512
McGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Lesson 1: Subject-Verb Disagreement
Finding Verbs
The verb is the most important part of a sentence, but
verbs aren’t always easy to spot. Consider the word
swim in the sentences The ducks swim in the pond and
The ducks love to swim. In the first sentence, swim is
the verb. In the second sentence, swim is part of a
noun phrase. (To swim is the thing that the ducks
love.) So how do we spot verbs?
A verb is what conveys the essential meaning of
a clause (a string of words that convey an idea).
Every idea requires a verb. The sentence The
ducks swim in the pond says that Something
swims somewhere, so the verb is swim. The
sentence The ducks love to swim says that
Something loves something, so the verb is love.
Every verb requires a subject, that is, what
does the verb. In both sentences, the subject is
ducks. A verb may also require an object, that
is, what receives the verb. In The ducks love to
swim, the object is to swim, because that is the
thing that is loved.
Example:
When David approached third base, the coach
waved him home.
This sentence contains two related ideas, so it contains
two clauses, and therefore two verbs:
Clause 1: When David approached third base
Verb: approached Subject: David
Object: third base
Clause 2: the coach waved him home
Verb: waved
Subject: the coach
Object: him
Subject-Verb Disagreement (SVD)
Every verb must agree in number (singular or
plural) with its subject. Subject-verb disagreement
is one of the most common errors tested for on
the SAT. If you are a native speaker of English,
the best way to check for subject-verb disagreement is to find the subject and verb (ignoring all
the intervening words) and say them together.
“third person singular” form—as in he spends—but
people is plural, so the phrase should be people
spend.
Tricky Plurals and Singulars
These rules will help you to check whether a verb
agrees in “number” with its subject:
Phrases like Sam and Bob are plural, but phrases
like Sam, in addition to Bob, are singular. Phrases
that start as well as . . . , together with . . . , along
with . . . , or in addition to . . . are interrupters,
which are not part of the main subject.
These words are singular: each, anyone, anybody, anything, another, neither, either, every,
everyone, someone, no one, somebody, everything, little, and much. To check for SVD, you
can replace any of them with it.
These words are plural: phenomena (singular:
phenomenon), media (singular: medium), data
(singular: datum), and criteria (singular: criterion). To check for SVD, you can replace any
of them with they.
All of the following can be either singular or
plural, according to the noun that follows the
of: none (of), any (of), some (of), most (of),
more (of), and all (of).
Verbs that follow subjects of the form either A
or B and neither A nor B must agree with B, the
noun closer to the verb.
Inverted Sentences
Usually the subject comes before the verb, but inverted clauses have the subject after the verb. For
instance, sentences that start There is . . . or There
are . . . are inverted. To check subject-verb agreement in these sentences, first “uninvert” them.
Example:
The people, who are easily persuaded by corporatesponsored media, spends very little time analyzing
issues.
The subject of the verb spends is people. But
people spends sounds wrong, because spends is the
Example:
There are many flies in the barn. (inverted)
V
S
Many flies are in the barn. (uninverted)
S V
CHAPTER 15 / ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
513
Concept Review 1: Subject-Verb Disagreement
Next to each noun or noun phrase, write “S” if it is singular or “P” if it is plural.
1. Neither rain nor snow
__________
2. Crowd of rowdy fans
__________
3. Media
__________
4. Criterion
__________
5. One or two
__________
6. Everything
__________
7. Either of the candidates
__________
8. Phenomena
__________
Circle the subject in each sentence, and choose the correct verb.
9. Neither of the cars (is/are) equipped with antilock brakes.
10. The flock of geese (was/were) startled by the shotgun blast.
11. The data on my computer (was/were) completely erased when the power failed.
12. Mathematics and history (is/are) my favorite subjects.
13. None of the roast (was/were) eaten.
14. All of the games (was/were) played on real grass fields.
15. Pride and Prejudice (is/are) my favorite Jane Austen novel.
16. Neither of the twins (is/are) allergic to penicillin.
17. Much of what I hear in those lectures (goes/go) in one ear and out the other.
18. Amy, along with Jamie and Jen, (is/are) applying to Mount Holyoke.
19. None of the books (was/were) considered fit for public consumption.
20. All of the eggplant (was/were) used to make the sauce.
21. Amid the lilies and wildflowers (was/were) one solitary rose.
22. Either Ben or his brothers (is/are) in charge of bringing the drinks.
23. There (is/are) hardly even a speck of dirt left on the carpet.
24. “Stop right there!” (shouts/shout) the Bailey brothers, who are standing in front of me.
25. Either the Donovans or Dave (is/are) going to bring the plates.
26. There (is/are) at least a hundred people here.
“Uninvert” the following sentences so that the verb follows the subject, then choose the correct verb form.
27. There (is/are), in my opinion, far too many smokers in this restaurant.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
28. Over that hill (is/are) thousands of bison.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
29. Riding on the bus among the children (was/were) over a dozen commuters.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
30. Never before (has/have) there been such voices heard here.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
31. Absent from the article (was/were) any mention of the director’s previous Broadway failures.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
514
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Worksheet 1: Subject-Verb Disagreement
Label each verb in the following sentences with a “V” and each subject with an “S.” If any verbs are incorrect,
cross them out and write the correct form in the blank.
1. We were horrified to discover that there was more than three mice living in the attic.
_______________
2. Either the president or one of her aides are going to coordinate the project.
_______________
3. There is nearly always two or three guards posted at each entrance.
_______________
4. Every player on both the Falcons and the Rockets were at the party after the game.
_______________
5. There has been a theater and a toy store in the mall ever since it opened.
_______________
6. Either Eric or his brother is hosting the party this year.
_______________
7. There is no fewer than six crayons in this box.
_______________
8. The therapy can resume as planned because neither of the twins are allergic to penicillin.
_______________
9. The proceeds from the sale of every auctioned item goes to charity.
_______________
10. Economics, particularly with its dependence on the behavior of consumers and producers,
has always struck me as more of a human science than a mathematical one.
_______________
11. There is more than three years remaining on her contract.
_______________
12. Neither of the girls were frightened by the wild animals that scurried incessantly past
their tent.
_______________
13. The technology behind high-definition television, DVDs, and CDs have transformed nearly
every aspect of the home entertainment industry.
_______________
14. Every player on both teams were concerned about the goalie’s injury.
_______________
15. The company’s sponsorship of charitable foundations and mentorship programs have
garnered many commendations from philanthropic organizations.
_______________
16. Neither the children nor their parents utters a word when Mrs. Denny tells her stories.
_______________
17. How important is your strength training and your diet to your daily regimen?
_______________
520
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Lesson 3: Parallelism
The Law of Parallelism
I like pizza. I like to swim.
When you compare or list items in a sentence,
the items should have the same grammatical
form. That is, if the first item is an infinitive (or
a gerund, or an adjective, etc.), the other
item(s) should be, too.
Wrong:
She hated to take charge, draw attention to herself, and she hated
seeming like a know-it-all.
The three items have different forms. The sentence sounds best if they are all gerunds.
Right:
Wrong:
She hated taking charge, drawing
attention to herself, and seeming
like a know-it-all.
Believe it or not, I like to read more
than I like going to parties.
The first item is an infinitive, but the second is
a gerund. Make them the same form.
Right:
Believe it or not, I like to read more
than I like to go to parties.
Also right: Believe it or not, I like reading more
than I like going to parties.
Parallel Constructions
What kind of word is pizza? Obviously a noun. But
notice that in the sentences above, to swim (infinitive)
and swimming (gerund) are playing the same role as
pizza did in the first sentence. So they must be nouns
too!
Usually, gerunds and infinitives are interchangeable. But in some situations, one is
preferable to the other.
• The gerund often indicates a general class of activity, while the infinitive indicates a specific
activity.
Good:
Kayaking (not to kayak) is a
healthful sport, but can sometimes be dangerous.
Good:
Curtis and Dan want to kayak
(not kayaking) this afternoon.
• The infinitive indicates a stronger connection
between subject and action than does the
gerund.
Unclear:
A is like B
neither A nor B
the more A,
the less B
not A but B
A more than B
either A or B
the better A,
the better B
less A than B
prefer A to B
both A and B
not only A,
but also B
more A than B
Infinitives vs. Gerunds
Infinitives are verblike phrases like to run, to see, and
to think, which usually act as nouns.
Gerunds are also verblike words, like running, seeing, and thinking, and they also often act as nouns.
Cara has always loved dancing.
Does Cara simply like to watch dancing, or
does she herself do the dancing?
Clearer:
In all constructions like the following, the
words or phrases that replace A and B must be
parallel.
I like swimming.
Cara has always loved to dance.
This sentence clearly indicates that Cara
herself dances.
• The infinitive often indicates purpose or intention better than does the gerund.
Awkward: We have supplied cars for transporting the guests back to their
hotel rooms.
Better:
We have supplied cars to transport the guests back to their hotel
rooms.
CHAPTER 15 / ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
521
Concept Review 3: Parallelism
1. In what situations do you have to obey the law of parallelism?
In each of the sentences below, circle the words or phrases that are parallel, then write the form of those words
or phrases (adjectives, prepositional phrases, gerunds, infinitives, nouns, etc.) in the blank.
2. You can register for the test by mail, by phone, or on the Web.
____________________
3. Having good study practices is even more important than working hard.
____________________
4. The more you get to know her, the more you will like her.
____________________
5. The produce is not only exceptionally fresh but also reasonably priced.
____________________
6. The show is less a concert than it is a 3-hour nightmare.
____________________
Complete each of the sentences below with the appropriate word or phrase—infinitive or gerund—using the
given verb.
7. (exercise) ____________________ is essential, but so is (eat) ____________________ intelligently.
8. The purpose of this trip is (show) ____________________ you what life was like in the 18th century.
9. I have always loved (dance) ____________________, although my condition has always prevented me from doing
it myself.
10. Is it better (study) ____________________ a little each night, or a lot the night before?
11. The director called a meeting (discuss) ____________________ the coordination of the marketing phase.
Correct any infinitive/gerund problems in the sentences below.
12. The defendant was unwilling to give up his right of having his lawyer present at all questioning.
13. I would not dream to try out for the team until I have learned to throw a football.
14. Even the reinforced concrete breakwater could not prevent the water to inundate the village.
15. Within the next three weeks, we plan having all of the work on the roof completed.
Fix the parallelism errors in the following sentences.
16. I like working with Miss Bennett because she is very supportive and has a lot of knowledge.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. I can’t decide whether I should give Maria the tickets or Caitlyn.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. The movie was both beautifully directed and the acting was a joy to watch.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
524
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Lesson 4: Comparison Problems
Illogical Comparisons
Any items being compared in a sentence must
be logically comparable, that is, in the same
general category. Always compare apples to apples, not apples to car batteries! Also, comparisons must obey the law of parallelism.
Wrong: Her chances of getting an A aren’t
much better than the lottery.
Chances and the lottery aren’t comparable
things! We must compare chances to chances.
Right:
Her chances of getting an A aren’t much
better than her chances of winning
the lottery.
It is always illogical to say that something is
different from itself. Watch out for sneaky contrasts like this:
Wrong: She has played in more concerts than
any cellist in her school.
Of course, she hasn’t played in more concerts
than herself!
Right:
She has played in more concerts than
any other cellist in her school.
Fewer/Less, Number/Amount, and
Many/Much
Use the words fewer, number, or many only in
reference to countable things (like cars, dollars,
and popsicles) and less, amount, or much only
in reference to uncountable things (like traffic,
money, and food). It is a common mistake to
use less when you should use fewer.
Wrong: There have been a lot less fans at the
games ever since the owners raised
ticket prices.
Since fans can be counted, less doesn’t work. Use
fewer instead.
Right:
There have been a lot fewer fans at the
games ever since the owners raised
ticket prices.
Wrong: The team owners showed concern about
the increasing amount of dangerously
rowdy fans.
Right:
The team owners showed concern about
the increasing number of dangerously
rowdy fans.
Between/Among, More/Most,
and -er/-est
Use between, more, and any -er adjectives only
when comparing exactly two things. Use
among, most, and -est adjectives when comparing more than two things.
Wrong: The two superpowers seemed to be in
a constant battle to see who was
strongest.
Right:
The two superpowers seemed to be in
a constant battle to see who was
stronger.
Wrong: Of the dozens of students in the club,
Deborah was the more popular.
Right:
Of the dozens of students in the club,
Deborah was the most popular.
Number Shift
Things that you compare should, if possible,
agree in number. Be sure they are both plural
or both singular.
Wrong: They were both hoping to be a winner.
Right:
They were both hoping to be winners.
Wrong: The sailors’ main point of reference
was the two lighthouse beacons.
Right:
The sailors’ main points of reference
were the two lighthouse beacons.
CHAPTER 15 / ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
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Concept Review 4: Comparison Problems
1. How do you know whether to use fewer or less in a comparison?
2. How do you know whether to use more or most in a comparison?
In each sentence, underline any items that are being compared or equated. Below the sentence, state whether the
comparison is logical or illogical. If it is illogical or contains another error in comparison, correct the sentence.
3. The critics’ guild praised the show, saying that it was consistently more intelligent and provocative than anything on the air.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Team unity and commitment to practice were regarded by the players as the key to their success.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Mathematics lessons in Japanese classrooms, unlike American classrooms, are often focused on solving a single complex problem rather than many simplistic problems.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Increasingly, modern singers, like Gregorian chanters, are becoming adept at melisma, the singing of many
notes on a single syllable.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. The electric-combustion engines of the new hybrid cars burn much more cleanly and efficiently than conventional cars.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. To the critics of the time, the surrealists were as inscrutable, if not more so, than the dadaists.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. In modern warfare, unlike the past, combatants rarely meet face to face, and are detected as often by video as
by sight.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Most people vastly prefer turning the pages of a real book to scrolling through the screens of an electronic novel.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
526
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Worksheet 4: Comparison Problems
Correct any errors in the comparisons in the following sentences.
1. I prefer a lot of modern poetry to Shakespeare.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Her suitcase would not close because she had packed too much of her towels into it.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. The year-end bonus was equally divided between Parker, Herriot, and me.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Many students wanted to be a lifeguard at the club.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. The toughest thing about her class is you have to do tons of homework every night.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Mr. Forstadt’s comments, like so many coaches, didn’t spare the players’ feelings in the least.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. After several days in the woods, we became concerned that we had packed a lot less meals than we would need.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Even in the 21st century, women throughout the globe are treated like a slave, or, worse yet, like a nonperson.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. I’ve always preferred observational humor to those quirky prop comedians.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. It was remarkable that the children had donated so much toys to others who were barely needier than they.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. The formal structure of the sonnet imposes far more discipline on the mind of the poet than formless free verse.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. The theories of true anarchists, unlike modern antistatists, do not promote social chaos, but rather organization without authority.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Those passengers with a disability will be permitted to board the plane first.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. The reason we lost the game is because our captain had torn his ACL.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. Voter apathy and cold weather were a reason that turnout was so poor at this year’s election.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Having studied Faulkner and Hemingway, I’ve come to believe that Hemingway is the best writer, although
Faulkner tells the best stories.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
528
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Lesson 5: Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word (such as it, he, she, what, or that)
that substitutes for a noun. A pronoun is either definite (like it, you, she, and I) and refers to a specified
thing (or person or place or idea) or indefinite (like
anyone, neither, and those), and does not refer to a
specific thing (or person or place or idea).
Definite Pronouns and Antecedents
Every definite pronoun refers to (or takes the
place of) a noun in the sentence, called the pronoun antecedent. The pronoun must agree in
number (singular or plural) and kind (personal
or impersonal) with its antecedent.
unknown, as in Where are my keys? But sometimes it
can be used as a definite pronoun. When it is, remember two points:
Use what only to refer to a thing, where to refer
to a place, when to refer to a time, why to refer
to a reason, who to refer to a person, and how
to refer to an explanation.
Wrong: An anachronism is when something
doesn’t fit in with its time period.
An anachronism isn’t a time, is it? It’s a thing.
Right:
An anachronism is something that
doesn’t fit in with its time period.
Wrong: Everyone should brush their teeth
three times a day.
Because everyone is singular, their is the wrong
pronoun.
When following a comma, an interrogative
pronoun usually takes the immediately preceding noun as its antecedent.
Everyone should brush his or her teeth
three times a day.
Wrong: The actors will design their own sets,
who are participating in the workshop.
This is awkward because the sets are not what
the pronoun who is logically referring to.
Right:
Wrong: David was the one that first spotted the
error.
The pronoun that is impersonal, but of course,
David is a person.
Right:
David was the one who first spotted the
error.
The antecedent of a definite pronoun should
be clear, not ambiguous.
Wrong: Roger told Mike that he was going to
start the next game.
Who was going to start? Roger or Mike?
