Word and Phrase Meaning in Context
What’s Tested:
- Understanding a word or phrase that may be figurative, academic, or emotionally loaded
- Picking the meaning that fits the author’s style and argument
- Distinguishing between literal and metaphorical language
How to Build the Skill:
- Read opinion pieces or essays from The New Yorker, The Atlantic, or Aeon
- Practice paraphrasing expressive or abstract words based on tone and sentence context
- Watch for nuance—a word might carry subtle approval, irony, or critique
Sample Question:
As used in line 14, the phrase “a triumph of restraint” most nearly refers to: A. a modest accomplishment B. a delayed recognition C. a deliberate artistic choice D. a forced compromise (Correct answer: C – based on a description of an artist’s stylistic minimalism.)
Author’s Tone and Purpose
What’s Tested:
- Identifying the author’s attitude toward a topic or figure (reverent, skeptical, ironic, etc.)
- Understanding the purpose of the piece: to reflect, persuade, critique, explain, etc.
- Distinguishing between subtle praise or critique in stylistic writing
How to Build the Skill:
- Pay close attention to adjectives, metaphor, and word choice
- After reading a paragraph, summarize in one word: What tone is the author using?
- Compare tone shifts across sections—does it go from admiration to disappointment?
Sample Question:
The author’s tone toward the early critics of the novel can best be described as: A. amused B. sympathetic C. dismissive D. neutral (Correct answer: A – the author uses light sarcasm to describe their misjudgment.)
Point of View and Perspective
What’s Tested:
- Understanding the author’s stance, whether they’re objective, personal, or analytical
- Recognizing the role of bias, cultural perspective, or personal investment
- Identifying when an author is channeling another figure’s view rather than their own
How to Build the Skill:
- Practice identifying who is speaking, and whether they’re reporting, reflecting, or arguing
- Note when the author presents opposing viewpoints
- Ask: Is this the author’s voice, or someone they’re quoting or summarizing?
Sample Question:
The author’s perspective on the painter’s legacy can best be described as: A. detached and historical B. deeply admiring C. conflicted but respectful D. skeptical of popular acclaim (Correct answer: B – based on praise of innovation and emotional impact.)
Structure and Organization
What’s Tested:
- Analyzing how the passage is built to deliver its message—chronology, comparison, contrast, anecdote, etc.
- Understanding how examples, quotes, or historical context support the argument
- Recognizing shifts in focus or argument
How to Build the Skill:
- While reading, mark transitions: “however,” “for instance,” “ironically”
- Ask yourself for each paragraph: What is this doing? Is it explaining, proving, challenging, or wrapping up?
- Practice outlining the structure: intro → background → claim → example → reflection
Sample Question:
What is the primary function of the second paragraph? A. To present a biographical sketch of a key figure B. To contrast two different aesthetic philosophies C. To challenge the reader’s assumptions about beauty D. To provide historical context for the main argument (Correct answer: D – the paragraph situates the argument in a historical timeline.)
Use of Rhetorical and Literary Techniques
What’s Tested:
- Interpreting techniques like rhetorical questions, metaphor, irony, allusion, parallel structure, analogy
- Understanding how those techniques serve the argument or emotional effect
- Recognizing allusions to literature, history, or culture and how they function
How to Build the Skill:
- Read opinion essays or cultural reviews—highlight any figurative language or rhetorical devices
- Ask: What does this device do here? Is it meant to make the reader laugh? Feel? Question?
- Practice rewriting a section in a more literal tone to see what changes
Sample Question:
The rhetorical question in line 28 serves to: A. express the author’s frustration with contemporary audiences B. emphasize the absurdity of a past belief C. invite the reader to consider an overlooked possibility D. transition into a more personal reflection (Correct answer: C – the question opens up a new line of discussion.)