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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Six Answers and Explanations 561
I
is distortion; while the author proposes studying both, he
never states that contemporary and classical works are
interchangeable.
21. D
Difficulty: Medium
Inferences must be true given the facts in the passage.
When asked to describe or characterize facts or a situation
in the passage, choose the answer choice that must be
characteristic of the facts or situation in the passage. Use the
line numbers to locate and reread the situation described
by the author. The author states that art, music, and culture
are inextricably tied to literary and historical developments
which themselves stem from changes in society and
culture. So the educational system should focus on a more
holistic approach that teaches students in an intertextual
and multidisciplinary manner. Find the answer choice that
must be characteristic of this education.
Choice (A) is distortion; the author describes an artistic
education, not an elitist one. Choice (B) is distortion; the
author describes an artistic education, not a charitable one.
Choice (C) is an opposite; eclectic means mixed together
from various elements. This might seem true, but eclectic
implies a mismatching of items. The author argues that
literature, art, and history are not mismatched at all. Choice
(D) is correct; the author describes an education that
takes an overarching view. Comprehensive characterizes
this. Choice (E) is an opposite. Rudimentary means basic;
the education described by the author goes beyond the
basics or fundamentals by contextualizing art within other
developments in society, thus creating an overarching
education.
22. A
Difficulty: Low
Use the relevant part of the passage as evidence from
which to draw a conclusion. In lines 108- 1 10, the author
states that this system would require more funding, and
most likely higher taxes. Find the answer choice that must
be true based on this information.
Choice (A) is correct; since the new system would require
more funding and probably higher taxes, it must be true that
the new system would be more expensive. Choice (B) is
distortion; clearly, the author believes that the new system
would be better, but the author's statements don't provide
evidence that the new system would be more celebrated.
Choice (C) is distortion; the passage never alludes to any
controversy over the system. Choice (D) is distortion; the
passage provides ample evidence that the new system will
be more holistic but not that the new system will be more
interesting. Choice (E) is distortion; the passage provides no
evidence that the system is more likely to inspire.
23. c
Difficulty: Medium
You need global answers to Global questions, so keep your
eye on the big picture when determining why an author
writes a passage. As you should have noted while reading
the passage, the topic is the decline of artistic knowledge
and appreciation in America. The author outlines causes for
this decline, then proposes a solution. Look for an answer
choice that says something similar to this.
Choice (A) is distortion; in the first paragraph, the author
does shift the focus of the debate from analyzing causes to
proposing solutions, but he does not attempt to shift the
focus of the debate from causes to effects. Choice (B) is
out of scope; the author never supports a side in a debate;
he proposes a solution. Choice (C) is correct, exactly as
we predicted. Choice (D) is out of scope; the author never
revives a discredited idea. Choice (E) is out of scope. The
author does not promote certain kinds of art; he promotes
art education in general.
24. c
Difficulty: Medium
Since valid inferences must be true based on the
information in the passage, they will not usually be
profound. Valid inferences often merely combine two or
more facts from the relevant part of the passage.
Paragraph 3 contains the discussion of the author's
hypothetical United States. Skim the passage for any facts
regarding the production of higher-quality art. The paragraph
states that when these children grow up, some may
produce their own art, perhaps art that is higher in quality
than the pop music and movies produced today. In a
preceding line, the paragraph states that a better education
in art will better equip them to judge the artistic merit
of these newer, more trendy art forms, or at least place
these art forms in historical context and analyze them as
an outgrowth of societal and sociological trends .. . . Now
compare each answer choice to this information.