IXL skill plan | Reading and Writing plan for the SAT®

Skill plan for the SAT^® - Reading and Writing

IXL provides skill alignments with recommended IXL skills for every student. Find the IXL skills that are right for you below!

Score range

less than 400
400–490
500–590
600–690
700+

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Score range: less than 400
Reading
Main idea		1. Use key details to determine the main idea 2. Determine the main idea of a passage 3. Determine the themes of short stories
Main idea
1. Use key details to determine the main idea 2. Determine the main idea of a passage 3. Determine the themes of short stories

Author's purpose		1. Identify the purpose of a text
Author's purpose
1. Identify the purpose of a text

Analyzing literature		1. Use actions and dialogue to understand characters 2. Compare and contrast characters 3. Draw inferences from a text 4. Identify story elements 5. Read historical fiction
Analyzing literature
1. Use actions and dialogue to understand characters 2. Compare and contrast characters 3. Draw inferences from a text 4. Identify story elements 5. Read historical fiction

Analyzing informational text		1. Determine the order of events in informational texts 2. Match causes and effects in informational texts 3. Match problems with their solutions 4. Read about science and nature
Analyzing informational text
1. Determine the order of events in informational texts 2. Match causes and effects in informational texts 3. Match problems with their solutions 4. Read about science and nature

Comparing texts		1. Compare information from two texts
Comparing texts
1. Compare information from two texts

Graphic organizers		1. Read graphic organizers
Graphic organizers
1. Read graphic organizers
Command of evidence
Supporting evidence		1. Identify supporting details in literary texts 2. Identify supporting details in informational texts
Supporting evidence
1. Identify supporting details in literary texts 2. Identify supporting details in informational texts
Expression of ideas
Organization and development		Introductions 1. Choose the best topic sentence Transitions 2. Choose the best transition Organizing information 3. Order items from most general to most specific 4. Organize information by main idea 5. Remove the sentence that does not belong Developing and supporting arguments 6. Choose reasons to support an opinion
Organization and development
Introductions 1. Choose the best topic sentence Transitions 2. Choose the best transition Organizing information 3. Order items from most general to most specific 4. Organize information by main idea 5. Remove the sentence that does not belong Developing and supporting arguments 6. Choose reasons to support an opinion
Words in context
Vocabulary in context		1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures
Vocabulary in context
1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures

Nuance		1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Positive and negative connotation
Nuance
1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Positive and negative connotation
Standard English conventions
Grammar and mechanics		Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence or a fragment? 2. Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? 3. Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on? Punctuation 4. Commas with a series 5. Commas with compound and complex sentences Verbs 6. Use the correct subject or verb 7. Use the correct subject or verb – with compound subjects 8. Use the progressive verb tenses 9. Choose between the past tense and past participle 10. Use the perfect verb tenses Possessives 11. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
Grammar and mechanics
Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence or a fragment? 2. Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? 3. Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on? Punctuation 4. Commas with a series 5. Commas with compound and complex sentences Verbs 6. Use the correct subject or verb 7. Use the correct subject or verb – with compound subjects 8. Use the progressive verb tenses 9. Choose between the past tense and past participle 10. Use the perfect verb tenses Possessives 11. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns

Commonly confused words		1. Use the correct frequently confused word
Commonly confused words
1. Use the correct frequently confused word

Score range: 400–490
Reading
Main idea		1. Determine the themes of short stories 2. Match the quotations with their themes
Main idea
1. Determine the themes of short stories 2. Match the quotations with their themes

Author's purpose		1. Identify the author's purpose
Author's purpose
1. Identify the author's purpose

Analyzing literature		1. Analyze short stories
Analyzing literature
1. Analyze short stories

Analyzing informational text		1. Compare and contrast in informational texts 2. Match problems with their solutions 3. Read about science and nature
Analyzing informational text
1. Compare and contrast in informational texts 2. Match problems with their solutions 3. Read about science and nature

Comparing texts		1. Compare two texts with different genres 2. Compare information from two texts
Comparing texts
1. Compare two texts with different genres 2. Compare information from two texts

