SAT Reading and Writing: Command of Evidence — Textual

A short passage (25-150 words) is presented, followed by:

Typical Question Stem:

"Which quotation from the text best illustrates the claim that [statement]?"

Alternative Phrasings:

• "Which quotation most effectively supports the researcher's claim?"
• "Which finding, if true, would most directly support the hypothesis?"
• "Which quotation from the passage best demonstrates [concept]?"

📌 Key Characteristics:

• Four answer choices — each is a direct quotation from the passage
• One claim — stated in the question that needs textual support
• Best evidence — you must choose the MOST relevant and strongest support
• No outside knowledge — all answers must come directly from the text

Feature	Literary Passages	Scientific Passages
Evidence Type	Descriptions, dialogue, character actions, imagery	Data, experimental results, observations, measurements
Claim Focus	Themes, character traits, relationships, mood/tone	Hypotheses, research findings, causal relationships
Language Style	Figurative, symbolic, subjective	Objective, precise, technical terminology
Common Pitfall	Choosing poetic but vague quotes over specific details	Selecting related findings that don't directly support claim

Step 1: Identify and Paraphrase the Claim

Read the question stem carefully and restate the claim in your own words. This ensures you understand exactly what you're looking for.

Example: "The character feels conflicted" → Paraphrase: "Look for evidence showing internal struggle or mixed emotions"

Step 2: Eliminate Irrelevant Options

Quickly cross out any answer choices that don't address the claim at all, even if they're from the passage.

Example: If the claim is about "economic impact," eliminate quotes about cultural traditions

Step 3: Compare Remaining Options

Among relevant quotes, choose the one that is most specific, direct, and complete. Ask: "Does this FULLY support the claim, or only partially?"

Example: "felt uncertain" (partial) vs. "felt torn between duty and desire" (complete)

Step 4: Verify the Connection

Before selecting your final answer, explicitly state how the evidence supports the claim. If you can't make a clear connection, reconsider.

Ask yourself: "Can I explain in one sentence why this quote proves the claim?"

1. Choosing "Nice-Sounding" Quotes

A beautifully written sentence isn't necessarily strong evidence. Focus on relevance over eloquence. The correct answer might be a plain, straightforward statement.

2. Selecting Partial Evidence

Some quotes touch on the claim but don't fully support it. Don't settle for "kind of related"—look for evidence that completely addresses every aspect of the claim.

3. Making Assumptions

The evidence should be explicitly stated, not implied. If you have to make a logical leap to connect the quote to the claim, it's probably wrong.

4. Ignoring Keywords in the Claim

Pay close attention to qualifiers like "most," "primarily," "initially," or "gradually." The evidence must match the specific scope and intensity of the claim.

5. Rushing Through Answer Choices

These questions reward careful reading. Even if you think you've found the right answer, read all four options to ensure you haven't missed better evidence.

Passage:

The following is adapted from Willa Cather's 1913 novel "O Pioneers!" Alexandra Bergson has just inherited her father's Nebraska farm.

Alexandra drew her shawl closer about her and stood leaning against the frame of the mill, looking at the stars which glittered so keenly through the frosty autumn air. She felt a new sense of responsibility weighing upon her. The land seemed to reach out to her, demanding something she wasn't sure she could give. Yet beneath her anxiety, there was also a quiet determination growing—a feeling that perhaps she could meet this challenge after all. She thought of her father's weathered hands and steady gaze. "The land chooses its own," he used to say, and now she wondered if it had chosen her.

Question:

Which quotation from the text best illustrates the claim that Alexandra experiences mixed emotions about her new responsibility?

Step-by-Step Solution:

Correct Answer: C

💡 Key Takeaway: In literary passages, the correct evidence often explicitly names emotions or uses contrast words ("yet," "but," "although") to show complexity. Don't be distracted by poetic descriptions that don't directly address the claim.

Passage:

Researchers Maria Chen and David Park investigated whether sleep deprivation affects decision-making accuracy in medical students. They hypothesized that students who slept fewer than 5 hours would make significantly more errors in diagnostic tasks than those who slept 7-8 hours. In their study, 120 medical students were divided into two groups: a sleep-restricted group (4 hours of sleep) and a well-rested group (8 hours of sleep). The next day, both groups completed identical diagnostic assessments involving patient case studies. The sleep-restricted group made an average of 4.2 errors per assessment, while the well-rested group made an average of 1.8 errors. Additionally, the sleep-restricted students took 35% longer to complete the assessments. Statistical analysis confirmed the difference was significant (p < 0.01). The researchers concluded that adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining clinical judgment accuracy.

Question:

Which finding from the study most directly supports Chen and Park's hypothesis?

Step-by-Step Solution:

Correct Answer: B

💡 Key Takeaway: In scientific passages, look for quantitative data that directly measures what the hypothesis predicted. Methodology descriptions (A) and statistical confirmations (D) are important but don't constitute evidence themselves. Always choose the option with specific results that match the claim's focus.

