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
controlling the muscles of the body and face and not
needing to speak well. Look for a word that describes the
art of communicating through gesture and facial expression
rather than speaking.
In (A), most likely a mediator would need to speak in order
to work with both sides in a dispute. In (B), an ensemble
is just a grouping of individual parts, a definition that
does not necessarily satisfy the two criteria mentioned in
the sentence. In (C), if Carl wanted to master the art of
elocution, or public speaking, then he certainly would have
worked on his speaking skills. Choice (D) satisfies the
criteria in your prediction perfectly. In (E), as a troubadour
is a writer or singer of love poems or songs, this art does
not necessarily satisfy the two criteria mentioned in the
sentence.
4. c
Difficulty: Medium
Start with the second blank; what could running and heavy
lifting easily do to someone with back pain? Most likely,
such activities would cause, or bring about, the discomfort.
As for the first blank, if he has back pain despite knowing
enough to avoid these activities that would easily cause
him discomfort, then he is probably unsure of the principal
or main source of his pain. Principal and cause are great
predictions for the blanks.
In (A), original could work in the first blank, but running and
heavy lifting would probably not alleviate his discomfort.
In (B), again, sole could work in the first blank, but running
and heavy lifting would probably not relieve back pain.
Choice (C) is a good fit for your prediction. In (D), once
again, activities like running and heavy lifting would not
inhibit back pain. In (E), be careful here; knowing the partial
cause of his pain and knowing to avoid running and heavy
lifting do not necessarily contrast with one another.
5. D
Difficulty: Medium
If one particular act were extremely captivating and
memorable, it would probably lessen or somewhat excuse
the need for any other events. Look for a word that means
to lessen or excuse.
In (A), a particularly captivating and memorable act
would lessen, not accelerate, the need for any other
events. In (B), one successful act would not necessarily
predetermine, or decide in advance, anything about
other events. In (C), again, if one event were particularly
captivating and memorable, it would lessen, not
substantiate, the need for any other events. Choice
(D) is the best fit given your prediction. In (E), again,
one successful act would not necessarily cause one to
anticipate a need for other events.
6. A
Difficulty: High
What sort of suitable outcome would senators likely be
hoping to achieve?
The words focus instead are important here, as they
indicate the first blank describes how the senators
turned their attention away from, or set aside, the more
contentious bill. As for the second blank, the words most
contentious indicate the two bills are being compared by
the degree of disagreement over them. So if one bill was
most contentious, then the other must have been easier
to agree upon. Set aside and agreement on make great
predictions for the blanks.
Choice (A) is a good fit for your prediction. In (B), the
word instead in the sentence makes this choice incorrect,
as focusing on an easier bill would not occur instead of
enacting, or passing, another. In (C), one cannot really
berate, or vigorously scold, a bill. In (D), again, moving on
to an easier bill would not occur instead of proclaiming, or
formally announcing, the more contentious bill. In (E), once
again, the word instead makes this choice incorrect.
7. D
Difficulty: High
All you know from the sentence is that he rather recklessly
gave more to charity than he could really afford, so it must
have been his generosity or philanthropy that appeared
limitless; both are great predictions for the blank.
In (A), be careful here; limitless friendliness, or
amicability, would not necessarily suggest he was
charitable. In (B), nothing in the sentence suggests that
he was particularly immovable, or inexorable. In (C), the
act of giving more to charity than he could afford is not
necessarily frivolous, or silly and trivial, behavior.