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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Eight Answers and Explanations I 743
8. B
Difficulty: Medium
A phrase or word can have one meaning when it is isolated
from the text, as it is in the question stem, and quite another
in the context of the passage. In this case, the cited words
come in a sentence that not only attributes the invention of
the popular montage technique to Eisenstein but that also
refers to this attribution as a simple characterization. The
correct answer must capture the idea that Eisenstein was
more than just the creator of the montage. Choice (B) does
this. Choice (A) is distortion. While the sentence as a whole
underscores Eisenstein's immense contribution to film, this
reference is described as one that has served to minimize
this influence. Choice (D) similarly distorts information from
the passage. The paragraph as a whole certainly celebrates
Eisenstein's important place in cinematic history, but this
particular reference is used to describe how his contribution
has been oversimplified. Choice (E) is an opposite answer;
the cited words are used to suggest Eisenstein's influence
has been somewhat minimized, not exaggerated.
9. D
Difficulty: Medium
Be careful on "EXCEPT' questions. All four of the wrong
answers will be contained in the passage, and the correct
answer will be the exception. Because the entire paragraph
describes the importance of Eisenstein's films, begin
by eliminating those answer choices clearly supported
by evidence in the text. Choice (A) is supported by the
second sentence, where the author describes Eisenstein's
work as capable of clearly conveying complex images
and deep plots. Choice (B) is supported by the opening
sentence, where the author describes Eisenstein's use of
the montage. Choice (C) is supported by the concluding
sentence of the paragraph, where the author asserts that
Eisenstein's audiences could enjoy his abstract expressions.
Choice (E) is supported by the final sentence of the
paragraph. This leaves (D) as the correct answer. While
the author mentions that Eisenstein's films were powerful
for the average viewer, and that they demonstrated most
viewers were capable of appreciating far more than the
establishment gave them credit for, nowhere is it stated that
these works made the viewers themselves more confident
or powerful.
Questions 1 0- 18
The author of this passage is interested, as the introduction
alerts you, in how Arabs and Americans respond differently
to spatial relationships. After introducing his subject, known
as the study of proxemics, the author goes on to consider
various examples of the differences between Arabs and
Americans. In the second paragraph, he shows how Arabs
and Americans have different expectations regarding body
position during a conversation. Arabs expect involvement
when interacting with friends. This notion of involvement
extends to public domains, according to the third paragraph;
involvement and even intervention is expected on levels
ranging from business transactions to government.
The differences are not limited to public places, as the
author establishes in the last two paragraphs. Arabs arrange
their homes to have large open spaces, thus creating an
environment where personalities are intermingled. They
feel socially and sensorially deprived in America. This does
not mean, however, that Arabs cannot attain privacy in
their own homes; they do so merely by not talking. Since
not talking has a completely different meaning in America,
awkward situations-such as that of the Arab exchange
student in Kansas-can arise out of miscommunication
between members of the two cultures.
10. D
Difficulty: Low
The first question is fairly straightforward. Reading the lines
directly below the phrase two conflicting sensations will
clue you in to what sensations the author has in mind.
Americans feel compressed and overwhelmed in public in
the Middle East and exposed in the wide open spaces of
the Arab home. Choice (D), crowding and spaciousness,
sums up the sensations well. Choice (A) is wrong because
Americans may experience confusion in the Middle East,
but the author doesn't say there is any understanding.
Involvement and participation are not conflicting, nor is
there any evidence to suggest that Americans feel either of
the two in the Middle East. The author does not mention
friendliness and hostility. Choice (E) may have been
tempting because Americans do experience high noise
levels in Arab public places, but the author doesn't talk
about silence in the first paragraph.