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

12 Practice Tests for the SAT
Practice Test Ten Answers and Explanations I
907
also happen to many European artists. Choice (E) is out of
scope; the author is fond of Homer's works, but some of
the European works must possess artistic merit.
18. c
Difficulty: Medium
This sentence relates what Homer didn 't do, so don't fall for
a choice that describes what he did do, like choice (E). The
author states that Homer portrayed the isolation of soldiers.
His work was honest and didn't gloss over the realities of
war. In other words, he didn't ignore those aspects.
Choice (A) is a common meaning for gloss, but it doesn't
fit here. In (B), again, this has to do with the sense of gloss
as shiny; it doesn't work in the sentence. Choice (C) is a
good match. Choice (D) is the opposite of your prediction.
In (E), you could argue that Homer questioned the wisdom
of war through his striking images, but the question is
about what he didn 't do, since he didn't gloss over the
realities of war.
19. B
Difficulty: Low
Function questions often concentrate on words or
phrases that emphasize a major point of the passage.
The author makes a big point of Homer's independence
from the established art world, and the phrase far from
the art world of New York City helps to illustrate that
independence.
Choice (A) is distortion; the passage states that Homer
didn't even seek recognition from the world of academic
painting, so the author wouldn't agree that Homer was
unable to obtain the approval of New York art juries.
Choice (B) is a good match. Choice (C) is out of scope;
the author never mentions the specific sources of Homer's
inspiration. Choice (D) is out of scope; this choice describes
the atmosphere of Homer's paintings, not the passage itself.
Choice (E) is extreme; the distance from Maine to New
York doesn't qualify as a critical detail, and the author isn't
attempting to give a complete chronology.
20. E
Difficulty: Medium
To find the function of an example, ask, What does this
illustrate? If I were the author, why would I include an
example? The passage as a whole is about Homer's career.
In order to fully appreciate Homer, the reader needs to get
some sense of what his paintings are like. The description of
The Fog Warning helps convey this.
Choice (A) is distortion; the description of the painting is
intended to shed light on Homer's entire career, not argue
for the importance of a single period in that career. Choice
(B) is extreme; the author never states that this painting
is the most important one. Choice (C) is an opposite; the
author seems to believe that the painting is excellent, so
the description would hardly explain why critics didn't like
it. Choice (D) is out of scope; the passage is about Homer,
not the quality of life at sea. Choice (E) is a good match.
21. B
Difficulty: Medium
Be careful not to get caught up in definitions of the word
that may be correct, but not correct in this particular context,
like (C) and (D). This is not referring to a physical embrace.
Choice (B) works best-the painters eagerly accepted his
new style. Choices (A) and (E) are opposites.
22. B
Difficulty: Medium
Paragraph 6 describes The Fog Warning; the Henri
quotation helps to complete this description.
Choice (A) is a misused detail; although Henri is described
as a disciple, the passage as a whole is describing Homer's
work itself, not the influence of that work. Choice (B) is
a good match. Choice (C) is a misused detail; the author
mentions the self-reliance of the fisherman, but Henri
speaks only of the power of the sea. Choice (D) is out of
scope; the author never mentions Henri's ability as an art
critic. Choice (E) is out of scope; no specifics are given
about European paintings, so Henri's quote cannot contrast
Homer's work with European painting.
23. c
Difficulty: Medium
Even when you can't make a specific prediction, take a
moment to consider the author's point of view before
you dive into the answer choices. The author is obviously
fond of Homer and emphasizes that the artist's work was
unlike what other people were doing at the time. Look
for a choice that fits in with this idea and the rest of the
passage.