Right:
Mike learned that he was going to start
the next game when Roger told him so.
Interrogative Pronouns
An interrogative pronoun (like what, where, why,
and when) usually asks a question or refers to an
Right:
The actors who are participating in the
workshop will design their own sets.
Pronoun Consistency
Be consistent with any pronouns you use to
refer to the same thing more than once in a
sentence.
Wrong: Even when one is dieting, you should
always try to get enough vitamins.
It sounds like we can’t make up our minds
about whom we’re talking to!
Right:
Even when one is dieting, one should
always try to get enough vitamins.
CHAPTER 15 / ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
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Concept Review 5:
Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement
1. Name three definite pronouns: ______________________________
2. Name three indefinite pronouns: ______________________________
3. Every ____________________ pronoun requires a specific antecedent.
4. What is an antecedent?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
After each interrogative pronoun, write what kind of noun it must represent.
5. what
____________________
6. where
____________________
7. how
____________________
8. when
____________________
9. why
____________________
10. who
____________________
Circle all pronouns in the following sentences, and make any corrections that may be necessary.
11. There are too many legal situations where misrepresentation seems to be standard practice.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. If a student wants to memorize the meaning of a word, you should begin by understanding the concept it
represents.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. Caroline passed the phone to Julia, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Neither of the dogs wanted to give up their territory to the other.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. David volunteered to be a ticket taker, not wanting to be the one that cleaned the aisles after the show.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. They lost the game, which is why they didn’t celebrate afterwards.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
544
MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Lesson 9: Tricky Tenses
Verb Tenses
Example:
The tense of a verb is what indicates its place and extent in time. There are two common situations in
which tenses can be tricky: those with “perfect” verbs
and those with “timeless” verbs.
“Perfect” Verbs
You use the perfect tenses whenever you need to indicate that some event is completed before some other
point in time. (Here, the word perfect means complete,
not flawless.) They are usually relative tenses, that is,
they show a particular relationship to another verb or
reference to time within the sentence. All perfect tenses
use the helping verb to have, as in we had walked, we
have walked, and we will have walked.
We have taken only two tests this semester.
(The taking of the tests did not happen at one
specific time, but over an extended time in the
past.)
The future perfect tense shows that something
will have been completed before some time in
the future.
Example:
By Friday, we will have completed the entire
project.
now
future perfect
future
will have completed
Friday
time
The past perfect tense shows that an event had
been completed before another point in the
past. You can think of it as the “past past” tense.
Participles must be “perfect,” too, when they
indicate an action completed before another
action.
Example:
By the time we arrived at the reception, Glen
had already given the toast.
past perfect
past
Example:
now
time
had given
arrived
When a sentence contains two past-tense
verbs, check whether one event was completed
before the other. If so, the earlier event should
be given the past perfect tense.
The present perfect tense, unlike the other perfect
tenses, usually does not show completion, but
that an event either extends from the past to the
present or occurs at an extended or unspecified
time in the past. You can think of it as the “past
plus present” tense or the “unspecific past.”
Example:
She has been so nice to me.
(This means she was nice to me and also she
still is nice to me. It combines past and present.)
Having walked all night, we were desperate to find rest at dawn.
(The walking was completed by dawn, so
the participle is “past perfect.”)
“Timeless” Verbs
When you need to discuss a theory, an artistic
work, or a general nonhistorical fact, the verb
that describes it is “timeless” and should take
the present tense by default.
Wrong: The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno believed that all motion was an illusion.
Right:
The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno
believed that all motion is an illusion.
The believing is in the past, since Zeno’s long
gone, but the theory is timeless.
CHAPTER 15 / ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
545
Concept Review 9: Tricky Tenses
1. When are the perfect tenses used?
2. What kinds of ideas are conveyed by “timeless” present-tense verbs?
Circle the correct verb in each of the following sentences.
3. Glen (came/has come) to work exhausted this morning because he (stayed/had stayed) up all last night.
4. Already, and without (spending/having spent) so much as an hour on research, Dale (wrote/has written) the
first draft of her essay.
5. (Developing/Having developed) the first compressed-air automobile, he (hoped/had hoped) to reveal it to the
world at the exposition.
6. Shakespeare’s tragedies (were/are) concerned with the deepest aspects of the human condition.
The meaning of the following sentence is ambiguous.
His legs ached because he ran farther than he ever had [run] before.
Rewrite it using the correct tenses to indicate that
7. The aching started before he finished running: _______________________________________________________
8. The aching started after he finished running: _________________________________________________________
Fix any tense problems in the following sentences.
9. Right after school, we had gone to Mario’s for a pizza and a few Cokes.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Finding no evidence against the accused, the detective had to release him.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. Being captured by the rebels, David soon began to fear he would never escape.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. When I got home, I wrote an essay on the baseball game that I saw that afternoon.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
PowerScore
SAT Sentence Improvement Practice
The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is
underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (A) repeats the original
phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the
alternatives, select choice (A); if not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of
words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence—clear and
precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
1.
Due to last year’s active hurricane season, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
has urged coastal residents to develop a family
evacuation plan, organize important documents and
valuables, creating a disaster supply kit for use in
the car and at the evacuation destination.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
2.
4.
(A) Freud’s belief that the unconscious was solely a
storehouse of repressed memories
(B) Freud and his belief that the unconscious was
solely a storehouse of repressed memories
(C) the belief of Freud that states the unconscious is
solely a storehouse of repressed memories
(D) Freud, who believed that the unconscious was
solely a storehouse of repressed memories
(E) Freud and the belief that the unconscious solely
stores of repressed memories
creating a disaster supply kit for use
to create a disaster supply kit for use
creating a disaster supply kit for using
and create a disaster supply kit for using
and create a disaster supply kit for use
While global warming has already made the Hudson
River a seeming fragile ecosystem, the introduction
of invasive species has the potential to destroy
nearly all of the aquatic plants and animals that
inhabit the river.
5.
(A) While global warming has already made the
Hudson River a seeming fragile ecosystem
(B) While global warming has already made the
Hudson River a seemingly fragile ecosystem
(C) Global warming has already made the Hudson
River a seemingly fragile ecosystem
(D) Global warming has already made the Hudson
River a seeming fragile ecosystem;
(E) Although global warming has made the Hudson
River a seemingly fragile ecosystem
3.
Reports from New York and Paris indicate that this
season’s style is an eclectic mix of fashions from
past decades, ranging from the empire-waist dresses
of the relaxed and liberated 1960s and the
legwarmers of the excessive and indulgent 1980s.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
and
with
to
and to
from
Copyright © 2006 by PowerScore
Unlike Freud’s belief that the unconscious was
solely a storehouse of repressed memories, Jung
asserted that the unconscious also contained creative
reservoirs.
The blue whale was thriving in all of the world’s
oceans until the turn of the century, at which time
they became hunted to the point of extinction.
(A) The blue whale was thriving in all of the
world’s oceans until the turn of the century
(B) Blue whales were thriving in all of the world’s
oceans until the turn of the century
(C) The blue whale had been thriving in all of the
world’s oceans until the turn of the century
(D) At the turn of the century, blue whales were
thriving in all of the world’s oceans
(E) Blue whales had been thriving in all of the
world’s oceans up until the turn of the century
6.
Scientists believe that all domestic dogs originally
have descended from three dogs that lived in China
over 15,000 years ago.
(A) have descended from three dogs that lived in
China
(B) descended by three dogs that lived in China
(C) descended from three dogs that lived in China
(D) have descended from three dogs living in China
(E) descended from three dogs that had lived in
China
Page 1
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PRACTICE TEST B
10. Reciting poems, one of the earliest forms of
entertainment, it increased in complexity as
well as sophistication as time went on.
(A) entertainment, it increased in complexity
as well as sophistication
(B) entertainment, they increased in both complexity and sophistication
(C) entertainment which both increased in
complexity as well as sophistication
(D) entertainment, and they increased in their
complexity as well as growing more
sophisticated
(E) entertainment, increased in complexity
and sophistication
239
11. Thomas Wolfe, the early 20th-century American writer often confused with the contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe, grew up in Asheville,
North Carolina.
(A) writer often confused with the contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe, grew up in
Asheville, North Carolina
(B) writer, having grown up in Asheville,
North Carolina, is often mistaken with the
contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe
(C) writer, grew up in Asheville, North
Carolina, but is often confused with the
contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe
(D) writer has often been confused with Tom
Wolfe, the contemporary novelist, growing up in Asheville, North Carolina
(E) writer, while growing up in Asheville,
North Carolina, was often confused with
the contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe
IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS
Directions: The underlined and lettered parts of each sentence below may contain an error in grammar, usage, word choice (diction), or expression (idiom). Read each sentence carefully and identify
which item, if any, contains an error. Indicate your choice by filling in the corresponding space on the
answer sheet. No sentence contains more than one error. Some sentences may contain no error. In that
case, the correct choice will always be E (No error).
EXAMPLE
Jill went speedily to the crest of the
A
B
hill in a more faster time than her
C
D
friend, Jack. No error.
E
12. If Toby McGuire was alive during the heyday
A
B
of Hollywood’s debonair leading actors, he
probably would have been considered
too naïve and boyish to succeed as a big star.
C
D
No error.
E
ANSWER
A
B
C
D
E
13. Of the two Hemingway novels I have read,
A
I like A Farewell to Arms the best, not only
B
because of its structure but also because of
C
its fascinating story. No error.
D
E
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WRITING WORKBOOK FOR THE NEW SAT
14. Telemarketers are finding greater success
A
making sales when they phoned customers
B
C
in the morning rather than late in the day.
D
No error.
E
15. Child psychologists will tell you that young
A
children which are pushed into activities
B
C
prematurely may suffer the pain of failure
D
and frustration. No error.
E
16. Although Martin Luther King’s birthday is
A
B
January 15th, it is celebrated on the third
C
Monday of January, regardless of the date.
D
No error.
E
17. Work in specialized fields such as bacteriology,
A
public health, and physics require at least a
B
bachelor’s degree, and for a career in
management or research, a master’s degree
or even a doctorate is required. No error.
C
D
E
18. The governor has often proposed reductions
A
in the sales tax because consumers can benefit
B
from this whenever they go to the store.
C
D
No error.
E
19. In his memoir, Baker tells stories about the time
A
B
before he entered high school, when he
is having to deliver newspapers to the huge
C
estates and mansions that lined the riverfront.
D
No error.
E
20. Even after Elvis died it was rumored that
A
B
he was seen roaming the land, driving his car,
showing up unexpectedly at rock-n-roll
C
concerts, and he made his countless fans very
D
excited. No error.
E
21. To the disappointment of the crowd, neither
A
B
the president nor any of his aides were able to
C
D
attend the ceremony. No error.
E
22. Melissa was taught early in life that,
A
regardless about her feelings, she should
B
always wear a smile, try to be cheerful and
C
upbeat, and never say anything bad about
someone else. No error.
D
E
23. As a freshman becomes adjusted to the
A
routines and demands of college life, one may
B
realize that the rigors of high school were
C
D
good preparation. No error.
E
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PRACTICE TEST B
24. The collective thoughts, reflections, memories,
and opinions expressed by the seniors in the
A
pages of the student magazine reveal the
B
C
diversity and uniqueness that characterizes
D
Brookdale High School. No error.
E
25. Many teachers advocate changing the way
A
young children learn to read, theorizing that
B
C
they will be more successful in the long run.
D
No error.
E
26. No matter how careful passengers are
A
B
screened at the airport, a determined terrorist
C
will inevitably find a way to board an
D
airplane. No error.
E
241
27. At the start of the hockey season, the coach
A
paid a visit to my parents and I to explain
B
C
why he cut me from the varsity. No error.
D
E
28. When Annie set out to buy an affordable
A
automobile, she decided to look for a car
B
different than those that her friends were
C
D
driving. No error.
E
29. The award-winning Sound of Music
has been seen by more moviegoers than
A
B
any musical film in the history of the movies.
C
D
No error.
E
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WRITING WORKBOOK FOR THE NEW SAT
Section 3
Multiple-Choice Questions
TIME—10 MINUTES
IMPROVING SENTENCES
Directions: The underlined sentences and sentence parts below may contain errors in standard English,
including awkward or ambiguous expression, poor word choice (diction), incorrect sentence structure,
or faulty grammar, usage, and punctuation. Read each sentence carefully and identify which of the
five alternative versions most effectively and correctly expresses the meaning of the underlined material. Indicate your choice by filling in the corresponding space on the answer sheet. Choice A always
repeats the original. Choose A if none of the other choices improves the original sentence.
1. A teacher’s job is to set a good example for
children as well as teaching them the material
they need to know.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
as well as teaching them
as well as to teach them
and they also teach them
and as well, teach them also
also teaching them
2. The strength and appearance of denim fabric
account for its popularity among campers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
account for its popularity
accounts for its popularity
account for their popularity
explains why it is popular
are the reasons for their popularity
3. In his speech, the candidate made a comment
of spending sleepless nights worrying over
the large number of people without health
insurance.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
made a comment of spending
commented on the spending of his
gave a comment that he spent
commented on his spending
made a comment stating about spending
4. As the sales of SUVs continue to rise,
automakers asserting that it is working on the
improvement of gas mileage by spending profits on research and development.
(A) asserting that it is working on the
improvement of gas mileage by
(B) asserting that work on improving gas
mileage by
(C) assert that they will improve gas mileage
and
(D) asserts that improving gas mileage by
(E) assert that they will improve gas mileage
by
5. During Andy’s freshman year in college, his
academic advisor suggested that he consider
majoring in music, English, creative writing, or
studying medicine.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
or studying medicine
or working in the field of medicine
or a medical field
or a profession in medicine
and to think about attending medical
school
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PRACTICE TEST B
6. The game warden believes that bow-hunting is
safer than a rifle.
(A) bow-hunting is safer than a rifle
(B) hunting with a bow is safer than hunting
with a rifle
(C) bows is more safe than rifles in hunting
(D) bow-hunting is more safe than hunting
with a rifle
(E) a bow in hunting is safer than a rifle in
hunting.
7. Convinced that her all-night study sessions on
Thursdays enabled her to pass math tests on
Friday, Susan is shocked to learn that last week
she got an F.
(A) Susan is shocked to learn that last week
she got an F.
(B) Susan was shocked to learn that she got
an F last week
(C) shock is what Susan had when learning
that last week she got an F
(D) it is a shock for Susan to learn that last
week she receives an F
(E) last week’s F shocked Susan
8. When someone works as a ranger in a national
park, you will be employed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, a branch of the federal
government.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
you will be employed by
it is being employed by
you would be an employee of
he or she is employed by
the employment is being by
9. Having ordered a cup of black coffee at the
Starbucks counter, the fumes smelled pleasing
to Howard.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
the fumes smelled pleasing to Howard
the fumes’ smell pleased Howard
smells from the fumes pleased Howard
Howard smelled the fumes pleasingly
Howard was pleased by the smell of the
fumes
245
10. When Charlotte arrived at school on Tuesday
morning, her friend Thalia told her that her
first period class had been cancelled.
(A) Thalia told her that her first period class
had been cancelled
(B) from Thalia she learned that her first
period class had been cancelled
(C) Charlotte was told by Thalia that her first
period class had been cancelled
(D) Thalia said that Charlotte’s first period
class had been cancelled
(E) hearing from Thalia about the cancellation
of her first period class
11. When you plan a plane trip, you choose a
flight, make a reservation, and then that reservation entitles you to a seat on the aircraft.
(A) make a reservation, and then that reservation entitles you to a seat
(B) and make a reservation that entitles you to
a seat
(C) and make a reservation, then you are entitled to a seat
(D) and make a reservation, then entitling you
to a seat
(E) and make a reservation, you are entitled to
a seat then
12. Better military equipment, such as stronger
bullet-proof vests, has been valuable so that it
helps soldiers feel more secure when they go
into battle.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
valuable so that it helps
valuable because it helps
valuable, even though it will help
valuable in order that they help
valuable for it to help
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WRITING WORKBOOK FOR THE NEW SAT
13. The president of the company grew up in
poverty, he gradually turned his life around.
(A) company grew up in poverty, he gradually
(B) company, having his growing up in poverty,
gradually
(C) company grew up in poverty, but he gradually
(D) company, having grown up poor, but he
gradually
(E) company, poverty stricken while he grew
up, he gradually
14. This book shows readers not only what might
happen if they try to deal with the problem by
themselves but it’s all right to seek help.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
but it’s all right to seek help
but explains that help is all right to seek
explaining that it’s all right to seek help
and also explains that it’s all right to seek
help
(E) but also explains that it’s all right to seek
help
End of Section 3.
Do not return to Sections 1 or 2.
END OF WRITING TEST.
