SAT Reading Comprehension: Medium Single Reading Passages

These are the passages that you look at and think "Huh, this doesn't seen that bad." When you get to this section, both the passage and all of its questions fit on the two pages of the test booklet in front of you.

Before we look at the breakdown of these passages on the next page, it's important to remember that these passages never appear alone on the SAT. Instead, like conjoined twins and annoying couples who wear matching track suits, medium single reading passages always appear together. So, when you see the first one appear in the reading section, expect another one right after it. (If you're lucky, you'll be spared the kissy faces and nonsensical, high-pitched chatter.)

MEDIUM SINGLE READING PASSAGES

Total Number of Passages per SAT Test: 2

Lines per Passage: 50 - 65

Questions per SAT Test: 15

% of Total Reading Questions: 31%

Most Common Subjects: Aesthetics, Fiction, History, Science

Common Questions: Main Idea, Attitude, Purpose, Structure, Definition, Assumption

Most Common Attitude: Neutral

Most Common Purpose: To Explain

TIPS FOR MEDIUM SINGLE READING PASSAGES

Tip 1
These passages appear back-to-back on the test. If you see the first medium single reading passage, then there is another one right behind it. So, pace yourself accordingly. Allow yourself enough time to get through both of the passages, the finish line being question #24.

Tip 2
Each medium single passage focuses on different types of questions. For example, if the first reading passage contains several definition-in-context questions, then the following passage will probably not contain any of these questions. Keeping this fact in mind will help you anticipate the types of questions that you'll face at the end of the reading section.

SAT Medium Single Reading Passages

Lesson Includes:

—Overview of Medium Single Reading Passages

—Medium Single Reading Passages

—Tips for Medium Single Reading Passages

SAT Math

SAT Writing

SAT Reading

SAT Vocabulary