<p>Hi everyone,
I'm an international student and English is not my mother tongue Therefore, I've got some problems understanding SAT's CR passages. Unless I translate the sentences into my mother tongue , I don't understand anything. And it only happens when I read complex passages in SAT ( while I can read the NY Times' articles without translating like that :( )</p>
<p>For example, I have difficulty comprehending a passage like this:</p>
<p>" From the beginning, the trip to the high plateaus in Utah has had the feel of a last visit. We are getting beyond the age when we can unroll our sleeping bags under any pine or in any wash, and the gasoline situation throws the future of automobile touring into doubt. I'd hate to have missed the extravagant personal liberty that wheels and cheap gasoline gave us, but I will not mourn its passing ( … ) "</p>
<p>CR has became a true nightmare and I've just figured out why I can't do it well. Please help me to improve my reading skills. SAT is approaching in the next 3 months, ARGGGGG</p>
<p>Well don’t feel bad. Upon reading that, many english speakers won’t understand it fully either. A lot of times it takes us a couple of times to re-read a part over in order to fully comprehend. Just take it bit by bit. When I initially read the first line of that passage I was like what? Last visit? But then I got it because of the second line which clarified. “We” are getting -beyond the age- where “we” can go up and camp out, or even drive through and “tour” it, which makes every trip to the “plateaus in Utah” feal like a “last visit” or the last time you will get to go there. So my advice would be if you don’t understand a line usually there is another line clarifying the line you didn’t understand, making the other line easier to understand.</p>
<p>Does that help at all ?</p>
<p>Oh, it seems that you misunderstood me. What I meant is, for example, if I skim the second sentence " We are getting beyond … into doubt "quickly, I can’t understand it without translating into my mother tongue</p>
<p>arg, I don’t know how to clarify my ideas T_T</p>
<p>Hrm, it’s difficult to improve reading comprehension if English is your second language. </p>
<p>Try reading some difficult novels in English. It should make you more comfortable reading the complex passages.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I know that I’ve to read more, but can you give me specific advice ?</p>
<p>I’m bad at reading passages relating to science, so please recommend some good sci-fi novels to read for SAT if you know.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot, guys</p>
<p>I’m assuming you mean science passages as in nonfiction and not sci-fi.</p>
<p>Well, passages to novels aren’t that difficult in terms of complexity of structure and style. </p>
<p>You are probably having difficulty grasping science passages because of the specialized terminology and theories. </p>
<p>I think the best method to improve your reading score is to just keep taking practice reading passages and questions. While reading in your spare time will help as well, I don’t know how much of a effect it will have in 3 months—unless you read a lot. I scored an 800 in the CR section with minimal studying because I happen to read college level novels. 10-15 pgs a night before bed seemed to help me.</p>
<p>Remember to ask yourself throughout the passage what the writer is trying to convey. Don’t get bogged down on a confusing line; many times after finishing the passage and rereading the line it will become clearer.</p>