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WRITING WORKBOOK FOR THE NEW SAT
Section 3
Multiple-Choice Questions
TIME—10 MINUTES
IMPROVING SENTENCES
Directions: The underlined sentences and sentence parts below may contain errors in standard English,
including awkward or ambiguous expression, poor word choice (diction), incorrect sentence structure,
or faulty grammar, usage, and punctuation. Read each sentence carefully and identify which of the
five alternative versions most effectively and correctly expresses the meaning of the underlined material. Indicate your choice by filling in the corresponding space on the answer sheet. Choice A always
repeats the original. Choose A if none of the other choices improves the original sentence.
1. During this decade, paying for a college education is more difficult for the average family
than it was in the past.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
than it was in the past
than for past families
than the past
than families in the past
than it used to be in the past
2. Gwen Harper, one of the most popular students
in the school, winning the election for class
president three years in a row.
(A) school, winning the election for class
president three years in a row
(B) school, winning the election for class
president, which she won three years in a
row
(C) school, and she won the election for class
president three years in a row
(D) school, won the election for class president three years in a row
(E) school, three years in a row she won the
election for class president.
3. The novel as we know it today came into being
early in the 17th century with Don Quixote by
Miguel Cervantes, and Cervantes was clearly
ahead of his time.
(A) Cervantes, and Cervantes was clearly
ahead of his time
(B) Cervantes, who was clearly ahead of his
time
(C) Cervantes, being clearly ahead of his time
(D) Cervantes, which novel was clearly ahead
of its time
(E) Cervantes, Cervantes was clearly ahead of
his time
4. Not all athletes who have high motivation or
are significantly talented in a sport can be
assured of a place on an Olympic team.
(A) have high motivation or are significantly
talented
(B) have either high motivation or else talent
in significant amounts
(C) are highly motivated or who have significant talent instead
(D) are highly motivated or significantly
talented
(E) have high motivation or else significant
amounts of talent
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PRACTICE TEST C
5. Although she dislikes city living and has never
been east of the Mississippi, Sarah intends to
move to New York or Boston after she graduates from college.
(A) she dislikes city living and has never been
east of the Mississippi
(B) she is without liking for city living nor
having been east of the Mississippi
(C) she dislikes city living nor has she visited
there
(D) she does not like city living and has never
been a visitor
(E) it is without a liking for city living nor
having visited there
6. When you visit a foreign country, we can
almost always find someone who speaks
English.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
When you visit a foreign country, we can
When visiting a foreign country, one can
When we visit a foreign country, one can
While you are on a visit to a foreign country, one can
(E) During our visiting of a foreign country,
we
7. Having Kelly Collins as our talented coordinator and the enthusiastic support of the community and the Chamber of Commerce helped to
make the town’s Octoberfest a rousing success.
(A) Having Kelly Collins as our talented
coordinator
(B) The having of the coordinating talent of
Kelly Collins
(C) Kelly Collins as our talented coordinator
(D) To be coordinated by talented Kelly
Collins
(E) The coordination talents of Kelly Collins
273
8. When Beethoven’s music was introduced to the
public for the first time, they found it difficult
to understand and unpleasant to listen to.
(A) When Beethoven’s music was introduced
to the public for the first time, they found
it
(B) When it was introduced to the public for
the first time, they found Beethoven’s
music
(C) When the music of Beethoven was introduced, the public found it
(D) When they were introduced to Beethoven’s
music, the public had found it
(E) Introducing Beethoven’s music for the
first time, the public found it
9. Two Coast Guard crews were dispatched to
check an anonymous informant’s warning, and
he had observed a boatload of illegal immigrants approaching Florida’s west coast.
(A) an anonymous informant’s warning, and
he
(B) the warning of an anonymous informant
that he
(C) that an anonymous warning of an informant he
(D) the anonymous informant’s warning saying he
(E) information anonymously warning that he
10. Therefore, I admire organizations that speak up
for fairness and democratic principles, even if
it is motivated by selfishness.
(A) even if it is motivated by selfishness
(B) even when their motives are selfish
(C) even when the motive is to be for its own
selfish aims
(D) whether or not it’s for their own selfish
aims
(E) whether their motive is for selfish aims or
not for selfish aims
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WRITING WORKBOOK FOR THE NEW SAT
11. If you wish to study transcendental meditation,
which is when a person completely relaxes
their mind and body, you will find several relevant books on the shelf.
(A) which is when a person completely
relaxes their mind and body
(B) which is when a person completely relaxes
his mind and body
(C) which is when someone completely relax
their mind and body
(D) the complete relaxation of the mind and
body
(E) which completely relaxes their mind and
body
12. Women in a hunter-gatherer society led demanding lives, the reason was that they collected
plant food for the family while protecting herself and her children from wild beasts.
(A) lives, the reason was that they collected
plant food for the family while protecting
herself and her children
(B) lives, it was that she had to collect plant
food for the family while also protecting
herself and her children
(C) lives; collecting plant food for the family
while protecting herself and her children
(D) lives because its responsibilities included
collecting plant food for the family while
protecting themselves and their children
(E) lives because they not only collected plant
food for the family but also protected
themselves and their children
13. Nursing homes that violate regulations have
become an important statewide problem, and it
has become a hot political issue.
(A) an important statewide problem, and it has
become
(B) a problem of statewide importance, that is
(C) a problem of statewide importance; it was,
therefore
(D) an important statewide problem that is
(E) an important statewide problem, which
they have become
14. Of all the roads making up America’s Interstate
Highway System, more people drive on I-95
than any highway.
(A) more people drive on I-95 than any
highway
(B) travelers are driving on I-95 in the largest
amount
(C) the largest amount of drivers are on 1-95
(D) I-95 is the more heavily traveled
(E) I-95 is the most heavily traveled
End of Section 3.
Do not return to Sections 1 or 2.
END OF WRITING TEST.
Chapter 1
1. She hadn’t eaten all day, and by the time she got home she was
______.
a. blighted
b. confutative
c. ravenous
d. ostentatious
e. blissful
2. The movie offended many of the parents of its younger viewers by
including unnecessary ______ in the dialogue.
a. vulgarity
b. verbosity
c. vocalizations
d. garishness
e. tonality
1
501 Sentence Completion Questions
3. His neighbors found his ______ manner bossy and irritating, and
they stopped inviting him to backyard barbeques.
a. insentient
b. magisterial
c. reparatory
d. restorative
e. modest
4. Steven is always ______ about showing up for work because he
feels that tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility.
a. legible
b. tolerable
c. punctual
d. literal
e. belligerent
5. Candace would ______ her little sister into an argument by teasing
her and calling her names.
a. advocate
b. provoke
c. perforate
d. lamente
e. expunge
6. The dress Ariel wore ______ with small, glassy beads, creating a
shimmering effect.
a. titillated
b. reiterated
c. scintillated
d. enthralled
e. striated
7. Being able to afford this luxury car will ______ getting a better-
paying job.
a. maximize
b. recombinant
c. reiterate
d. necessitate
e. reciprocate
2
501 Sentence Completion Questions
8. Levina unknowingly ______ the thief by holding open the elevator
doors and ensuring his escape.
a. coerced
b. proclaimed
c. abetted
d. sanctioned
e. solicited
9. Shakespeare, a(n) ______ writer, entertained audiences by writing
many tragic and comic plays.
a. numeric
b. obstinate
c. dutiful
d. prolific
e. generic
10. I had the ______ experience of sitting next to an over-talkative
passenger on my flight home from Brussels.
a. satisfactory
b. commendable
c. galling
d. acceptable
e. acute
11. Prince Phillip had to choose: marry the woman he loved and ______
his right to the throne, or marry Lady Fiona and inherit the crown.
a. reprimand
b. upbraid
c. abdicate
d. winnow
e. extol
12. If you will not do your work of your own ______, I have no choice
but to penalize you if it is not done on time.
a. predilection
b. coercion
c. excursion
d. volition
e. infusion
3
501 Sentence Completion Questions
13. After sitting in the sink for several days, the dirty, food-encrusted
dishes became ______.
a. malodorous
b. prevalent
c. imposing
d. perforated
e. emphatic
14. Giulia soon discovered the source of the ______ smell in the room:
a week-old tuna sandwich that one of the children had hidden in
the closet.
a. quaint
b. fastidious
c. clandestine
d. laconic
e. fetid
15. After making ______ remarks to the President, the reporter was
not invited to return to the White House pressroom.
a. hospitable
b. itinerant
c. enterprising
d. chivalrous
e. irreverent
16. With her ______ eyesight, Krystyna spotted a trio of deer on the
hillside and she reduced the speed of her car.
a. inferior
b. keen
c. impressionable
d. ductile
e. conspiratorial
4
501 Sentence Completion Questions
17. With a(n) ______ grin, the boy quickly slipped the candy into his
pocket without his mother’s knowledge.
a. jaundiced
b. nefarious
c. stereotypical
d. sentimental
e. impartial
18. Her ______ display of tears at work did not impress her new boss,
who felt she should try to control her emotions.
a. maudlin
b. meritorious
c. precarious
d. plausible
e. schematic
19. Johan argued, “If you know about a crime but don’t report it, you
are ______ in that crime because you allowed it to happen.”
a. acquitted
b. steadfast
c. tenuous
d. complicit
e. nullified
20. The authorities, fearing a ______ of their power, called for a
military state in the hopes of restoring order.
a. subversion
b. premonition
c. predilection
d. infusion
e. inversion
21. The story’s bitter antagonist felt such great ______ for all of the other
characters that as a result, his life was very lonely and he died alone.
a. insurgence
b. malevolence
c. reciprocation
d. declamation
e. preference
5
501 Sentence Completion Questions
22. It is difficult to believe that charging 20% on an outstanding credit
card balance isn’t ______!
a. bankruptcy
b. usury
c. novice
d. kleptomania
e. flagrancy
23. The ______ weather patterns of the tropical island meant tourists
had to carry both umbrellas and sunglasses.
a. impertinent
b. supplicant
c. preeminent
d. illustrative
e. kaleidoscopic
24. Wedding ceremonies often include the exchange of ______ rings
to symbolize the couple’s promises to each other.
a. hirsute
b. acrimonious
c. plaintive
d. deciduous
e. votive
25. Kym was ______ in choosing her friends, so her parties were
attended by vastly different and sometimes bizarre personalities.
a. indispensable
b. indiscriminate
c. commensurate
d. propulsive
e. indisputable
6
Chapter 2
26. Phillip’s ______ tone endeared him to his comical friends, but
irritated his serious father.
a. aloof
b. jesting
c. grave
d. earnest
e. conservative
27. Brian’s pale Irish skin was ______ to burn if he spent too much
time in the sun.
a. prone
b. urbane
c. eminent
d. erect
e. daunted
9
501 Sentence Completion Questions
28. A fan of historical fiction, Joline is now reading a novel about
slavery in the ______ South.
a. decorous
b. rogue
c. droll
d. antebellum
e. onerous
29. Over the years the Wilsons slowly ______ upon the Jacksons’
property, moving the stone markers that divided their lots farther
and farther onto the Jacksons’ land.
a. encroached
b. jettisoned
c. conjoined
d. repudiated
e. teemed
30. Mary became ______ at typing because she practiced every day for
six months.
a. proficient
b. reflective
c. dormant
d. redundant
e. valiant
31. To find out what her husband bought for her birthday, Susan
attempted to ______ his family members about his recent shopping
excursions.
a. prescribe
b. probe
c. alienate
d. converge
e. revere
10
501 Sentence Completion Questions
32. Juan’s friends found him in a ______ mood after he learned he
would be homecoming king.
a. jovial
b. stealthy
c. paltry
d. gullible
e. depleted
33. His suit of armor made the knight ______ to his enemy’s attack,
and he was able to escape safely to his castle.
a. vulnerable
b. churlish
c. invulnerable
d. static
e. imprudent
34. Choosing a small, fuel-efficient car is a ______ purchase for a
recent college graduate.
a. corrupt
b. tedious
c. unhallowed
d. sardonic
e. judicious
35. Such a ______ violation of school policy should be punished by
nothing less than expulsion.
a. copious
b. flagrant
c. raucous
d. nominal
e. morose
36. With all of the recent negative events in her life, she felt ______
forces must be at work.
a. resurgent
b. premature
c. malignant
d. punctilious
e. antecedent
11
501 Sentence Completion Questions
37. The ______ rumors did a great deal of damage even though they
turned out to be false.
a. bemused
b. prosaic
c. apocryphal
d. ebullient
e. tantamount
38. When her schoolwork got to be too much, Pam had a tendency to
______, which always put her further behind.
a. dedicate
b. rejuvenate
c. ponder
d. excel
e. procrastinate
39. Racha’s glance was a ______ invitation to speak later in private
about events of the meeting.
a. trecherous
b. scintillating
c. tactful
d. tacit
e. taboo
40. She reached the ______ of her career with her fourth novel, which
won the Pulitzer Prize.
a. harbinger
b. apogee
c. metamorphosis
d. dictum
e. synthesis
41. The ______ townspeople celebrated the soldier’s return to his
home by adorning trees with yellow ribbons and balloons.
a. somber
b. jubilant
c. pitiless
d. cunning
e. unsullied
12
501 Sentence Completion Questions
42. The governor-elect was hounded by a group of ______ lobbyists
and others hoping to gain favor with her administration.
a. facetious
b. abstruse
c. magnanimous
d. fawning
e. saccharine
43. The mock graduation ceremony—with a trained skunk posing as
the college president—was a complete ______ that offended many
college officials.
a. tempest
b. epitome
c. quintessence
d. travesty
e. recitative
44. The busy, ______ fabric of the clown’s tie matched his oversized
jacket, which was equally atrocious.
a. mottled
b. bleak
c. credible
d. malleable
e. communicable
45. Kendrick’s talent ______ under the tutelage of Anya Kowalonek,
who as a young woman had been the most accomplished pianist in
her native Lithuania.
a. bantered
b. touted
c. flourished
d. embellished
e. colluded
13
501 Sentence Completion Questions
46. The children were ______ by the seemingly nonsensical clues until
Kinan pointed out that the messages were in code.
a. censured
b. striated
c. feigned
d. prevaricated
e. flummoxed
47. As the ______ in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is a hero able to
capture the audience’s sympathy by continually professing his love
for Juliet.
a. protagonist
b. enigma
c. facade
d. activist
e. catechist
48. The chess master promised to ______ havoc upon his opponent’s
pawns for taking his bishop.
a. wreak
b. warrant
c. ensue
d. placate
e. endow
49. I have always admired Seymour’s ______; I’ve never seen him
rattled by anything.
a. aplomb
b. confluence
c. propriety
d. compunction
e. nostalgia
50. The soldiers received a military ______ to inspect all their vehicles
before traveling.
a. allotment
b. dominion
c. affectation
d. calculation
e. mandate
14
Chapter 3
51. As ______ beings we live each day conscious of our shortcomings
and victories.
a. sensational
b. sentient
c. sentimental
d. static
e. senile
52. The curious crowd gathered to watch the irate customer ______
about the poor service he received in the restaurant.
a. antiquate
b. trivialize
c. rant
d. placate
e. fetter
17
501 Sentence Completion Questions
53. The man’s ______ driving resulted in a four-car pile-up on the
freeway.
a. burdensome
b. charismatic
c. exceptional
d. boastful
e. negligent
54. Ron didn’t know the rules of rugby, but he could tell by the
crowd’s reaction that it was a critical ______ in the game.
a. acclamation
b. conviction
c. juncture
d. enigma
e. revelation
55. My ancestor who lost his life in the Revolutionary War was a
______ for American independence.
a. knave
b. reactionary
c. compatriot
d. nonconformist
e. martyr
56. The ______ sound of the radiator as it released steam became an
increasingly annoying distraction.
a. sibilant
b. scintillating
c. diverting
d. sinuous
e. scurrilous
57. It is helpful for salesmen to develop a good ______ with their
customers in order to gain their trust.
a. platitude
b. rapport
c. ire
d. tribute
e. disinclination
18
501 Sentence Completion Questions
58. In such a small office setting, the office manager found he had
______ responsibilities that required knowledge in a variety of
different topics.
a. heedless
b. complementary
c. mutual
d. manifold
e. correlative
59. David’s ______ entrance on stage disrupted the scene and caused
the actors to flub their lines.
a. untimely
b. precise
c. lithe
d. fortuitous
e. tensile
60. The settlers found an ideal location with plenty of ______ land for
farming and a mountain stream for fresh water and irrigation.
a. candid
b. provincial
c. arable
d. timid
e. quaint
61. The ______ seventh-grader towered over the other players on his
basketball team.
a. gangling
b. studious
c. mimetic
d. abject
e. reserved
19
501 Sentence Completion Questions
62. Carson was at first flattered by the ______ of his new colleagues,
but he soon realized that their admiration rested chiefly on his
connections, not his accomplishments.
