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

Section 21
Practice Test Seven 599
Directions: The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related
passages may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of
what is stated or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Questions 9-12 are based on the following passages.
Passage 1
If the most dire of the widespread global
warming theories were accurate, the polar ice
caps would currently be receding significantly.
Line Recent studies, however, have demonstrated
(5) that the Arctic ice shelf is not only maintaining
its mass, but also growing. In addition, satellite
temperature readings, considered by many to be
more reliable than surface temperatures taken
by humans under varying conditions, indicate
(10) no global warming of the lower atmosphere.
Environmental organizations have reported that
Arctic Sea ice declined by 14 percent from 1978 to
1998. Yet a careful review of this research reveals
that almost this entire drop occurred during a
(15) period of only one year, suggesting this temperature
change was a result of an anomaly rather
than a growing trend.
Passage 2
Following on the heels of convincing new
evidence that the Arctic ice cap is rapidly
(20) melting-some studies, using satellite temperature
readings, mark the decline at 20 percent over the
past 20 years-efforts have begun to pass legislation
that would reduce global warming pollution and
curb climate change. Some of the proposed bills
(25) would require the manufacturing sector to restrict
carbon dioxide emissions that, over the years, have
contributed to a layer of pollution scientists believe
traps a substantial portion of the sun's heat. It is
significant that such discussions are taking place
(30) in the United States, the estimated producer of25
percent of the world's carbon dioxide pollution.
9. The first sentence of Passage 1 functions primarily to
10.
11.
(A) explain why the ice caps could be affected
by global warming
(B) introduce a theory the author later
undermines
(C) state the author's central argument
(D) refute the seriousness of global warming
concerns
(E) argue that global warming theories are
inaccurate
In line 24, "curb" most nearly means
(A) to enclose
(B) to raise
(C) to control
(D) to line with stones
(E) to eliminate
The authors of both passages agree that
(A) global warming needs to be better controlled
(B) the evidence supporting global warming
theories is questionable
( C) it is important to study a period of at least
20 years
(D) the polar ice caps are affected by global
temperature changes
(E) satellite temperature readings are more accurate
than surface readings
12. The author of Passage 1 argues that the research
indicating the polar ice caps have declined by
"20 percent over the past 20 years" cited in
Paragraph 2 (lines 21-22) is
(A) inaccurate
(B) tainted
( C) debatable
(D) misleading
(E) unfortunate
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