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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
214
Practice Test Two Answers an d Exp l anations
then the salesperson would be pretty unethical. Choice (D)
fits. The word dual means two, in this case that it functions
in two ways. In (E), a gadget with a direct purpose would be
great, though the fact that it does two things is not illustrated
by this word.
3. D
Difficu l ty: Medium
The word infinite should accurately indicate the breadth of
the expansion. If the universe is believed to be infinite in
size, meaning it goes on forever, it's probably going to keep
expanding forever, too.
In (A), even if the universe is conclusively or undoubtedly
expanding, that doesri't have anything to do with the key
word infinite. In (B), the universe's infinite size is hardly
indicative of precise expansion. In (C), if the universe is
expanding quickly, it's probably not expanding periodically.
Choice (D) works. The word indefinitely means forever,
which makes sense with the key word infinite. In (E),
a quickly expanding universe has to expand more than
occasionally.
4. D
Difficu l ty: Medium
Although tells us that there will be some sort of contrast.
Despite her upbringing in a city, she still manages to be
successful at portraying a humble farm girl. Therefore, she
must be quite a good performer-the first blank will be a
positive word, describing what a good actress she is. The
second blank must be a word that explains how successfully
she portrays the farm girl. The best choice here is (D),
because a consummate actress is very skilled, while an
incarnation is the embodiment of something or someoneyou'd
have to be a pretty good actress to become the
embodiment of the character you're playing.
5. c
Difficu l ty: Medium
If they've cornered the market, they've got a special kind
of hold on it. Think about different industries throughout
history. If one company had too much control over an
industry, the government would step in and make laws to
prevent the company from controlling the market. You're
looking for a word that means exclusive control.
In (A), if the company makes personal computers and
software, then it definitely does have a vested interest in
the market. In (B), why would a company work to corner
a market it has misgivings about? In (C), if the company
has a monopoly on the personal computer and software
industry, the government would have to step in, so of
course the CEO would insist that there's no monopoly.
This choice works. In (D), the company's responsibility in
the industry hardly has anything to do with its share in the
market. In (E), it would be very bad for business (not to
mention nonsensical) if the people in the company didn't
have a general consensus, or agreed upon opinion, about
the market.
6. D
Difficu l ty: Medium
If they wanted their music to stand the test of time, they
might have tried to write lyrics with timeless or universal
appeal. This way, the songs would be as relevant today as
they were when they were written. Notice that the question
says weren't concerned with, so you're looking for an
antonym.
In (A), being unconcerned with sagacious or wise subject
matter wouldn't make the songs timeless. In (B), if they
intended the songs to stand the test of time, they wouldn't
have tried to focus on dated subjects. In (C), if they
didn't use evanescent subjects, the music wouldn't seem
nostalgic today. Choice (D) will work. If they weren't using
transient subjects, then their music would be timeless and
feel as fresh and new today as it always was. In (E), straying
from the use of momentary subjects wouldn't make their
music derivative.
7. c
Difficu l ty: High
You're looking for a positive word because it's something
the young professional is being praised for. In addition, the
sentence says that she has an unconquerable positive sprit.
Think about which word would agree with unconquerable.
In (A), morose is the opposite of positive. In (B), opulence
has little to do with a positive spirit. In (C), her indomitable
nature could certainly give way to an unconquerable
positive nature. This choice fits. In (D), though it is good to
be lithe, it doesn't beget an unconquerable positive spirit.
In (E), if her spirit is ephemeral, then it's probably not
unconquerable.