Interpret figurative language (e.g., metaphor, irony, hyperbole) in context.
核心知识
When the passage contains a metaphor, simile, or other figurative expression, the correct answer connects to what the figure of speech actually implies — not to its literal surface.
深入理解
Figurative language says one thing and means another. "The committee's report gathered dust" doesn't mean someone needs to clean — it means the report was ignored. On the SAT, figurative expressions often appear in the passage itself, and you need to understand the implied meaning to choose the right word for the blank.
The approach: translate the figure of speech into plain language first, then find the answer choice that matches your translation. If a passage calls something a "Band-Aid solution," translate that to "a temporary, superficial fix" — then look for the option that aligns with temporary or superficial.
示例解析
Critics of the new urban development plan argued that the city's promise to "preserve the character of historic neighborhoods" was merely a fig leaf — a superficial gesture designed to __________ opposition while developers continued to demolish century-old buildings.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
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