READING
≈ 28%
& WRITING
Craft & Structure
Measures the comprehension vocabulary,
analysis, synthesis, reasoning skills, and
knowledge needed to understand and use
high-utility words and phrases in context
evaluate texts rhetorically, and make
connections between topically related texts
Content Topics Representation*
Blocks Tested (questions per module)
Craft & Structure • Vocabulary in Context 6 - 8 Questions/Module
(Reading) • Purpose/Function of Text (Approximately 28%)
• Cross-Text Connections
Information & Ideas • Main Idea & Details 6 - 7 Questions/Module
(Reading) • Evidence (Approximately 26%)
• Textual Evidence
• Quantitative Evidence
• Inferences
Standard English • Form, Structure, and Sense 5 - 8 Questions/Module
Conventions • Punctuation (boundaries) (Approximately 26%)
(Writing)
Expression of Ideas • Rhetorical Synthesis 4 - 6 Questions/Module
(Writing) • Transitions (Approximately 20%)
*You'll have 32 minutes to complete each module, which works out to approximately 71 seconds per RW question.
**In the pie chart and table above, "Total Questions" refers to the total number of questions that appear on both RW modules. Since you'll complete two RW modules of
27 questions each, that's a total of 54 questions on the RW Section. However, it's important to note that 2 questions on each module are unscored "pre-test" ques-
tions that the test makers use to pilot new questions. You will not know which questions they are, and they will not be used in calculating your score.
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Reading
& Writing
UNIT 2
Craft & Structure
How to Approach Craft & Structure Problems 39
Tips for Reading Craft & Structure Texts 39
Analyzing Craft & Structure Answer Choices 40
Craft & Structure Pacing 40
Vocabulary In Context Questions 41
Purpose/Function of the Text Questions 49
Cross-Text Connections Questions 55
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Reading & Writing Craft & Structure
Approach:
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Reading & Writing Craft & Structure
Notes:
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Reading & Writing Craft & Structure
Notes:
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How to Approach Craft & Structure Problems
Tips for Reading the Texts
• Reorder the test questions to suit your strengths.
ANSWER THE WRITING QUESTIONS FIRST
Back on page 29, we introduced Strategy #1: _____________________________________________________
REORDER
as a simple way to _________________ the a Reading & Writing module's problems according their
COMPLEXITY
__________________. MOST DIFFICULT
Even if Strategy #1 doesn't suit you, it's still wise to save the ______________________
EASIER / LESS-COMPLEX ones. Generally, the complexity
problems until after you've answered the ______________________________
of problems within a content block increases as you go; however, if you know that you tend to struggle with a
CONCEPT
particular _______________, PROBLEM TYPE consider saving it for last.
SKILL or _____________________,
___________
• Some problem types guide you to a specific portion of the text.
MAIN IDEA
Some problem types tend to feature texts that follow the same structure. For example, ____________
BEGINNING or _________
problems tend to introduce the main idea near the ______________ END the text. Other problem
VOCAB IN CONTEXT PROBLEMS ask you about the meaning of a specific word or
types, such as _______________________________________,
SAVE YOU TIME
phrase that's used in the text. Scanning the question before you reading the text can _____________________
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT
and guide you to parts of the text that are ____________________________.
• Always read the "blurb" above the main text.
VALUABLE CONTEXT that can enhance your ___________________
The short blurbs often provide ________________________ UNDERSTANDING
SAVE you time.
and _______
• Don't obsess over unfamiliar words or phrases.
CONTEXT CLUES to infer their meaning.
If you encounter words or phrases you don't understand, use ____________________
STUMPED
Don't get discouraged; take your best guess and move on if you're _______________. STUCK
Don't get __________!
• Knowing the main idea helps with many types of questions.
FUNCTION or _____________
Questions may ask you to identify the _____________ PURPOSE of a part of the text. Understanding
MAIN IDEA
the _________________ is crucial to determining the purpose of specific text portions. That's because the
RELATION TO the main idea of the text. Furthermore,
purpose of a portion of text is determined by its _________________
CROSS-TEXT CONNECTIONS problems require an understanding of the ____________
_______________________________ MAIN IDEA of each text
RELATIONSHIP between those ideas.
and the __________________
• Match your reading pace to the complexity of the problem.
QUESTION IT ASKS
TEXT of the problem, the ______________________,
Adjust your speed according to the complexity of the _______
LENGTH of its answer choices. Some questions need only a general understanding of the __________,
and __________ CONTEXT
IDEAS and ______________
while others require a detailed grasp of the logical relationships between ___________ EVIDENCE
ANSWER CHOICE slowly, carefully, and __________________as
presented in the text. Read every ___________________ SKEPTICALLY you
SCRUTINIZE every word.
_______________
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Tips for Analyzing Answer Choices
• Stop looking for the right answer!
Process of elimination is key to success in the RW section. Eliminate as many wrong answers as possible –
THREE on each question – before you consider choosing an answer.
ideally, __________
• Review the List of Trap Answer Choices on page 32.
CALLING OUT THE FLAW in each answer choice you _______________.
Practice ______________________________ ELIMINATE Do not eliminate an
answer choice without a valid reason. That's not process of elimination!
• Trap answers often feature verbatim words or phrases from the text.
"SOUNDS FAMILIAR" That approach is lazy and unreliable.
Never choose an answer simply because it ________________________.
ECHO WORDS AND PHRASES from the text verbatim. Be
Test makers design trap answers that __________________________________
PHRASING FROM THE TEXT as these are often trap
skeptical of answer choices that repeat exact ________________________________,
answers designed to ensnare lazy readers.
Tips for Pacing
• Map out your pacing strategy ahead of time.
READING CONTENT BLOCKS take longer to complete than problems
On average, problems in the _________________________________
WRITING CONTENT BLOCKS That's because the Craft & Structure and Ideas & Information
in the_________________________________.
WORD COUNTS and greater ________________.
problems typically have higher _________________ COMPLEXITY Keep this in mind when
PACING CHECKPOINTS
setting up ___________________________.
• Set some checkpoints to monitor your progress through the module.
TIMER AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN
Most students benefit from seeing the ____________________________________________. That said, some
students find to be more distracting than helpful. If you're one of those students who prefers to keep the timer
CHECK IT PERIODICALLY
hidden, be sure that you should still ________________________________ to ensure you remain on pace.
Either way, make sure the timer is visible when you start the final content block so you don't run out of time
BLANK
SKIPPED earlier. Never leave a question __________!
before guessing on any problems you may have ____________
• Remember: It's okay to get "stumped." But it's never okay to let yourself get "stuck."
STUMP YOU on test day, but you can control how long
You can't always control whether a question will _______________
STUCK on that question. It's not good to get stumped, but it's far worse to
you allow yourself to remain __________
waste precious minutes feeling stuck on a few questions.
• Be patient with new strategies.
NATURAL AND RELIABLE
You can't expect a new strategy to feel as ______________________________ as your old ones right away.
It takes time to master new skills and strategies. Don't judge yourself – or these strategies – based on
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
_________________________ IMPROVE
or a single practice test score. Give yourself time to ______________!
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