a. reprisal
b. adulation
c. bulwark
d. rapport
e. retinue
63. For a(n) ______ fee, it is possible to upgrade from regular gasoline
to premium.
a. nominal
b. judgmental
c. existential
d. bountiful
e. jovial
64. Searching frantically to find the hidden jewels, the thieves
proceeded to ______ the entire house.
a. justify
b. darken
c. amplify
d. ransack
e. glorify
65. The ______ deer stuck close to its mother when venturing out into
the open field.
a. starling
b. foundling
c. yearling
d. begrudging
e. hatchling
20
501 Sentence Completion Questions
66. The police officer ______ the crowd to step back from the fire so
that no one would get hurt.
a. undulated
b. enjoined
c. stagnated
d. permeated
e. delineated
67. Jackson’s poor typing skills were a ______ to finding employment
at the nearby office complex.
a. benefit
b. hindrance
c. partiality
d. temptation
e. canon
68. Through ______, the chef created a creamy sauce by combining
brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon in a pan and cooking them over
medium-high heat.
a. impasse
b. obscurity
c. decadence
d. diversion
e. liquefaction
69. The defendant claimed that he was innocent and that his
confession was ______.
a. coerced
b. flagrant
c. terse
d. benign
e. futile
21
501 Sentence Completion Questions
70. Harvey was discouraged that his visa application was ______ due to
his six convictions.
a. lethargic
b. immeasurable
c. nullified
d. segregated
e. aggravated
71. The rebel spies were charged with ______ and put on trial.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
sedition
attrition
interaction
reiteration
perdition
72. Keith was ______ in his giving to friends and charities throughout
the year, not just during the holidays.
a. munificent
b. portly
c. amphibious
d. guileful
e. forensic
73. Calvin reached the ______ of his career in his early thirties when
he became president and CEO of a software company.
a. zephyr
b. plethora
c. vale
d. nocturne
e. zenith
74. Although I’d asked a simple “yes” or “no” question, Irfan’s reply
was ______, and I didn’t know how to interpret it.
a. prodigal
b. irate
c. equivocal
d. voracious
e. harrowing
22
501 Sentence Completion Questions
75. The high-profile company CEO was given an ______ for speaking
at the monthly meeting of the area business leaders’ society.
a. expiation
b. honorarium
c. inoculation
d. interpretation
e. inquisition
23
Chapter 4
76. Zachary was doomed to a miserable life, for no matter how much
he had, he always ______ the possessions of others.
a. protracted
b. exalted
c. engendered
d. coveted
e. filibustered
77. Sheila’s grueling hike included passing through numerous ______.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
terrariums
neoprene
jurisdictions
ravines
belfries
27
501 Sentence Completion Questions
78. The college professor was known on campus as a ______
character—bland but harmless and noble in his ideals.
a. staid
b. stagnant
c. auspicious
d. sterile
e. dogmatic
79. Because he was so ______, the athlete was able to complete the
obstacle course in record time.
a. belligerent
b. nimble
c. demure
d. volatile
e. speculative
80. The toy store’s extensive inventory offered a ______ of toys from
baby items to video games for teenagers.
a. manifold
b. lexicon
c. burrow
d. gamut
e. motif
81. With sunscreen and a good book, April ______ by the pool in her
lounge chair while the children swam.
a. ensconced
b. sustained
c. expelled
d. transcended
e. lolled
28
501 Sentence Completion Questions
82. NaQuan had a terrible habit of boasting so much about his
smallest accomplishments that his ______ became renowned
throughout the small college campus.
a. vainglory
b. timidity
c. diffidence
d. tempestuousness
e. mockery
83. Only a small number of people in the audience laughed at the
comic’s ______ sense of humor, while the rest found him to be too
sarcastic.
a. consequential
b. avaricious
c. venturous
d. dauntless
e. mordant
84. He has long been a(n) ______ of year-round school, believing it
would significantly improve learning and ease the burden on
working parents.
a. advocate
b. levity
c. detractor
d. epiphany
e. connoisseur
85. Tired of hearing the child whine for more candy, the babysitter
finally ______ and offered him a piece of chocolate.
a. relented
b. abated
c. rendered
d. placated
e. enumerated
29
501 Sentence Completion Questions
86. Dogs growl and show their teeth in an attempt to ______ the
animal or person they perceive as a threat.
a. bolster
b. waylay
c. cow
d. exacerbate
e. appease
87. In biology class, Sabine observed the slug’s ______, its barely
discernible movement in the tank.
a. parody
b. prescience
c. torpor
d. insight
e. vigor
88. The ______ instinct of a watchdog is to attack strangers who enter
its home.
a. judicious
b. intimate
c. pragmatic
d. melancholy
e. primal
89. The battalion’s ______ was a well-fortified structure near the
enemy lines.
a. labyrinth
b. summary
c. villa
d. vinculum
e. garrison
90. Much to my surprise, my teenage daughter was ______ to the idea
of going out with me on Friday night instead of with her friends.
a. contrite
b. impartial
c. partisan
d. deferential
e. amenable
30
501 Sentence Completion Questions
91. The enormous waves forced the lobster boat to ______ heavily to
the starboard side, causing crates of lobsters to topple and fall into
the ocean.
a. trifle
b. degenerate
c. list
d. expedite
e. disseminate
92. Walking through the ______ forest in spring was a welcome escape
from the cold, gray winter we had spent in the city.
a. pliant
b. verdant
c. factious
d. bland
e. innocuous
93. Nina called the humane society when she saw her neighbor ______
his dog.
a. mandate
b. forebode
c. maltreat
d. stipulate
e. peruse
94. Meredith used the ______ to steer the horse and keep him in line.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
jolt
bristle
chine
quirt
hearth
95. Oliver was unable to ______ himself from the difficulties he had
caused by forging the documents.
a. reprove
b. pique
c. oust
d. extricate
e. broach
31
501 Sentence Completion Questions
96. The ______ of our expedition was still so far away that I felt we
would never get there.
a. nadir
b. terminus
c. speculation
d. apex
e. dungeon
97. If he expected to ______ as a doctor, Lou knew he would have to
study hard in medical school and work long hours to gain
experience and skill.
a. perpetrate
b. palliate
c. palpitate
d. prosper
e. mediate
98. Doc Wilson grew up in Florida and was not prepared to face the
______ climate of the Alaskan winter.
a. freshwater
b. gelid
c. compendious
d. subsidiary
e. improvident
99. Marvin’s ______ prevented him from finishing his work and was
evidenced in his large phone bills.
a. loquacity
b. heroism
c. decadence
d. depreciation
e. rescission
32
501 Sentence Completion Questions
100. The graph clearly showed the company reaching the ______ in
profits during the 1980s when the economy was in a boom period.
a. narthex
b. gullet
c. gamut
d. quiescence
e. vertex
33
Chapter Nine
Reading Passage Mastery:
Analyze the Answer Choices
Just like Sentence Completion questions, Passage-Based Reading questions
have two parts: a question stem and five answer choices:
Question Stem
Answer Choices
In lines 9-13 (“Although . . . wonderful”), the
author’s tone is best described as
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
critical
hostile
disappointed
sardonic
appreciative
You are likely wondering why we are “putting the cart before the horse”
and discussing the answer choices before covering the question stem. By
reviewing answer choices now, you will have more opportunities to practice
selecting the right answers and eliminating the wrong ones in the problem sets
in the following chapter. We can also point to answers in our explanations for
those problem sets and state “This is an Extreme Answer” without explaining
that concept over and over because you will know what an Extreme Answer
is after reading this chapter. Finally, these strategies are universal to all types
of Passage-Based Reading questions, so it is convenient to discuss them here
before looking at the specific types of questions.
Understanding the
construction of wrong
answers goes a long way
in helping you select the
right answers.
There are two types of answers on the SAT: right answers and wrong
answers. But you already knew that, right? In this chapter, we will discuss the
characteristics of right and wrong answer choices in greater detail:
1.
2.
Right Answers
Wrong Answers
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t0QQPTJUFT
t&YUSFNFT
t5SVF#VU8SPOH
t5SVF5P"1PJOU
t5SVF5P:PV
Let’s get started!
Chapter Nine
225
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Right Answers
There is a certain comfort in multiple choice questions, knowing that the
right answer is there on the page staring up at you. In Passage-Based Reading
questions, the right answer is the only answer that can be proven true.
TIPS and TRICKS
The right answer tends
to use synonyms
for the words in the
passage.
If the question asks you to interpret a phrase or sentence from the passage, the
right answer will be a paraphrase of the actual passage. Consider an example:
Line
5
While the United States was fighting the War of
1812 with Britain, a series of violent incidents occurred
when authorities entered Seminole territory to recapture
runaway slaves, which aggravated the Seminole and
increased hostility.
1.
According to the passage, the “hostility” (line 5)
between the United States and the Seminole was
intensified by which of the following?
(A) Wrong answer
(B) 0GGJDJBMTJOWBEJOH/BUJWF"NFSJDBOUFSSJUPSZUP
reclaim escaped slaves.
(C) Wrong answer
(D) Wrong answer
(E) Wrong answer
The correct answer, choice (B), is a reworded version of lines 3 and 4.
Compare the wording of the passage and the correct answer:
Words from Passage
Confidence Quotation
“Two trucks loaded with
a thousand copies of
Roget’s Thesaurus
collided as they left
a New York publishing
house last week,
according to the
Associated Press.
Witnesses were
stunned, startled,
aghast, taken aback,
stupefied, appalled,
surprised, shocked and
rattled.” -Alan Schlein
226
authorities
entered
Seminole
territory
recapture
runaway
slaves
Words from
Correct Answer
officials
invaded
/BUJWF"NFSJDBO
territory
reclaim
escaped
slaves
When adjectives and verbs are used in the original passage, expect the correct
answer to use synonyms for these words. Even some of the nouns may be
replaced with synonyms, although you should not discount an answer for
using the same nouns that were used in the passage. After all, there are only
so many ways you can say spaghetti or elephant or pants! If a noun does not
have many recognizable synonyms, the test makers will reuse the word in the
answer choice. But since adjectives and verbs have many alternatives, they
will likely be replaced with different words.
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
Even questions that ask you to draw conclusions about the passage will have
right answer choices that prefer synonyms over the actual words from the text.
It’s one way that the test makers can actually assess whether you understand
the passage or are just regurgitating words you happened to read.
The right answer will also include all of the important ideas from the cited
line reference, unlike some wrong answers that only provide a portion of the
information. Study another example:
Melner attributes the decline in school enrollment to
several factors. For one, families are moving out of the
area to find work. For another, lackluster test results
cause some existing and most new families to choose
other districts.
2.
According to the passage, enrollment in the school
district has decreased because of families’
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
TIPS and TRICKS
The correct answer
incorporates all of the
important ideas from
the line reference.
Wrong answer
Wrong answer
Wrong answer
Wrong answer
emphasis on jobs and performance
The correct answer includes both moving out of the area to find work
(emphasis on jobs) and lackluster test results (emphasis on performance). As
we will discuss in the next section, wrong answers may address only one of
those reasons. The right answer includes all of the important ideas.
Another characteristic of right answers is that they tend to be more general
than wrong answers:
Line
5
The festival allowed us to acknowledge our German
heritage after hiding our ancestry the rest of the year.
For one weekend, my sisters and I could feast on
mettwurst and maultaschen, dance the landler, and play
Topfschlagen without worrying about the anti-German
sentiments permeating the country after the war. It was
our most memorable weekend of 1946.
3.
According to the passage, the narrator remembers
the “festival” (line 1) with fondness because
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Chapter Nine
he learned a German dance called the landler
Wrong answer
Wrong answer
it allowed him to celebrate his culture
German sausages were prepared for the first
time that year
TIPS and TRICKS
Right answers tend to
be more general than
wrong answers.
227
Passage Based Reading Mastery
The correct answer, (D), uses the broad term culture to describe the German
food, dance, and game that were a part of the festival. The two wrong answers
use more specific language. Choice (A) is wrong because it claims the narrator
learned a dance; the passage just states that he danced the landler, not that he
learned it. But notice that this answer is quite specific. As is (E). The answer
in (E) is wrong because the passage only says that he ate mettwurst, not that it
was the first time they were prepared that year. But again, the use of German
sausages is quite specific. Sometimes the correct answer is this particular, too,
especially if the question asks about a specific event, but when in doubt, select
the most general answer choice.
The right answer can
be proven using the
passage.
The right answer is the only answer that can be defended or proven in the
text. While many questions ask you which answer best characterizes or most
effectively supports an argument in the passage, there is only one choice that
completely and correctly answers the question. As we will see, something
makes the other four answer choices wrong. When you select an answer, you
should be pretty confident that it is correct because you can point to a specific
portion of the text that proves the answer.
/PXUIBUZPVLOPXXIBUUPMPPLGPSJOUIFSJHIUBOTXFSTMFUTMPPLNPSF
closely at common wrong answers!
228
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
Wrong Answers
If only one answer can be right, then four others are wrong. The test makers
carefully write these wrong answer choices, intentionally using language and
ideas that trick unsuspecting test takers. Learning how these incorrect answers
are crafted can help you spot them, which is why eliminating wrong answers
can sometimes be easier than determining the right answer.
TIPS and TRICKS
Eliminating wrong
answers is sometimes
easier than determining
the right one.
Copycat Answers
The most common characteristic of wrong answers is that they copy words or
phrases from the passage. These are Copycat Answers. Consider an example
from earlier in the chapter:
Line
5
While the United States was fighting the War of
1812 with Britain, a series of violent incidents occurred
when authorities entered Seminole territory to recapture
runaway slaves, which aggravated the Seminole and
increased hostility.
1.
According to the passage, the “hostility” (line 5)
between the United States and the Seminole was
intensified by which of the following?
(A) Wrong answer
(B) 0GGJDJBMTJOWBEJOH/BUJWF"NFSJDBOUFSSJUPSZUP
reclaim escaped slaves.
(C) Wrong answer
(D) A violent incident that aggravated the
American government.
(E) Wrong answer
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
Copycat answers use
words and phrases
directly from the
passage.
We have already looked at how the right answer, choice (B), uses synonyms
for words in the text. But consider the choice of words used by answer (D):
Words from Wrong Answer
violent incident
aggravated
Words from Passage
violent incidents (line 2)
aggravated (line 4)
The answer uses two words or phrases directly from the text! Sadly, this
simple tactic will trick a lot of test takers into choosing this answer.
The reason that this answer is incorrect is because it expresses an opposite
idea, which we will discuss in the next section. The Seminole were
aggravated, not the American government as the answer choice states. Copycat
Answers are usually combined with another answer trap from the following
pages, which is why we discussed Copycats first in this section. Always be
leery of answer choices that use several words or phrases from the passage.
Chapter Nine
229
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Opposite Answers
Just as Sentence Completion questions often have a wrong answer choice
that is opposite of your prephrase, so may Passage-Based Reading questions.
The College Board is playing on students’ self-doubt, as many test takers will
assume they misunderstood the passage and that it actually said the opposite
of what they originally understood. Do not doubt your initial reading unless
you reread the text and have a new understanding!
The question that we studied on the previous page is a good example of an
0QQPTJUF"OTXFSXIFSFUIFTUBUFNFOUJOUIFBOTXFSDIPJDFIBEUIFPQQPTJUF
meaning as the passage. Let’s look at another from a previous passage:
Line
5
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
Opposite Answers
present an idea that is
opposite the meaning of
your prephrase or the
meaning of a portion of
the text.
The festival allowed us to acknowledge our German
heritage after hiding our ancestry the rest of the year.
For one weekend, my sisters and I could feast on
mettwurst and maultaschen, dance the landler, and play
Topfschlagen without worrying about the anti-German
sentiments permeating the country after the war. It was
our most memorable weekend of 1946.
3.
According to the passage, the narrator remembers
the “festival” (line 1) with fondness because
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
he learned a German dance called the landler
he was able to conceal his German heritage
Wrong answer
it allowed him to celebrate his culture
German sausages were prepared for the first
time that year
We have already determined that answer choice (D) is correct: he liked the
festival because he was able to celebrate his German heritage. But look at
choice (B). This presents an idea opposite of the correct answer: that instead
PGBDLOPXMFEHJOHIJTDVMUVSFIFIJEJU/PUJDFUIBUJUBMTPVTFTUIFQISBTF
German heritage from lines 1-2. Sadly, some students will read this answer
choice and assume they misread the passage. They select (B) without ever
reading the last three answer choices.
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
Test makers often
place the “best” wrong
answer choice above the
right answer choice.
