When tackling Details questions like this one in DSAT Reading and Writing (English section), it helps to break down both the passage and the answer choices carefully. In our example, the excerpt from The Wind in the Willows gives us lots of descriptive clues, but it also plays with language in a way that can easily throw you off if you’re not reading closely.
What’s Tricky About This Question?
- Distracting Details:
The passage is filled with details about other animals working and Mole’s reaction to this premise. However, some answer choices might misdirect you by focusing on character traits or emotions that aren’t supported by the text. - Surface-Level Assumptions:
One common pitfall is to let words like “idle” confuse you. Even though the text mentions Mole as “idle,” it quickly clarifies that he feels “jolly” about it. This juxtaposition is designed to distract, so it’s essential to look at the overall picture rather than getting hung up on one word. - Overthinking Character Behavior:
Choice D, for example, plays on the idea that being idle might make someone feel uneasy, but the text shows the opposite. Similarly, choice B might tempt you if you assume that the busy environment implies peer pressure. The key is to remember that the question asks, “Based on the text, what is true about Mole?” and not what you might infer about work ethic or social expectations.
Strategies to Answer Correctly
- Active Reading:
As you read the passage, underline or note descriptive phrases. In this case, words like “rambled busily” and the specifics about traveling through various landscapes clearly indicate movement. These details support Choice A, which states that Mole was traveling through the countryside. - Eliminating the Obviously Wrong:
Compare each choice against the textual evidence. Ask yourself, “Does the passage mention anything about Mole being encouraged to work, or feeling uncomfortable?” If not, you can safely eliminate those choices. This process of elimination helps narrow down your answer choices quickly. - Context Clues:
Notice how the text paints a picture of a holiday environment where Mole is enjoying his leisure time. The joyful tone and descriptions of his journey contrast sharply with the idea of feeling guilty or pressured, further reinforcing Choice A as the correct answer. - Paragraph Structure:
The phrase “instead of” introduces Mole’s comparative idleness and joy, and the last sentence that starts with “After all” restates Mole’s point of view. These structural indicators can help you identify contrasts in ideas. - Understanding Question Demands:
SAT Details questions often test your ability to discern what the text explicitly states versus what might be inferred. In this instance, the question is straightforward—it asks for a fact supported by the text. Keeping this in mind helps you focus on concrete details rather than subjective interpretations.
Wrapping It Up
The key to answering SAT Details questions in is recognizing that the passage has multiple emphases, and each choice hones in on each specifically. Carefully read and reread to make sure the choice paraphrases the text truthfully and accurately.
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