"You see, but you do not observe."
What Sherlock Holmes can teach us about SAT® Reading
"You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear."
~ Sherlock Holmes
In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Scandal in Bohemia," Sherlock Holmes chides Dr. Watson with the famous line: "You see, but you do not observe." This distinction between passive seeing and active observation perfectly captures what separates successful SAT® Reading & Writing test-takers from those who struggle.
Many students "read" passages and questions but nonetheless fail to observe the critical context clues the test writers strategically place throughout the text. This alone can make the difference between an average score and an exceptional one.
In today's free SAT® practice question, we'll examine how transitions like "because" and "most notably," along with descriptive parenthetical information, create a trail of breadcrumbs that lead observant test-takers to the precise answer. Just as Holmes solved mysteries by harnessing the power of close observation, you can identify correct answers on SAT® Words in Context Questions by observing these subtle but revealing context clues.
Today’s SAT® Practice Question:
As noted by technology historian Skip Branson, many educational video games created between 1985 and 1995 for elementary school computer labs, such as NumberQuest (1989), have become largely unusable because running them requires ______ operating systems (most notably Windows 3.1, replaced by Windows 95 in 1995).
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A. obsolete
B. enigmatic
C. prevalent
D. auxiliary
🔍 Quick Tip: Apply the Cross-Examiner's Toolbox™ by first identifying critical transitions that reveal logical relationships. In particular, note the transitions "because" and "notably." Then, observe—don't just see—the entire echo phrase "(most notably Windows 3.1, replaced by Windows 95 in 1995)." The word "replaced" is your smoking gun! Like Holmes examining footprints in the garden, this detective work narrows your search before you even look at answer choices.
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