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

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1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Twelve Answers and Explanations
behaviors, such as an increased life span. Although belied
has a negative connotation, healthy lifestyles are not
necessarily contradicted, but rather are challenged by being
busy. Choice (D), morality, is positive but out of scope, and
bolstered (supported) is the opposite of the prediction.
Eliminate (E) based on the second blank; it is the opposite
of the prediction. Reproduction may be enhanced by
healthy choices, but this isn't what the sentence is
discussing.
5. c
Difficulty: High
You don't need to know the meaning of the word
punctiliously to make a prediction for the word in the blank.
What action would compromise a stakeout?
What word describes a type of mistake? The blank could
read blunder. Eliminate any answer choices that don't
match this prediction.
You can eliminate (A) because the sentence is not referring to
a possible question. Choice (B), gibe, means jeer or laugh at
and does not match the prediction. Choice (C) matches. A
tryst, (D), is a pact made between lovers and has nothing to
do with detectives working on a case. A tribute, (E), cannot
compromise a stakeout.
Questions 6-9
These paired passages offer opposing views on commercial
fish farming. Passage 1 argues that while fish farming
seemed to be a good alternative to depleting the world's
supply of wild-caught fish, new research is showing that
the fish used as feed on these farms could be wiped out.
Passage 2 sees fish farming as a positive way of making fish
more sustainable.
6. B
Difficulty: Low
The first sentence refers to fish farming as a creative
alternative, which matches nicely with (B), an innovative
method. Eliminate (A) because the author does not
discuss whether or not the technique is complicated. The
environmental impact and practicality of
fish farming aren't discussed at all in the first sentence, so
both (D) and (E) are incorrect.
7. D
Difficulty: High
While you may know various meanings of the cited word,
it is important to go back and refamiliarize yourself with its
specific use in the text. Here, sharp is used to describe the
reduction in ocean fish populations due to fishing; later
in the passage, the author states that such supplies were
starting to run significantly short. Given this context, (D),
appreciable, is the correct definition. Choice (A), piercing,
is a primary definition of sharp; primary meanings are often
incorrect on Vocabulary-in-Context questions.
8. B
Difficulty: Medium
While it's unlikely that the passages will lay out the
questions that are raised by their content, look at the text
to find issues that are essentially left unresolved or words
that suggest uncertainty. Passage 1 cites new research that
questions fish farming and suggests in its final sentence
some uncertainty over the lasting potential of fish farming.
Passage 2 also refers to fish farming as a potential solution
that could make wild fish populations more sustainable.
In both instances, the passages are at the very least
questioning the long-term effectiveness of fish farming.
Choices (A) and (E) are incorrect because they are only
addressed in Passage 1. Only Passage 2 addresses (D),
and neither passage speculates about a world without wild
fish, (C).
9. A
Difficulty: Medium
The final sentence of Passage 1 indicates that this author is
primarily concerned with how fish farming is affecting wild
fish populations. Likewise, the second-to-last sentence of
Passage 2 refers to how premium fish remain on menus
and the sustainability of fish as a resource.
Choice (A) expresses the different focuses of the passages.
Passage 2 makes no predictions, so (B) is incorrect. Choice
(C) is a distortion; Passage 2 only briefly refers to fisheries.
Choices (D) and (E) are also distortions. Choice (D) doesn't
capture the focus of either passage, and (E) incorrectly
describes Passage 2 as focusing on fish in general, not
premium fish.