SAT Writing and Language Test - Command of Evidence

This lesson will explain what Command of Evidence Questions are on the SAT Writing and Language test and how to respond to them. It will also provide examples of these questions.

The Writing and Language Test

The Writing and Language Test is part of the SAT. Here are a few things you should know about this test.

• The Writing and Language Test contains four passages. Each passage is 400-450 words in length. The test questions are based on the passages.
• There are 44 questions on the Writing and Language Test, but only a few of them are Command of Evidence questions.
• Because you only have 35 minutes to complete the test, you will need to spend less than a minute on each question.
• There are four answer choices for each question
• Since there is no penalty for guessing, try to answer every question, even if it's just your best guess. Don't leave answers blank!

What Are Command of Evidence Questions?

Command of Evidence Questions are part of the SAT Writing and Language Test. They ask you to improve a passage by adding information or ideas based on evidence. You may be asked to select details that strengthen arguments or add informative details to a passage.

Sample Command of Evidence Questions

To give you a better understanding of what to expect from Command of Evidence questions on the SAT Writing and Language Test, let's take a look at a sample passage and a couple of sample Command of Evidence questions.

Passage

Most people are surprised to find that their diets are full of hidden sugar. There are added sugars hiding in yogurt, cereal, tomato sauce, salad dressing, and even bread. Parents are often shocked to find that the so-called healthy, whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk they serve their children in the morning can contain a whopping 30 grams of sugar. This is more sugar than the American Heart Association recommends an adult consume in an entire day. Parents are sending their children out the door on a sugar high, and when the children get to school, they are likely to crash.

While some sugar is naturally occurring, such as the sugar found in fruit, the added sugars are the real problem, and likely the culprit of the obesity epidemic in America today. Studies have suggested that higher intake of added sugar is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. A Harvard Study found that drinks with added sugar increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, and both portion size and consumption has risen dramatically in the last 40 years. Sugar intake must be reduced in order to lower obesity rates.

Passage Questions

Now that you've read the passage, try answering these questions.

1. The author is considering deleting the first underlined sentence. Should the sentence be kept or deleted?

1. Kept because it gives an example of hidden sugars in the diet.
2. Kept because it provides evidence about what happens when kids eat too much sugar
3. Deleted because it doesn't provide an example of what happens when kids eat too much sugar
4. Deleted because it blurs the passage's focus on hidden sugars in the diet

The correct answer is D. The focus of the passage is hidden sugars in the diet. While the previous sentences provide an example of how parents may be serving their children hidden sugars in breakfast cereals, this sentence focuses more on the effects of sugar on children. This is not the focus of the paragraph, so this sentence should be deleted.

2. The author wants to add more details to the final underlined sentence to strengthen the argument. Which choice best strengthens the argument?

1. No change
2. And reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes
3. For children and adults
4. From sugary drinks

The best answer choice is B. This best adds detail to the sentence and reinforces the argument that added sugars are contributing to serious health problems faced by many Americans.

Graphical Interpretation

Some Command of Evidence questions involve interpreting a graphic as part of a passage. In these questions, you are asked to read the passage and review the accompanying graphic. You will need to choose the response that accurately represents the graphical data and adjust the text of the passage to make sure the writer's claim about the data is correct.