SAT Reading Comprehension: Misdirection with ---'s (Things)

Misdirection is a common feature in the answer choices of all reading passages. In passages dealing with things, it involves stating an idea that is related to a thing but does not directly address that thing.

For example, the lines of a passage might focus on a university’s architecture.

Incorrect answer choices might include key phrases such as “the university’s students” or “the university’s education”.

Your job is to remember that, although the purpose of a university is education, the focus of the passage remains the university’s architecture. Thus correct answers will focus on this attribute.

PRACTICE QUESTION FOR MISDIRECTION WITH ---'S (THINGS)

For graffiti art represents the last true intersection between art and the general public. For, while museums serve an admirable purpose, their time investments and price render them inaccessible to most. (If anyone would counter that museums are free, I suggest that they attempt to gain entry into one of these institutions without paying the suggested “donation”.) Graffiti art, on the other hand, is free and fast. If a passerby does not enjoy a work, it is easily ignored. If she appreciates the piece, she can view it on her own schedule and terms.

1. Lines 2-4 above primarily suggest that
   (A) museums’ artworks are too valuable to display
   (B) museums are usually beyond the reach of most people
   (C) museums’ suggested donations are substantial
   (D) museums’ inaccessibility is a function of their elitist attitude
   (E) museum patrons do not invest in museums

So what did you come up with? A? B? C? D? E? Let's see...

Got it? The referenced lines focus on the museum as an institution. No matter how connected some things might be with museums in your brain, you have to align your focus with that of the lines. So let's take a look:

   Choice (A) is incorrect because it focuses on an attribute of museums (“artworks”)
   Choice (C) is wrong because it addresses “suggested donations”
   Choice (D) is incorrect because of its inclusion of “elitist attitude”
   Choice (E) is similarly misfocused on museum “patrons”)

   Only choice (B) maintains the proper scope and the proper idea.

Reading: Misdirection with Apostrophe

Lesson Includes:

—Overview of Misdirection with ---'s (Things)

—Practice Question for Misdirection with ---'s (Things)

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