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

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12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test One Answers and Explanations
its best position is after sentence 13, as a conclusion to
the passage. Choice (E) is the correct choice. Since light
pollution isn't mentioned until the end of the first paragraph,
placing it where (A) suggests would not make sense.
Choice (B) puts the author's hopes that people will work
to solve this problem before any information about how
the problem could be solved. Choice (C) interrupts the
flow of sentences 9 and 1 0, as evidenced by the transition
key words For example. Placing the sentence where (D)
suggests does not lead into the concluding paragraph.
34. E
Difficulty: Low
Make sure that verb tenses accurately represent the
sequence of events in the passage. The past tense verb
weren 't here is inconsistent; (E) is correct. None of the
other choices addresses the error. Additionally, (B) is
inconsistent with the plural pronoun they, and (C) uses an
adjective to modify the verb phrase turn off.
35. E
Difficulty: Medium
On the SAT, a pronoun will be incorrect if its antecedent is
not clear and unambiguous. Here, the possessive pronoun
their is meant to refer to malls and used car lots but, as
the sentence is written, it actually refers to lights. Choice
(E) clarifies the pronoun's antecedent Choice (B) does
not address the error; additionally, the pronoun you is
introduced with no antecedent. Choice (C) is unnecessarily
in the passive voice. Choice (D) is a sentence fragment.
SECTION 7
1. E
Difficulty: Low
The word but lets you know that the sentence is creating a
contrast. Think about the sentence and translate it in your
head into something simpler. The sentence is saying that
some people are able to live a certain way, but other people
are forced to live differently.
In (A), if other people aren't even enjoying the basic
amenities of life, chances are they're probably living poorly
as well. In (B), living responsibly doesn't necessarily have
anything to do with the ability to acquire basic amenities. In
(C), living pretentiously certainly isn't any kind of investment
on which one can expect to yield any kind of return. In (D),
why would anyone hope to miss out on the basic amenities
of life? Choice (E) works. Some people live lavishly while
others live poorly and can barely attain basic amenities.
2. B
Difficulty: Low
If most cultures have a creation myth, it must be something
a lot of people are interested in. What's a more concise way
of saying that the subject of the origin of life is a common
interest among people of many cultures?
In (A), a distant interest doesn't mean it's necessarily
common to many people. Choice (B), universal, fits. In (C),
just because many cultures have what we call "creation
myths" doesn't mean the origin of life is a mythical interest.
It's a common interest often expressed in myths. In (D),
nothing in this sentence indicates that the interest is
superficial. In (E), though many people would say that the
origin of life is a debatable subject, this sentence is asking
for a word that means "similar" or "common."
3. c
Difficulty: Medium
The words while and and let you know there are contrasting
and complementary words in the sentence. The word
while lets you know that the blank and opulent contrast in
meaning with simple and austere. The word and lets you
know the blank is a complement to opulent. Which word
contrasts with simple and austere and is a similar word to
opulent?
In (A), basic is complementary to simple and austere and
contrary to opulent. In (B), a style that is opulent generally
isn't viewed as severe. In (C), florid goes well with opulent
and is the opposite of simple and austere. This choice
is perfect. In (D), efficient doesn't match with any of the
key words. In (E), something that is simple can often be
straightforward, but we're looking for a contrasting word, or
a word that complements opulent, which straightforward
doesn't do.