Cross-Text Connections
Cross-text questions reward a quick claim-by-claim read, then a precise description of how the authors relate.
Core Idea
Cross-text questions test whether you can identify what each author is actually arguing and how those arguments relate to each other.
Understanding
Cross-text questions ask how two short passages relate to each other, not which one sounds more interesting.
- Read each text separately: write a one-sentence claim for Author 1 and Author 2.
- Name the relationship: they may agree, disagree, qualify, extend, or give a parallel example.
- Trap: do not blend the passages into one voice; match each answer choice against evidence in both texts, not just one.
Concept Guides
5Compare two passages on a related topic and identify agreement/disagreement.
Summarize each passage first, then decide whether the authors agree, disagree, or only partly overla
Determine how one author would respond to or evaluate the other's claim.
Predict each author's response by following the reasoning already in the text.
Synthesize complementary ideas from both passages into a supported statement.
Combine the two passages only as far as the texts together support, and keep the conclusion appropri
Contrast evidence types, reasoning, or assumptions across passages.
Look at the type of evidence and reasoning each author uses, not just their final claim.
Identify the relationship between passages (support, refute, qualify, extend, parallel example).
Use precise labels like support, refute, qualify, extend, and parallel example.