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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Seven Answers and Explanations
641
I
The essay is presented in a good order but is in need of a
paragraph break. Essays should have a distinct introduction,
a body, and a conclusion. The essay also has a good
number of spelling errors and grammar errors-there are a
lot of run-on sentences and awkward sentences.
SECTION 2
1. c
Difficulty: Low
But indicates that there's a contrast between the two
halves of the sentence. Carnivorous dinosaurs might have
been good swimmers who hated the water, or they might
have been bad swimmers who loved it Only the word pair
in (C), accomplished . .. feared, reflects this sort of contrast
There's no contrast in the sentence when the words in (B),
(D), and (E) are plugged into the blanks. And the sentence
makes no sense when the words in (A), swift ... entered, are
placed in the blanks.
2. B
Difficulty: Low
The clue in this sentence is the clause composed of
thousands of pieces of luminous stained glass, which
reinforces the meaning of the word in the blank. Based
on this clause, you can predict that this word must be
something like complex So the correct choice is (B),
intricate, which is a synonym for complex.
3. D
Difficulty: Medium
The main clue in this sentence is the phrase blown by the
wind, which gives the impression of an unwilling or inactive
type of movement. Choice (D), passively, means not
participating actively, and for the man-of-war to be moved
by the wind, it would have to be passive. Since it's difficult
to move motionlessly, (B) is out, and none of the others
mean anything like inactively.
4. A
Difficulty: Medium
The pivotal signal here is the phrase but in fact, which
signals that the words that fit the two blanks will have
opposite meanings. We have more information for the
second blank, since we know that she had many close
friends, and the only word that fits here is gregarious, which
means outgoing or sociable. The first blank fits as well, as
the opposite of gregarious is reclusive. The only other pair of
opposites is (B), generous and frugal, but these don't have
the necessary connection with the idea of having or lacking
close friends.
5. B
Difficulty: Medium
For the first blank in this sentence, three different choices
would fit: (B) reputation, (C) fame, or (E) notoriety. When
you try the three possibilities in the second blank, though,
only (B) works. She wouldn't want to defer, or put off,
acclaim, and publicize acclaim doesn't work here either.
However, it makes sense for the artist to deserve, or be
worthy of, acclaim for her sculpture, so (B) is correct.
6. E
Difficulty: Medium
The second part of this sentence elaborates on
decompression sickness, which the first part of the sentence
says may cause whales' death. That context tells you that
the sickness can be lethal, or fatal. Choice (A), docile,
means teachable or obedient. Succulent, (B), means juicy
or delectable, either literally or figuratively. Choice (C),
mandatory, means required or compulsory. Robust, (D),
means strong and healthy.
7. A
Difficulty: High
A good strategy for this question, which depends on
context to identify the correct answer, is to try to fill in the
blanks with a concept. The media gives information, so look
for a first word that relates to information. Think about the
kinds of things that can accompany fame to help you find
an appropriate second word. An intimation is a suggestion
or a hint, and adulation is excessive flattery or admiration.
A euphemism, (B), is the substitution of a mild or vague
term for one that might be offensive; and aplomb is