SAT Reading: Big Picture Question Review

Big Picture questions frequently ask you to identify which statement best summarizes a passage or section of a passage.

• True

• False

Big Picture questions may ask you to recognize an author's point or central claim.

• True

• False

When dealing with BPQ, we should not be too focused on the details of a passage, but rather pay attention to the broader scope and major themes.

• True

• False

For BPQ, your job is to determine the gist of what you are reading along with an author's argument (point) and then focus on a few key areas.

• True

• False

The 'topic' of a passage is the person, thing or idea that is the primary subject of focus.

• True

• False

Typically the topic will be introduced towards the middle of a passage.

• True

• False

The point of a passage is...

• The central topic.

• The primary idea that the author wants to convey about a topic.

After the topic, the point of a passage should be the first thing you look for when reading.

• True

• False

If you keep the main point in mind as you read, you will...

• be able to eliminate answer choices that don't relate to it

• lower the probability that you will get distracted

• reduce the chance of wasting time by having to reread lines that you don't fully understand.

The Main Point is not:

• a topic such as 'cats' or 'the rise of social media;

• a theme 'oppression' or 'overcoming'