How to Solve Illustrate the Claim on the NEW Digital SAT

By Mr. Osama Ahmad November 10, 2024 13 min read

SAT Reading: Illustrate the Claim

Grasping Illustrate the Claim Questions

Illustrate the Claim questions are part of the reasoning family, akin to logical completions. These questions require you to go beyond identifying a sensible conclusion. Your task is to find a statement that either backs up or challenges a claim in the text.

The most complex of these questions typically appear towards the conclusion of the Reading section, right before the Writing questions commence. While they can be intricate, tackling them systematically can make them more approachable.

TTA Pro Tip: When you're uncertain about a question's requirements or find it hard to concentrate, it's wise to move on and return to it after completing the Writing questions.

Tactics for Addressing Illustrate the Claim Questions

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Step 1: Identify

Recognize the claim and restate it if necessary. Ensure you comprehend what the question is asking.

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Step 2: Analyze

Consider what kind of information would back up or challenge the claim. Try to deduce this independently before examining the answer options.

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Step 3: Review

Review the answers. If you've carefully completed the first two steps, the correct choice should align closely with your thoughts.

Show vs Tell: Understanding Illustrative Writing

When illustrating a claim, remember that the claim tells you information, while the answers show you the information. Telling directly states a fact, while showing provides evidence or details that lead to the same conclusion.

Tell

Directly states a fact or emotion

→

Show

Provides evidence or details that imply the fact or emotion

Examples of Show vs Tell

Tell

She was nervous.

Show

Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the keys, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Tell

The old house was creepy.

Show

Cobwebs clung to every corner, and the floorboards creaked with each step, echoing through the empty rooms.

Tell

The chef was skilled.

Show

His knife moved in a blur, dicing vegetables with precision while simultaneously stirring three pots on the stove.

Show vs Tell Activities

For each activity, read the "tell" sentence and choose the answer that best "shows" the same information.

Activity 1

Tell: The student was bored during the lecture.

Show Answer Options A) The student's eyes glazed over, and he stifled a yawn while doodling absently in his notebook. B) The student raised his hand to ask a question about the lecture topic. C) The student took detailed notes throughout the entire class period. D) The student discussed the lecture enthusiastically with classmates after class.

The correct answer is A. This option shows signs of boredom through the student's actions and body language, rather than directly stating that he was bored.

Activity 2

Tell: The garden was beautiful.

Show Answer Options A) The garden had flowers and trees. B) Vibrant roses and tulips swayed gently in the breeze, their colors a dazzling rainbow against the lush green backdrop. C) The gardener worked hard to maintain the garden. D) People often visited the garden on weekends.

The correct answer is B. This option paints a vivid picture of the garden's beauty through descriptive language, rather than simply stating it's beautiful.

Activity 3

Tell: The athlete was exhausted after the race.

Show Answer Options A) The athlete smiled and waved to the crowd. B) The athlete's legs buckled as he crossed the finish line, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. C) The athlete collected his medal at the ceremony. D) The athlete talked to reporters after the race.

The correct answer is B. This option shows physical signs of exhaustion, demonstrating the athlete's state without directly stating it.

Activity 4

Tell: The child was excited about the birthday party.

Show Answer Options A) The child attended the birthday party. B) The child received many presents at the party. C) The child bounced up and down, clapping her hands and squealing with delight as the colorful balloons were hung. D) The child's parents organized the birthday party.

The correct answer is C. This option illustrates the child's excitement through actions and expressions, rather than simply stating the emotion.

Activity 5

Tell: The old car was in poor condition.

Show Answer Options A) The car was parked in the driveway. B) Rust covered the once-shiny frame, and the engine sputtered and coughed when started. C) The car was ten years old. D) The owner decided to sell the car.

The correct answer is B. This option describes specific details that indicate the car's poor condition without directly stating it.

Activity 6

Tell: The movie was scary.

Show Answer Options A) The movie won several awards. B) The audience's hearts raced, and they gripped their seats tightly, jumping at every sudden sound. C) The movie was two hours long. D) Many people watched the movie in theaters.

The correct answer is B. This option shows the audience's reactions that indicate fear, rather than simply stating the movie was scary.

Activity 7

Tell: The restaurant was busy.

Show Answer Options A) The restaurant served Italian cuisine. B) Waiters weaved between packed tables, the kitchen buzzed with activity, and a line of people waited at the entrance. C) The restaurant was open from 11 AM to 10 PM. D) The restaurant had been in business for five years.

The correct answer is B. This option paints a picture of a busy restaurant through specific details and actions, rather than simply stating it was busy.

Activity 8

Tell: The winter day was cold.

Show Answer Options A) Snow covered the ground. B) People bundled up in thick coats, their breath forming small clouds in the air as they hurried along the icy sidewalks. C) It was January. D) The temperature was below average for the season.

The correct answer is B. This option shows the effects of cold weather on people and the environment, rather than simply stating it was cold.

Activity 9

Tell: The politician was nervous during the debate.

