Every passage has an established style and tone. The Digital SAT tests whether you can identify when a revision breaks or maintains that consistency. You must choose the option that best matches the surrounding text.
Core Concepts
Style
Style encompasses:
- Formality level (academic vs. casual)
- Vocabulary (technical vs. everyday)
- Sentence length (complex vs. simple)
Tone
Tone is the author's attitude:
- Objective, enthusiastic, critical, humorous, solemn, optimistic...
Consistency
A formal, academic passage should not suddenly use slang. A personal narrative should not suddenly become dry and technical.
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Read the Surrounding Context
Match the style and tone of the sentences around the underlined portion.
Tip 2: Eliminate Mismatched Options
If the passage is formal, eliminate casual or slangy options. If it's objective, eliminate emotionally charged options.
Tip 3: Consider the Audience
A scientific article has a different style from a personal essay.
Worked Example: Example
Passage context (formal academic): "The research demonstrates a significant correlation between variables."
Which fits best?
A) "The study basically shows these things are kind of related." — Too informal ✗ B) "The findings indicate a meaningful relationship between the factors." — Matches formal tone ✓
Key Takeaways
Match the passage's existing style and tone.
Eliminate choices that are too formal, too casual, or too emotional for the context.
Style includes formality, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Tone includes the author's attitude and emotional register.
