The Digital SAT sometimes presents two short passages on related topics and asks you to compare them. You need to identify how the authors agree, disagree, or complement each other.
Core Concepts
Types of Relationships
- Agreement: both authors share the same view.
- Disagreement: authors have opposing views.
- Complementary: each provides different information on the same topic.
- Qualification: one author partially agrees but adds caveats.
Common Question Types
- "How would Author 2 most likely respond to Author 1's claim?"
- "On which point do the authors agree?"
- "What is the main difference between the two passages?"
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Read Each Passage Separately First
Understand each author's main claim before comparing.
Tip 2: Identify the Specific Point of Comparison
The question usually focuses on a specific claim or issue, not the entire passage.
Tip 3: Look for Overlap and Divergence
Find the exact point where the authors agree or differ.
Tip 4: Don't Assume Total Agreement or Disagreement
Authors may agree on some points and differ on others.
Worked Example: Example
Passage 1: argues that technology improves education. Passage 2: argues that technology is a distraction in classrooms.
Relationship: disagreement on the overall effect of technology in education.
But they might agree that technology is widely used — they just disagree on whether that's good.
Key Takeaways
Understand each passage independently before comparing.
Identify the specific point of agreement or disagreement.
Authors may partially agree — look for nuance.
Focus on the question's specific comparison, not the entire passages.
