A Comprehensive Review of The Critical Reader by Erica Meltzer: The Ultimate Guide to SAT Reading
The Critical Reader Erica Meltzer.pdf: A Comprehensive Guide to SAT Reading
If you are preparing for the SAT, you might have heard of a book called The Critical Reader by Erica Meltzer. This book claims to be "the ultimate guide to SAT reading" and promises to teach you "everything you need to know to ace the Reading section of the redesigned SAT". But is this book really worth your time and money? How can you use it effectively to improve your reading skills and score higher on the SAT? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will give you a comprehensive overview of the structure and content of the book, its benefits and limitations, its reviews and feedback from users, and our recommendations on whether to buy or not to buy it.
The Critical Reader Erica Meltzer.pdf
How to Use the Book Effectively
Before we dive into the details of the book, let's talk about how to use it effectively. Here are some tips and strategies for getting the most out of The Critical Reader:
Read the introduction carefully. The introduction explains the purpose and approach of the book, as well as some important concepts and terms that you need to know before starting. It also gives you a diagnostic test to assess your current level and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Follow the suggested order of chapters. The book is divided into four parts that correspond to the four types of questions on the SAT Reading section: Evidence-Based Reading, Command of Evidence, Words in Context, and Information and Ideas. Each part contains several chapters that cover specific skills and strategies for each type of question. The author recommends that you read each part in order, starting with Part 1 and ending with Part 4.
Do all the exercises and practice questions. Each chapter includes exercises that test your understanding of the concepts and strategies taught in that chapter. There are also practice questions at the end of each chapter that are similar to those on the actual SAT. These questions are followed by detailed explanations that show you how to apply what you learned in that chapter. You should do all these exercises and practice questions as you read along, not skip them or save them for later.
Review your mistakes and learn from them. One of the best features of this book is that it provides you with clear and thorough explanations for every question, not just the correct answers. You should review these explanations carefully after doing each exercise or practice question, especially if you got it wrong or were unsure about it. Try to understand why the correct answer is correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. Learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future.
Use the book as a supplement, not a substitute. While this book is very comprehensive and covers everything you need to know to ace the SAT Reading section, it is not a substitute for taking official practice tests and using other resources. You should use this book as a supplement to your regular study plan, not as your only source of preparation. You should also take full-length practice tests regularly to measure your progress and familiarize yourself with the format and timing of the test.
The Structure and Content of the Book
Now that you know how to use the book effectively, let's take a closer look at its structure and content. The book is organized into four parts, each corresponding to one of the four types of questions on the SAT Reading section. Each part contains several chapters that cover specific skills and strategies for each type of question. Here is an overview of the book's organization and main features:
Part 1: Evidence-Based Reading
This part focuses on the most basic and fundamental skill for SAT Reading: finding evidence in the passages to support your answers. It teaches you how to identify the main idea, purpose, tone, and point of view of the passages, as well as how to locate relevant details, facts, examples, and quotes. It also shows you how to avoid common traps and pitfalls that can lead you to choose wrong answers.
This part contains six chapters:
Introduction to Evidence-Based Reading
Main Idea Questions
Purpose Questions
Tone Questions
Point of View Questions
Detail Questions
Part 2: Command of Evidence
This part focuses on the most challenging and unique type of question on the SAT Reading section: Command of Evidence. These questions require you to not only find evidence in the passages, but also analyze how that evidence supports or contradicts a claim or argument. It teaches you how to evaluate the strength, validity, and relevance of different types of evidence, as well as how to compare and contrast different perspectives and opinions.
This part contains four chapters:
Introduction to Command of Evidence
Evidence Questions
Argument Questions
Comparison Questions
Part 3: Words in Context
This part focuses on another essential skill for SAT Reading: understanding how words are used in context. It teaches you how to infer the meaning of unfamiliar or ambiguous words based on clues from the passages, as well as how to recognize synonyms, antonyms, and word pairs. It also shows you how to avoid common word traps and distractors that can confuse you or mislead you.
This part contains three chapters:
Introduction to Words in Context
Vocabulary Questions
Synonym/Antonym Questions
Part 4: Information and Ideas
This part focuses on the most advanced and complex type of question on the SAT Reading section: Information and Ideas. These questions require you to not only comprehend what the passages say, but also interpret what they imply or suggest. It teaches you how to infer implied meanings, assumptions, implications, and inferences from the passages, as well as how to recognize rhetorical devices, logical fallacies, and biases.
This part contains five chapters:
Introduction to Information and Ideas
Inference Questions
Assumption Questions
Rhetorical Device Questions
Fallacy/Bias Questions
The Types of Passages and Questions in the Book
In addition to teaching you specific skills and strategies for each type of question, the book also exposes you to different types of passages that you will encounter on the SAT Reading section. The book includes passages from various genres and disciplines, such as literature, history/social studies, science, and paired passages. Each passage is followed by several questions that test your comprehension and analysis skills.
