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

1 2 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Eight Answers and Explanations 739
I
10. A
Difficulty: Low
This sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two
independent clauses. Choice (B) makes the second clause
dependent, so the semicolon is incorrect. Choices (C) and
(D) create run-on sentences; (D) has an additional verb tense
error. Choice (E) makes winning ribbons the cause and being
accomplished the effect, rather than the other way around.
11. E
Difficulty: Medium
The original sentence is a run-on. Choice (E) makes the
second clause a descriptive phrase, creating a much
more concise sentence. The intervening phrase once
close to cutting its program in half correctly modifies
the department, and the verb is agrees with the subject
department. Choice (B) adds that, which makes the
first clause dependent, but uses the pronoun it in the
second clause, creating a sentence structure error. Choice
(C) changes the meaning by adding causality (because
it was once close to ...), which isn't logical (because
the department almost cut its program it half, it is now
thriving?). Choice (D) incorrectly adds the conjunction and.
This conjunction can connect two independent clauses, but
and indicates similarity, and these clauses actually contrast.
12. B
Difficulty: Low
The action took place in the past and should use the simple
past tense saw instead of the past participle of the verb (seen).
The verbs waiting and walking are in the correct form, and the
phrase to stop traffic is idiomatically correct.
13. A
Difficulty: Low
The phrase no more for is idiomatically incorrect. Instead, it
should read no more than.
14. E
Difficulty: Low
The sentence is correct as written. The verb maintains
agrees with the singular subject FBI and is correctly in the
present tense. The prepositions for and in correctly follow
maintains and interested, respectively. The pronoun who
clearly refers to citizens.
15. A
Difficulty: Low
The word everything is singular despite the fact that it refers
to a collection of many things, so the verb that follows
it must be singular as well. The sentence should read
Everything about the case is strange and suspicious . . .
Choice (B) is concerned with transitions, (C) tests verb
tense understanding, and (D) deals with creating proper
prepositional phrases.
16. B
Difficulty: High
The phrase claim hearing is not idiomatically correct.
Choice (B) should read claim to have heard. The contrasting
transition word while is used appropriately, as is the adverb
truly, (D). The phrase such a person is idiomatically correct.
17. B
Difficulty: Medium
The action of this sentence takes place in the past, as indicated
by the verbs waited and traveled. Therefore, includes should
also be in the past tense; it should be included.
18. c
Difficulty: Medium
The construction either . .. or requires or, not nor.
19. D
Difficulty: Medium
A pronoun should have, and agree in number with,
a clear antecedent. If, in context, it's unclear what the
pronoun references, a revision is needed. In this sentence,
the plural pronoun them incorrectly refers back to the
singular noun economic downturn. Choice (A) is correct
idiomatic use. Choices (B) and (C) are consistent, both
being present tense verbs.
20. B
Difficulty: High
The two parts of the sentence do not have a cause-andeffect
relationship, so the word because is incorrect here.
A conjunction like but should be used to show the contrast
between the two ideas.