SAT Pastpaper with Solutions

The following text is adapted from Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. Ishmael and Queequeg are aboard the Pequod, preparing for an expedition.

As the ship swayed gently in the harbor, Queequeg, seated near the mast, held out his arm, reaching across to a nearby coil of rope. His fingers brushed the thick fibers, and he carefully untangled it, preparing it for the voyage ahead.

As used in the text, what does the phrase "reaching across to" most nearly mean?

Contemporary smartphones are often constructed with integrated batteries that are not easily______. Consequently, once the battery reaches the end of its life cycle, the entire device may require replacement rather than just the battery itself.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

The influence of Impressionist painters on the development of modern art cannot be overstated. The works of artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas make up an_______proportion of what is considered the foundation of modern artistic movements, but earlier movements such as Romanticism should be equally recognized for their contributions.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

The following passage is adapted from a research article:

"Researchers had long assumed that bats navigated using only their sense of hearing. However, a recent study led by Dr. Emily Davis and her team suggests otherwise. The researchers trained a group of bats to fly through a maze while wearing special goggles that obscured their hearing. Surprisingly, the bats were still able to navigate the maze using only their vision. This indicates that bats might rely on both hearing and sight for navigation, challenging previous assumptions."

Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

Urban farming, the practice of growing food in cities and other urban environments, is gaining popularity as a sustainable solution to food security and environmental challenges. Cities like Detroit, New York, and London have seen a rise in community gardens, rooftop farms, and vertical farming systems. These urban farms not only provide fresh produce to local communities but also help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting food long distances. Many urban farmers use innovative techniques, such as hydroponics and aquaponics, to grow crops in limited space. These methods are environmentally friendly, as they use less water and require fewer chemicals compared to traditional farming. Urban farming is helping to revitalize neglected areas of cities while promoting a healthier, more sustainable food system.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the most visited museums in the world. It houses an extensive collection of artwork, including the famous "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci. The museum, once a royal palace, now serves as a space for cultural education and preservation. Its vast collection attracts visitors from all over the globe who come to view the masterpieces that have shaped art history.

Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A student in a geography class is analyzing the sizes of various aquariums in their area. They note that the area of Marine Discovery is 45.3 square miles. To better understand how this compares to other aquariums, the student seeks to find the area of Coral Reef Exhibit is________.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the comparison?

Many free-to-play mobile games rely on in-app purchases to create revenue. Some psychologists claim that these games may reward unhealthy behaviors and lead to reckless spending, defined as spending at least 20 pounds within a period of 10 days. Elena Petrovskaya and David Zendle ran a study in the United Kingdom to better understand how in-app purchases affect players. They recruited 295 participants who all use free-to-play mobile games on a daily basis. The study tracked their money spending habits in these games and found that_________.

Which choice best describes data from the graph that weakens the psychologists' claim.

Maria Gutierrez is an artist and poet from the southwestern United States who draws heavily on the traditions of her Hispanic heritage. Her work often incorporates elements of folklore and mythology passed down through generations in her family, blending these traditional influences with modern art forms such as abstract painting and contemporary poetry. Critics have praised Gutierrez for her ability to bridge the gap between cultural preservation and artistic innovation. Similarly, in his 2018 novel Echoes of the Desert, author Luis Alvarez blends the rich oral storytelling traditions of his community with elements of magical realism.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

In recent years, scientists have made great strides in studying ancient civilizations using advanced technologies like 3D imaging, satellite mapping, and DNA analysis. For example, the discovery of the city of Teotihuacan in Mexico was greatly aided by aerial photography, which allowed researchers to map out the layout of the city from above. However, earlier discoveries of ancient cities, such as the excavation of Pompeii in the 18th century, occurred at a time when such technologies were not available. As a result, these earlier discoveries were more likely to________.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Freshwater lakes situated at or above northern latitudes, such as Glacier Lake, frequently develop surface ice during the winter months. The extent and duration of this ice formation are influenced by numerous factors, including local weather patterns, as well as the lake's depth, volume, and surface area. However, a climate researcher posits that the higher a lake's latitude, the greater the number of days per winter it will exhibit measurable surface ice.

Which choice best describes data in the table that support the researcher's claim?

Renowned historian Doris Kearns Goodwin's passion for studying American presidents was sparked in her youth when she read a biography of Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, this interest blossomed into a distinguished career, leading to the publication of multiple acclaimed works, including Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (2005) and The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism (2013). However, it was her 2005 book________which received widespread praise, that cemented her reputation as one of the foremost presidential scholars in America, leading many to refer to her as the "go-to expert on Lincoln's legacy."

