Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, 2001-2002 Edition [Paperback]

Liz Buffa (Author), Adam Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Princeton Review: Cracking the SAT Literature Subject Test | Publication Date: March 20, 2001

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the SAT II: Writing & Literature exam is very different from getting straight As in school. They don't try to teach students everything there is to know about writing and literature--only what they'll need to score higher on the exam. There's a big difference. In Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, The Princeton Review will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and:

* Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool test takers
* Ace the writing test by mastering the most important grammar rules
* Earn more points by learning to quickly identify sentence errors
* Write better essays by knowing in advance what the graders want to see
* Score higher on the literature test by more effectively analyzing prose, poetry, and drama

*** This book includes 5 full-length simulated SAT II exams (three writing and two literature). All of the sample test questions are just like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam.

Contents Include:

I Overview
The Route to College
Approaching the SAT II: Writing & Literature Tests
II The SAT II: Writing Test
Cracking the Writing Test
Grammar, Grammar, Grammar
Identifying Sentence Errors
Improving Sentences
Improving Paragraphs
The Essay
The Final Word in the Writing Test
III Answer Key to Drills
IV The Princeton Review SAT II: Writing Test
V The SAT II: Literature Test
Cracking the Literature Test
Literary Terms
Analyzing Poetry
Analyzing Prose
Analyzing Drama
The Final Word on the Literature Test
VI Answer Key to Drills
VII The Princeton Review SAT II: Literature Test

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Princeton Review realizes that acing the SAT II: Writing & Literature exam is very different from getting straight As in school. They don't try to teach students everything there is to know about writing and literature--only what they'll need to score higher on the exam. There's a big difference. In Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, The Princeton Review will teach test takers how to think like the test makers and:

* Eliminate answer choices that look right but are planted to fool test takers
* Ace the writing test by mastering the most important grammar rules
* Earn more points by learning to quickly identify sentence errors
* Write better essays by knowing in advance what the graders want to see
* Score higher on the literature test by more effectively analyzing prose, poetry, and drama

*** This book includes 5 full-length simulated SAT II exams (three writing and two literature). All of the sample test questions are just like the ones test takers will see on the actual exam.

Contents Include:

I Overview
The Route to College
Approaching the SAT II: Writing & Literature Tests
II The SAT II: Writing Test
Cracking the Writing Test
Grammar, Grammar, Grammar
Identifying Sentence Errors
Improving Sentences
Improving Paragraphs
The Essay
The Final Word in the Writing Test
III Answer Key to Drills
IV The Princeton Review SAT II: Writing Test
V The SAT II: Literature Test
Cracking the Literature Test
Literary Terms
Analyzing Poetry
Analyzing Prose
Analyzing Drama
The Final Word on the Literature Test
VI Answer Key to Drills
VII The Princeton Review SAT II: Literature Test

About the Author

Liz Buffa joined The Princeton Review in 1989. She has taught classes in test prep for the SAT, LSAT, GMAT, and SAT II: English Subject Tests. She is a graduate of Wellesley College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review (March 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375761837
• ISBN-13: 978-0375761836
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,937,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This Book Horrible!!, April 6, 2004

By 

Angel Karmer "SerenaMoon" (GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, 2003-2004 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

I fully intended to happily learn all the ins and outs of the SAT II Writing. Learning about the Literature part too would just be a two for one deal. The thing that should have set my antennae up was how short the book was for studying for two SAT IIs. But the sparkling review from that one person who oozed satisfaction because of the book dissolved my doubts.

This PR book is horrible. First, there are three tests in the books but without one word of explanation. I was left wondering, why did I get this wrong? Secondly, there are drills after each very short lesson, but those explanations were really only a couple words. Thirdly, the supposed essays they give you that are supposed to teach you what a good essay looked like, was trash. They showed you two horrible essays that were four sentences long that everyone should know already not to do. The third essay was supposed to be good but it was a trite essay on Romeo and Juliet that wouldn't have gotten more than a four. Fourth, they give wrong information because length is not the only thing those people are looking for. Lastly, when "teaching" about idioms, they state that there are no rules, you just have to know how to "listen" to them?? Well you know what, that isn't true!

The book could teach you a few things, but very few, and no better than another book could. I recommend Sparknotes SAT II Writing. It actually teaches you thoroughly and gives you explicit explanations. Plus Sparknotes is less money than the overpriced no good Princeton Review Writing & Literature.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, realistic book raised my score!, December 7, 2003

By 

Emily (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, 2003-2004 Edition (College Test Prep) (Paperback)

Don't try to take the SAT II Writing Test without a prep book--specifically the Princeton review book. In all honesty, it's a very tricky test but definitely not impossible if you're prepared. The majority of the test consists of those tricky "find the sentence error" or "correct the sentence," which can be daunting--I was certainly daunted. The Princeton Review book methodically goes through every category of error that you will be tested on, giving numerous examples that turned out to be extremely similar to the acutal test questions. I can't emphasize enough how important this is: you WILL feel confident on the test because you already know what you need to be on the lookout for. (Ex: subject-verb agreement, idioms, tenses, etc.) The explanations are clear, concise, and VERY thorough without being too boring. The section on identifying sentece errors has the same clear, effective format. It also includes the best peice of writing test advice: DON'T be afraid to pick choice E--"no error." When all else fails go with the ol' intuition.
But what of the dreaded essay? Don't worry, this book covers that too. It gives lots of sample questions, and directs you as to what eXaCtLy makes a strong essay. My experience says the'yre right: at least on example from literature, then one from life, or history. And your essay should fill up the space they give you. Anyway, the samples are very good (the real questions are usually easier, judging by the ones I've heard), and the advice clear.

Wait, you say! What about the Literature Test?? The section on preparing for the literature test (which, if you study for both, is really trickier than the writing), is equally effective. The book includes many passages of poetry and prose which are VERY similar to those found on the actual test. Once again, the book outlines specific areas with which you will need to be familiar and does a very good job explaining each example and literary term. In a relatively short space, this book manages to give you a comprehensive review of literature, its structure, and how to analyze it.
In sum, I highly recommend this book to anyone preparing for either (or both) of these tests. The practice tests in the back are great (5 full ones!), all the examples realistic and clear, the explanations thorough and helpful. Most importantly, this book will allow you to go into the tests knowing what types of questions and tricks you'll encounter and how to effectively tackle it. Believe me, it drastically helped my score and gave me all the prep and info I needed.

21 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent SAT II Writing guide but useless for Literature., June 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cracking the SAT II: Writing & Literature, 2001-2002 Edition (Paperback)

The Princeton Review has published an excellent preparation guide for the SAT II Writing test. Complete with drills on virtually every grammatical pitfall you may encounter, a quick run through the book should be enough to adequately prepare for the test or at least to identify your weak areas. The drills are ten problems each but there are many of them so that you don't have the chance to get bored as you would with a traditional grammar book. Nevertheless, while Cracking the SAT II is excellent grammar preparation, it is quite useless in preparing for the essay section of the SAT II Writing or for SAT II Literature. Given the nature of both, success largely depends on your ability to write/read and is virtually impossible to drill and study for. This book only helps with the SAT II Literature by giving you two practice exams to get used to the kind of questions that will be asked. If you need a touch up on your grammar skills for the SAT II Writing, this text, complete with two practice exams, is an indispensible resource.