12.Practice.Tests.for.the.SAT_2015-2016_1128p

1068
112 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Twelve Answers and Explanations
5. c
Difficulty: Low
A premise is a proposition that is used as the basis for
an argument-or a story. If scientists are critical of the
premise for a movie, we can infer that they are so because
they consider it to be unscientific, without basis in fact, or
speculative. Choice (C) is therefore the correct answer.
Choice (A) is wrong because if the premise were scientific,
then it would hardly be open to criticism by scientists.
Choice (B) is wrong because there's no reason to think
that the theme of the return of the dinosaurs is tacit, or
unexpressed, in the movie.
6. A
Difficulty: Medium
Focus on the key word predicted. He became known
for what if he was able to foresee future events? The
prediction should be a word that means Nostradamus
had a knowledge of events before they occurred, such as
foresight. Eliminate all answer choices that do not match
this prediction.
Choice (A) is correct. As for (B), Nostradamus became
known for his predictions, not for honesty or sincerity.
Looking at (C), this word is out of scope; nothing is
said about Nostradamus being greedy. As for (D), be
careful; complicity does not mean complicated; it means
involvement as an accomplice in a crime. Finally, in (E),
because his predictions were accurate, Nostradamus was
not being untruthful.
7. B
Difficulty: High
The publishers were up to no good, so this news must have
hurt their reputation-in fact, hurt is a great prediction for the
second blank. Since their reputation was hurt, it must have
been pretty good to begin with, another solid prediction.
Choice (B) is a great match for both blanks. Choices (A)
and (C) are great matches for the first prediction, but the
second words are opposites of your prediction. In (D), if the
reputation was deficient, then it wouldn't have been changed
by the news of shady business practices. In (E), you might
not be sure whether the first word fits, but the second one
makes no sense. If a reputation is coveted, or desired, then
it has to be coveted by someone, and no such person is
mentioned in the sentence.
8. A
Difficulty: High
You know that admirers are people who feel positively
toward their candidate, so admired is a good prediction for
the first blank. For the second blank, look for something
that would contrast with having supporters, like messed
up or cancelled. Choice (A) works well for both blanks. In
(B), the first blank is a great fit, but it doesn't make much
sense to say that she illuminated her campaign. In (C)
and (D), she wouldn't be denounced or disdained by her
supporters, both very negative actions. In (E), bolstered, or
strengthened, is a pretty good fit, but it doesn't make sense
to retaliate, or get revenge, on a campaign.
Questions 9-1 O
The author of this short passage criticizes the American
voting system. The writer concludes that instead of choosing
the political candidate best suited for the job, voters tend to
be forced to choose the least of the evils.
9. c
Difficulty: Low
A word in quotation marks is always a sign to research the
passage and predict an answer. The plague described in
line 1 is the persistent problem of having to attract voters
at any cost. The need to appeal to voters is captured in
(C). Choices (A) and (E) are incorrect because neither a
reliance on polls nor lower-income families are mentioned
in the passage. Attacks on competitors are a consequence
of the plague but not the plague itself, so (B) is incorrect.
Choice (D) distorts information from the passage, which
says that voters are only slightly familiar with the issues, not
that politicians ignore the views voters have.
10. B
Difficulty: Low
The phrase an even narrower grasp in describing the voting
public's understanding of policy suggests that acquaintance
gives a negative evaluation of the voting public's political
awareness. Choice (B) matches the negative tone. Choices
(A), (D), and (E) are too positive. Eliminate (C) because the
public is, in the author's estimation, not engaged in any sort
of discussion with the crucial issues, fraught or otherwise.