Which of the following choices correctly completes the sentence?

Urban upkeep and renovations have increasingly reduced the available space for tree root growth and open soil. Under these conditions, city trees are less capable of capturing vital rainwater. A study by PhD candidate Xanthia Gleeson examined the effectiveness of TREENET, a device for intercepting and redirecting stormwater runoff to porous wells around trees along city streets. As root absorption of water leads to sap production. Gleeson used tree sap flow rate monitors to measure the average uptake of rainwater each month at two nearby sites in the same city. Site A had larger trees and did not use the TREENET device. Site B had smaller trees that each had the TREENET device installed around their root zones. While comparisons to previous years' data show the TREENET device increased the amount of water uptake at Site B,_______.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?

On July 15, 2021, California-based researchers Dr. Amanda L. Nguyen, Jordan S. Patel, and Ravi K. Mehta_______seismic data from monitoring stations along the San Andreas Fault. At 4:30 am, Station SA-5 recorded a 2.8 magnitude tremor, while by 9:00 pm, Station SA-9 observed micro-tremors peaking at a magnitude of 3.4.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

First displayed in 1914 at the Salon des Indépendants in Paris, Marcel Duchamp's Bottle Rack was groundbreaking for its provocative simplicity. The significance of Duchamp's work is________the boundaries of art, questioning notions of originality, and challenging the viewer's understanding of aesthetics.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

In 1956, American physicists Clyde L. Cowan and Frederick Reines determined that________exist by observing the neutrinos' interactions with protons in water.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

The team of ecologists,_______cutting-edge drone technology to monitor migratory patterns, collected data that revealed crucial insights into the behavior of endangered species like the Arctic Tern and the Black-tailed Godwit.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Georgia O'Keeffe and her contemporaries played a significant role in shaping modern American art during the early 20th century. Although now celebrated, many of O'Keeffe's early works—particularly her abstract depictions of flowers and landscapes—_______ misunderstood and criticized by contemporary audiences for their boldness and departure from tradition.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

With his blending of traditional West African music with American funk and jazz,_________a genre that would become popular in Africa in the 1970s and eventually influence musicians worldwide.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

The American inventor Thomas Edison, best known for his development of the phonograph and the electric light bulb, and Serbian-American_________ renowned for his contributions to alternating current technology, are often regarded as pioneers of modern electricity.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

With some theories, like Einstein's theory of relativity, scientists were able to conduct experiments and gather supporting evidence shortly after the theory was proposed---but this wasn't the case with all theories.________the process of testing and confirming the theory of quantum mechanics took several decades. For example, some key experiments were not conducted until the 1920s, long after the theory was first introduced in the early 1900s.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

While researching a topic,a student has taken the following notes:

· Deforestation is the clearing of forests for agricultural or industrial purposes.

· Forests are home to a wide variety of wildlife.

· Deforestation can lead to habitat loss for many species.

· When forests are destroyed, the carbon stored in trees is released into the atmosphere.

· The loss of forests contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss.

The student wants to explain the negative environmental effects of deforestation. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

Oscar Micheaux was a successful African American filmmaker who pioneered all-Black cast films typically shown in segregated theaters. Micheaux had a significant thirty-year career in filmmaking and navigated the transition from silent films to synchronized sound,________most of his silent films are now considered lost.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Biodegradable packaging materials are designed to decompose naturally through biological processes, reducing their impact on the environment compared to traditional plastics. As environmental scientist Maria Alvarez notes, the increasing awareness of plastic pollution in oceans has led to heightened consumer demand for biodegradable packaging materials.________, many companies have started adopting eco-friendly alternatives, such as compostable packaging, to meet this demand.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

· Monarch butterflies are famous for their annual migration across North America.

· During the migration, they travel up to 3,000 miles to reach their overwintering sites in Mexico.

· Painted lady butterflies also migrate, but their journey covers a shorter distance, typically from southern Europe to northern Africa.

· Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed plants for food and reproduction, making them dependent on specific habitats.

· Painted lady butterflies are more adaptable, feeding on a variety of plants and thriving in diverse environments.

The student wants to emphasize a difference between monarch butterflies and painted lady butterflies.

Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

· Zoology is the study of animals.

· Dr. Jane Goodall is a British primatologist born in 1934.

· She is known for her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees.

· Entomology is the study of insects.

· Dr. E.O. Wilson was an American entomologist born in 1929.

· He is known for his research on ants.

The student wants to emphasize a similarity between Dr. Goodall and Dr. Wilson.

Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?