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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
222
Practice Test Two Answers an d Exp l anations
SECTION 8
1. E
Difficu l ty: Low
Your prediction should describe the state of the coach's
clothes after being soaked with water. Look for the answer
choice that matches the prediction soaked.
In (A), although the coach's attention was diverted to
the state of his clothes, his clothes were wet. Choice
(B) does not match the prediction. In (C), although this
word relates to water as a scuttled ship lets in water and
sinks, this does not fit the context of the sentence. Choice
(D) is out of scope; whether or not his clothes were
dirty is not mentioned in the sentence. Choice (E) is the
correct answer.
2. B
Difficu l ty: Low
Start with a prediction for the first blank. Sea otters are
mammals that rely on their fur to keep them warm. For the
second blank, focus on the part of the sentence that falls
after the comma. Given that the otters live in cold arctic
waters, the damaged fur would cause them to lose body
heat. Your prediction for the first blank should be sustain or
preserve. For the second blank, try exposed or defenseless.
In (A), neither word works. The first word relates to
protection through insurance; don't confuse this word with
ensure. The second word means having a tendency and
does not have the negative connotation required by the
prediction. Choice (B) is the answer. Eliminate (C) based
on the first blank; the first word is the opposite of the
prediction. Choice (D) is the opposite of the prediction.
Choice (E) does not match the prediction.
3. A
Difficu l ty: Medium
Thoreau was inspired by a life lived away from the company
of people. Nothing other than this is stated about his
lifestyle. The answer choice must be related only to what is
said in the sentence, not to what can be inferred from it. A
good prediction is secluded. The answer must describe his
lifestyle choice to live alone.
Choice (A) is the answer. Choice (B) means sophisticated
or suave. In (C), the calmness of nature found in the woods
would be anything but intrusive. In (D), although Thoreau
may have found the woods to be luxurious or magnificent
in a metaphorical sense of the word, this choice does not
match the prediction. In (E), life in the woods may be
economical compared with life in a town; however, this
does not match the prediction.
4. E
Difficu l ty: Medium
Start with the first blank. Would efforts be made to stop or
encourage the drug trade? Note the key word despite : It
indicates contrast between the two blanks. The prediction
for the first blank should be a synonym for stop. The second
blank should contain a word that means thrive or grow.
In (A), the first choice means to make better rather than
to stop. If the production of drugs continued to flag, or
decline, then there would not be so much effort to stop
the drug trade. Eliminate (B) based on the first blank; it is
the opposite of the prediction. Eliminate (C) based on the
second word; abate is the opposite of the prediction. In (D),
the first word is too weak; the drug trade needs not to be
merely examined but rather eliminated. Choice (E) is the
answer.
5. A
Difficu l ty: Medium
The word paradoxically indicates that there is a supposed
contradiction between the word in the blank and
harmonious. The rest of the sentence goes on to argue that
there is in fact a linkage between these seemingly opposite
concepts. Even if you didn't know that dissonance means
disagreement, you would still be able to make a prediction
for the blank based on the fad that the word must mean
the opposite of harmonious.
Choice (A) is the correct answer. In (B), although this word
is negatively charged, immoral or dishonest does not match
the prediction for disagreement. In (C), an injunction is a
court order, and although it is meant to bring harmony to
quarreling parties, the word does not fit within the context of
the sentence. Choice (D) means conspiracy and does not
match the prediction. Choice (E) means politeness or skill in
dealing with people and does not match the prediction.