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

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12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Three Answers and Explanations
Choice (A) is out of scope; there is nothing that suggests that
he thinks the rest of his family is unintelligent. Choice (B) fits
the prediction. Choice (C) is a distortion; though he initially
lacks an appreciation for their sacrifice, he never implies that
immigrants are foolish. Choice (D) is out of scope; the author
never mentions his family's financial situation. Choice (E) is a
distortion; the passage suggests that at least one of his parents
could have been born in the United States (if the parent were
born after the grandparents arrived in the country).
14. E
Difficulty: Medium
In order to in the question stem lets you know that you are
looking for the function of this sentence. Use key words in
the sentence to make your prediction.
Because his grandfather was usually so garrulous,
the author tells you that his silence while looking at the
photograph took him by surprise; it is the grandfather's
reaction that is being highlighted here.
Choice (A) is a misused detail; though the grandfather
does relate his story to the author, this doesn't address the
function of the comment. Choice (B) is out of scope; the
point of the reference is his hesitation. Choice (C) is out of
scope; nothing suggests that his talkativeness is what makes
the grandfather recount his story. Choice (D) is an opposite;
if the grandfather is very talkative, this would not explain his
unwillingness to talk. Choice (E) fits nicely.
15. A
Difficulty: Medium
Look for an answer that reflects the tone as a wholefocusing
on word charge (positive or negative) could be a
helpful strategy here.
The author seems to stress how grateful he is that his
grandfather taught him a greater understanding of his
own fortunes, so grateful would be a good prediction. The
author also takes a good deal of time reminiscing about the
specifics of his encounter, so reflective would be another
good prediction.
Choice (A) fits splendidly. Choice (B) is a distortion; though
he expresses regret at times over having been so arrogant,
the overall tone is much more positive. Choice (C) is out of
scope; there is nothing that suggests anger in this passage.
Choice (D) is out of scope; though the tone is somewhat
patriotic, there is nothing exasperated about it. Choice (E) is
out of scope; the tone certainly is reflective, but the author
seems to care very much about this material, so indifferent
doesn't work.
Questions 16-24
In this passage, the author conveys his opinion that
physicists possess an ability to see beauty wholly differently
than other people. In the first paragraph, he discusses how
beauty is traditionally defined and concludes that there
is no absolute definition in this sense. He spends the
second paragraph beginning to detail the type of beauty
that is revealed by studying physics. In the final paragraph,
he sums up this beauty as the remarkable simplicity with
which the universe is constructed.
16. c
Difficulty: Medium
Pay attention to key words around the referenced text to
help you make your prediction.
In the sentence preceding the reference, the author states,
what is considered beautiful changes at an alarming pace.
This would fit into a good prediction.
Choice (A) is an opposite; the author is using Monroe
to discuss past standards of beauty. Choice (B) is out of
scope; the author makes no mention of her abilities as an
actress. Choice (C) matches your prediction nicely. Choice
(D) is a misused detail; the reference to East and West
later in the paragraph is unrelated to Monroe. Choice (E)
is an opposite; the author is trying to show how much the
standard definition changes.
17. D
Difficulty: Medium
Suggests that in the question stem lets you know that
this is an Inference question. Find the relevant text in the
paragraph and use the sentences around it to come up with
a prediction.
In the sentence following the referenced text, the author
tells us that a definition of beauty is elusive . .. at best. This
would be a good prediction.
Choice (A) is out of scope; the author never suggests
anything about civilizations clashing. Choice (B) is out of
scope; the author never implies this. Choice (C) is a misused
detail; the author does not mention this until later. Choice
(D) matches your prediction well. Choice (E) is out of scope;