Synthesizing Notes - SAT Reading & Writing
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Notes: Botanist Ammal was enlisted to breed local sugarcane; she crossbred imported species with native grasses; she succeeded in creating hybrids suited to India's climate. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing Ammal's achievement. What should the sentence focus on?
Notes: Botanist Ammal was enlisted to breed local sugarcane; she crossbred imported species with native grasses; she succeeded in creating hybrids suited to India's climate. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing Ammal's achievement. What should the sentence focus on?
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What Ammal did (crossbred species) and what she accomplished (created successful hybrids) - use active voice with Ammal as subject.
What Ammal did (crossbred species) and what she accomplished (created successful hybrids) - use active voice with Ammal as subject.
Notes: Sculpture Recognition (1970) shows figures in supportive pose. Sculpture Students Aspire (1978) shows figures supporting each other in pursuit of equality. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the similarity between the two sculptures. What must the sentence include?
Notes: Sculpture Recognition (1970) shows figures in supportive pose. Sculpture Students Aspire (1978) shows figures supporting each other in pursuit of equality. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the similarity between the two sculptures. What must the sentence include?
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Both sculpture names and their shared characteristic (both show figures in supportive relationships/poses).
Both sculpture names and their shared characteristic (both show figures in supportive relationships/poses).
Notes: Dhow replicas built in Oman; contemporary builders use mix of materials; most materials are traditional; hulls stitched with traditional coconut palm fiber. Task: Write one sentence making a generalization about the materials used. What should it say?
Notes: Dhow replicas built in Oman; contemporary builders use mix of materials; most materials are traditional; hulls stitched with traditional coconut palm fiber. Task: Write one sentence making a generalization about the materials used. What should it say?
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Although most materials used in dhow replicas are traditional, some modern materials are used (captures the mix, not just one type).
Although most materials used in dhow replicas are traditional, some modern materials are used (captures the mix, not just one type).
Notes: Meteorite fall = observed falling before recovery; meteorite find = all other meteorites; 1,200 recorded falls; over 60,000 recorded finds. Task: Write one sentence contrasting the number of falls with finds. What structure works best?
Notes: Meteorite fall = observed falling before recovery; meteorite find = all other meteorites; 1,200 recorded falls; over 60,000 recorded finds. Task: Write one sentence contrasting the number of falls with finds. What structure works best?
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While there have been only about 1,200 meteorite falls, there have been over 60,000 finds (uses contrasting structure with both numbers).
While there have been only about 1,200 meteorite falls, there have been over 60,000 finds (uses contrasting structure with both numbers).
Notes: Bandeira collected 800 botanical samples 1924-1941; collected Polytrichum from Serra de Itatiaia in Feb 1925; collected Sphagnum from Ponte do Inferno in March 1925; both are moss species. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the Serra de Itatiaia sample. How do you create emphasis?
Notes: Bandeira collected 800 botanical samples 1924-1941; collected Polytrichum from Serra de Itatiaia in Feb 1925; collected Sphagnum from Ponte do Inferno in March 1925; both are moss species. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the Serra de Itatiaia sample. How do you create emphasis?
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Among the many samples collected was Polytrichum from Serra de Itatiaia in 1925 (uses "among" to single it out, avoids equal treatment of both samples).
Among the many samples collected was Polytrichum from Serra de Itatiaia in 1925 (uses "among" to single it out, avoids equal treatment of both samples).
Notes: US classifies sensitive info by disclosure risk; Confidential = could cause damage; Secret = could cause serious damage; routine diplomatic correspondence could cause damage but not serious damage. Task: Write one sentence indicating which category routine correspondence belongs to and why. What must you include?
Notes: US classifies sensitive info by disclosure risk; Confidential = could cause damage; Secret = could cause serious damage; routine diplomatic correspondence could cause damage but not serious damage. Task: Write one sentence indicating which category routine correspondence belongs to and why. What must you include?