230
You should note that the test makers often put the most attractive wrong
answer choice above the right answer for this very reason. If they can trick
you into selecting an answer before reading the correct one, then they helped
colleges weed out students who are careless and inattentive to detail. Always
read all five answer choices before making your selection. And steer clear of
any answer choice that presents an idea directly opposite of your predicted
answer.
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
Extreme Answers
In an SAT answer choice, every word counts, and each of those words should
be read literally. Let’s analyze the meaning of the following answer choice:
(A) People in the neighborhood think that Mr. Wilson is mean.
Because this answer choice has no modifiers, it states that ALL people in
the neighborhood think that Mr. Wilson is mean—including Mrs. Wilson,
neighboring infants and children, and Mr. Wilson’s friends. Because
statements like this one are so extreme, the makers of the SAT are likely to use
modifiers to subdue the meaning. Consider some examples:
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
Extreme Answers use
words that make the
answer difficult to
defend.
(B) Most people in the neighborhood think that Mr. Wilson is mean.
(C) Many people in the neighborhood think that Mr. Wilson is mean.
(D) Some people in the neighborhood think that Mr. Wilson is mean.
Each of these answer choices added an adjective modifier to people, making
them easier to defend than the original answer in (A). However, choices (B)
and (C) are still somewhat Extreme Answers; the qualifiers most and many
include a lot of people, making these answers difficult to prove. But answer
choice (D) is much more moderate. With the use of some, you only need to
find two people who think Mr. Wilson is mean in order for this answer choice
to be true. Sometimes the right answer will also use somewhat:
(E) The neighbor thinks that Mr. Wilson is somewhat mean.
In this answer choice, somewhat tempers the meaning of mean. Instead of
proving that Mr. Wilson is always cruel, you only need to find one instance of
meanness to make him somewhat mean.
Also watch for Extreme verbs. Consider the difference between these three
answer choices:
(A) Henry must go to the wedding.
(B) Henry needs to go to the wedding.
(C) Henry should go to the wedding.
It is difficult to defend must go and needs to go, and it is quite unlikely that the
author was that straightforward in the passage. However, should go is much
easier to prove.
Chapter Nine
231
Passage Based Reading Mastery
For most SAT questions, avoid answers that use most, many, must, needs, or
these other Extreme words:
tall, total, only, solely, exclusively, completely, entirely, thoroughly
tNBJOMZDIJFGMZQSJNBSJMZMBSHFMZNPTUMZ
tJOWBSJBCMZDFSUBJOMZBCTPMVUFMZVORVFTUJPOBCMZ
tBMXBZTOFWFSOPU
tXPSETUIBUFOEJOest (greatest, largest, etc.)
tXPSETUIBUFOEJOless (worthless, useless, etc.)
tXPSETUIBUBSFQSFDFEFECZmost (most accurate, most important, etc.)
tXPSETUIBUBSFQSFDFEFECZleast (least significant, least truthful, etc.)
Some Extreme Words are more difficult to pinpoint. Consider these two
answers:
(A) Penelope was surprised by her mother’s vicious reply.
(B) Penelope was surprised by her mother’s insensitive reply.
Extreme Words are
usually modifiers.
Which answer choice is easiest to defend? The word vicious makes answer
choice (A) the least likely answer. In order for the reply to be vicious, the
mother would have had to have been spiteful, cruel, and severe. But the word
insensitive is much easier to defend. She simply had to say something that was
mildly unkind in order to be called insensitive.
Consider the difference between these moderate and extreme word pairs:
Moderate Word
unfriendly
happy
sad
excited
impolite
mischievous
opposition
unrealistic
challenge
foolish
anxious
unlikely
criticize
Extreme Word
hostile
elated
despairing
hysterical
barbaric
sinister
malice
outrageous
mock
ludicrous
frantic
impossible
chastise
You would be wise to avoid answers with these extreme words and others like
them.
232
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
0OF&YUSFNF8PSEUIBUPGUFOBWPJETEFUFDUJPOJTnostalgic. The definition
maintains that a person who is nostalgic desires to return to a happier time in
the past. Someone who remembers his childhood is not necessarily nostalgic;
he would have to express his longing for the happiness from that childhood in
order to be considered nostalgic. So unless an author or narrator plans to build
a time machine and return to the past, try to avoid an answer choice with the
word nostalgic or nostalgia on the SAT.
TIPS and TRICKS
Avoid the answer
nostalgic on the SAT
because it’s likely an
Extreme answer choice.
Let’s look at a previous passage with a question utilizing some Extreme
Answers:
Line
5
Melner attributes the decline in school enrollment to
several factors. For one, families are moving out of the
area to find work. For another, lackluster test results
cause some existing and most new families to choose
other districts.
2.
According to the passage, enrollment in the school
district has decreased because of families’
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
complete confidence in standardized tests
Wrong answer
outrage over the lack of employment
Wrong answer
emphasis on jobs and performance
We previously determined that the correct answer is (E). But examine choice
(A). Aside from being totally inaccurate, it uses the word complete. This is an
Extreme Word, and so the answer choice should be avoided.
Choice (C) uses the Extreme Word outrage. In order to prove this word is
justified, the families would have had to have shown show powerful feelings
of anger and resentment. The passage does not indicate they expressed these
feelings, let alone even felt them. Both (A) and (C) are Extreme Answers.
Extreme Answers are almost always incorrect on the SAT. But notice that
we’ve used the modifier almost in the previous sentence. That’s because
there is a slight chance you may encounter an extreme passage. Perhaps you
will find a passage where the author detests snakes or adamantly defends
the Constitution. If you have an extreme passage, written by an author who
is forceful about her beliefs, you can expect some Extreme Answers. These
answer choices should be easy to defend, however. If the author states that
snakes are wicked and she wishes a plague would wipe them off the face of
the Earth, then answer choices with the words sinister and malice become
attractive and defendable. Given the temperate nature of the SAT, though, it is
unlikely you will encounter such an extreme passage. When in doubt, avoid all
answer choices with extreme words.
Chapter Nine
GRATUITOUS VOCAB
temperate (adj):
moderate; not
extreme
233
Passage Based Reading Mastery
True But Wrong Answers
True But Wrong Answers are especially tricky because they provide a true
statement or conclusion based on the passage; however, they do not answer the
specific question at hand. They pull a fact or inference from an earlier or later
portion of text, but have little to do with the line reference in question.
Let’s consider an example from a previous passage:
This passage is taken from a novel set in 2001.
*UQSFTFOUTUXPDIBSBDUFST‰3PCFSUB.FYJDBO
American painter in New York, and his father, an
immigrant and retiree who achieved success in
UIFCBOLJOHCVTJOFTT3PCFSUIBTUSBWFMFEIPNFUP
.JDIJHBOUPWJTJUIJTQBSFOUT
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
True But Wrong
Answers highlight
a truth from part
of the passage, but
they do not answer
the question about a
specific line reference.
Line
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
234
“Did you hear about your brother?” my father
asked, knowing full well that Mother had already told
me about Peter’s promotion at the bank. “He’s really
making something of himself, I tell you. I always
knew that boy would go far.”
I drank from my iced tea to avoid having to answer.
I had been compared to my twin for nearly twentyfive years and I was still coming up short.
“So, Robert,” he began, “when are you going to
get promoted at the art gallery?” Here it was again. A
comparison.
“Dad, I am a painter,” I said. “I don’t get promoted.
I don’t even work for the gallery. Just being displayed
there is a tremendous honor.”
“Hmph,” he grunted. He stirred his cocktail with
a finger. “Honor doesn’t mean the same thing today
as it did in my day then, I guess. Being recognized
for saving three men on the battlefield, that was an
honor.”
I could not win. I was never going to please my
father because I was never going to succeed at what
he considered honorable.
My father was a young child when my
grandparents came to America. They were migrant
workers, who only planned on staying the summer
at the tomato farm, but when my Uncle Miguel
contracted polio, they decided to remain through the
winter—a decision that changed the course of my
family’s history. My grandparents never returned to
Mexico after the farmer hired them full time, and my
father was raised along with the white children on the
farm. He enlisted in the marines upon graduating high
school with honors and was sent to Vietnam, years he
rarely talks about except to define honor, courage, and
fear. When he came home from the war, he went to
the University of Michigan on a scholarship which led
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
40
45
to a job with the largest bank in the county. Within 10
years, he was vice president of the bank, and within
IFXBTSVOOJOHJU"TIFMJLFEUPTBZi/PUCBEGPS
a poor immigrant from Mexico.”
My brother had taken a similar road. He was
valedictorian of his high school class, a Gulf War
veteran, and a college graduate. He was a banker at
the same bank that my father had worked. And I was
none of these things. I was an artist, a career that
helped free me from my father and imprison me in his
judgment at the same time.
2.
Lines 7-8 (“I had . . . up short”) indicate that
(A) Peter is taller than Robert
(B) Robert’s father had a successful career
(C) Robert’s mother does not consider art an
honorable pursuit
(D) Peter’s choices have been favored over
Robert’s decisions by their father
(E) it is impossible to raise twins without showing
favoritism
Confidence Quotation
“What counts is not
necessarily the size of
the dog in the fight—
it’s the size of the fight
in the dog.”
-Dwight D. Eisenhower,
34th President of the
United States
In the previous chapter, we determined that the correct answer for #2 is (D).
But notice choice (B). This is a true statement, as indicated in lines 37-39.
However, although it is true, it is wrong, as it does not answer the specific
question about lines 7-8.
3.
The father responds to Robert’s comments in lines
12-14 by doing which of the following?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Challenging Robert’s definition of honor
Asserting his power over Robert
Recalling the challenges he faced growing up
Agreeing that Robert’s successful endeavors
are different than Peter’s accomplishments
(E) Denying one son equal treatment
The third question also has a True But Wrong Answer in (E). The entire
passage indicates that Robert is not viewed as favorably as his brother by their
father. However, only choice (A) correctly identifies the father’s reaction to
the comments in lines 12-14. His reaction has nothing to do with the brother.
As you can see, these True But Wrong answer choices are especially attractive
given that they provide a true statement from the passage. But you must be
certain that the answer choice you select corresponds with the line reference in
the question.
True But Wrong Answers are common in Paired Passage question sets.
The answer might be true about Passage 2, but the question is asking about
Passage 1 or about both passages. This is why it is extremely important to
answer questions about Passage 1 before reading the second passage.
Chapter Nine
True But Wrong
Answers are especially
common in questions
about paired passages.
The truth is often from
the passage that is not
being addressed in the
question.
235
Passage Based Reading Mastery
True To A Point Answers
True to a Point Answers are very attractive choices because they usually start
out seemingly correct. Careless test takers might not notice, though, that at
some point in the answer choice they become blatantly wrong.
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
True To A Point
Answers contain halftruths, but at some
point they become
indisputably wrong.
Sometimes these answer choices add new, irrelevant information causing
them to be incorrect. For example, if the passage discusses the feeding habits
of monarch butterflies, be wary of any answer choice that details the feeding
habits of swallowtail butterflies. This answer will appear to be correct when
explaining the feeding habits, but once it cites a different butterfly type, it is
clearly incorrect. Let’s study some examples:
5
10
15
Unlike the Tango, a dance which can trace its roots
directly back to Argentina and Uruguay, Ballroom
Tango saw significant changes in both structure and
technique as the dance traveled to the United States
and Europe. Film star Rudolph Valentino first brought
Ballroom Tango to Hollywood in the early 1920s, and
the famous dance instructor Arthur Murray later helped
popularize a standardized version which incorporated
steps that were common to the US during that period.
This incarnation of Ballroom Tango was generally
considered somewhat less formal and referred to as the
“American Style” by the English, who wished to distinguish this informal approach from their own International Style—a technique that was taught in countries
throughout Europe and had already become the de facto
standard in competitions around the world.
1.
The standardized version of the Ballroom Tango
features which of the following?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
steps that were common in American film
Answer B
conventional American movements
Answer D
Answer E
Choice (A) is appealing because it is True to a Point: steps that were common,
the phrase in the answer choice, comes right from line 9. But then the answer
makes a wrong turn with the phrase in American film. The passage does not
mention American film in connection with the Ballroom Tango, other than
the fact that a film star was responsible for bringing the dance to Hollywood.
It does not state that these steps were common in movies, so choice (A) is
incorrect.
236
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
Astute test takers would also avoid choice (A) because it is a Copycat Answer,
using text right from the passage. Choice (C) uses synonyms to express the
idea in lines 8-9, and is in fact correct.
The most tempting True to a Point Answers have a single word that sabotages
the entire answer choice. Consider an example using the passage on the
previous page:
2.
According to the passage, the Ballroom Tango is
different from the Tango because the Ballroom Tango
(A) Answer A
(B) was slightly altered once it became popular in
America
(C) Answer C
(D) Answer D
(E) underwent a transformation upon entering
countries in the US and Europe
Choice (B) is incorrect because of a single word: slightly. The passage states
that the Ballroom Tango saw significant changes (line 3) making slightly
alteredTJHOJGJDBOUMZJODPSSFDU/PUFUPPUIBUUIFBOTXFSPOMZJODMVEFT
America, omitting Europe as stated in the passage (line 5). Remember, the
correct answer will include all of the important ideas, as does choice (E).
Every word counts in an SAT answer choice. You must carefully read each
possibility, looking for reasons that the answer choice is incorrect. Be sure to
eliminate any answer that is only True to a Point, and cross the letter out in
your test booklet.
Chapter Nine
One word can make
an SAT answer choice
incorrect, so it is
important to read each
answer choice carefully.
237
Passage Based Reading Mastery
True To You Answers
0OFPGUIFCJHHFTUNJTUBLFTUIBUBTUVEFOUDBONBLFJTUPCSJOHUIFJS
experience and expectations into the SAT. Your opinions are not relevant on
the Reading portion of the test, and you should be careful not to let them
influence your understanding of a text.
CAUTION: SAT TRAP!
True To You Answers
trick you into applying
prior knowledge or
experience to the
passage.
True to You Answers are designed to take advantage of your personal beliefs
and prior knowledge. Let’s study an example that plays on a common opinion
about slavery:
Line
5
10
By 1750, slavery was a legal institution in all of the
American colonies, the profits of which amounted to
5% of the British economy at the time of the Industrial
Revolution. The Transatlantic slave trade peaked in the
late 18th century, when the largest number of slaves
were captured on raiding expeditions into the interior of
West Africa. The slaves were shipped to the Americas
in the hulls of large boats, where they experienced
extremely cramped quarters, lack of ventilation, and
unsanitary conditions; a large percentage of the captives
died in transit.
1.
The author of the passage implies that
(A) the hazardous conditions in which the slaves were
shipped resulted in a high mortality rate
(B) Wrong answer
(C) Wrong answer
(D) slavery is uncivilized and immoral
(E) Wrong answer
In the 21st century, we know that slavery is uncivilized and immoral. That is
part of the reason why the Civil War was fought and why the 13th amendment
to the Constitution was passed. But it is never stated or even implied in the
passage, so you cannot assume that the author shares this belief. The passage
itself is very matter-of-fact, presenting data and information, but not imparting
the author’s opinions. Even the sentence about the death of slaves in transit
is emotionless and objective. So if the author does not state his opinion, any
feelings assigned to him are untrue, no matter how you feel about the subject
yourself. After all, the passage could have been written in 1850 by a plantation
owner in Georgia. Do not apply your personal beliefs to any SAT passage or
answer choice!
238
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
The test makers might also try to trick you into applying your prior knowledge
to a passage:
Line
5
In late summer, black bears begin gorging on
carbohydrate-rich foods in order to put on significant
weight and body fat. They can gain as much as 30
QPVOETJOBTJOHMFXFFL0ODFGBMMBSSJWFTUIFCFBS
prepares its den, lining it with leaves and other plants to
form a nest.
1.
According to the passage, black bears seek
“carbohydrate-rich foods” (line 2) primarily because
they
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Wrong answer
are preparing to hibernate
need to considerably increase their body mass
Wrong answer
Wrong answer
Unless you skipped kindergarten and most of elementary school, it’s likely
that you know bears hibernate. Answer choice (B) is depending on this
knowledge to seduce you into selecting it as the right answer choice. But you
would be wrong.
The passage never mentions hibernation. The reason it provides for the black
bears gorging on carbs is UPQVUPOTJHOJGJDBOUXFJHIUBOECPEZGBU. The correct
answer is (C). But many, many test takers would choose (B) because they
applied their prior knowledge to the passage and failed to read all five answer
choices.
Remember, if the author does not state or imply an idea, it simply is not true.
Chapter Nine
239
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Analyzing the Answer Choices Problem Set
In the following exercise, reread the passages from the previous chapter. For each question, select the correct answer
DIPJDFBOEJGQPTTJCMFMBCFMUIFXSPOHBOTXFSDIPJDFTBT$PQZDBUT0QQPTJUFT&YUSFNFT5SVF#VU8SPOH5SVFUPB
Point, True to You, or a combination of answer types. The first one has been done for you. Answers begin on page 246.