Graphic organizers		1. Read graphic organizers
Graphic organizers
1. Read graphic organizers
Command of evidence
Supporting evidence		1. Identify supporting details in informational texts 2. Identify supporting details in literary texts
Supporting evidence
1. Identify supporting details in informational texts 2. Identify supporting details in literary texts
Expression of ideas
Organization and development		Organizing information 1. Order topics from broadest to narrowest 2. Organize information by main idea Developing and supporting arguments 3. Choose evidence to support a claim
Organization and development
Organizing information 1. Order topics from broadest to narrowest 2. Organize information by main idea Developing and supporting arguments 3. Choose evidence to support a claim
Words in context
Vocabulary in context		1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures 3. Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 1 4. Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2 5. Vocabulary review: Trace an argument 6. Interpret figures of speech
Vocabulary in context
1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures 3. Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 1 4. Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2 5. Vocabulary review: Trace an argument 6. Interpret figures of speech

Nuance		1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Positive and negative connotation
Nuance
1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Positive and negative connotation
Standard English conventions
Grammar and mechanics		Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence or a fragment? 2. Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? Punctuation 3. Commas with series, dates, and places 4. Commas with compound and complex sentences Verbs 5. Use the correct verb – with compound subjects 6. Correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense Pronouns 7. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 8. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 9. Identify vague pronoun references Adverbs 10. Use relative adverbs Possessives 11. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
Grammar and mechanics
Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence or a fragment? 2. Is it a complete sentence or a run-on? Punctuation 3. Commas with series, dates, and places 4. Commas with compound and complex sentences Verbs 5. Use the correct verb – with compound subjects 6. Correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense Pronouns 7. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 8. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 9. Identify vague pronoun references Adverbs 10. Use relative adverbs Possessives 11. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns

Commonly confused words		1. Correct errors with frequently confused words
Commonly confused words
1. Correct errors with frequently confused words

Score range: 500–590
Reading
Main idea		1. Determine the themes of short stories 2. Determine the main idea of a passage
Main idea
1. Determine the themes of short stories 2. Determine the main idea of a passage

Author's purpose		1. Compare passages for tone 2. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone
Author's purpose
1. Compare passages for tone 2. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone

Analyzing literature		1. Analyze short stories
Analyzing literature
1. Analyze short stories

Analyzing informational text		1. Match causes and effects in informational texts 2. Match problems with their solutions 3. Compare and contrast in informational texts 4. Read and understand informational passages
Analyzing informational text
1. Match causes and effects in informational texts 2. Match problems with their solutions 3. Compare and contrast in informational texts 4. Read and understand informational passages

Comparing texts		1. Compare two texts with different genres 2. Compare information from two texts
Comparing texts
1. Compare two texts with different genres 2. Compare information from two texts
Command of evidence
Supporting evidence		1. Identify supporting details in informational texts 2. Identify supporting details in literary texts
Supporting evidence
1. Identify supporting details in informational texts 2. Identify supporting details in literary texts
Expression of ideas
Organization and development		Redundancy 1. Remove redundant words or phrases Transitions 2. Transitions with conjunctive adverbs
Organization and development
Redundancy 1. Remove redundant words or phrases Transitions 2. Transitions with conjunctive adverbs
Words in context
Vocabulary in context		1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures 3. Vocabulary review: Trace an argument
Vocabulary in context
1. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 2. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures 3. Vocabulary review: Trace an argument

Nuance		1. Describe the difference between related words
Nuance
1. Describe the difference between related words
Standard English conventions
Grammar and mechanics		Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on? Punctuation 2. Commas with nonrestrictive elements 3. Commas: review Verbs 4. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense 5. Form the progressive verb tenses 6. Correct errors with subject-verb agreement Pronouns 7. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 8. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 9. Identify all of the possible antecedents 10. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person Modifiers 11. Misplaced modifiers with pictures Adjectives and adverbs 12. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives 13. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs Possessives 14. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
Grammar and mechanics
Sentence structure 1. Is it a complete sentence, a fragment, or a run-on? Punctuation 2. Commas with nonrestrictive elements 3. Commas: review Verbs 4. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense 5. Form the progressive verb tenses 6. Correct errors with subject-verb agreement Pronouns 7. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 8. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 9. Identify all of the possible antecedents 10. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person Modifiers 11. Misplaced modifiers with pictures Adjectives and adverbs 12. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives 13. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs Possessives 14. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns

