SHSAT Revising-and-Editing Passage — The Ultimate Strategy Guide

One multi-paragraph passage (~18–20 numbered sentences) with about 5–8 multiple-choice questions. Your job: improve clarity, precision, and organization through targeted revisions.

Passage Features & Format

  • Genre: Informational or argumentative (science, tech, social issues, history)
  • Length: 160–190 words (18–20 numbered sentences)
  • Structure: 3–4 paragraphs (background, evidence, counter-point, solution)
  • Tone & Voice: Formal, objective, third-person; no slang or anecdotes
  • Design: Numbered sentences for precise edits
  • Rough Draft: Passages are unpolished—your edits create the final version

The 10 Core Question Types

Fast Rule: Each question cites specific sentence numbers—use them to navigate directly to the target line.

Topic-Sentence Insertion

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which sentence should follow sentence 3 to best introduce ...?"
  2. Core Skill: State the passage-wide topic.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Choose the option that previews all paragraphs—no stray details.

Main-Claim Insertion

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which sentence should follow sentence 4 to introduce the main claim ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Deliver a paragraph's thesis.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Summarize that paragraph's evidence in your head and match it.

Support-Detail Insertion

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which sentence would best follow sentence 12 to support ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Add specific evidence (data, example).
  3. Lightning Strategy: Look one line up—what needs proof? Pick the statistic or vivid example.

Transition Word/Phrase Addition

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which word should begin sentence 8 ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Logical connector (contrast, cause, sequence).
  3. Lightning Strategy: Identify the relationship, then plug in each option to test flow.

Sentence-Level Transition Revision

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which revision of sentence 10 best bridges paragraphs 2 & 3?"
  2. Core Skill: Bridge two ideas smoothly.
  3. Lightning Strategy: The sentence must reference both previous and next ideas.

Sentence Deletion (Irrelevant/Redundant)

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which sentence should be deleted ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Remove off-topic or repeated information.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Delete the sentence that strays from the paragraph's purpose.

Precision / Word Choice

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which revision uses the most precise language?"
  2. Core Skill: Choose concrete, formal diction.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Dump vague words; favor numbers & domain-specific verbs.

Sentence Combining

  1. What the Stem Says: "What is the best way to combine ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Merge sentences without redundancy.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Shortest grammatically correct answer wins.

Boxed-Sentence Placement / Movement

  1. What the Stem Says: "Where should the boxed sentence be added ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Logical placement based on pronouns & chronology.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Test each spot; pick the one with smooth flow.

Concluding-Sentence Addition

  1. What the Stem Says: "Which concluding sentence should be added after ...?"
  2. Core Skill: Wrap up the passage without new facts.
  3. Lightning Strategy: Paraphrase thesis; avoid adding new information.

Big-Picture Strategy

  1. Skim for Structure (≈45s): Label paragraphs Problem, Evidence, Solution.
  2. Answer Structural Questions First: Tackle topic sentences, transitions, deletions before precision.
  3. Plug & Check: Reread the edited sentence to ensure grammar & flow.

Pro Tips & Time Savers

  1. Underline sentence numbers in stems to jump directly to the correct line.
  2. Golden-Pair Test: Read the last idea of sentence A + transition + first idea of sentence B—only the smooth one stays.
  3. Formal-tone filter: eliminate slang, contractions, or second-person "you."
  4. Pronoun clarity: ambiguous it, this, they means wrong.
  5. Shortest right answer rule applies for combining & precision prompts.

Last-Minute Checklist

  1. Skim passage & mark paragraph purposes.
  2. For insertion questions, reread one sentence before & after the target spot.
  3. For deletion questions, ensure the paragraph still makes sense.
  4. Keep verbs active & wording concrete.
  5. Pace: ~8 min total (≈1 min per question + reading).

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