Question Type IX — Support for a Premise
Say the author makes an assertion such as, “Small dogs make great pets.” Does the author support it with any evidence? This type of question may ask you to figure out how a premise was defended. Common forms of evidence include:
Examples — The author recounts the devoted poodle he or she had as a child.
Statistics — The author surveys dog owners and finds that owners of small dogs are more satisfied with their pets.
Logical Argument — The author presents logical reasons that small dogs must be great pets. They’re cute, they don’t eat a lot, their bark isn’t too loud, etc.
Video Courtesy of Kaplan SAT prep.
How to identify ‘Support for a Premise’ questions: Look for questions that ask about evidence.
- How does the author support his point that . . . ?
- Which of the following does the author offer in support of his premise that . . . ?
- The passage provides support for all the following statements EXCEPT:
How to tackle them: Look for real evidence, examples, or logical arguments that reinforce the author’s point.
Video Courtesy of Kaplan SAT prep.
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