SAT SENTENCE COMPLETION (SC): A FIVE-STEP METHOD

Based on Spark notes guide

5 steps

1. Spot the switch2. Go with the flow3. Fill in the blank4. Compare your answer to

the answer choices5. Plug it in

Step 1: Spot the Switch

Every electrical current flows along a path with one or more switches that direct which way the flow goes.

Most SC sentences contain conjunction words that function like switches, pointing the meaning of the sentence in different directions.

One-Way Switchesthink support

And Because Since So Therefore Thus

Two-Way Switchesthink contrast

Although But Despite However Instead

Notwithstanding

Rather Though Unless While

Step 2: Go with the Flow

One-way sentences contain no contrast, which means they flow in one direction. All parts of the sentence support the main idea of the sentence.

Two-way sentences contain a break in the flow of the sentence that makes one part of the sentence contrast with another part. Often the contrast comes after a comma or semicolon that divides the sentence.

One Way Switches

Since the scientist’s years of research finally confirmed his theories, everyone _______ him.

The switch in this sentence is since.

It’s a one-way switch, so it tells you that the sentence’s flow goes one way.

• The part of the sentence before the comma says that a scientist did a ton of research that finally confirmed his original theories.

• The part after the comma, which contains the blank, describes the reaction to the scientist’s research and theories.

Because the sentence is one-way, the word in the blank must support the idea that the scientist’s years of hard work have finally paid off.

So , ask yourself what people would do in that circumstance?

They’d probably do something like congratulate or cheer the scientist since his research paid off, right?

Exactly.

Two-Way Switches

A two-way switch indicates that the sentence contains a contrast and therefore flows two ways. Here’s an almost identical version of the sentence you just saw. Only one word has been changed.

Although the scientist’s years of research finally confirmed his theories, everyone _____ him.

The two-way switch word although indicates a contrast,

so the blank must not support the idea of the scientist’s research finally paying off.

No Switches

A sentence without a switch will be one-way unless that sentence describes a change over time.

SENTENCES DESCRIBING A CHANGE OVER TIME

Once a ____ movie director, Mickey Carson ended his life a pauper unable to finance the making of his own films.

Though this sentence does not contain a switch, it contains a two-way flow because it conveys an unexpected change over time.

The main idea of the sentence focuses on a contrast….that Mickey Carson died a pauper even though he was once a _____ movie director.

Words that you might come up with to go with the two-way flow of the sentence may include successful, rich, celebrated—all adjectives that contrast with the idea of a movie director who died in poverty.

So--- what if you can’t find a switch word in a sentence? 1. check to see if the sentence

describes a change over time. a) If it does, you’ve got a two-way

sentence. b) If it doesn’t, you’ve got a one-

way sentence. 2. Once you’ve determined that,

come up with words that go with the flow as we just did in the previous example.

Following the Flow if the

sentence flows one way, ask yourself what main idea of the sentence the blank must support.

If the sentence flows two ways, ask yourself which idea the blank must contrast.

You try it….

Despite the violently harsh weather conditions, the hikers ---- and made it back to their base camp.

What’s the switch?

despite

Which way does the flow go?

two ways

What idea does the blank support or contrast?

contrasts with “the violently harsh weather conditions”

Try this one….

Alex grew up near the beach, so he ---- how to surf at a very young age.

What’s the switch?

So!

Which way does the flow go?

one way

What idea does the blank support or contrast?

supports “grew up near

the beach”

The switch word so indicates that the sentence flows one way. What can you assume about a person growing up near a beach?Look for words like learned and knew in the answer choices. Alex grew up near the beach, so he learned how to surf at a very young age.

Step 3: Fill in the Blank

try to come up with your own answer before looking at the answer choices.

Don’t fall prey to SAT traps that the test may have planted among the answer choices.

Stick with step 1 and step 2, which will prevent you from speeding along and making careless errors.

Let’s go back to a previous example, now with answer choices.

Despite the violently harsh weather conditions, the hikers ____ and made it back to their base camp.A)SurrenderedB)WonC)SucceededD)CollapsedE)evacuated

What’s the switch?

despite

Which way does the flow go?

two ways

What idea does the blank support

or contrast?

contrasts with “the violently harsh weather

conditions”

Ask yourself what the hikers would have to do despite the violently harsh weather conditions to make it back to camp. What word pops into your head? Managed? Survived? Endured?

Step 4: Compare Your Answer to the Answer Choices

you can throw out surrendered, collapsed, and evacuated, because none of them even come close to your own answers.

That leaves you to choose between succeeded and won. Which is the better answer?

Step 5: Plug It In

Always plug in the answer choice (or choices) you’ve selected to make sure your choice works in the sentence

In the last example, we were trying to decide between won and succeeded. Plug both words in to determine which one fits best into the sentence.

Despite the violently harsh weather conditions, the hikers won and made it back to their base camp.

Despite the violently harsh weather conditions, the hikers succeeded and made it back to their base camp.

After plugging the two words in, succeeded seems like the better choice. The hikers weren’t playing a game or involved in an contest, so the idea of having won something is inappropriate here.