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The category name (Confidential) and the justification (causes damage but not serious damage to national security).
The category name (Confidential) and the justification (causes damage but not serious damage to national security).
Notes: Choctaw Code Talkers in WWI relayed coded military info in native language; Navajo Code Talkers in WWII transmitted coded messages in native language. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the similarity between the two groups. What should the sentence do?
Notes: Choctaw Code Talkers in WWI relayed coded military info in native language; Navajo Code Talkers in WWII transmitted coded messages in native language. Task: Write one sentence emphasizing the similarity between the two groups. What should the sentence do?
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Mention both groups by name and state their shared method (both transmitted coded military messages in their native languages).
Mention both groups by name and state their shared method (both transmitted coded military messages in their native languages).
Notes: Scientist A discovered Process X in 1995; Process X led to medical breakthrough; Process X now used in 50 hospitals. Task: Emphasize Scientist A's achievement. Wrong answer: "Process X, discovered in 1995, is now used in hospitals." Why is this wrong?
Notes: Scientist A discovered Process X in 1995; Process X led to medical breakthrough; Process X now used in 50 hospitals. Task: Emphasize Scientist A's achievement. Wrong answer: "Process X, discovered in 1995, is now used in hospitals." Why is this wrong?
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Uses passive voice, making Scientist A invisible - should be "Scientist A discovered Process X, which led to..." (active voice, A as subject).
Uses passive voice, making Scientist A invisible - should be "Scientist A discovered Process X, which led to..." (active voice, A as subject).
Notes: Painting A uses warm colors; Painting B uses cool colors; both by same artist; both from 2015. Task: Emphasize similarity. Wrong answer: "Painting A uses warm colors." Why wrong?
Notes: Painting A uses warm colors; Painting B uses cool colors; both by same artist; both from 2015. Task: Emphasize similarity. Wrong answer: "Painting A uses warm colors." Why wrong?
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Only mentions one painting - must mention both paintings to show what they share (both from 2015, both by same artist).
Only mentions one painting - must mention both paintings to show what they share (both from 2015, both by same artist).
Notes: Study included 50 participants; 30 were female; 20 were male; average age 22; conducted in Boston. Task: Make a generalization about participant demographics. Wrong answer: "One participant was a 22-year-old female from Boston." Why wrong?
Notes: Study included 50 participants; 30 were female; 20 were male; average age 22; conducted in Boston. Task: Make a generalization about participant demographics. Wrong answer: "One participant was a 22-year-old female from Boston." Why wrong?
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Too specific - focuses on individual case instead of making broad statement about the group as a whole.
Too specific - focuses on individual case instead of making broad statement about the group as a whole.
Notes: Method A saves time. Method B saves money. Task: Contrast the two methods. Wrong answer: "Both Method A and Method B offer benefits." Why wrong?
Notes: Method A saves time. Method B saves money. Task: Contrast the two methods. Wrong answer: "Both Method A and Method B offer benefits." Why wrong?
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Shows similarity ("both") instead of difference - should use "while," "whereas," or "in contrast" to show how they differ.
Shows similarity ("both") instead of difference - should use "while," "whereas," or "in contrast" to show how they differ.
Notes: Artist painted 5 landscapes, 3 portraits, 2 still lifes between 1920-1930. Task: Emphasize the landscape paintings specifically. Wrong answer: "The artist painted landscapes, portraits, and still lifes." Why wrong?
Notes: Artist painted 5 landscapes, 3 portraits, 2 still lifes between 1920-1930. Task: Emphasize the landscape paintings specifically. Wrong answer: "The artist painted landscapes, portraits, and still lifes." Why wrong?
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Treats all types equally - doesn't emphasize landscapes (should say "primarily" or "especially" or mention number).
Treats all types equally - doesn't emphasize landscapes (should say "primarily" or "especially" or mention number).
Notes: Architect A designed Building 1 using sustainable materials; Building 1 won environmental award. Task: Emphasize Architect A's work. What should the sentence structure be?
