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12 Practice <strong>Tests</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>SAT</strong><br />

Practice Test Eleven Answers and Explanations I<br />

987<br />

Choice (C) correctly uses <strong>the</strong> semicolon and makes <strong>the</strong> two<br />

sentences parallel. If split into two sentences, this would read:<br />

Many students prefer social studies over science classes.<br />

Ano<strong>the</strong>r student preference is <strong>for</strong> English over <strong>for</strong>eign<br />

language classes. Choice (B) doesn't correct <strong>the</strong> run-on<br />

sentence. Choice (D) corrects this problem but doesn't fix<br />

<strong>the</strong> wordiness or make <strong>the</strong> sentences parallel. Choice (E)<br />

corrects <strong>the</strong> run-on sentence but eliminates any connection<br />

between <strong>the</strong> two ideas.<br />

3. D<br />

Difficulty: High<br />

The question is difficult because <strong>the</strong> sentence contains<br />

two problems. First, to be credit is an incorrect <strong>for</strong>m of <strong>the</strong><br />

past tense. It should read to be credited. Second, nor is<br />

not correct usage here. Since <strong>the</strong> first part of <strong>the</strong> statement<br />

(refused to be credit ... ) isn't expressed in <strong>the</strong> negative,<br />

<strong>the</strong> correct connector is or.<br />

Choices (C) and (D) correct <strong>the</strong> first problem, but only<br />

(D) eliminates <strong>the</strong> nor. Choice (E) adds nei<strong>the</strong>r so that <strong>the</strong><br />

sentence includes nei<strong>the</strong>r and nor, but here <strong>the</strong> nei<strong>the</strong>r<br />

<strong>for</strong>ms a double negative: refused to nei<strong>the</strong>r be credited . ..<br />

this is incorrect. Only (D) works.<br />

4. E<br />

Difficulty: Low<br />

The sentence compares two things: Balanchine's skill as a<br />

dancer and his skill as a choreographer. The structure of <strong>the</strong><br />

comparison must be parallel.<br />

Choices (C) and (E) fix this problem-dancer and<br />

choreographer are parallel structures. Choice (C), however,<br />

changes <strong>the</strong> meaning of <strong>the</strong> sentence. Balanchine was not<br />

almost skillful. He was almost as skillful a dancer as he was<br />

a choreographer. Choice (E) is correct. Choices (B) and (D)<br />

do not correct <strong>the</strong> parallelism problem.<br />

5. c<br />

Difficulty: Medium<br />

The introductory phrase should be followed by <strong>the</strong> noun<br />

that it modifies. Remember to check modification whenever<br />

you see an introductory phrase on Improving Sentences<br />

questions.<br />

Who stares out over <strong>the</strong> ocean? The sailor. Choices (B) and<br />

(C) both use <strong>the</strong> correct noun. However, (B) states that <strong>the</strong><br />

sailor gave stability to <strong>the</strong> waves. This doesn't make sense.<br />

Choice (C) is <strong>the</strong> only answer with <strong>the</strong> correct noun that makes<br />

sense. The sailor felt a sense of stability from <strong>the</strong> waves.<br />

6. D<br />

Difficulty: Medium<br />

This sentence is a run-on, containing two independent<br />

sentences joined by a comma. Since none of <strong>the</strong> answer<br />

choices correct this by adding a semicolon, look <strong>for</strong> an<br />

answer that inserts an appropriate conjunction between <strong>the</strong><br />

sentences or that makes one of <strong>the</strong> independent clauses a<br />

subordinate clause.<br />

Choices (B), (D), and (E) all insert an appropriate<br />

conjunction though that shows <strong>the</strong> relationship between<br />

<strong>the</strong> two ideas. Only (D) corrects <strong>the</strong> style problems of daily<br />

in <strong>the</strong>ir lives <strong>the</strong>y are calm though. Choice (B) adds to <strong>the</strong><br />

style problems by adding than that. Choice (E) eliminates<br />

<strong>the</strong> parallelism between <strong>the</strong> two sentences. Choice (C)<br />

omits <strong>the</strong> idea that <strong>the</strong>y are calm in <strong>the</strong>ir daily lives, only<br />

stating that <strong>the</strong>y are not as angry. Only (D) is correct.<br />

7. B<br />

Difficulty: Medium<br />

The sentence uses <strong>the</strong> pronoun which to refer to people.<br />

Choices (B) and (E) use <strong>the</strong> correct pronoun who to<br />

refer to people, but only (B) keeps <strong>the</strong> idea of <strong>the</strong> original<br />

sentence. Choice (E) introduces horoscopes instead of<br />

astrology. Choice (C) uses whom instead of who. Choice<br />

(D) uses that to refer to people.<br />

8. D<br />

Difficulty: Medium<br />

Check to see if <strong>the</strong> introductory phrase modifies <strong>the</strong> correct<br />

noun. It is intended to modify many people (many people<br />

rely on <strong>the</strong> news), but CNN immediately follows it.<br />

Choices (C) and (D) place <strong>the</strong> correct noun directly after<br />

<strong>the</strong> introductory phrase, but (C) is inappropriately reversed,<br />

needlessly wordy, and awkward. Only (D) has <strong>the</strong> correct<br />

arrangement of words. Choice (B) substitutes <strong>the</strong> wrong<br />

noun as modifier. CNN doesn't rely on its news; many people<br />

do. Choice (E) is a sentence fragment; it contains no verb.<br />

9. A<br />

Difficulty: Medium<br />

The sentence is correct as written. Don't <strong>for</strong>get answer (A).<br />

It is correct about as often as any o<strong>the</strong>r choice.<br />

Note <strong>the</strong> word pair ei<strong>the</strong>r and or. Choice (A) gives <strong>the</strong><br />

correct usage. Choice (B) is correct but unnecessarily<br />

complicates <strong>the</strong> sentence. Choice (C) eliminates in. Choices<br />

(D) and (E) eliminate ei<strong>the</strong>r from <strong>the</strong> word pair.

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