The following passages discuss the commemoration
PG$ISJTUPQIFS$PMVNCVTBSSJWBMJO/PSUI"NFSJDB
1BTTBHFJTGSPNBBSUJDMFXSJUUFOCZB/BUJWF
"NFSJDBOBDUJWJTU1BTTBHFJTGSPNBCMPHCZB
political commentator.
40
45
Passage 1
Line
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, resulting
in the annihilation of my people. Upon his “discovery,”
UIFSFXFSFNPSFUIBONJMMJPO/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
populating the continent, but by 1900, that number
had diminished to 230,000. Such atrocities might be
somewhat less offensive or at least mitigated if he had
only inadvertently spread European germs that wiped
out so many tribes, but Columbus was a murderous
tyrant. He kidnapped and enslaved hundreds of natives,
allowed his crew to abuse men, women, and children,
and mortally wounded those slaves who could not
produce gold and riches fit for Spain. Eventually, his
BSSJWBMJO/PSUI"NFSJDBMFEUPGVSUIFSHFOPDJEFXIFO
the government cleared our lands for the white man’s
pursuit of manifest destiny. It is deplorable that the
American dream of homestead ownership is founded
POUIFTMBVHIUFSPG/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTBOEUIFMBSDFOZPG
their land.
What makes Columbus’ savage crimes more unsettling
is the honor that is still being bestowed upon him some
500 years later. Christopher Columbus is a national hero;
he is exalted in elementary school text books, glorified in
the names of our cities and capitals, and commemorated
FWFSZZFBSPOUIFTFDPOE.POEBZJO0DUPCFS*OUIJT
era of political correctness, it is baffling how the United
States government can continue to ignore the cries of
my people who demand the forsaking of Columbus Day
in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Can you imagine
the repercussions if national holidays were issued for
PUIFSCSVUBMMFBEFSTTVDIBT"EPMG)JUMFSPS/BUIBO
Bedford Forrest? Fortunately, these tyrants will never
be celebrated because the United States recognizes their
atrocities and assisted or at least apologized to their
victims. In the meantime, though, hundreds of thousands
PG/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTBSFJHOPSFEJOTVMUFEBOEFYQFDUFE
to “just get over it.”
I suppose we shouldn’t expect much from our government. To make changes to school textbooks and national
holidays demands accepting responsibility and making
240
50
reparations, two acts that threaten the culture, economy,
and status quo of the nation. Plus, the ashes of nineteenth
century manifest destiny still smolder, as most Americans believe that their leaders have a right to invade and
take any land as long as the goal is the common good of
the American people and the betterment of the natives
PGUIFUIBUMBOE/FWFSNJOEXIBUUIFDVMUVSFPGUIPTF
natives dictates; Americans, after all, know best. While
JUNBZCFQPJOUMFTTUPFYQFDUDIBOHF/BUJWF"NFSJcans will undoubtedly hold on to hope that one day our
leaders will recognize the heinousness that our ancestors endured, and take the necessary steps to reduce a
historical figure from national hero to national villain.
Passage 2
55
60
65
70
75
80
Columbus Day is in danger of extinction. In several
cities in California, it has been replaced by Indigenous
Peoples’ Day. Parades in honor of the explorer have not
PDDVSSFEJO$PMVNCVT0IJPTJODFUIFT"OE4PVUI
%BLPLBIBTSFOBNFEUIFIPMJEBZi/BUJWF"NFSJDBO
Day.” Even where the holiday is preserved, many people
lack enthusiasm for the celebration in fear of offending
descendents of native peoples.
All Americans need to reclaim this national holiday.
Honoring the incredible achievement of Columbus is
not the same as reveling in the hardship and sorrow of
native peoples. In addition, historians have exaggerated the facts surrounding Columbus’ discovery while
de-emphasizing the barbarism and poverty into which
IFTUVNCMFEJO/PSUI"NFSJDB$PMVNCVTXBTBUUJNFT
brutal and did take hostages to Spain, but in his journal,
Columbus reported cannibalism, warfare, and slavery
among the natives, and upon his second journey, he
learned that the crew members he left behind were
slaughtered by local inhabitants. Enslavement, brutality,
and conquest were not exclusive to Europeans—these
atrocities were rampant all over the world—but the
remarkable discovery of two continents was something
only Columbus accomplished.
It’s also worth noting that Columbus made his quest
not for riches or fame but to honor his adopted country
and spread its religion. His intentions were pure. Some
would argue that he and his men engaged in warfare
with some of the natives that they encountered, but this
happened rarely and only because it was a “kill or be
killed” situation. The victims were so deficient in iron
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
85
90
95
100
1.
that they did not have the strength to effectively fight
the Europeans. Columbus described most of the people
he encountered as “gentle” and “free from wickedness,”
and his design for them included conversion to Christianity, development of a written language, and freedom
from poverty. These goals were ultimately realized, but
historians are hesitant to place value on the results. They
would rather look at the negative impact of Columbus
EJTDPWFSJOH"NFSJDBUIBOUIFQPTJUJWFJNQBDUPG/BUJWF
Americans discovering Europe.
Columbus’s discovery was the first great chapter in
our nation’s history. His accomplishment was a catalyst
for excellence; enlightenment, democracy, reason, and
individualism are just a few of the core values that are
BEJSFDUSFTVMUPGUIFWPZBHFPGUIF/JOB1JOUBBOE
Santa Maria. We are not only entitled, but patriotically
obligated, to honor the great explorer.
Both authors would most likely agree that
(A) Columbus’ voyage was sanctioned by the king
and queen of Spain
(B) Columbus Day should be abandoned in favor of
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
(C) Columbus exhibited ruthlessness in the
Americas
(D) celebrating Columbus Day is an entitlement for
Americans
&
$PMVNCVTJTWJFXFEBTBWJMMBJOCZNPTU/BUJWF
Americans
2.
In response to the claim made in lines 21-24
i$PMVNCVT0DUPCFS
UIFBVUIPSPG1BTTBHF
would most likely assert that
(A) Columbus Day honors a murderous tyrant
#
$PMVNCVTIBEUIFQVSFTUPGJOUFOUJPOTGPS/BUJWF
Americans
(C) Columbus Day celebrations should be continued
in elementary schools
(D) the repercussions from Columbus Day
celebrations are financially draining
(E) brutality was universal and should not detract
from Columbus’ accomplishment
Chapter Nine
(A) True to You?
(B) True But Wrong (P1)/Copycat (line 28)
(C) Correct (lines 8-12 and 67-68)
(D) True But Wrong (Passage 2)
(E) Extreme
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
241
Passage Based Reading Mastery
3.
The author of Passage 1 mentions Adolf Hitler and
/BUIBO#FEGPSE'PSFTUMJOFT
QSJNBSJMZUP
suggest that
"
TBWBHFOFTTXBTOPUFYDMVTJWFUPUIF/FX
World
(B) national holidays honoring other villians would
cause an uproar by Europeans
(C) Columbus is the only person responsible for
decimating a population of people
(D) Columbus’ wrongdoings were as terrible as the
crimes of two other historical figures
(E) the government is not likely to abolish
Columbus Day
4.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
According to the author of Passage 2, there is a lack of
“enthusiasm” (line 59) for Columbus Day because
(A) many Americans worry that the celebration is an
BGGSPOUUP/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
(B) most people view Columbus as a savage
tyrant
(C) few private businesses close for the national
holiday
(D) Columbus’ voyage is considered a Spanish
accomplishment rather than an American one
&
BOPWFSXIFMNJOHNBKPSJUZPG/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
would prefer to celebrate Indigenous People’s
Day
5.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The author of Passage 1 does not “expect much” (line
37) because
(A) most people do not believe that the United States
has a right to invade foreign lands
(B) the government fears the cultural and financial
consequences of change
(C) Americans choose to celebrate Columbus’ quest
to free natives from poverty and illiteracy
(D) home ownership has replaced freedom as the
American dream
(E) history has proven that the American government
JHOPSFT/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTSFRVFTUT
242
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
6.
Line 47 (“Americans . . . best”) suggests that
Americans
(A) support the government in conducting foreign
invasions
(B) celebrate Columbus Day because it benefits the
common good
(C) acknowledge that their country is the most
powerful in the Western hemisphere
(D) refuse to make changes to their national
holidays
(E) believe that their judgment concerning
appropriate behavior is better than that of
/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
7.
In lines 64-67 (“In addition . . . America”), the passage
implies that
(A) Columbus mistakenly believed that he had
landed in the Spice Islands
(B) Columbus was not as barbaric as other
European explorers
$
/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTUISFBUFOFEUPLJMM$PMVNCVT
and his men
(D) historians are partly responsible for Columbus’
villainous reputation
(E) all European explorers reported that the natives
in the new world engaged in cannibalism and
warfare
8.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The author of Passage 1 and the “historians” (line 90)
in Passage 2 would most likely agree that the voyage of
Christopher Columbus
(A) resulted from Spain’s devotion to spreading
Christianity
(B) led to the development of a written language for
/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
$
IBEEFUSJNFOUBMDPOTFRVFODFTGPS/BUJWF
Americans
(D) was the first great accomplishment in our nation’s
history
(E) should be commemorated with pride by all
Americans
Chapter Nine
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
243
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Chapter Summary
There are two types of answers on the SAT: right answers and wrong answers.
Right Answers
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t*ODMVEFBMMPGUIFJNQPSUBOUJEFBTGSPNUIFMJOFSFGFSFODFPSQBTTBHF
t5FOEUPVTFNPSFHFOFSBMMBOHVBHFPSJEFBT
t$BOCFQSPWFOCZUIFUFYU
t"SFQSPWJEFECFMPXUIFRVFTUJPO:PVTJNQMZIBWFUPMPDBUFUIFN
Wrong Answers
t$BOOPUCFQSPWFOCZUIFSFGFSFODFEQPSUJPOPGUIFUFYU
t5FOEUPVTFNPSFTQFDJGJDMBOHVBHFCVUPGUFOGBJMUPJODMVEFBMMJNQPSUBOU
ideas from the line reference or passage.
t"SFPGUFOFBTJFSUPEFUFSNJOFUIBOUIFSJHIUBOTXFS
Confidence Quotation
“Many of life’s failures
are people who did not
realize how close they
were to success when
they gave up.”
-Thomas Edison,
American inventor
244
t"SFPGUFOQMBDFEBCPWFUIFDPSSFDUBOTXFSXIFOUIFZBSFFTQFDJBMMZ
attractive to fool you into selecting the wrong answer without reading all
five answer choices.
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Copycat Answers
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Opposite Answers
t1SFTFOUBOJEFBUIBUJTPQQPTJUFPGUIFSJHIUBOTXFSBOEZPVS
prephrase.
Extreme Answers
t6TFXPSETUIBUBSFEJGGJDVMUUPEFGFOE5IFXPSETNBZCFRVBMJGJFST
like most and always, or adjectives and verbs, like malicious and
mock.
True But Wrong Answers
t.BLFUSVFTUBUFNFOUTBCPVUBQPSUJPOPGUIFQBTTBHFUIBUJTOPUUIF
subject of the question.
True To A Point Answers
t1SPWJEFBOBOTXFSUIBUJTiIBMGSJHIUw
t0GUFOJOUSPEVDFOFXJOGPSNBUJPOOPUEJTDVTTFEJOUIFQBTTBHF
t.BZIBWFBTJOHMFXPSEUIFNBLFTUIFBOTXFSDIPJDFXSPOH
True to You Answers
t1SFTFOUDPNNPOCFMJFGTUIBUXFSFOPUQSPWJEFEJOUIFQBTTBHF
t6TFGBDUTUIBUBSFMJLFMZBQBSUPGZPVSQSJPSLOPXMFEHFCVUXFSFOPU
provided in the passage.
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
Notes:
Chapter Nine
245
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Analyze the Answer Choices Answer Key
Analyzing the Answer Choices Problem Set—Page 240
2.
(E)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
3.
(D)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(E)
4.
Medium
Prephrase: Everyone was brutal, including the natives. But he is the only one to sail to the
Americas so he should still be celebrated.
Opposite Answer and Copycat Answer. This is the opinion of the author of Passage 1 and the opposite
opinion of the author of Passage 2. It uses text from lines 8-9 to try to trick you.
Extreme and True But Wrong. The word purest makes it extreme. The author of Passage 2 does cite
Columbus’ pure intentions, though, but this is not the argument he would use to refute the claim in lines
21-24.
True to a Point. The author of Passage 2 does believe Columbus Day celebrations should continue, but
nowhere in the passage does it say anything about elementary school.
Slight Copycat Answer. The idea of this answer is off-base and not mentioned in either passage, but it
uses the word repercussions, as does the passage in line 29.
Prephrase: Two other tyrants are considered terrible so national holidays in their honor do
not exist.
True But Wrong, Opposite, and Copycat. The author of Passage 1 makes this point in lines 72-73, but he
makes it about exclusivity to Europeans.
True to a Point. This answer is correct until you get to the word Europeans. According to lines 28-30, it
would cause serious repercussions in America (and likely all over the world).
Extreme and Opposite. The author implies that Hitler and Forrest have shown similar brutality, so the
idea in the passage is opposite the idea in the answer choice. The extreme word only should cause you to
avoid it, too.
True But Wrong. The author of Passage 1 makes this point in lines 37-41, but it is not related to the line
reference.
(A)
Medium
Medium
Prephrase: Many people fear offending descendents of native peoples (lines 59-60).
(B) Extreme. The word most makes this answer extreme. Even the author of Passage 1 does not go so far as
to say this.
(C) True to You. This is not discussed in either passage but may be true given your own experiences.
(D) This answer does not fit any of the Wrong Answer categories, but is wrong nonetheless. This idea is not
discussed in the passage.
(E) Extreme. This idea is again more suitable for the author of Passage 1, but even then, the phrase
overwhelming majority makes it extreme.
5.
(B)
Medium
Prephrase: Government does not want to admit responsibility nor change the status quo.
(A) Opposite. According to lines 42-45, most Americans believe the opposite of this statement.
(C) True to a Point. Columbus did look to free natives from poverty and illiteracy, but this is not the full
reason he is celebrated or why the author does not expect much.
(D) Copycat0UIFSUIBOVTJOHXPSETGSPN1BTTBHFUIJTBOTXFSIBTOPSFMBUJPOUPUIFQBTTBHF
(E) This answer does not fit any of the Wrong Answer categories, but is wrong nonetheless. This idea is not
discussed in the passage.
246
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
&
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(A) True But Wrong. The author states this in lines 42-45, but it is not suggested in line 47.
(B) Copycat. The phrase common good might trick you into selecting this answer that is never stated or
implied in the passage.
(C) This answer does not fit any of the Wrong Answer categories, but is wrong nonetheless. This idea is not
discussed in the passage and presents new information (Western hemisphere).
(D) Extreme. The verb refuse is extreme, as it applies to all Americans. The answer also uses national
holidays, rather than just Columbus Day, and nothing is noted about other national holidays in the
passage.
7.
(D)
Medium
Prephrase: This answer is difficult to prephrase.
(A) True to You. It’s likely that you know this fact from your history classes, but it is not stated or implied in
the passage.
(B) True to a Point5IFBVUIPSJTNBLJOHUIFQPJOUUIBUUIF/FX8PSMEXBTOPTUSBOHFSUPCSVUBMJUZXIFSF
the natives had even resorted to cannibalism. But the use of other explorers makes it untrue.
(C) This answer does not fit any of the Wrong Answer categories, but is wrong nonetheless. This idea is not
discussed in the passage. Columbus claims that the natives practiced cannibalism, warfare, and slavery
among themselves, never indicating that he himself was in danger.
(E) Extreme and Copycat. The modifier all should be immediately suspect, and again, this answer involves
other explorers, who were not mentioned in the passage.
8.
(C)
Medium
Prephrase: Columbus engaged in warfare and brutal behavior
(A) True to You and True to a Point. This is not discussed in the passage, but may be something you
remember from history class. The passage does state that Columbus made the voyage to spread religion,
but not that this was Spain’s reason for the funding the voyage.
(B) Opposite. The author of Passage 2 would make this point, not the author of Passage 1 or the historians.
(D) Opposite. The author of Passage 2 would make this point, not the author of Passage 1 or the historians.
(E) Opposite. The author of Passage 2 would make this point, not the author of Passage 1 or the historians
Chapter Nine
247
Passage Based Reading Mastery
Analyzing the Answer Choices Problem Set
In the following exercise, reread the passages from the previous chapter. For each question, select the correct answer
DIPJDFBOEJGQPTTJCMFMBCFMUIFXSPOHBOTXFSDIPJDFTBT$PQZDBUT0QQPTJUFT&YUSFNFT5SVF#VU8SPOH5SVFUPB
Point, True to You, or a combination of answer types. The first one has been done for you. Answers begin on page 246.
