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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
490
Practice Test Five Answers and Explanations
2. D
Difficulty: Low
If the cave's artifacts were concealed, how might the vines
have affected its opening? The sentence indicates that the
artifacts were concealed as a direct result of the dense wall
of vines, so look for a word that describes how the vines hid
the cave's opening.
In (A), released does not mean hidden. In (B), elevating
something would not necessarily hide it. While (C) may
be tempting considering that vines could very well be
entangled, such a description does not necessarily mean
the opening would be hidden. Choice (D) is a good match
for your prediction. In (E), a cave opening cannot really be
attained, or acquired, by a wall of vines.
3. B
Difficulty: Medium
Although signals that this particular group made him feel
quite differently than he usually felt. If all you know about
the sentence's subject is that he usually felt comfortable
speaking in front of audiences, then you know the blanks
must be describing how he felt speaking in front of this
particular group. As this group is described as large and
intimidating, it is likely the first blank indicates he felt too
uncomfortable or hesitant and that the second blank simply
means to speak. Look for two words that refer to hesitancy
and speaking.
In (A), the sentence only indicates he felt too
uncomfortable, but not necessarily too emotional or
impassioned, to speak before the group. Choice (B) is a
great match for your prediction. In (C), feeling too cautious
might have caused him to want to suppress, or not discuss,
the topic. In (D), the sentence mentions nothing of how
knowledgeable he is regarding the topic, only that he felt
uncomfortable with this particular group. In (E), it is not that
the subject feels too perceptive, but rather too intimidated,
that has made him uncomfortable.
4. D
Difficulty: Medium
Due to signals that his reputation and his effort to join the
fight must be consistent with one another. The words few
were surprised indicate that the first blank explains the
behavior referred to in the second blank, so look for two
words that support one another, such as a poor reputation
and a bad act, or a commendable reputation and a
good act.
In (A), a modest reputation would not make it unsurprising
that one might join a fight against acceptable reforms.
In (B), again, an inescapable reputation is too vague a
description to make it unsurprising that one might fight
against any type of reforms, legitimate or otherwise. In
(C), similarly, an insufficient reputation would probably
not lead anyone to be surprised by that person's actions.
Choice (D) is a nice fit for your prediction. In (E), the word
unbelievable, which does not distinguish between good or
bad, is too vague for this sentence.
5. E
Difficulty: Medium
While indicates that the two blanks will contain words that
contrast. The sentence establishes two groups of people:
those faithful to the old ballpark and proponents of the
new stadium. As the sentence describes their respective
opinions regarding the demolition of the old stadium, the
first blank must describe a negative or unhappy reaction,
while the second blank must describe a positive one.
Contrasting words such as appalling and productive make a
good prediction.
In (A), while momentous, meaning extremely important
or crucial, could fit in the first blank, it would not make
sense for the new stadium's proponents to consider
the demolition of the old park formidable, or difficult to
overcome. In (B), unavoidable fits nicely in the second
blank, but the word decisive does not provide enough
contrast here. In (C), unexpected and ambiguous are
both neutral words and do not contrast with one another.
In (D), again, advantageous and beneficial basically
mean the same thing. Choice (E) matches your prediction
nicely.
6. c
Difficulty: High
If a prosecutor were short on effective evidence, what might
he be compelled to do? The word shamefully indicates
that the action described by the blank must be rather
unfortunate, and given that a frustrating shortage of credible
or convincing evidence is stressed, it is likely the blank