{"id":1688,"date":"2022-11-28T13:37:28","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T13:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=1688"},"modified":"2022-11-28T21:03:09","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T21:03:09","slug":"psat-reading-historysocial-studies-passages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/psat\/psat-reading-historysocial-studies-passages\/","title":{"rendered":"PSAT Reading: History\/Social Studies Passages"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The History\/Social Studies portion of the <a title=\"PSAT Reading Prep Lessons\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/psat\/psat-reading-prep-lessons\/\">PSAT Reading Test<\/a> will consist of either two single History\/Social Studies passages or one single History\/Social Studies passage and one History\/Social Studies paired-passage set. History\/Social Studies passages are different from other passage types because:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The passage will have a clearly stated topic, a well-defined scope, and a specific purpose.<\/li>\n<li>There will be at least one primary source passage that uses antiquated language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Because History\/Social Studies passages can be densely written, you should:<\/p>\n<p><div  class='avia-icon-list-container   avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_testimonials  avia-builder-el-first '><ul class='avia-icon-list avia-icon-list-left av-iconlist-big avia_animate_when_almost_visible avia-iconlist-animate'>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Identify the topic and scope of the passage<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>You can usually find the topic and scope in the first paragraph.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Identify the topic sentence of each succeeding paragraph<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>What does this paragraph accomplish? Does it provide evidence to support a previous statement? Or does it introduce questions about an earlier claim?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div  class='iconlist_icon  avia-font-entypo-fontello'><span class='iconlist-char ' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue836' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'><\/span><\/div><article class=\"article-icon-entry \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='iconlist_content_wrap'><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h4 class='av_iconlist_title iconlist_title   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Summarize the purpose of the passage<\/h4><\/header><div class='iconlist_content  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>Some common purposes include: to inform, to refute, to promote, to explore.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><div class='iconlist-timeline'><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><br \/>\n<div   data-autoplay='1'  data-interval='5'  data-animation='fade'  data-hoverpause='1'  class='avia-testimonial-wrapper avia-grid-testimonials avia-grid-1-testimonials avia_animate_when_almost_visible   '>\n<section class ='avia-testimonial-row'><div class='avia-testimonial av_one_full flex_column no_margin avia-testimonial-row-1 avia-first-testimonialavia-last-testimonial' ><div class='avia-testimonial_inner'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia-testimonial-image'  itemprop=\"image\"  ><\/div><div class='avia-testimonial-content '  ><div class='avia-testimonial-markup-entry-content'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Resist the temptation to reread large portions of the passage. Your <a title=\"PSAT Reading: How to Raise Your Score\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/psat\/psat-reading-how-to-raise-your-score\/\">Passage Map<\/a> can help you predict and answer questions correctly without having to dive completely back into the text. Doing so will save you time on Test Day!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class='avia-testimonial-meta'><div class='avia-testimonial-arrow-wrap'><div class='avia-arrow'><\/div><\/div><div class='avia-testimonial-meta-mini'  itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" ><strong  class='avia-testimonial-name'    itemprop=\"name\" >Laura<\/strong><span  class='avia-testimonial-subtitle '    itemprop=\"jobTitle\" >Kaplan PSAT Expert<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at the following example of an abbreviated History\/Social Studies passage and question set. After the mapped passage, the left column contains questions similar to those you\u2019ll see on the PSAT Reading Test on Test Day. The column on the right features the strategic thinking a test expert employs when approaching the passage and questions presented. Note how a test expert can quickly condense the entire passage into a few words and use his or her Passage Map to ask questions that build a prediction for the correct answer.<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_testimonials  el_before_av_one_half  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Sample PSAT Reading Question: History\/Social Studies<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div first  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_one_half  \" ><div   class='av_promobox  avia-button-no   avia-builder-el-4  avia-builder-el-no-sibling '>\t\t<div class='avia-promocontent'><p>\nQuestions 1-2 are based on the following passage.<br \/>\nThe following passage is an adaptation of an excerpt from Up From Slavery: An Autobiography by Booker T. Washington.<br \/>\nMy own belief is, although I have never before said so in so many words, that the time will come when African Americans in the South will be accorded the political rights which his ability, character and material possessions entitle him to. I think, though, that the opportunity to freely exercise such political rights will not come in any large degree through outside or artificial forcing, but will be accorded to African Americans by white people themselves, and that they will protect him in the exercise of those rights. Just as soon as the South gets over the old feeling that it is being forced by \u201cforeigners,\u201d or \u201caliens\u201d to do something which it does not want to do, I believe that the change in the direction that I have indicated is going to begin. In fact, there are indications that it is already beginning to a slight degree.<br \/>\n1.\u00a0This passage can best be described as<br \/>\n(A) a description of a state of\u00a0of affairs intolerable to the author.<br \/>\n(B) a statement of belief about society and how it will change.<br \/>\n(C) a declaration of basic rights and a roadmap to achieve them.<br \/>\n(D) a call to action to correct an injustice.<br \/>\n2.\u00a0According to the passage, \u201cthe political rights\u201d mentioned in line 4 will come about through<br \/>\n(A) increased political pressure on those denying the rights.<br \/>\n(B) additional laws mandating those rights.<br \/>\n(C) peer pressure designed to embarrass anyone denying those rights.