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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Three Answers and Explanations I
305
33. B
Difficulty: Medium
Make sure items in a comparative structure are logical.
Here, many animals are being compared to the size of the
male Kloss gibbons. Choice (B) inserts the pronoun that,
which makes the comparison between the sizes of the
gibbons and other animals. Those in (C), do not in (D), and
they in (E) all incorrectly refer to the singular noun size.
34. B
Difficulty: High
Expect to see several sentences that have no grammatical
errors but that could be improved in style.
As written, this sentence is unnecessarily wordy and difficult
to follow. Choice (B) contains all the information in the
original, but it is much more concise. Choice (C) changes
the meaning of the sentence, losing the fact that it would be
impossible for two gibbons to see one another. Choice (D)
misuses the superlative form (strongest) in a comparison of
only two items. Choice (E) is not as concise as (B).
35. A
Difficulty: High
When asked to insert a new sentence, look for a disconnect
between the sentences that will precede and follow the
new sentence.
Sentence 14 discusses how two gibbons would be unable
to tell by sight which was stronger. Sentence 15 discusses
the song. What's missing is the connection between the
two ideas. Choice (A) provides this. Choice (B) does not
relate sentence 14 to sentence 15. Choice (C) is a 180; the
paragraph tells us this can't be determined by the gibbons.
Context tells us that the singing gibbon in sentence l 5 is the
homeowner, so (D) is incorrect. Choice (E) is out of scope;
there is no information in the passage to support this idea.
SECTION 7
1. D
Difficulty: Low
What might he have been doing if his teacher found his
mischief to be immature and disruptive but his classmates
were amused?
If all you know is that he amused his peers, but that his
teachers found his mischief to be immature and disruptive,
then you can conclude he was playing some sort of silly
trick or stunt for their entertainment. A word like trick or
stunt makes a great prediction for the blank.
In (A), an anecdote, or a recounting of an event, would not
necessarily be considered mischievous, or immature and
disruptive. In (B), again, researching would probably not be
considered mischievous by a teacher, nor would it be likely
to amuse his peers. In (C), once again, simply by making
demands, he would not necessarily be able to amuse his
peers or cause mischief. Choice (D) is a perfect match for
your prediction. In (E), having debts, or owing someone
else money, would probably not amuse anyone, nor would
it be considered mischievous.
2. E
Difficulty: Low
Although indicates that the two blanks will contrast with
one another, or that the fern's appearance contrasts with its
sinewy structure.
Start with the second blank; the content here reveals
fern stems have a sinewy structure and are difficult ta·
break, descriptions that suggest these stems are strong or
durable. If the first blank must contrast with this actuality,
then it must describe how fern stems appear weak or
delicate. Delicate and strong make great predictions for the
blanks.
In (A), a vivid, or bright, appearance does not necessarily
contrast with a structure that is actually powerful. In (B),
again, these words do not contrast with one another.
Be careful with (C); this choice may be tempting, but
something that was actually quite thick could not really
appear to be slender. In (D), once again, the words
beautiful and heavy do not contrast with one another.
Choice (E) is a great fit for your prediction.
3. D
Difficulty: Medium
If Carl wanted to communicate using the muscles of his
body and face instead of his ability to speak, what might he
have practiced?
Because signals that the blank must agree with the
description of Carl working on precise control over the
muscles of his body and face, rather than his speaking
skills. And notice that the blank must satisfy two criteria: