Question

Which choice best supports the claim that the shabby little woman was at first excited by the tall young girl? A) Lines 16-19 ("At the...fur") B) Lines 19-21 ("As their...lids") C) Lines 25-26 ("The thrill...suddenly") D) Lines 29-33 ("she saw...fur")

Short answer

Option C (Lines 25-26) best supports the claim that the shabby little woman was at first excited by the tall young girl, as it mentions "The thrill of enthusiasm faded as suddenly as it had sprung up." This indicates that there was initial excitement that eventually faded.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze Option A (Lines 16-19)

First, let's take a look at option A, which consists of Lines 16-19. If you analyze these lines closely and see if they show any signs of excitement between the shabby little woman and the tall young girl, we can determine whether this option supports the claim or not.

Analyze Option B (Lines 19-21)

Now, let's move on to option B, which consists of Lines 19-21. Analyze these lines to see if they offer any evidence of excitement between the two characters. If they do, it may be a strong contender for the correct choice.

Analyze Option C (Lines 25-26)

Next, let's examine option C, which consists of Lines 25-26. These lines provide another opportunity to find evidence supporting the claim. Carefully read and analyze these lines to determine if they support the claim of excitement between the shabby little woman and the tall young girl.

Analyze Option D (Lines 29-33)

Finally, let's take a look at option D, which consists of Lines 29-33. These lines could hold additional clues about whether the shabby little woman was initially excited by the tall young girl. Analyze these lines to glean any supporting information.

Compare the analyzed options and determine the best choice

Having analyzed all options, compare each one and determine which line(s) best support the claim that the shabby little woman was at first excited by the tall young girl. Based on the analysis, choose the strongest piece of evidence from the four options provided to answer the question.

Key concepts

Textual Analysis

Textual analysis is the practice of examining and interpreting the text to uncover deeper meanings. It involves closely reading the text to understand the words, phrases, and structures used by the author.
This skill is crucial for the SAT Reading Comprehension section, as you need to discern the subtle indications that support a particular claim.
When analyzing text, focus on:

• Identifying the main idea: What is the text primarily about?
• Understanding the relationship between characters: How do the characters interact and what emotions are conveyed?
• Recognizing literary devices: Look for metaphors, similes, and other devices that may reveal deeper meanings.

By applying textual analysis, you can gain insights into the text's underlying themes and characters' motivations, allowing you to answer comprehension questions accurately.

Evidence Selection

Selecting the right evidence is essential for supporting any claim made in textual analysis. When choosing evidence, it's important to find text that directly supports the question or claim posed.
In the context of the SAT Reading section, this means selecting lines from the passage that provide clear and relevant support for an assertion. To choose the best evidence, consider the following:

• Relevance: Ensure the evidence directly relates to the claim you are trying to support.
• Clarity: Pick lines that are straightforward and explicitly state or imply the point you want to make.
• Context: Pay attention to the surrounding lines to ensure the evidence's meaning is not altered when considered as part of the whole text.

Effective evidence selection reinforces your understanding of the text and strengthens your answer to comprehension questions.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating an idea or piece of writing for deeper understanding and meaning. On the SAT Reading Comprehension, critical thinking requires you to not just understand the text, but also to question it and form logical conclusions. Enhance your critical thinking by:

• Questioning assumptions: What is the underlying presumption in the text? Are there biases?
• Drawing connections: How does the part you're analyzing fit into the whole passage?
• Evaluating arguments: Are the arguments in the text convincing? What evidence supports them?
• Considering different perspectives: How might different readers interpret the text differently?

By cultivating strong critical thinking skills, you can approach any passage with the ability to assess it thoroughly and arrive at well-supported answers in the SAT Reading section.