<br \/>\n(D) a natural evolution of society.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_half  flex_column_div   avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_hr  \" ><p><div  style='height:50px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-6  el_before_av_toggle_container  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<div  class=\"togglecontainer    avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last \" >\n<section class=\"av_toggle_section\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\"  >    <div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  >        <p data-fake-id=\"#toggle-id-1\" class=\"toggler \"  itemprop=\"headline\"    role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"toggle-id-1\">Step #1: Read Actively<span class=\"toggle_icon\" >        <span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>        <div id=\"toggle-id-1\" class=\"toggle_wrap \"  >            <div class=\"toggle_content invers-color \"  itemprop=\"text\"   ><p>\u00b61: author believes rights will come (purpose)<br \/>\n\u00b61 cont.: change will begin soon, when S doesn&#8217;t feel forced<\/p>\n            <\/div>        <\/div>    <\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='height:100px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-8  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_toggle_section\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\"  >    <div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  >        <p data-fake-id=\"#toggle-id-2\" class=\"toggler \"  itemprop=\"headline\"    role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"toggle-id-2\">Question #1 Explained<span class=\"toggle_icon\" >        <span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>        <div id=\"toggle-id-2\" class=\"toggle_wrap \"  >            <div class=\"toggle_content invers-color \"  itemprop=\"text\"   ><p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Examine the question stem<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>What are the keywords in the question stem?<\/em> There are none; it\u2019s about the passage as a whole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Predict and answer<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Look at the Passage Map notes. What is the author&#8217;s purpose for writing this passage?<\/em> Change will happen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>        <\/div>    <\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='height:100px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_hr  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_toggle_section\"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\"  >    <div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  >        <p data-fake-id=\"#toggle-id-3\" class=\"toggler \"  itemprop=\"headline\"    role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"toggle-id-3\">Question #2 Explained<span class=\"toggle_icon\" >        <span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>        <div id=\"toggle-id-3\" class=\"toggle_wrap \"  >            <div class=\"toggle_content invers-color \"  itemprop=\"text\"   ><p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Examine the question stem<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>What clues are in the question stem?<\/em> The quoted phrase and line number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Predict and answer<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>According to the passage and your notes, how does the South feel?<\/em> Forced.<\/li>\n<li><em>So, when will \u201cthe political rights\u201d come about?<\/em> When the South stops feeling forced.<\/li>\n<li><em>What answer choice does this match?<\/em> Choice (D)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n            <\/div>        <\/div>    <\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='height:50px' class='hr hr-invisible  0  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_icon_box '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<article  class=\"iconbox iconbox_left    avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_heading  \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class=\"iconbox_content\"><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><div class=\"iconbox_icon heading-color\" aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue83f' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello'  ><\/div><h3 class='iconbox_content_title  '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Tip<\/h3><\/header><div class='iconbox_content_container  '  itemprop=\"text\"  ><p>PSAT passages often use primary source material, which means the language can be antiquated to modern readers. In some instances, we have modified this language. Don\u2019t let that distract you from making a Passage Map that focuses on the central ideas.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><footer class=\"entry-footer\"><\/footer><\/article><\/p>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_icon_box  avia-builder-el-last  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >PSAT Reading Practice Questions Explained<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\nFor practice question #1, use your Passage Map to identify the author\u2019s topic, scope, and purpose. The author\u2019s topic is his belief, the scope is gaining rights, and the purpose is to express hope for change. Choice (B) is correct.<\/p>\n<p>For practice question #2, go to the cited lines and use your Passage Map to determine how those lines relate to the passage as a whole. Predict that these rights won\u2019t be given due to force and won\u2019t happen until the South doesn\u2019t feel forced. Choice (D) matches your prediction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Previous:<\/strong> <a title=\"PSAT Reading: U.S.\/World Literature Passages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/psat\/psat-reading-u-s-world-literature-passages\/\">PSAT Reading: U.S.\/World Literature Passages<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Next:<\/strong> <a title=\"PSAT Reading: Science Passages\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/psat\/psat-reading-science-passages\/\">PSAT Reading: Science Passages<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The History\/Social Studies portion of the PSAT Reading Test will consist of either two single History\/Social Studies passages or one single History\/Social Studies passage and one History\/Social Studies paired-passage set. History\/Social Studies passages are different from other passage types because: The passage will have a clearly stated topic, a well-defined scope, and a specific purpose. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41877,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[240],"tags":[195,321],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1688"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41879,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1688\/revisions\/41879"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}