Grade: Grade 6 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Passage Strategy SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Mixed Set

Learn

On the SAT and ACT, you will encounter different types of passages in random order. This lesson helps you practice switching between passage types and applying all your strategies together.

The Four Passage Types

1. Literary/Narrative Passages

Fiction excerpts or personal narratives that tell a story.

  • Focus on: Characters, setting, plot, tone, and theme
  • Common questions: Character motivation, narrative purpose, mood

2. Science Passages

Articles about scientific discoveries, experiments, or natural phenomena.

  • Focus on: Process, cause and effect, data interpretation
  • Common questions: Experimental design, conclusions, scientific terminology

3. Social Science Passages

Articles about history, psychology, economics, or sociology.

  • Focus on: Arguments, evidence, historical context
  • Common questions: Author's claims, supporting evidence, implications

4. Humanities Passages

Articles about art, architecture, philosophy, or culture.

  • Focus on: Ideas, perspectives, cultural significance
  • Common questions: Author's perspective, definitions, comparisons

Mixed Set Strategy

  1. Identify the passage type in the first 10 seconds
  2. Adjust your approach based on the type
  3. Apply all question-type strategies you have learned
  4. Manage your time across all passages

Examples

Passage Type Identification

Example A

"Maya stood at the edge of the canyon, her heart racing. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the red rock formations below. She had waited three years for this moment—the chance to see the place her grandmother had described in so many bedtime stories."

Type: Literary/Narrative - Notice the character, setting, and emotional elements.

Example B

"Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new method for converting carbon dioxide into usable fuel. The process, which uses specialized catalysts and solar energy, could potentially reduce atmospheric carbon levels while producing clean energy."

Type: Science - Notice the focus on research, process, and scientific applications.

Example C

"The Industrial Revolution fundamentally transformed not only manufacturing but also the structure of family life. As factories drew workers from rural areas into cities, traditional extended family networks gave way to smaller, nuclear family units."

Type: Social Science - Notice the historical analysis and social patterns.

Practice

Complete this mixed set. Aim to finish all 12 questions in 15 minutes total.

Passage 1: Literary (Questions 1-4)

Thomas had always believed that the old lighthouse was abandoned. That belief shattered the evening he saw a light flickering in its highest window. The lighthouse had been dark for twenty years, ever since the last keeper, Mr. Hendricks, had disappeared during a winter storm. The townspeople avoided the place, some claiming they could hear strange sounds on windy nights. But Thomas, at twelve years old, felt drawn to mysteries rather than frightened by them. He grabbed his flashlight and set out along the rocky path, the beam of light from the tower growing stronger with each step.

1. The passage is primarily about:

  1. The history of the lighthouse
  2. A boy's decision to investigate a mystery
  3. The disappearance of Mr. Hendricks
  4. The townspeople's fears

2. Based on the passage, Thomas can best be described as:

  1. Fearful and cautious
  2. Curious and brave
  3. Disrespectful of rules
  4. Unaware of danger

3. The phrase "That belief shattered" suggests that Thomas:

  1. Was disappointed by what he saw
  2. Broke something while watching
  3. Had his assumption proven wrong
  4. Did not trust his own eyes

4. The author mentions that Thomas "felt drawn to mysteries" primarily to:

  1. Explain why he ignored the townspeople's warnings
  2. Show that he was irresponsible
  3. Describe his career goals
  4. Contrast him with Mr. Hendricks

Passage 2: Science (Questions 5-8)

Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the universe. They form when massive stars collapse at the end of their lives, creating regions where gravity is so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape. The boundary of this region is called the event horizon. Once anything crosses the event horizon, it is pulled inexorably toward the singularity at the center.

Despite their reputation as cosmic vacuums, black holes do not actively "suck in" surrounding matter. Objects must venture very close to be captured. In fact, if our Sun were suddenly replaced by a black hole of equal mass, Earth's orbit would remain unchanged—though our planet would quickly freeze without the Sun's warmth.

5. According to the passage, black holes form from:

  1. Collisions between galaxies
  2. The collapse of massive stars
  3. The event horizon expanding
  4. Dark matter accumulating

6. The author uses the example of the Sun being replaced by a black hole to:

  1. Warn about potential dangers to Earth
  2. Correct a common misconception about black holes
  3. Explain how black holes are formed
  4. Describe what would happen to the solar system

7. As used in the passage, "inexorably" most nearly means:

  1. Slowly
  2. Unstoppably
  3. Gently
  4. Temporarily

8. The passage implies that light cannot escape a black hole because:

  1. Black holes are completely dark
  2. The gravity is too strong
  3. The event horizon absorbs light
  4. Stars produce no light when they collapse

Passage 3: Social Science (Questions 9-12)

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 revolutionized the spread of information. Before the press, books were copied by hand, a painstaking process that made them expensive and rare. A single book might take months to produce, and only wealthy individuals or institutions could afford them.

The printing press changed everything. Books could now be produced quickly and cheaply, making knowledge accessible to a much wider audience. Literacy rates began to climb, and new ideas could spread across Europe in weeks rather than decades. Historians credit the printing press with enabling the Protestant Reformation, the Scientific Revolution, and the eventual development of democratic societies.

9. The main purpose of this passage is to:

  1. Describe how Gutenberg invented the printing press
  2. Explain the impact of the printing press on society
  3. Compare modern printing to historical methods
  4. Argue that books are more important than technology

10. According to the passage, before the printing press, books were:

  1. Available only in libraries
  2. Written in foreign languages
  3. Expensive because they were hand-copied
  4. Not valued by society

11. The word "painstaking" as used in the passage most nearly means:

  1. Painful
  2. Requiring great care and effort
  3. Artistic
  4. Dangerous

12. The author suggests that the printing press contributed to the development of democratic societies by:

  1. Making voting easier
  2. Spreading ideas and increasing literacy
  3. Reducing the power of the church
  4. Creating jobs for more people

Check Your Understanding

Time Check

  • Under 12 minutes: Excellent pacing!
  • 12-15 minutes: Good, right on target
  • Over 15 minutes: Keep practicing for speed

Answers

  1. B - The passage focuses on Thomas's decision to investigate
  2. B - He is "drawn to mysteries" rather than frightened
  3. C - His belief that the lighthouse was abandoned was proven wrong
  4. A - This explains his motivation despite the warnings
  5. B - Directly stated: "when massive stars collapse"
  6. B - To show black holes do not "suck in" objects actively
  7. B - Once past the event horizon, escape is impossible/unstoppable
  8. B - "Gravity is so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape"
  9. B - The passage describes the social changes caused by the press
  10. C - "Copied by hand...expensive and rare"
  11. B - The context shows it took great effort and time
  12. B - Ideas spreading and literacy increasing led to informed citizens

Score Interpretation

  • 11-12 correct: Excellent! You are ready for more advanced practice.
  • 9-10 correct: Great work! Review the questions you missed.
  • 7-8 correct: Good progress! Focus on your weaker passage types.
  • Below 7: Review earlier lessons and practice more before moving on.

Next Steps

  • Review any passage types that gave you trouble
  • Practice identifying passage types quickly
  • Complete additional mixed sets to build stamina
  • Congratulations on completing the Passage Strategy unit!

Unit Complete!

You have finished all six lessons in the Passage Strategy unit. You have learned:

  • How to skim and scan passages efficiently
  • Active reading techniques for comprehension
  • The five main question types and how to approach them
  • How to work under time pressure
  • How to analyze and learn from your mistakes
  • How to handle mixed passage sets

Continue to the next unit in SAT/ACT Skills to build on these foundations.