The following passages discuss the commemoration
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"NFSJDBOBDUJWJTU1BTTBHFJTGSPNBCMPHCZB
political commentator.
40
45
Passage 1
Line
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, resulting
in the annihilation of my people. Upon his “discovery,”
UIFSFXFSFNPSFUIBONJMMJPO/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
populating the continent, but by 1900, that number
had diminished to 230,000. Such atrocities might be
somewhat less offensive or at least mitigated if he had
only inadvertently spread European germs that wiped
out so many tribes, but Columbus was a murderous
tyrant. He kidnapped and enslaved hundreds of natives,
allowed his crew to abuse men, women, and children,
and mortally wounded those slaves who could not
produce gold and riches fit for Spain. Eventually, his
BSSJWBMJO/PSUI"NFSJDBMFEUPGVSUIFSHFOPDJEFXIFO
the government cleared our lands for the white man’s
pursuit of manifest destiny. It is deplorable that the
American dream of homestead ownership is founded
POUIFTMBVHIUFSPG/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTBOEUIFMBSDFOZPG
their land.
What makes Columbus’ savage crimes more unsettling
is the honor that is still being bestowed upon him some
500 years later. Christopher Columbus is a national hero;
he is exalted in elementary school text books, glorified in
the names of our cities and capitals, and commemorated
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era of political correctness, it is baffling how the United
States government can continue to ignore the cries of
my people who demand the forsaking of Columbus Day
in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Can you imagine
the repercussions if national holidays were issued for
PUIFSCSVUBMMFBEFSTTVDIBT"EPMG)JUMFSPS/BUIBO
Bedford Forrest? Fortunately, these tyrants will never
be celebrated because the United States recognizes their
atrocities and assisted or at least apologized to their
victims. In the meantime, though, hundreds of thousands
PG/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTBSFJHOPSFEJOTVMUFEBOEFYQFDUFE
to “just get over it.”
I suppose we shouldn’t expect much from our government. To make changes to school textbooks and national
holidays demands accepting responsibility and making
240
50
reparations, two acts that threaten the culture, economy,
and status quo of the nation. Plus, the ashes of nineteenth
century manifest destiny still smolder, as most Americans believe that their leaders have a right to invade and
take any land as long as the goal is the common good of
the American people and the betterment of the natives
PGUIFUIBUMBOE/FWFSNJOEXIBUUIFDVMUVSFPGUIPTF
natives dictates; Americans, after all, know best. While
JUNBZCFQPJOUMFTTUPFYQFDUDIBOHF/BUJWF"NFSJcans will undoubtedly hold on to hope that one day our
leaders will recognize the heinousness that our ancestors endured, and take the necessary steps to reduce a
historical figure from national hero to national villain.
Passage 2
55
60
65
70
75
80
Columbus Day is in danger of extinction. In several
cities in California, it has been replaced by Indigenous
Peoples’ Day. Parades in honor of the explorer have not
PDDVSSFEJO$PMVNCVT0IJPTJODFUIFT"OE4PVUI
%BLPLBIBTSFOBNFEUIFIPMJEBZi/BUJWF"NFSJDBO
Day.” Even where the holiday is preserved, many people
lack enthusiasm for the celebration in fear of offending
descendents of native peoples.
All Americans need to reclaim this national holiday.
Honoring the incredible achievement of Columbus is
not the same as reveling in the hardship and sorrow of
native peoples. In addition, historians have exaggerated the facts surrounding Columbus’ discovery while
de-emphasizing the barbarism and poverty into which
IFTUVNCMFEJO/PSUI"NFSJDB$PMVNCVTXBTBUUJNFT
brutal and did take hostages to Spain, but in his journal,
Columbus reported cannibalism, warfare, and slavery
among the natives, and upon his second journey, he
learned that the crew members he left behind were
slaughtered by local inhabitants. Enslavement, brutality,
and conquest were not exclusive to Europeans—these
atrocities were rampant all over the world—but the
remarkable discovery of two continents was something
only Columbus accomplished.
It’s also worth noting that Columbus made his quest
not for riches or fame but to honor his adopted country
and spread its religion. His intentions were pure. Some
would argue that he and his men engaged in warfare
with some of the natives that they encountered, but this
happened rarely and only because it was a “kill or be
killed” situation. The victims were so deficient in iron
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
85
90
95
100
1.
that they did not have the strength to effectively fight
the Europeans. Columbus described most of the people
he encountered as “gentle” and “free from wickedness,”
and his design for them included conversion to Christianity, development of a written language, and freedom
from poverty. These goals were ultimately realized, but
historians are hesitant to place value on the results. They
would rather look at the negative impact of Columbus
EJTDPWFSJOH"NFSJDBUIBOUIFQPTJUJWFJNQBDUPG/BUJWF
Americans discovering Europe.
Columbus’s discovery was the first great chapter in
our nation’s history. His accomplishment was a catalyst
for excellence; enlightenment, democracy, reason, and
individualism are just a few of the core values that are
BEJSFDUSFTVMUPGUIFWPZBHFPGUIF/JOB1JOUBBOE
Santa Maria. We are not only entitled, but patriotically
obligated, to honor the great explorer.
Both authors would most likely agree that
(A) Columbus’ voyage was sanctioned by the king
and queen of Spain
(B) Columbus Day should be abandoned in favor of
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
(C) Columbus exhibited ruthlessness in the
Americas
(D) celebrating Columbus Day is an entitlement for
Americans
&
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Americans
2.
In response to the claim made in lines 21-24
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would most likely assert that
(A) Columbus Day honors a murderous tyrant
#
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Americans
(C) Columbus Day celebrations should be continued
in elementary schools
(D) the repercussions from Columbus Day
celebrations are financially draining
(E) brutality was universal and should not detract
from Columbus’ accomplishment
Chapter Nine
(A) True to You?
(B) True But Wrong (P1)/Copycat (line 28)
(C) Correct (lines 8-12 and 67-68)
(D) True But Wrong (Passage 2)
(E) Extreme
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
241
Passage Based Reading Mastery
3.
The author of Passage 1 mentions Adolf Hitler and
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suggest that
"
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World
(B) national holidays honoring other villians would
cause an uproar by Europeans
(C) Columbus is the only person responsible for
decimating a population of people
(D) Columbus’ wrongdoings were as terrible as the
crimes of two other historical figures
(E) the government is not likely to abolish
Columbus Day
4.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
According to the author of Passage 2, there is a lack of
“enthusiasm” (line 59) for Columbus Day because
(A) many Americans worry that the celebration is an
BGGSPOUUP/BUJWF"NFSJDBOT
(B) most people view Columbus as a savage
tyrant
(C) few private businesses close for the national
holiday
(D) Columbus’ voyage is considered a Spanish
accomplishment rather than an American one
&
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would prefer to celebrate Indigenous People’s
Day
5.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The author of Passage 1 does not “expect much” (line
37) because
(A) most people do not believe that the United States
has a right to invade foreign lands
(B) the government fears the cultural and financial
consequences of change
(C) Americans choose to celebrate Columbus’ quest
to free natives from poverty and illiteracy
(D) home ownership has replaced freedom as the
American dream
(E) history has proven that the American government
JHOPSFT/BUJWF"NFSJDBOTSFRVFTUT
242
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The PowerScore SAT Reading Bible
Analyze the Answer Choices
6.
Line 47 (“Americans . . . best”) suggests that
Americans
(A) support the government in conducting foreign
invasions
(B) celebrate Columbus Day because it benefits the
common good
(C) acknowledge that their country is the most
powerful in the Western hemisphere
(D) refuse to make changes to their national
holidays
(E) believe that their judgment concerning
appropriate behavior is better than that of
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7.
In lines 64-67 (“In addition . . . America”), the passage
implies that
(A) Columbus mistakenly believed that he had
landed in the Spice Islands
(B) Columbus was not as barbaric as other
European explorers
$
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and his men
(D) historians are partly responsible for Columbus’
villainous reputation
(E) all European explorers reported that the natives
in the new world engaged in cannibalism and
warfare
8.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
The author of Passage 1 and the “historians” (line 90)
in Passage 2 would most likely agree that the voyage of
Christopher Columbus
(A) resulted from Spain’s devotion to spreading
Christianity
(B) led to the development of a written language for
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$
IBEEFUSJNFOUBMDPOTFRVFODFTGPS/BUJWF
Americans
(D) was the first great accomplishment in our nation’s
history
(E) should be commemorated with pride by all
Americans
Chapter Nine
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
243
Short Reading Comprehension
Review Questions
Short Reading Comprehension Skill Set One
Note: Skill sets may contain more questions than the actual SAT to show the potential range of questioning.
The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages
may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated
or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Questions 1–4 are based on the following passage.
(5)
But in the main, I feel like a brown bag of miscellany propped against a wall. Against a wall in company with
other bags, white, red, and yellow. Pour out the contents, and there is discovered a jumble of small things: priceless
lengths of string, a key to a door long since crumbled away, a rusty knife-blade, old shoes saved for a road that
never was and never will be, a nail bent under the weight of things too heavy for any nail, a dried flower or two still
a little fragrant. In your hand is the brown bag. On the ground before you is the jumble it held—so much like the
jumble in the bags, could they be emptied, that all might be dumped in a single heap and the bags refilled without
altering the content of any greatly. A bit of colored glass more or less would not matter. Perhaps that is how the
Great Stuffer of Bags filled them in the first place—who knows?
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
describe the contents of bags.
suggest people are not predisposed to
prejudice.
recommend all people share wealth with
others.
purport that all people have some value.
identify that even with age, memories are
valued.
2. What statement best describes the author’s
meaning of the phrase “a nail bent under the
weight of things too heavy for any nail?” (line 4)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Life presents hardships that will test the
mettle of any individual.
There are times in life when a curved object
is a better tool than a straight one.
Planning will help the individual have the
correct equipment for the job at hand.
People tend to keep items that are no longer
useful.
The nail is simply another article to place in
the bag.
3. “Great Stuffer of Bags” is an example of what
literary device?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
onomatopoeia
personification
allusion
assonance
alliteration
4. The entire passage qualifies as which of the
following devices?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
allegory
extended metaphor
epic
litotes
hyperbole
67
Part II: Reading Comprehension
Questions 5–7 are based on the following passage.
(5)
It seemed to me, as I kept remembering all this, that those times and those summers had been infinitely precious
and worth saving. There had been jollity and peace and goodness. The arriving (at the beginning of August) had
been so big a business in itself; at the railway station the farm wagon drawn up, the first smell of the pine-laden air,
the first glimpse of the smiling farmer, and the great importance of the trunks and your father’s enormous authority
in such matters, and the feel of the wagon under you for the long ten-mile haul, and at the top of the last long hill
catching the first view of the lake after eleven months of not seeing this cherished body of water. The shouts and
cries of the other campers when they saw you, and the trunks to be unpacked, to give up their rich burden. (Arriving
was less exciting nowadays, when you sneaked up in your car and parked it under a tree near the damp and took out
the bags and in five minutes it was all over, no fuss, no loud wonderful fuss about trunks.)
5. The device used by the author in this passage is
called
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
foreshadowing.
deja vu.
flashback.
flash forward.
recollection.
7. The overall tone of the passage is
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
melancholy.
sad.
angry.
sedate.
soothing.
6. In the passage, the author emphasizes which
aspect of the childhood memory?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the anticipation
the aromas
enjoying friends
wagon rides
the arrival
Questions 8–10 are based on the following passage.
(4)
I fretted the other night at the hotel at the stranger who broke into my chamber after midnight, claiming to share
it. But after his lamp had smoked the chamber full and I had turned round to the wall in despair, the man blew out
his lamp, knelt down at his bedside, and made in low whisper a long earnest prayer. Then was the relation entirely
changed between us. I fretted no more, but respected and liked him.
8. In line 1, “fretted” most nearly means
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
wondered.
considered.
vaguely recognized.
worried.
panicked.
9. The probable purpose of the author using the
phrase, “lamp had smoked the chamber full” is to
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
68
establish a period of time.
show a low grade fuel was used.
establish the faultiness of the lamp.
indicate the lamp was turned up too high.
utilize figurative language.
10. What can the reader infer about the speaker based
on the passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
He is a brave man.
He is used to sharing his room with
strangers.
He easily overcomes fear.
He is a religious man.
He is easily put off.
Long Reading Comprehension Review Questions
Long Reading Comprehension Skill Set Six
Note: Skill sets may contain more questions than the actual SAT to show the potential range of questioning.
The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages
may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated
or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage.
The following is an excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Twain spent considerable time on the
Mississippi River and was well versed in the perils of navigating this body of water.
(5)
(10)
(15)
(20)
(25)
(30)
(35)
Now on very dark nights, light is a deadly enemy to piloting; you are aware that if you stand in a lighted room,
on such a night, you cannot see things in the street to any purpose; but if you put out the lights and stand in the
gloom you can make out objects in the street pretty well. So, on very dark nights, pilots do not smoke; they allow
no fire in the pilot-house stove if there is a crack which can allow the least ray to escape; they order the furnaces to
be curtained with huge tarpaulins and the sky-lights to be closely blinded. Then no light whatever issues from the
boat. The undefinable shape that now entered the pilot-house had Mr. X.’s voice. This said—
‘Let me take her, George; I’ve seen this place since you have, and it is so crooked that I reckon I can run it myself easier than I could tell you how to do it.’
‘It is kind of you, and I swear—I—am willing. I haven’t got another drop of perspiration left in me. I have been
spinning around and around the wheel like a squirrel. It is so dark I can’t tell which way she is swinging till she is
coming around like a whirligig.’
So Ealer took a seat on the bench, panting and breathless. The black phantom assumed the wheel without saying anything, steadied the waltzing steamer with a turn or two, and then stood at ease, coaxing her a little to this
side and then to that, as gently and as sweetly as if the time had been noonday. When Ealer observed this marvel of
steering, he wished he had not confessed! He stared, and wondered, and finally said—
‘Well, I thought I knew how to steer a steamboat, but that was another mistake of mine.’
X. said nothing, but went serenely on with his work. He rang for the leads; he rang to slow down the steam; he
worked the boat carefully and neatly into invisible marks, then stood at the center of the wheel and peered blandly
out into the blackness, fore and aft, to verify his position; as the leads shoaled more and more, he stopped the engines entirely, and the dead silence and suspense of ‘drifting’ followed when the shoalest water was struck, he
cracked on the steam, carried her handsomely over, and then began to work her warily into the next system of shoal
marks; the same patient, heedful use of leads and engines followed, the boat slipped through without touching bottom, and entered upon the third and last intricacy of the crossing; imperceptibly she moved through the gloom,
crept by inches into her marks, drifted tediously till the shoalest water was cried, and then, under a tremendous
head of steam, went swinging over the reef and away into deep water and safety!
Ealer let his long-pent breath pour out in a great, relieving sigh, and said—
‘That’s the sweetest piece of piloting that was ever done on the Mississippi River! I wouldn’t believed it could
be done, if I hadn’t seen it.’
There was no reply, and he added—
‘Just hold her five minutes longer, partner, and let me run down and get a cup of coffee.’
A minute later Ealer was biting into a pie, down in the ‘texas,’ and comforting himself with coffee. Just then the
night watchman happened in, and was about to happen out again, when he noticed Ealer and exclaimed—
‘Who is at the wheel, sir?’
‘X.’
‘Dart for the pilot-house, quicker than lightning!’
The next moment both men were flying up the pilot-house companion way, three steps at a jump! Nobody there!
The great steamer was whistling down the middle of the river at her own sweet will! The watchman shot out of the
place again; Ealer seized the wheel, set an engine back with power, and held his breath while the boat reluctantly
swung away from a ‘towhead’ which she was about to knock into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico!
131
Part II: Reading Comprehension
(40)
(45)
By and by the watchman came back and said—
‘Didn’t that lunatic tell you he was asleep, when he first came up here?’
‘NO.’
‘Well, he was.
I found him walking along on top of the railings just as unconcerned as another man would walk a pavement;
and I put him to bed; now just this minute there he was again, away astern, going through that sort of tight-rope
deviltry the same as before.’
‘Well, I think I’ll stay by, next time he has one of those fits. But I hope he’ll have them often. You just ought to
have seen him take this boat through Helena crossing. I never saw anything so gaudy before. And if he can do such
gold-leaf, kid-glove, diamond-breastpin piloting when he is sound asleep, what COULDN’T he do if he was dead!’