The book contains a total of 52 passages and 352 questions. Here is a breakdown of the types of passages and questions in the book:
Type of Passage Number of Passages Number of Questions --- --- --- Literature 13 88 History/Social Studies 13 88 Science 13 88 Paired Passages 13 88 The Benefits and Limitations of the Book
Now that you have a good idea of what the book contains and how it is organized, let's talk about its benefits and limitations. How can this book help you improve your reading skills and score higher on the SAT? What are some of the potential drawbacks and challenges of using this book? Here are some of the pros and cons of The Critical Reader:
The Benefits of the Book
There are many benefits of using this book as part of your SAT preparation. Here are some of them:
It covers everything you need to know to ace the SAT Reading section. The book is very comprehensive and thorough in its coverage of the concepts, skills, and strategies for each type of question on the SAT Reading section. It explains the logic and reasoning behind each question and answer choice, as well as the common traps and pitfalls to avoid. It also provides you with plenty of examples, exercises, and practice questions to reinforce what you learn.
It is written by an expert and experienced tutor. The author, Erica Meltzer, is a professional SAT tutor who has helped thousands of students improve their scores and achieve their goals. She has a deep understanding of the test and how it is designed and scored. She also has a clear and engaging writing style that makes the book easy to read and follow.
It is updated and aligned with the latest version of the SAT. The book is based on the redesigned SAT that was launched in 2016. It reflects the changes and updates that were made to the test format, content, and scoring. It also incorporates feedback and suggestions from students and teachers who have used the book.
It can complement other resources and practice tests. The book is not meant to replace or contradict other sources of preparation, such as official practice tests, online courses, or tutors. Rather, it can supplement and enhance them by providing you with additional guidance, tips, and practice. You can use this book along with other resources to create a well-rounded and effective study plan.
The Limitations of the Book
While this book is very helpful and useful, it is not perfect or flawless. There are some limitations and challenges that you might face when using this book. Here are some of them:
It can be overwhelming and intimidating. The book is very dense and detailed in its presentation of information and explanations. It can be overwhelming and intimidating for some students who might feel discouraged or confused by the amount and complexity of material. It can also be hard to keep track of all the concepts and strategies that are taught in each chapter.
It can be boring and tedious. The book is very academic and formal in its tone and style. It can be boring and tedious for some students who might prefer a more lively and interactive approach to learning. It can also be repetitive and redundant in some parts, as it reviews and reinforces the same concepts and strategies over and over again.
It can be unrealistic and inaccurate. The book is based on the author's own experience and expertise as a tutor. It might not reflect the actual experience or performance of every student who takes the test. It might also contain some errors or inaccuracies in its content or explanations, as it is not endorsed or approved by the College Board or any other official authority.
It can be insufficient and incomplete. The book is not a complete or comprehensive source of preparation for the SAT. It only focuses on one section of the test: Reading. It does not cover other sections, such as Writing and Language, Math, or Essay. It also does not provide you with full-length practice tests or scoring guides that you can use to measure your progress and readiness for the test.
The Reviews and Feedback from Users
Another way to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of this book is to look at its reviews and feedback from users who have used it before. What do they say about their experience with this book? What do they like or dislike about it? How did it help them improve their scores or achieve their goals? Here is a summary of the positive and negative reviews from Amazon, Goodreads, and other platforms:
The Positive Reviews
Most users who have used this book have given it positive reviews and ratings. They have praised it for its comprehensiveness, clarity, usefulness, accuracy, relevance, quality, and value. Here are some of the common themes and comments from the positive reviews:
The book is very comprehensive and thorough. It covers everything you need to know to ace the SAT Reading section. It explains the concepts and strategies in depth and detail. It provides you with plenty of examples, exercises, and practice questions to reinforce what you learn.
The book is very clear and easy to follow. It has a logical and organized structure that makes it easy to navigate and understand. It has a clear and engaging writing style that makes it easy to read and follow. It has clear and detailed explanations that show you how to apply what you learn.
The book is very useful and effective. It helps you improve your reading skills and score higher on the SAT. It teaches you how to approach each type of question and answer choice, as well as how to avoid common traps and pitfalls. It also helps you develop your critical thinking and analytical skills.
The book is very accurate and relevant. It is updated and aligned with the latest version of the SAT. It reflects the changes and updates that were made to the test format, content, and scoring. It also incorporates feedback and suggestions from students and teachers who have used the book.
The book is very high-quality and valuable. It is written by an expert and experienced tutor who has a deep understanding of the test and how it is designed and scored. It is also well-edited and well-formatted, with no errors or typos. It is also very affordable and worth every penny.
