The Digital SAT includes questions that ask you to select the quotation or detail from a passage that best supports a given statement. These questions test your ability to connect claims with specific textual evidence.
Core Concepts
The Question Type
Typically: "Which quotation from the text most effectively illustrates [claim]?"
You must choose the passage excerpt that most directly and specifically supports the stated claim.
Direct vs. Indirect Evidence
- Direct evidence explicitly states something that supports the claim.
- Indirect evidence requires an additional inference step. The SAT prefers direct evidence.
Strategy Tips
Tip 1: Reread the Claim Carefully
Understand exactly what needs to be supported before evaluating the choices.
Tip 2: Test Each Choice Against the Claim
Ask: "Does this quote DIRECTLY support the specific claim?" Not just "Is this from the same paragraph?"
Tip 3: Eliminate Choices That Are Off-Topic
Some options discuss the same topic but a different aspect.
Tip 4: The Best Evidence Is Specific
Vague quotes are weaker than specific ones.
Worked Example: Example
Claim: The narrator feels nostalgic about childhood summers.
A) "The summer of 1995 was the hottest on record." — Just a fact about weather. B) "We spent every afternoon at the lake, and I still miss those carefree days." — Directly expresses nostalgia. ✓ C) "My parents worked long hours during the summer." — About parents, not narrator's nostalgia. D) "Summers in the South are known for their humidity." — General statement.
Practice Tips
Practice by reading short passages and identifying which sentence best supports a given claim. This builds the habit of connecting evidence to claims.
Key Takeaways
Match the evidence directly to the specific claim.
Prefer specific, direct quotations over vague or tangential ones.
Eliminate choices that discuss the topic but don't support the particular claim.
Always reread the claim before selecting evidence.
