGES

Tip 1
These passages include all types of questions. So be prepared to identify and then tackle all the question types that you have learned.

Tip 2
Remember that the questions proceed in order, following the passage from beginning to end. You can successfully use this fact to focus on a part of the passage and answer its corresponding questions, before then moving on to the next part of the passage and its questions.

Tip 3
Please do not forget to answer the last two questions. (Yes, tragically, it happens.) So, make sure you do not accidentally skip these questions, which are usually hidden on the last page of the reading section. Or, later, you'll feel like jabbing exquisitely-sharpened number-two pencils into your eyeballs.

SAT Long Single Reading Passages

Lesson Includes:

—Overview of Long Single Reading Pssages

—Long Single Reading Passages

—Tips for Long Reading Passages

SAT Math

SAT Writing

SAT Reading

SAT Vocabulary