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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
738 Practice Test Eight Answers and Explanations
SECTION 5
1. D
Difficulty: Low
As written, this is unclear. Choice (D) is concise and uses
the correct relative pronoun, which will be who in context.
Choice (B) is a run-on sentence. Choice (C) incorrectly
uses the relative pronoun which to refer to Mary Cassatt, a
person. Choice (E) is overly wordy and makes unnecessary
use of the passive voice.
2. A
Difficulty: Medium
Each item in the list begins with a verb-spreads, puts,
makes. This is an example of parallel structure, and the
sentence is correct as written. All the other choices violate
parallelism in one way or another.
3. B
Difficulty: High
In addition to being somewhat wordy, the underlined
portion of the original sentence incorrectly uses the -ing
form of the verb destruct, which specifically refers to
intentionally destroying a missile or rocket after it has
been launched. This makes no sense in the context of the
sentence, which is about an old building. The word that is
needed here is destroy, (B). All of the other choices are
somewhat awkward or wordy revisions.
4. E
Difficulty: Medium
There is a modification problem in the original sentence.
The subject the player should directly follow the
introductory phrase that describes her. Only (D) and (E)
lead with the subject, but (D) awkwardly places right before
him in between the subject and the dragon and needlessly
adds the past tense was. Choices (B) and (C) do not
correct the modification error.
5. D
Difficulty: Medium
Parts of sentences that express similar thoughts should
be written in similar ways. The sentence says that medical
schools have excelled at . .. In order to make this parallel,
you need to change the underlined part of the sentence to
they have failed to, (D). Choice (B) ere.ates an awkward,
wordy, unidiomatic sentence. Choice (C) introduces a
double negative with failed not. Choice (E) creates a
sentence fragment.
6. D
Difficulty: Low
This sentence is a run-on that is unnecessarily wordy and
awkward. Choice (D) corrects the run-on by making the
second clause dependent, and it is the most concise. Be
wary of the being construction, as used in (B). It is rarely
correct. Choice (C) creates a run-on. Choice (E) introduces
multiple errors, including the incorrect use of a comma and
the incorrect verb tense.
7. D
Difficulty: Medium
The compound subject melodic line and tone requires a
plural verb, not the singular verb is. Only (D) corrects this
error in agreement. The other choices result in a sentence
fragment.
8. E
Difficulty: Medium
The original sentence has two problems-the use of the
passive voice and an idiomatic error. The correct expression
here is founded on, not founded by. Choice (E) addresses
both problems. Choice (B) incorrectly uses an -ing verb.
Choice (C) is unnecessarily wordy. And primarily by in (D)
is idiomatically incorrect.
9. D
Difficulty: Medium
In the original sentence, the modifier is misplaced so that it
seems that the Olympic Committee, not Salt Lake City, has
the beautiful mountain range and heavy snowfall. Choice
(D) changes the sentence to a cause/effect structure and
corrects the modification error. This sentence uses the
passive voice, but it is the best revision available. In (B),
the verb tense is incorrect. Although technically correct, (C)
is wordy and awkward, particularly with the construction
reasons for its being the choice of . . . Choice (E) repeats
the modification error of the original sentence.