Score range: 600–690
Reading
Main idea		1. Match the quotations with their themes 2. Determine the main idea of a passage
Main idea
1. Match the quotations with their themes 2. Determine the main idea of a passage

Author's purpose		1. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1 2. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2
Author's purpose
1. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1 2. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2

Analyzing literature		1. Analyze short stories: set 1 2. Analyze short stories: set 2
Analyzing literature
1. Analyze short stories: set 1 2. Analyze short stories: set 2

Analyzing informational text		1. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1 2. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
Analyzing informational text
1. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1 2. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
Command of evidence
Supporting evidence		1. Identify supporting evidence in a text
Supporting evidence
1. Identify supporting evidence in a text

Arguments		1. Trace an argument: set 1 2. Trace an argument: set 2 3. Identify counterclaims 4. Evaluate counterclaims 5. Classify logical fallacies
Arguments
1. Trace an argument: set 1 2. Trace an argument: set 2 3. Identify counterclaims 4. Evaluate counterclaims 5. Classify logical fallacies
Expression of ideas
Organization and development		Introductions 1. Identify thesis statements Organizing information 2. Organize information by main idea Developing and supporting arguments 3. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim Revisions 4. Suggest appropriate revisions
Organization and development
Introductions 1. Identify thesis statements Organizing information 2. Organize information by main idea Developing and supporting arguments 3. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim Revisions 4. Suggest appropriate revisions
Words in context
Vocabulary in context		1. Use dictionary definitions 2. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 3. Interpret figures of speech
Vocabulary in context
1. Use dictionary definitions 2. Use context to identify the meaning of a word 3. Interpret figures of speech

Nuance		1. Use words accurately and precisely
Nuance
1. Use words accurately and precisely
Standard English conventions
Grammar and mechanics		Sentence structure 1. Identify sentence fragments 2. Identify run-on sentences 3. Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons 4. Combine sentences using relative clauses 5. Identify sentences with parallel structure Punctuation 6. Commas with nonrestrictive elements 7. Commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases 8. Commas with series, dates, and places 9. Commas with compound and complex sentences 10. Use dashes Verbs 11. Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement 12. Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement 13. Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects Pronouns 14. Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns 15. Identify vague pronoun references 16. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person Modifiers 17. Select the misplaced or dangling modifier Adjectives and adverbs 18. Choose between adjectives and adverbs 19. Good, better, best, bad, worse, and worst 20. Well, better, best, badly, worse, and worst Possessives 21. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns
Grammar and mechanics
Sentence structure 1. Identify sentence fragments 2. Identify run-on sentences 3. Choose punctuation to avoid fragments and run-ons 4. Combine sentences using relative clauses 5. Identify sentences with parallel structure Punctuation 6. Commas with nonrestrictive elements 7. Commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases 8. Commas with series, dates, and places 9. Commas with compound and complex sentences 10. Use dashes Verbs 11. Identify and correct errors with subject-verb agreement 12. Identify and correct errors with indefinite pronoun-verb agreement 13. Identify and correct verb agreement with compound subjects Pronouns 14. Identify and correct errors with subject and object pronouns 15. Identify vague pronoun references 16. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person Modifiers 17. Select the misplaced or dangling modifier Adjectives and adverbs 18. Choose between adjectives and adverbs 19. Good, better, best, bad, worse, and worst 20. Well, better, best, badly, worse, and worst Possessives 21. Identify and correct errors with plural and possessive nouns

