SAT Reading Comprehension: Small vs. Large Groups of People

This situation occurs frequently when a reading passage cites a group of people. For example, a passage might discuss Black novelists.

In this case, an answer choice that contains “Black writers” would be incorrect because the term also includes Black playwrights and Black poets. In other words, the scope of “Black writers” is too large.

An answer choice that focuses on “Black Science Fiction Writers” would also be incorrect because it focuses on a small group of Black novelists. Thus, its scope is too small.

PRACTICE QUESTION FOR SMALL VS. LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE

Members of the Amazonian tribe, the Pirahã, seem to possess no fixed words for colors. Instead, the Pirahã employ shifting descriptive phrases to describe color. So, if a young Pirahã sees a brown shirt, she might say, “This looks like tree bark”, or “This looks like river mud”.

1. The above lines primarily suggest that
   (A) color descriptions in Amazon languages are vague
   (B) the Pirahã convey colors with ever-changing formulations
   (C) Amazonian tribes utilize no common terms for hues
   (D) Pirahã children often reference the environment to depict color
   (E) a Pirahã possesses no conception of shades of color

Focus on scope of the groups of people in the lines to find the correct answer.

Think you've got the answer? Let's make sure.

The referenced lines contain one group of people, the Pirahã tribe. This fact sets the scope of the correct answer choice, and it immediately allows you to eliminate incorrect answer choices.

   Choice (A) is incorrect because it does not include a group of people
   Choice (C) is incorrect because it includes a group of people that is too large in scope (“Amazonian tribes”).
   Choice (D) is incorrect because it includes a group of people that is too small in scope (“Pirahã children”).
   Choice (E) is also incorrect because it focuses on an individual (“a Pirahã”) instead of a group.

   Only choice (B) has the proper scope for the group, “the Pirahã”.

SAT Reading: Line Questions

Lesson Includes:

—Overview of Small vs. Large Groups of People

—Practice Question for Small vs. Large Groups of People

SAT Math

SAT Writing

SAT Reading

SAT Vocabulary