Passage:

Urban forests provide numerous benefits to cities beyond aesthetics. Studies show that trees in urban areas reduce air pollution by absorbing nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. A single mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Additionally, neighborhoods with more tree cover experience temperatures 5-10°F cooler than areas with minimal vegetation, reducing energy costs for air conditioning.

Question:

Which quotation best supports the claim that urban trees contribute to climate regulation?

Quick Analysis:

Claim focus: "climate regulation" — means temperature control and carbon/greenhouse gases

Option A: ❌ Too general, doesn't specify climate
Option B: ✅ CO2 absorption = climate regulation! This directly addresses greenhouse gases
Option C: ❌ Air pollution ≠ climate regulation (different environmental issue)
Option D: ✅ Temperature reduction = climate regulation, BUT...

Tricky choice! Both B and D relate to climate. However, Option B is more direct because CO2 absorption specifically addresses global climate change, while Option D describes local temperature effects (urban heat island). Given that "climate regulation" typically refers to broader climate systems, B is the stronger answer.

Correct Answer: B

The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s was a cultural movement that celebrated African American artistic expression. Langston Hughes emerged as one of the movement's most influential voices, using poetry to address themes of racial pride and social justice. His poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" connected African American heritage to ancient civilizations, declaring "I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins." Hughes deliberately incorporated jazz rhythms into his poetry, believing that African American art should reflect authentic cultural experiences rather than imitate European traditions. His innovative style inspired a generation of Black writers to embrace their cultural identity in their work.

Question:

Which quotation most effectively illustrates Hughes's belief that African American art should express cultural authenticity?

Answer: C

Explanation: Option C explicitly states Hughes's belief ("believing that African American art should reflect authentic cultural experiences rather than imitate European traditions") and provides a concrete example (incorporating jazz rhythms). This directly addresses both the belief and its expression in his work. Options A and D describe the movement's impact but don't capture Hughes's specific philosophy. Option B shows cultural connection but doesn't explain his belief about authenticity vs. imitation.

Marine biologist Dr. Elena Rodriguez studied bioluminescence in deep-sea organisms. She hypothesized that jellyfish species living at greater depths would produce brighter light than shallow-water species to compensate for reduced ambient light. Rodriguez measured light intensity (in lumens) from 50 jellyfish species at various depths. Species found at 200-500 meters produced an average of 12 lumens, while those at 1000+ meters averaged 34 lumens. Interestingly, all deep-sea species also had larger photophore structures (light-producing organs), which measured 40% larger than those in shallow-water species. DNA analysis revealed that deep-sea and shallow-water jellyfish diverged evolutionarily approximately 80 million years ago.

Question:

Which finding best supports Rodriguez's hypothesis about depth and bioluminescence intensity?

Answer: B

Explanation: The hypothesis predicts that deeper-dwelling jellyfish produce brighter light. Option B provides the exact data comparison: 34 lumens (1000+ meters) vs. 12 lumens (200-500 meters), showing deep-sea species are nearly 3x brighter. This directly tests and supports the hypothesis. Option A describes methodology, not results. Option C about photophore size is interesting but doesn't directly measure light brightness (the hypothesis's focus). Option D about evolutionary divergence is unrelated to light intensity.

Adapted from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Half of a Yellow Sun" (2006). Ugwu has just arrived to work as a houseboy for a university professor.

Ugwu had never seen anything like Master's bungalow. The living room walls were crowded with books, more books than Ugwu imagined existed in the world. He stood still, staring, until Master laughed and told him to come closer. "You can read any of them whenever you want," Master said. Ugwu couldn't believe it. In his village, he had seen maybe three books total, jealously guarded by the teacher. These books were everywhere—stacked on tables, piled on the floor, filling every shelf. Master noticed his wonder and smiled. "Knowledge should never be hoarded," he said gently.

Question:

Which quotation best illustrates Ugwu's amazement at the professor's library?

Answer: B

Explanation: Option B captures Ugwu's amazement through hyperbole—"more books than Ugwu imagined existed in the world." This directly shows his astonishment. Option A mentions the bungalow generally (not specifically the library). Option C provides background context about his village but describes his past, not his current amazement. Option D is Master's philosophy, not evidence of Ugwu's reaction.

📚 Daily Practice

• Complete 5-10 Command of Evidence questions daily
• Review incorrect answers thoroughly
• Create an error log to track patterns
• Practice with both literary and scientific passages

🎯 Skill Building

• Strengthen reading comprehension skills
• Practice identifying main ideas vs. supporting details
• Learn to spot cause-effect relationships
• Improve ability to distinguish direct vs. indirect evidence

⏱️ Time Management

• Aim for 60-90 seconds per question
• Practice timed drills regularly
• Don't spend more than 2 minutes on any question
• Mark and return to difficult questions if time permits

📖 Related Skills

• Central Ideas and Details
• Inferences
• Command of Evidence: Quantitative
• Purpose and Function