Digital SAT Reading: How to solve support/undermine claims

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By Mr. Osama Ahmad | November 10, 2024

Digital SAT Reading: How to solve support/undermine claims

Digital SAT Reading: Undermining a Claim

SAT Reading: Undermining a Claim

"Undermine" or "weaken" questions follow the same logic as "support" questions, but they go in the opposite direction. These questions ask you to identify the statement most inconsistent with a given theory or conclusion. Let's dive into an example to see how this works.

TTA Pro Tip: When you encounter an "undermine" question, look for evidence that contradicts or weakens the main argument in the passage.

Let's Explore an Example

Consider this passage about ancient marine life:

Marine reptiles, except for the ancestors of sea turtles, vanished during a mass extinction event 100 million years ago when a massive volcanic eruption occurred. Because a thick shell has generally been suggested as one of the key advantages for surviving mass extinctions, some fossil marine biologists have proposed that sea turtles survived while other marine reptiles did not because of the turtles' enhanced shell protection.

Which finding, if true, would undermine the fossil marine biologists' proposal?

A. The shells of non-turtle marine reptiles may have thinned over time.

B. Because some non-turtle marine reptiles swam quickly, they likely had thin shells for streamlined movement.

C. Sea turtles have some of the thickest shells of any creatures in the ocean.

D. Many marine reptiles with very thick shells went extinct 100 million years ago.

Let's break this down step by step:

1. First, identify the fossil marine biologists' proposal: sea turtles survived the mass extinction 100 million years ago while other marine reptiles did not because of the turtles' enhanced shell protection. In other words, thicker shell = higher chances of surviving a mass extinction.

2. To weaken this claim, we need to find an answer that supports the opposite:

• Thicker shell = lower chances of surviving a mass extinction, OR

• Shell thickness has no effect on chances of surviving a mass extinction.

3. If we stick closely to this idea and avoid getting confused by the other options, we can identify D as the correct choice. The extinction of creatures with thick shells contradicts the claim that having a thick shell prevents animals from going extinct.

TTA Pro Tip: Don't get caught up in trying to work out the logic behind the wrong answers. This can waste valuable time and is often a sign that those options are incorrect.

Your Strategy for "Undermine" Questions

1. Identify the main claim or theory in the passage.

2. Look for an answer choice that contradicts or weakens that specific idea.

3. Eliminate choices that support the passage's claim or are irrelevant.

4. Select the option that most directly challenges the passage's central argument.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you work with these types of questions, the better you'll become at quickly identifying the key claim and finding evidence that undermines it. You've got this, future SAT star!

Panthera priscus Study Guide

In the savannah ecosystem, the ancient predator Panthera priscus possessed a tail that was far longer than the norm. Initially, it seemed that this appendage enhanced the creature's agility in pursuing swift terrestrial prey. Dr. Aisha Lincoln, Dr. Raj Patel, and Dr. Emily Santos, all specialists in zoology, have concluded that this modification significantly enhanced the hunting proficiency of Panthera priscus. A team of researchers constructed two life-sized mechanical replicas of Panthera priscus, one featuring an extended tail and the other lacking it. The objective of these models was to examine the veracity of this concept. Subsequently, these models were tested in a simulated savannah setting.

SAT Reading FAQ: Undermining a Claim

SAT Reading FAQ: Undermining a Claim

What does it mean to "undermine" a claim?

To "undermine" a claim means to provide evidence that contradicts or weakens the original argument or theory presented in a passage.

How do I identify "undermine" questions on the SAT?

Look for questions that ask you to find a statement that is inconsistent with or contradicts the main argument or conclusion in the passage.

Can you provide an example of an "undermine" question?

Sure! If a passage states that thicker shells help marine reptiles survive extinction, a question might ask: "Which of the following findings, if true, would undermine this proposal?"

What strategies should I use for "undermine" questions?

1. Identify the main claim in the passage.
2. Look for an answer choice that contradicts or weakens that claim.
3. Eliminate options that support the passage or are irrelevant.

How can I effectively practice these types of questions?

Practice by working through multiple SAT reading passages and focusing on questions that ask you to weaken or undermine arguments. Familiarity with questioning techniques will improve your response times.

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