Identify the function of a sentence/phrase (e.g., define, exemplify, qualify, contrast, conclude).
Core Idea
To find a sentence's function, ignore what it says and ask what job it's doing — is it defining, giving an example, narrowing a claim, contrasting, or wrapping up?
Understanding
Every sentence in a passage serves a structural role. The SAT will point to a specific sentence and ask what it does in context. The answer choices will use words like "define," "illustrate," "qualify," "contrast," or "conclude." Your job is to match the sentence to the right verb.
The most common mistake is picking an answer that accurately describes the sentence's content but mislabels its function. A sentence might mention an experiment's results, but its function could be to qualify an earlier generalization — not to "present new findings."
Ask yourself: if I removed this sentence, what would the passage lose? If the passage would lose an example, the function is to exemplify. If it would lose a limitation or exception, the function is to qualify. That removal test cuts through the noise quickly.
Worked Example
Marine biologists have long assumed that deep-sea fish rely primarily on bioluminescence to attract prey. Recent observations from submersible expeditions, however, reveal that many species use bioluminescence mainly for communication with potential mates rather than for hunting.
Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence in the overall structure of the text?
Select an answer to see the explanation