1. What is the primary purpose for the first paragraph
lines (1–6)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
to explain what lengths pilots go to keep the
pilot-house
to explain that even though freezing, no
furnace is burned at night in the pilot-house
to explain that pilots do not even smoke in
the pilot-house to keep it dark
to explain the dangers of piloting at night
to explain that it was difficult to identify
anyone entering the pilot-house at night
2. What can the reader infer by the comment of Mr.
X., “I’ve seen this place since you have” line (7)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
It was simply a nice way to take over the
wheel of the boat.
It implies it had been a very long time since
George had seen this part of the river.
It suggests that due to the current, the river
shifts with some frequency.
It is simply a form of boasting by Mr. X. that
he pilots more frequently than George.
It means that Mr. X. has been in the pilothouse more recently than George and can
better pilot.
3. Which statement best summarizes George’s
statements in lines (9–11)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
4. Why does the phrase, “It is so dark I can’t tell
which way she is swinging” line (10) seem strange?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
132
He is upset at the suggestion and swears at
Mr. X. albeit he acquiesces in the end.
He has fought the darkness and over-steered
such that he has sweat to the point of
dehydration.
The currents are so strong that the wheel
was very difficult to turn making him sweat
profusely.
He is disgusted that it is so dark in the pilothouse that he over-steers because he can’t
see the instruments.
He has been spinning around the wheel like a
squirrel runs around a tree getting nowhere.
because a dark pilot-house is supposed to
help pilot the boat, not confuse the pilot
because darker is supposed to be better, so it
could not be too dark
because at first glance you don’t know he
is speaking of the outside and it doesn’t
match with the desire for total darkness in
the pilot-house
because you would initially think that
darkness was a friend to the pilot in the pilothouse and now he is saying it was too dark to
know which way the boat was turning
because of the discussions about it being
dark in the pilot-house and it being very dark
at night and that if light is deadly, why is it
now a problem
Long Reading Comprehension Review Questions
5. Which device is evidenced with the phrase,
“waltzing steamer” in line (13)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
symbolism
anachronism
anaphora
assonance
personification
6. What can be inferred by the phrase “he wished he
had not confessed” line (15)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
He felt childish for having not been tougher
during a tense situation and thought that
Mr. X. would think less of him as a comrade.
Given the ease with which Mr. X. traversed
the river, George was more than a little
embarrassed with his confession that he
could not do nearly so well.
Because Mr. X. was not engaged in
conversation with him, George thought he
was upset that his companion could not have
managed this piece of the river, particularly
given the ease with which it obviously could
be done.
He felt like since he so easily relinquished
the wheel to Mr. X. that now Mr. X. would
think that he was unwilling to pull his own
weight aboard the boat.
He was fearful the Mr. X. would share his
confession and inadequacy with the other
hands or even the captain.
8. What literary device is used when it is disclosed
that Mr. X. was asleep?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
twist of fate
dénouement
surprise ending
flashback
foreshadowing
9. In line (48), the word “gaudy” most nearly means
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
professional.
expertly done.
flawlessly.
showy.
amazing.
10. What is most likely the main purpose for writing
the story?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
to inform
to argue a point
to persuade
to entertain
to dissuade
7. Which of the following would not be a reasonable
deduction as a result of Mr. X. not speaking to
George the whole of the relief piloting episode
lines (12–29)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Mr. X. was fully focused on the task at hand
and did not wish to engage in conversation.
Mr. X. was offended by the readiness George
demonstrated by giving up the wheel so
readily.
George was a less tendered mate and Mr. X.
did not choose to engage in social conversation
with someone of lesser position.
Mr. X. had a hearing impairment and simply
didn’t hear George.
Mr. X. was answering George but George
was hearing impaired.
133
Part II: Reading Comprehension
Long Reading Comprehension Skill Set Eight
Note: Skill sets may contain more questions than the actual SAT to show the potential range of questioning.
The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages
may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated
or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage.
The following is an excerpt from Persuasion by Jane Austen.
(5)
(10)
(15)
(20)
(25)
(30)
(35)
(40)
140
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character; vanity of person and of situation. He had
been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more
of their personal appearance than he did, nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place
he held in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir
Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and devotion.
His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since to them he must have owed a wife of
very superior character to any thing deserved by his own. Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman, sensible and
amiable; whose judgement [sic] and conduct, if they might be pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her
Lady Elliot, had never required indulgence afterwards. She had humoured [sic], or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world
herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children, to attach her to life, and make it no matter of
indifference to her when she was called on to quit them. Three girls, the two eldest sixteen and fourteen, was an
awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an awful charge rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a conceited, silly father. She had, however, one very intimate friend, a sensible, deserving woman, who had been
brought, by strong attachment to herself, to settle close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on her kindness and
advice, Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help and maintenance of the good principles and instruction which
she had been anxiously giving her daughters.
This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been anticipated on that head by their acquaintance. Thirteen years had passed away since Lady Elliot’s death, and they were still near neighbours [sic] and intimate
friends, and one remained a widower, the other a widow.
That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably discontented when a woman
does marry again, than when she does not; but Sir Walter’s continuing in singleness requires explanation. Be it
known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with one or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications), prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters’ sake. For one daughter, his eldest,
he would really have given up any thing, which he had not been very much tempted to do. Elizabeth had succeeded,
at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother’s rights and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like
himself, her influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most happily. His two other children
were of very inferior value. Mary had acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs. Charles Musgrove;
but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high with any people of
real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no weight, her convenience was always to
give way—she was only Anne.
To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter, favourite [sic], and friend. Lady
Russell loved them all; but it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early; and as even in its
height, her father had found little to admire in her (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark eyes
from his own), there could be nothing in them, now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem. He had never
indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name in any other page of his favourite [sic] work. All
equality of alliance must rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself with an old country family of
respectability and large fortune, and had therefore given all the honour [sic] and received none: Elizabeth would,
one day or other, marry suitably.
Long Reading Comprehension Review Questions
1. What is the author’s purpose in the first paragraph,
lines (1–5)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
to establish a time frame for the story
to establish a setting for the story
to establish an overall tone in the story
to establish the character of Sir Elliot in the
story
to establish the financial condition of Sir
Elliot in the story
2. Which selection properly identifies the “fair
claim” in line (6)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
His wealth stemmed from looks and rank.
His birthright gave him looks and rank
attainable.
His possession of looks and rank commanded
respect.
He got his wife because of looks and rank.
He was held high in society because of looks
and rank.
3. What does “his own” refer to as used in line (7)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
his own wife
his own looks
his own character
his own rank
his own claim
4. The device evidenced in line (7) by eliminating the
word “character” after “his own” is known as
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
parasynthesis.
mythopoetics.
monosemy.
ellipsis.
interpolation.
5. Which statement best defines the meaning of the
phrase “attach her to life” line (11), as used in this
passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Make her feel alive due to all the social
activities resulting from her husband’s rank.
Her duties, friends, and children were
constantly attached to her demanding
attention.
She found reason to live in her duties,
friends, and children.
Her entire life was relegated to her duties,
friends, and children.
Ensure that she lived well when she could
not attend to her duties or be with her friends
or children.
6. The phrase “no matter of indifference” lines
(11–12) is best represented as an example of
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
hyperbole.
understatement.
exaggeration.
assonance.
litotes.
7. The phrase “called on to quit them” line (12)
qualifies as
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
a metaphor.
a simile.
hyperbole.
anaphora.
ellipses.
8. Which selection best represents the dichotomous
views of Anne as demonstrated in lines (35–38)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Elliot believes she will marry one day—
Russell believes she does not.
Elliot believes she is still fair—Russell
believes she has inward qualities.
Elliot believes she has nothing to offer—
Russell believes she has her mother’s
qualities.
Elliot believes she had worth—Russell
believes she had no worth.
Elliot believes she resembles his looks—
Russell believes she does not.
141
Part II: Reading Comprehension
9. What is the author telling us that Elliot believes
of his daughters as it concerns marriage in lines
(25–41)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
142
Anne will eventually marry to good stock;
Elizabeth will stay and attend estate needs;
Mary married for convenience.
Anne married, but not well; Elizabeth will
marry well; Mary will never marry as she is
too thin.
Anne won’t marry; Elizabeth married, but
not well; Mary will marry well.
Anne lost what little looks she had so will
marry into a bad alliance; Elizabeth will
marry a good alliance; Mary married into a
lower level family.
Anne was too thin and homely so won’t
marry; Elizabeth is best suited and will marry
with good alliance; Mary married into a
family that adds nothing to the Elliot alliance.
10. Which selection best describes the relationship
between the first and last paragraphs?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Information presented in paragraph one is
contradictory to the last paragraph.
Information presented in paragraph one is
opposite to what is presented in the last
paragraph.
Information presented in paragraph one is
validated in the final paragraph.
Information presented in paragraph one is
similar to that in the final paragraph.
Information presented in paragraph one is
basically the same as that in the final
paragraph.
Sentence Completion Review Questions
Sentence Completion Skill Set Two
Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the
sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
1. Her ______ demeanor was understandable given
the loss of her brother; indeed, most of us were
rather ______.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
lachyromose. . . dolorous
reprehensible. . . enigmatic
subtle. . . raucous
determined. . . committed
displaced. . . focused
2. It was a rather ______ mystery, full of twists and
turns and surprises and ______ most difficult to
predict.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
tawdry. . .foreshadowing
knotty. . .nuances
subtle. . .characters
obvious. . .reversals
easily understood. . .clever redirections
3. He is the ______ of evil; he lies, cheats, steals,
murders, and boasts of his anti-societal behavior.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
antithesis
plaintiff
epitome
harbinger
picture
4. It is commonly believed that statesman Frederick
Douglass ______ patterned his autobiography
after the ______ of the former slave Olaudah
Equiano.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
effectively. . . notations
knowingly. . . diary
accidentally. . . writings
intentionally. . . narrative
expectantly. . . accomplishments
5. Legislative leaders found it desirable to ______
prohibition, partially in order to recover revenue
from taxation on spirits.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
enforce
abrogate
stave
modify
obdurate
6. It is incomprehensible that the tax codes should
be such a ______ instead of a straightforward
bracket based on gross earnings, notwithstanding
deductions.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
farce
joke
labyrinth
calamity
malfeasance
7. The editorial, in obvious opposition to the article
appearing in yesterday’s newspaper, was wellwritten, well-documented, factual, and
nonconfrontational, the only intent of which
seemed to be to ______ the article.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
repudiate
contradict
correct
lend credence
show support
8. It is within the ______ years that wisdom evidences
itself, when those long in tooth, grayed in hair, and
physically feeble demonstrate knowledge that is
only paid for with the price of age.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
latent
dormant
transcended
tenacious
crepuscular
23
Part I: Sentence Completion
9. Now is not the time for ______ decisions, but
______ in our cause for freedom.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
24
difficult. . . acquiescence
peaceful. . . tenacity
austere. . . commitment
tentative. . . resolution
weak. . . discourse
10. In order to ______ ratings, the incumbent directed
party loyalists to flood the media with ______
about recent developments in job creation.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
bolster. . . accolades
improve. . . talk
explain. . . data
nullify. . . falsehoods
mollify. . . rumors
Part II: Reading Comprehension
Short Reading Comprehension Skill Set Seven
The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages
may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated
or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Questions 1–5 are based on the following passage.
Perhaps the quickest way to understand the elements of what a novelist is doing is not to read, but to write; to
make your own experiment with the dangers and difficulties of words. Recall, then, some event that has left a distinct impression on you—how at the corner of the street, perhaps, you passed two people talking. A tree shook; an
electric light danced; the tone of the talk was comic, but also tragic; a whole vision, an entire conception, seemed
contained in that moment.
But when you attempt to reconstruct it in words, you will find that it breaks into a thousand conflicting impressions. Some must be subdued; others emphasized; in the process you will lose, probably, all grasp upon the emotion
itself. Then turn from your blurred and littered pages to the opening pages of some great novelist—Defoe, Jane
Austen, Hardy. Now you will be better able to appreciate their mastery.
(5)
1. Which of the following best reflects the author’s
purpose for writing this passage?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
to instruct the reader how to write as a
master
to inform the reader that writing is a process
requiring plot
to suggest ways to better enjoy the reading
material of the masters
to help the reader better appreciate the toils
involved in writing
to assist a new writer in better understanding
what a novelist goes through
2. Why would the author suggest writing would
encounter, “dangers and difficulties of words,”
line (2)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
92
As an experienced writer, she knows all too
well, the dangers and difficulties encountered
when trying to convey a specific vision,
emotion, or experience.
In order to dissuade people from taking up a
profession in writing that would serve only
to create more competition in an already
maximized field.
Choosing the wrong words can cause
animosity and stir emotions leading to a
dangerous situation.
Partially due to a lack of understanding of
how specific styles are developed with words
and what trouble they can get the writer in.
Often the specific choice of words an author
uses can convey double meanings that can get
the author into some trouble with publishers.
3. What does the author say, “breaks into a thousand
conflicting impressions,” lines (6 and 7)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
the words you are attempting to reconstruct
the event that you experienced
the emotion you are trying to recapture and
convey
the entire setting as it is fractioned
the overall intonation due to the complexity
of the process
4. Why does the author call your pages, “blurred and
littered,” line (8)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
because she understands that anyone going
through this process will enjoy the
experience to such a degree that they will
litter the floor with page after page and will
write until their vision blurs
because she believes the task assigned is of
such difficulty that pages will blur and
corrections will fully litter the pages
because she understands the inherent love of
writing and can envision the work area of the
novice writer just beginning to enjoy the
experience
because she believes it will take the novice
writer sufficient time to complete the task at
hand that they will have eaten at their desk
littering everywhere
because she understands that most beginning
writers will not be a neat as experienced
masters
Short Reading Comprehension Review Questions
5. Why doesn’t the author suggest the reader simply
read more masters to gain an appreciation of
their art?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The author understands that reading would
take such a long time before a partial
understanding of the process could be
understood and people would give up on
learning.
The author realizes that in order to truly
understand the process a good writer goes
through requires being with him/her as they
formulate a storyline.
The author knows that the passages written
by masters are much too difficult for the
reader to understand how it was developed.
The author wants the reader to know how easy
it is to get confused when you try to write.
The author believes teaching the elements a
great novelist employs is best done through
experiencing the process as the author does.
Questions 6–10 are based on the following passage.
(5)
Being told I would be expected to talk here, I inquired what sort of a talk I ought to make. They said it should be
something suitable to youth—something didactic, instructive, or something in the nature of good advice. Very well.
I have a few things in my mind which I have often longed to say for the instruction of the young; for it is one’s tender early years that such things will best take root and be most enduring and most valuable. First, then, I will say to
you, my young friends—and I say it beseechingly, urgingly—
Always obey your parents, when they are present. This is the best policy in the long run, because if you don’t they
will make you. Most parents think they know better than you do, and you can generally make more by humoring that
superstition than you can by acting on your own better judgment.
6. As used in line (2), the term “didactic” most
nearly means which of the following
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
intended to be inspirational
received as comical
seen as fatherly
teaching a moral lesson
sharing an informational experience
7. What device does the author decide to use to
present his talk?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
irony
humor
satire
inference
logic
93
Part II: Reading Comprehension
8. Why does the author suggest that it is “superstition”
that “parents think they know better than you do,”
line (7)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The author is preparing the audience for his
presentation of modern day superstitions and
he is hopeful this engagement will help keep
their attention.
The author understands the importance of
keeping an audience actively listening and
by acknowledging that the statement is
ludicrous, he aligns his thoughts to those of
the audience.
The author is making light of the proposition
that parents might know more than youth
which helps captivate the audience allowing
the speaker to make his actual points.
The author appreciates that less than 10
percent of what is spoken is retained by the
listener unless the listener is entertained.
The author notices that the audience is very
young and in order to make a lasting
impression, revelations of this nature are
imperative.
9. How does the author suggest the young might
make more as it relates to the main instruction
given in the speech?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
94
by obeying parents when they are present
and reserving your own actions until you are
not with them
by agreeing that they know much more than
you and provide superior advice
by playing along and fostering the idea that
parents know better than you
by setting rules that you are no longer
subject to their charge and act independently
by acknowledging that you live in a
dichotomous world with divergent aspirations
10. What likely would have been the audience
response to the speaker’s beseeching and urging?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
As the audience was young, it is likely they
would have wondered what the words meant
and listened attentively.
Without further instruction, the audience
response would have likely been one of
completely ignoring the speaker, unless their
parents were present.
It is unlikely they would have listened to their
neighbor and been attentive to the speaker.
Given the pre-established notion that the
speech would be instructive, it is likely the
audience would have diverted their attention.
As a result of the speaker sharing the
background of how he came to speak to the
group, they likely would have already
determined what the speech would be about
and began talking to neighbors.