Notes: Architect A designed Building 1 using sustainable materials; Building 1 won environmental award. Task: Emphasize Architect A's work. What should the sentence structure be?
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Architect A as subject: "Architect A designed Building 1 using sustainable materials, earning an environmental award."
Architect A as subject: "Architect A designed Building 1 using sustainable materials, earning an environmental award."
Notes: Experiment tested temperature, pressure, humidity; temperature had strongest effect; pressure had moderate effect; humidity had minimal effect. Task: Emphasize temperature's role. What should you highlight?
Notes: Experiment tested temperature, pressure, humidity; temperature had strongest effect; pressure had moderate effect; humidity had minimal effect. Task: Emphasize temperature's role. What should you highlight?
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That temperature had the strongest effect among the three variables tested (comparative emphasis).
That temperature had the strongest effect among the three variables tested (comparative emphasis).
Notes: Novel A written in 1950; Novel B written in 1975. Both explore identity themes. Task: Emphasize similarity. Are the publication dates relevant to similarity?
Notes: Novel A written in 1950; Novel B written in 1975. Both explore identity themes. Task: Emphasize similarity. Are the publication dates relevant to similarity?
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No - dates are background info; the shared theme (identity) is what shows similarity.
No - dates are background info; the shared theme (identity) is what shows similarity.
Notes: Researcher B developed Theory X; Theory X explains Phenomenon Y; other scientists have confirmed Theory X. Task: Emphasize Researcher B's contribution. Best approach?
Notes: Researcher B developed Theory X; Theory X explains Phenomenon Y; other scientists have confirmed Theory X. Task: Emphasize Researcher B's contribution. Best approach?
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Researcher B as subject performing the action: "Researcher B developed Theory X, which explains Phenomenon Y."
Researcher B as subject performing the action: "Researcher B developed Theory X, which explains Phenomenon Y."
Notes: Treatment developed in 1990s; now used worldwide; reduces symptoms by 60%. Task: Emphasize effectiveness. Wrong answer: "The treatment was developed in the 1990s." Why wrong?
Notes: Treatment developed in 1990s; now used worldwide; reduces symptoms by 60%. Task: Emphasize effectiveness. Wrong answer: "The treatment was developed in the 1990s." Why wrong?
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Focuses on when it was developed (background), not effectiveness (the goal) - should focus on "reduces symptoms by 60%."
Focuses on when it was developed (background), not effectiveness (the goal) - should focus on "reduces symptoms by 60%."
Notes: Species X found in mountains. Species Y found in deserts. Both adapt to extreme temperatures. Task: Show the contrast in habitat. What facts matter?
Notes: Species X found in mountains. Species Y found in deserts. Both adapt to extreme temperatures. Task: Show the contrast in habitat. What facts matter?
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Where each species is found (mountains vs deserts) - the locations that differ, not the shared adaptation.
Where each species is found (mountains vs deserts) - the locations that differ, not the shared adaptation.
Notes: 10 students chose Option A; 25 chose Option B; 5 chose Option C. Task: Generalize about preferences. What's the pattern?
Notes: 10 students chose Option A; 25 chose Option B; 5 chose Option C. Task: Generalize about preferences. What's the pattern?
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Most students preferred Option B (25 out of 40 total) - state the majority preference, not all options equally.
Most students preferred Option B (25 out of 40 total) - state the majority preference, not all options equally.
Notes: Sculpture uses recycled metal; created in 2010; displayed in City Museum; artist is known for environmental themes. Task: Emphasize the environmental aspect. Which notes are relevant?
Notes: Sculpture uses recycled metal; created in 2010; displayed in City Museum; artist is known for environmental themes. Task: Emphasize the environmental aspect. Which notes are relevant?
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Recycled materials and artist's environmental themes (date and location are background).
Recycled materials and artist's environmental themes (date and location are background).