The Negative Reviews
Some users who have used this book have given it negative reviews and ratings. They have criticized it for its denseness, tediousness, unrealisticness, inaccuracies, insufficiencies, or incompleteness. Here are some of the common themes and comments from the negative reviews:
The book is very dense and detailed. It is overwhelming and intimidating for some students who might feel discouraged or confused by the amount and complexity of material. It is also hard to keep track of all the concepts and strategies that are taught in each chapter.
The book is very boring and tedious. It is very academic and formal in its tone and style. It is boring and tedious for some students who might prefer a more lively and interactive approach to learning. It is also repetitive and redundant in some parts, as it reviews and reinforces the same concepts and strategies over and over again.
The book is very unrealistic and inaccurate. It is based on the author's own experience and expertise as a tutor. It might not reflect the actual experience or performance of every student who takes the test. It might also contain some errors or inaccuracies in its content or explanations, as it is not endorsed or approved by the College Board or any other official authority.
The book is very insufficient and incomplete. It is not a complete or comprehensive source of preparation for the SAT. It only focuses on one section of the test: Reading. It does not cover other sections, such as Writing and Language, Math, or Essay. It also does not provide you with full-length practice tests or scoring guides that you can use to measure your progress and readiness for the test.
A Comparison of the Book with Other Popular SAT Reading Books
How does this book compare with other popular SAT reading books that are available in the market? How does it differ or stand out from them? Here is a table that shows a comparison of The Critical Reader with four other popular SAT reading books: Kallis' SAT Reading 6 Days Before the Test, Princeton Review's Reading Workout for the New SAT, Barron's Reading Workbook for the New SAT, and Kaplan's SAT Reading Prep Plus.
Book Rating Price Features --- --- --- --- The Critical Reader by Erica Meltzer 4.6 out of 5 stars $29.95 - Comprehensive coverage of all types of questions on the SAT Reading section- Clear explanations of concepts, skills, strategies, logic, reasoning, traps, pitfalls- Plenty of examples, exercises, practice questions with detailed explanations- Based on the latest version of the SAT- Written by an expert tutor Kallis' SAT Reading 6 Days Before the Test 4.5 out of 5 stars $29.99 - Six-day study plan for improving your reading skills- Review of key concepts, skills, strategies- Practice questions with explanations- Full-length practice tests- Based on the latest version of the SAT Book Rating Price Features --- --- --- --- The Critical Reader by Erica Meltzer 4.6 out of 5 stars $29.95 - Comprehensive coverage of all types of questions on the SAT Reading section- Clear explanations of concepts, skills, strategies, logic, reasoning, traps, pitfalls- Plenty of examples, exercises, practice questions with detailed explanations- Based on the latest version of the SAT- Written by an expert tutor Kallis' SAT Reading 6 Days Before the Test 4.5 out of 5 stars $29.99 - Six-day study plan for improving your reading skills- Review of key concepts, skills, strategies- Practice questions with explanations- Full-length practice tests- Based on the latest version of the SAT Princeton Review's Reading Workout for the New SAT 4 out of 5 stars $14.99 - Review of key concepts, skills, strategies- Practice questions with explanations- Tips and tricks for test-taking- Based on the latest version of the SAT- Written by a reputable test-prep company Barron's Reading Workbook for the New SAT 3.9 out of 5 stars $14.99 - Review of key concepts, skills, strategies- Practice questions with explanations- Diagnostic test and two full-length practice tests- Based on the latest version of the SAT- Written by a trusted test-prep publisher Kaplan's SAT Reading Prep Plus 3.8 out of 5 stars $19.99 - Review of key concepts, skills, strategies- Practice questions with explanations- Three full-length practice tests- Online access to additional resources and videos- Based on the latest version of the SAT- Written by a leading test-prep company The Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, The Critical Reader by Erica Meltzer is a comprehensive and thorough guide to SAT reading that covers everything you need to know to ace the Reading section of the redesigned SAT. It teaches you how to approach each type of question and answer choice, as well as how to avoid common traps and pitfalls. It also provides you with plenty of examples, exercises, and practice questions to reinforce what you learn.
However, this book is not perfect or flawless. It has some limitations and challenges that you might face when using it. It can be overwhelming and intimidating for some students who might feel discouraged or confused by the amount and complexity of material. It can also be boring and tedious for some students who might prefer a more lively and interactive approach to learning. It can also be unrealistic and inaccurate for some students who might have different experiences or performances on the test. It can also be insufficient and incomplete for some students who might need more practice or guidance on other sections of the test.
Therefore, our recommendation is that you should buy this book if you are looking for a comprehensive and thorough guide to SAT reading that covers everything you need to know to ace the Reading section of the redesigned SAT. You should also use this book as a supplement to your regular study plan, not as your only source of preparation. You should also take full-length practice tests regularly to measure your progress and readiness for the test.
However, you should not buy this book if you are looking for a quick and easy way to improve your reading skills or score higher on the SAT. You should also not rely on this book alone or expect