Cross-Text Connections

Read two short texts on one topic and decide how the author of one would most likely respond to the other. It is part of Craft and Structure in the Reading and Writing section. The book teaches it in Chapter 7, Cross-Text Connections, with 12 practice questions, and tests it 4 more times across the two full-length practice tests.

About Chapter 7

Cross-Text Connections questions give you two short texts on the same subject and ask how their authors relate. One author may agree with the other, push back, accept part of the other's claim, or explain the same evidence in a different way. You never need outside knowledge. You need a clear, one-line summary of each author's position before you look at the choices, because the wrong answers are built to sound right about one text at a time.

What the question looks like

Cross-Text Connections belongs to the Craft and Structure domain, and its questions usually follow the Text Structure and Purpose questions near the start of each module. Together, the two texts fall within the usual 25 to 150 words, so each is only a few sentences long.

The question takes one of three forms:

  • "Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the … in Text 1?"
  • "Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?"
  • "Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 1 most likely respond to … in Text 2?"

In "respond" questions, the choices usually begin "By arguing that…," "By agreeing that…," "By pointing out that…" or similar. In "agree" questions, the choices are statements.

How to recognize it

Look for two passages labeled Text 1 and Text 2 and a question that begins "Based on the texts." A single passage that presents two views ("Some critics argue… Others reply…") is not a cross-text question. It is usually a Text Structure and Purpose question (Chapter 6) or a Central Ideas and Details question (Chapter 8).

Common traps

  • One-text choice: It is true of one text, but the other author would not say it, or it ignores the target in the question.
  • Wrong direction: It describes Text 1 responding when the question asks about Text 2, or the reverse.
  • Too strong: It says "rejects entirely" or "proves" when the author only qualifies or suggests.
  • Denying the facts: It says the responding author disputes the evidence when the author accepts the evidence and questions its cause.
  • Off target: It responds to a different part of the other text than the one the question names.
  • Outside both texts: It adds a recommendation or claim that neither text makes.

Video lessons

Two short lessons from independent YouTube creators, chosen for this skill. The notes are ours; the videos belong to their creators, who are not affiliated with this site.

  • Cross-text connections, worked through (Penguin SAT Prep , 19:43). Watch for: How to state each author’s position before predicting a response.
  • A full guide to paired-text questions (SAT Mastermind, 10:53, captions). Watch for: The common “how would the author of Text 2 respond” pattern.

Practice this skill

The full method, worked examples and 12 practice questions with every answer choice explained are in Chapter 7 of the book and in the study workspace, where an AI coach can talk you through each one.

Independence

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