Remember this rule of thumb: If you can’t summarize it, you don’t
understand it. If you head into the questions with an inadequate understanding of
the passage, you are like a ball of dough heading into a pasta machine: You will
be shredded into delicious strands.
STRATEGY 3: CIRCLE THE MAIN IDEA.
Usually, the passage will include a few sentences that state the author’s main
idea. As you read the passage, underline these sentences.
Not only will this reinforce your understanding of the main argument, but it
will help you locate important sentences when you face those main idea
questions.
Again, this technique functions as a warning sign if you are not getting the
passage. If you cannot locate the main idea sentences, then you are lost on this
passage and need to do some rereading, or, if you are hopelessly lost, tackle
another passage and come back later.
STRATEGY 4: READ THE PASSAGE, THEN TRANSLATE THE WHOLE THING INTO
SWEDISH.
This will help only if you are Swedish.
Two bonus tips, at no extra charge:
• When in doubt, lean toward the politically correct. Never pick an answer
that seems too extreme or countercultural. The College Board tries to be as