Show Answer Options A) The politician participated in the debate. B) Sweat beaded on the politician's forehead as he stumbled over his words, constantly adjusting his tie and glancing anxiously at the audience. C) The debate lasted for two hours. D) The politician had prepared extensively for the debate.

The correct answer is B. This option describes physical signs of nervousness and behaviors that indicate anxiety, rather than simply stating the politician was nervous.

Activity 10

Tell: The sunset was breathtaking.

Show Answer Options A) The sun set in the west. B) Brilliant hues of orange, pink, and purple painted the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. C) Many people watched the sunset. D) The sunset occurred at 7:30 PM.

The correct answer is B. This option provides a vivid description of the sunset's colors and effects, allowing the reader to visualize its beauty rather than simply stating it was breathtaking.

Illustrating the Claim

Let's examine a straightforward type of "Illustrate" question that asks you to identify the statement that best illustrates the claim. These questions frequently appear alongside fiction or poetry passages.

Keep in mind, you don't need previous knowledge of the work. All essential information will be provided in the passage. However, you may need to interpret challenging or archaic language to grasp the author's intent.

Sample Question

"Whisper in the Twilight" is an early 20th-century poem by Emily Johnson. In the poem, the narrator urges the listener to persevere, even in difficult circumstances. Which quotation from "Whisper in the Twilight" best demonstrates this concept?

Reveal Answer Options A) "Disregard the murk surrounding, though it engulfs / The mists are densest as the peak draws near." B) "No rapid anomaly are we; our course we chart / Through hazy and ambiguous realms," C) "Soft footfalls on dusky paths / Their progress labored, distant from the glow," D) "Who pauses here to slumber briefly / Or rails against the storm-veiled firmament?"

The correct answer is A. The phrase "Disregard the murk surrounding" essentially advises the listener not to succumb to despair, which aligns with the idea of persevering in difficult circumstances.

Illustrate the Claim Activity

Illustrate the Claim Activity (Answers to the Right)

Read the following text and identify the statement that best illustrates the given claim.

"Another Country" is a story by James Baldwin originally published in 1962. It's a story about Eric, an actor, and Vivaldo, a writer, who are watching Vivaldo's girlfriend, Ida, sing with a band that her brother, the Kid, once played with. According to the narrator, Ida's singing voice was flawed and untrained: ______.

Which quotation from "Other Country" most effectively illustrates the claim?

A) "She finished her first number and the applause was stunned and sporadic." B) "What she lacked in vocal power and, at the moment, in skill, she compensated for by a quality so mysteriously and implacably egocentric that no one has ever been able to name it." C) "Yet, she had something which made Eric look up and caused the room to fall silent; and Vivaldo stared at Ida as though he had never seen her before." D) "She was not a singer yet. And if she were to be judged solely on the basis of her voice, low, rough-textured, of no very great range, she never would be." Analyze Text SAT Reading: Illustrate the Claim FAQ

SAT Reading: Illustrate the Claim FAQ

What are "Illustrate the Claim" questions on the SAT?

Illustrate the Claim questions are designed to test your ability to support or challenge a claim made in a passage. Unlike straightforward factual questions, these require a deeper understanding of the text's arguments or assertions.

How do "Illustrate the Claim" questions differ from other question types?

These questions require you to identify statements that either reinforce or contradict a claim in the text, making them part of the reasoning family. They often appear towards the end of the Reading section, linking the content with logical conclusions.

What strategies can I use to tackle these questions effectively?

Here are some effective strategies:

Identify: Clearly recognize the claim being illustrated.
Analyze: Determine what information can support or challenge this claim before looking at the answer options.
Review: Examine the answer choices critically, focusing on alignment with your analytical insights.

What is the importance of "Show vs Tell" in illustrative writing?

Understanding the difference between "showing" and "telling" is crucial in illustration. "Telling" states a fact directly, while "showing" provides details or evidence that imply the same fact, making the passage more vivid and engaging.

Can you provide examples of "Show vs Tell"?

Certainly! Here are a few examples:

Tell: She was nervous.
Show: Her hands trembled as she fumbled with the keys.
Tell: The garden was beautiful.
Show: Vibrant roses swayed gently in the breeze, creating a dazzling display.

How can I practice "Show vs Tell" techniques?

Practice by rewriting telling statements into showing descriptions. For example, take a telling statement like "The athlete was tired" and rewrite it to show this fatigue through actions or body language.

What resources can I use to improve my understanding of illustrative writing?

Consider engaging with various literary texts, watching instructional videos on writing techniques, or participating in workshops focusing on descriptive writing and comprehension strategies.

How important is it to manage time when answering these questions in the SAT?

Time management is crucial. If you encounter a difficult "Illustrate the Claim" question, consider moving on and returning to it after addressing simpler questions. This can help maintain your overall pace.

TTA Pro Tip: If you feel uncertain about a question, don’t hesitate to skip it and come back later. Prioritizing questions you can answer confidently will enhance your overall performance.

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