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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Three Answers and Explanations I
293
SECTION 4
1. B
Difficulty: Low
How could Mr. Chandler have clearly displayed his
ostentatious tastes? Start with the first blank; the words
clearly displayed indicate that when Mr. Chandler received
his new promotion, he showed off. As for the second blank,
the word new that precedes it indicates that it probably
refers to his recent promotion, so the second blank likely
means wealth. Show off and wealth are good predictions
for the blanks.
In (A), being made president of the company would not
likely be considered a hardship. Choice (B) is a great match
for your prediction. In (C), displaying ostentatious tastes
would not necessarily undermine, or harm, one's image.
In (D), nothing in the sentence refers to Mr. Chandler
calculating, or thinking carefully about, his new successes.
In (E), again, moderating one's consumption could not be
referred to as displaying ostentatious tastes.
2. D
Difficulty: Medium
If Maria's winnings in the lottery were meager and worth
next to nothing, what might she have found it easy to do?
Given that the sentence underscores the fact that Maria's
winning lottery ticket was worth next to nothing, it is likely
the blank is referring to how it was easy for her to pass up or
decline her meager winnings-both great predictions for the
blank.
In (A), the fact that her ticket was worth next to nothing
would not have necessarily made it easy for Maria to better
understand or appreciate her winnings. In (B), if her winnings
were worth next to nothing, most likely she would not
have enthusiastically praised them. In (C), just because
her winnings were meager does not mean they were
untrustworthy. Choice (D) matches your prediction nicely. In
(E), if her winnings were so meager she most likely would
not have found it easy to relish, or deeply appreciate, the
pleasure they gave her.
3. A
Difficulty: Medium
Although signals the sentence will present contrasting
feelings about publicity. The word once is important
here, as it indicates that Edward's prior feelings about the
intense publicity his more famous colleagues received
have changed. Start with the second blank; if Edward
was relatively anonymous, then he must have come to
appreciate his lack of publicity, a good prediction for the
blank. Given that Edward's feelings changed, he must have
coveted or been jealous of such publicity before, both great
predictions for the first blank.
Choice (A) is a great match for your prediction. In (B),
these words do not present contrasting feelings. In (C),
similarly, imitating publicity and appreciating privilege
do not really contrast with one another. In (D), if Edward
had once regretted the publicity his colleagues received,
then he would have already appreciated his isolation.
In (E), refusing intense publicity does not contrast with
appreciating generosity.
4. B
Difficulty: Medium
The blank must be consistent with feeling exasperated. If
Mrs. Smith was feeling exasperated by her son's insolence,
then she must have also felt extremely annoyed or irritated,
both great predictions for the blank. In (A), if Mrs. Smith felt
exasperated, she likely would not have been fascinated
by her son's behavior. Choice (B) is a good match for your
prediction. In (C), again, if Mrs. Smith felt exasperated, she
would not also have felt uplifted, or encouraged, by her son's
behavior. In (D), exasperating behavior would most likely
not be soothing, or calming. In (E), nothing in the sentence
suggests that Mrs. Smith felt disoriented, or lost, because of
her son's behavior.
5. c
Difficulty: High
How much evidence would there be in a case with lots of
"gaps"? The words "where before" provide an important
structural clue, as they indicate that the blank refers to
something that contrasts with certainty. In other words, if
the "newly found eyewitness filled in many of the gaps
in the case" and provided a new sense of certainty, then
there must have been a lack or scarcity of evidence before.
Scarcity makes a great prediction for the blank.
In (A), if there had been a large quantity of evidence before,
then there likely would also have been certainty and not
many gaps in the case. In (B), nothing in the sentence
suggests the evidence itself was changed or edited, only
that more evidence was found. Choice (C) is a perfect