Identify Supporting Details in Literary Texts: SAT Reading Foundation Guide

Passage:

The storm arrived without warning. Dark clouds swallowed the afternoon sun, and within minutes, rain hammered against the windows. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the swaying trees. Inside, the family huddled in the living room, listening to the wind howl. The power flickered once, twice, then died, plunging the house into darkness.

Question 1: Which detail best supports the claim that the storm was powerful?

A) "Dark clouds swallowed the afternoon sun."
B) "The storm arrived without warning."
C) "Lightning split the sky, illuminating the swaying trees."
D) "The family huddled in the living room."

Answer: C — Lightning and swaying trees demonstrate the storm's physical force and intensity. Lightning "splitting" the sky and wind strong enough to sway trees are concrete evidence of power.

Passage:

Daniel had always dreamed of becoming a chef. He spent his childhood watching cooking shows and experimenting with recipes in his mother's kitchen. At sixteen, he took a part-time job washing dishes at a restaurant just to be near the professional kitchen. Now, at culinary school, he arrived early each day and stayed late, perfecting every technique his instructors taught.

Question 2: Which detail best supports the claim that Daniel was dedicated to his culinary goals?

A) "Daniel had always dreamed of becoming a chef."
B) "He spent his childhood watching cooking shows."
C) "He arrived early each day and stayed late, perfecting every technique."
D) "At sixteen, he took a part-time job at a restaurant."

Answer: C — Arriving early and staying late to practice demonstrates consistent, voluntary extra effort. This ongoing behavior is the strongest proof of dedication.

Passage:

The old theater retained hints of its former glory. Red velvet curtains, though faded, still hung from the stage. The ceiling's painted stars had dulled over decades, but their pattern remained visible. Brass fixtures, now tarnished, lined the walls. In the lobby, cracked marble floors spoke of thousands of footsteps from audiences long gone.

Question 3: Which detail best supports the idea that the theater was once elegant?

A) "The old theater retained hints of its former glory."
B) "Red velvet curtains, though faded, still hung from the stage."
C) "Thousands of footsteps from audiences long gone."
D) "Cracked marble floors."

Answer: B — Red velvet curtains are a luxury material associated with elegant venues. Even though they're faded (showing age), velvet itself indicates the theater was once upscale and elegant.

Passage for Questions 4-5:

The museum's new exhibit drew record crowds. On opening day, visitors lined up around the block two hours before doors opened. By noon, all timed-entry tickets for the week had sold out. Social media filled with photos of the displays, and the museum's website crashed from traffic overload.

Question 4: Which detail best supports the claim that the exhibit was extremely popular?

A) "The museum's new exhibit drew record crowds."
B) "Visitors lined up around the block two hours before doors opened."
C) "The museum's website crashed from traffic overload."
D) "Social media filled with photos of the displays."

Question 5: Which detail provides measurable evidence of high demand?

A) "On opening day."
B) "All timed-entry tickets for the week had sold out."
C) "Visitors lined up around the block."
D) "The museum's new exhibit."

Passage for Questions 6-7:

Grandmother's garden was her pride and joy. She woke at dawn to water the roses before the sun grew too hot. Each plant was labeled with its Latin name and planting date. She kept detailed notes about soil conditions, bloom times, and which varieties thrived where. When neighbors asked for gardening advice, she could recommend the perfect plant for any situation.

Question 6: Which detail best supports the claim that Grandmother approached gardening methodically?

A) "Grandmother's garden was her pride and joy."
B) "She woke at dawn to water the roses."
C) "Each plant was labeled with its Latin name and planting date."
D) "Neighbors asked for gardening advice."

Question 7: Which detail best shows that Grandmother was knowledgeable about plants?

A) "The garden was her pride and joy."
B) "She kept detailed notes about soil conditions, bloom times, and varieties."
C) "She woke at dawn to water."
D) "The roses grew before the sun got hot."

Passage for Question 8:

The bookstore felt welcoming from the moment you entered. Soft lighting cast a warm glow over the shelves. Comfortable armchairs were scattered throughout, each with a reading lamp. The owner kept a pot of coffee brewing, and the aroma mingled with the scent of paper and ink. Classical music played quietly in the background.

Question 8: Which detail most strongly supports the idea that the bookstore encouraged customers to stay and read?

A) "Soft lighting cast a warm glow."
B) "Comfortable armchairs were scattered throughout, each with a reading lamp."
C) "The owner kept a pot of coffee brewing."
D) "Classical music played quietly in the background."