Commonly confused words		1. Use the correct frequently confused word
Commonly confused words
1. Use the correct frequently confused word

Score range: 700+
Reading
Main idea		1. Determine the main idea of a passage
Main idea
1. Determine the main idea of a passage

Author's purpose		1. Identify audience and purpose 2. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone 3. Compare passages for subjective and objective tone 4. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1 5. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2
Author's purpose
1. Identify audience and purpose 2. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on meaning and tone 3. Compare passages for subjective and objective tone 4. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 1 5. Analyze rhetorical strategies in historical texts: set 2

Analyzing literature		1. Analyze short stories: set 1 2. Analyze short stories: set 2
Analyzing literature
1. Analyze short stories: set 1 2. Analyze short stories: set 2

Analyzing informational text		1. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1 2. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
Analyzing informational text
1. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 1 2. Analyze the development of informational passages: set 2
Command of evidence
Supporting evidence		1. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim 2. Choose the best evidence to support a claim 3. Identify supporting evidence in a text
Supporting evidence
1. Identify stronger and weaker evidence to support a claim 2. Choose the best evidence to support a claim 3. Identify supporting evidence in a text

Arguments		1. Trace an argument: set 1 2. Trace an argument: set 2
Arguments
1. Trace an argument: set 1 2. Trace an argument: set 2
Expression of ideas
Organization and development		Introductions 1. Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea Transitions 2. Transitions with conjunctive adverbs 3. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims Organizing information 4. Order topics from broadest to narrowest Developing and supporting arguments 5. Choose the best evidence to support a claim Revision 6. Suggest appropriate revisions
Organization and development
Introductions 1. Choose the topic sentence that best captures the main idea Transitions 2. Transitions with conjunctive adverbs 3. Transition logically between claims, evidence, analysis, and counterclaims Organizing information 4. Order topics from broadest to narrowest Developing and supporting arguments 5. Choose the best evidence to support a claim Revision 6. Suggest appropriate revisions
Words in context
Vocabulary in context		1. Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context 2. Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context 3. Domain-specific vocabulary in context: science and technical subjects 4. Interpret the figure of speech 5. Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions 6. Explore words with new or contested usages
Vocabulary in context
1. Determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context 2. Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context 3. Domain-specific vocabulary in context: science and technical subjects 4. Interpret the figure of speech 5. Use context as a clue to the meanings of foreign expressions 6. Explore words with new or contested usages

Nuance		1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best match the sentence
Nuance
1. Describe the difference between related words 2. Choose the word whose connotation and denotation best match the sentence
Standard English conventions
Grammar and mechanics		Sentence structure 1. Use parallel structure Punctuation 2. Commas: review 3. Join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas 4. Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives 5. Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series 6. Semicolons, colons, and commas: review Verbs 7. Form the perfect verb tenses 8. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense Pronouns 9. Subject and object pronouns review 10. Pronouns after "than" and "as" 11. Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who" 12. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 13. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 14. Identify all of the possible antecedents Modifiers 15. Are the modifiers used correctly? Comparisons 16. Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons Possessives 17. Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession
Grammar and mechanics
Sentence structure 1. Use parallel structure Punctuation 2. Commas: review 3. Join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas 4. Use colons and commas to introduce lists, quotations, and appositives 5. Use semicolons and commas to separate items in a series 6. Semicolons, colons, and commas: review Verbs 7. Form the perfect verb tenses 8. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense Pronouns 9. Subject and object pronouns review 10. Pronouns after "than" and "as" 11. Identify and correct pronoun errors with "who" 12. Use relative pronouns: who and whom 13. Use relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, and that 14. Identify all of the possible antecedents Modifiers 15. Are the modifiers used correctly? Comparisons 16. Avoid double, illogical, and unclear comparisons Possessives 17. Identify and correct errors with compound and joint possession

Commonly confused words		1. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words 2. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions 3. Correct errors with commonly misspelled words
Commonly confused words
1. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused words 2. Identify and correct errors with frequently confused pronouns and contractions 3. Correct errors with commonly misspelled words

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