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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
200
Practice Test Two Answers an d Exp l anations
15. B
Difficu l ty: Medium
Remember that a valid inference can never be more
extreme than the facts upon which it is based. The author
states that a knowledge of social history was helpful in
understanding international conflict. Look for something in
this vein.
Choice (A) is extreme; the author never goes so far as to
say that global conflicts can only be examined through
social history. Choice (B) is correct; the author states that
he was able to understand global conflict by studying social
history. Thus, it must be true that social history provides
important information on global conflict. Choice (C) is an
opposite; the author never states that international conflicts
have their basis in social history. Choice (D) is extreme;
the author states that knowledge of social history helps to
analyze global conflict, not that knowledge of social history
helps to avoid global conflict. Choice (E) is a distortion;
nothing in the passage indicates this.
16. E
Difficu l ty: Medium
Use your notes to help you form a broad overview of
a passage. The passage recounts the story of Django
Reinhardt's accident and recuperation and goes on to
attribute his unique style to his disability. Then it takes a
more general look at great contributors to human thought
and how disabilities may provoke innovation. Look for an
answer that fits this pattern.
Choice (A) is an opposite; the story of Django Reinhardt
is presented as accurate and biographical. Choice (B) is
out of scope; no scientific hypothesis or controlled study
appears in the passage. Choice (C) is out of scope; the
author states nothing personal about herself in the passage.
Choice (D) is out of scope; the account of Django's life is
written biographically, and there is little analysis until the
final paragraphs. Choice (E) works with the structure you
outlined in your prediction.
17. c
Difficu l ty: Low
Ask yourself what specifically in the passage a given phrase
refers to. The phrase against all odds means that it was
unlikely that Django went on to create a new style of music.
The only thing in the passage that indicates why it was
unlikely is the accident that Django suffered in which he
lost the use of some of his fingers. With against all odds,
the author probably means to suggest the difficulties that
Django faced.
Choice (A) is an opposite; it was difficult for Django to learn
to play with an injured hand. Choice (B) is out of scope;
the passage does not discuss racial discrimination at all.
Choice (C) resembles your prediction. Choice (D) is out
of scope; the point of the passage is to explore the impact
of handicaps on genius, not necessarily to tell a dramatic
story. Choice (E) is out of scope; no other jazz guitarists are
mentioned in the passage.
18. D
Difficu l ty: Low
Because usually indicates a Detail question. The passage
says that it seemed likely he would never play the guitar
again, and the general recognition of his talent was
already so strong . .. that the men of his tribe wept at the
tragedy (lines 32-36). The men apparently wept because
the loss of Django's guitar playing was deeply felt.
Choice (A) is out of scope; the passage makes no mention
of the artistic value of the flowers. Choice (B) is out of
scope; the value of the caravan is not discussed in the
passage. Choice (C) is out of scope; there is no information
in the passage about whether the men in his tribe liked him
personally. Choice (D) matches the prediction. Choice (E)
is a misused detail; Django, at the time of losing his fingers,
had not yet invented his new style of music.
19. D
Difficu l ty: Medium
Predictions are especially important in Vocab-in-Context
questions, as many wrong answers will be tempting. The
passage says that it was the accident that hurt Django's
hand that focused and distinguished him. Later, at the
end of the paragraph, the passage says that it was the
thing that set him apart and forced him to try new things
(lines 51-52). You can predict that distinguished means
something like "set apart:'
Choice (A) is out of scope; the passage doesn't address
the social refinement of Django Reinhardt. Choice (B) is
a distortion; this isn't strong enough in tone to match the
prediction. Choice (C) is an opposite; it doesn't make sense
for a musician to be sharpened. His technique could be,