SAT Pastpaper with Solutions

Despite initial skepticism regarding the feasibility of growing crops on the tops of buildings, Dr. Dickson Despommier has remained _____ in his promotion of vertical farming. In no small part due to Dr. Despommier's persistence and dedication to the cause, cities all over the United States have embraced rooftop gardening as a means of providing fresh produce to urban areas and promoting sustainable agriculture.

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

The renowned historian was invited to speak at the symposium on ancient civilizations, but despite her vast knowledge of historical events, she approached the subject with a certain _______ regarding the intricacies of the specific culture in question, as her expertise had primarily focused on broader historical contexts rather than specific regional studies.

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

The Brooklyn Bridge, which spans the East River, connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Completed in 1883, it was the first bridge to use steel cables for support and remains an important part of New York City's infrastructure. Today, it serves not only as a vital transportation route but also as a symbol of the city's history and innovation.

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

The following text is adapted from Emily Dickinson's 1862 poem "I Felt a Funeral in My Brain":

And then a Plank in Reason, broke,

And I dropped down, and down---

And hit a World, at every plunge,

And Finished knowing---then---

Which choice best describes the function of the phrase "And hit a World, at every plunge" in the text as a whole?

The renowned historian was invited to speak at the symposium on ancient civilizations, but despite her vast knowledge of historical events, she approached the subject with a certain _______ regarding the intricacies of the specific culture in question, as her expertise had primarily focused on broader historical contexts rather than specific regional studies.

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

In his study of modern architecture, Charles Moore argues that the evolution of architectural design is deeply tied to the historical and cultural contexts in which buildings are created. He suggests that while many architects seek to create functional, aesthetically pleasing structures, their designs inevitably reflect the social values and technological advancements of their time. Moore also explores how the rise of globalism has influenced contemporary architecture, with many buildings now incorporating elements of different cultural traditions. Despite the emphasis on international styles, Moore contends that the most successful buildings are those that retain a strong connection to local culture and history, offering a unique sense of place while
embracing modern innovations.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Albert Einstein is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant scientists in history, famous for developing the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of physics. His work on the photoelectric effect also played a pivotal role in the development of quantum theory, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. However, Einstein's legacy is not without controversy. In his later years, he became an outspoken advocate for pacifism and socialism, and his opposition to certain political regimes, including his stance against the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, drew both admiration and criticism. Despite his scientific achievements, his political views and public persona contributed to a multifaceted legacy that remains debated to this day.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

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?

The history of the American Revolution is shaped by many key documents and speeches. One of the most influential documents is the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, which articulated the colonies' decision to break from Britain. However, another significant document, the Articles of Confederation, written in 1777, established the first government structure of the United States. Although the Articles were eventually replaced by the U.S. Constitution in 1787, they still played a crucial role in shaping the nation's early political framework. But while the U.S. Constitution created a more effective federal government, the Articles of Confederation, with its emphasis on states' rights, suggests that ________.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Researchers conducted a study comparing the effectiveness of various irrigation methods on crop yields for rice, wheat, and corn in three distinct locations: the Nile Delta in Egypt, the Central Valley in California, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains in India. The study measured the average crop yields (in tons per hectare) achieved through drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and flood irrigation for each crop over a five-year period. Agriculturalists point out that drip irrigation may be the most effective method, while flood irrigation was the least efficient method for a specific crop across all three locations as evidenced in ________.

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

The table presents data on the annual carbon emissions (in million metric tons) for selected countries before and after the implementation of renewable energy initiatives in 2015 and 2020. While conducting research for a report on the effects of renewable energy policies, a student notes that Spain reduced its carbon emissions from 350 million metric tons in 2015 to ________.

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

Dr. Elena Marquez and her team of marine biologists have been studying the behavior of the giant squid (Architeuthis dux), a deep-sea species that remains largely elusive. Recent observations reveal that the squid often uses its bioluminescent organs to communicate; in certain situations, these light patterns ________ complex signals, which may convey information about nearby predators or potential mates.

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

The line graph provided shows the percentage of global coffee exports contributed by three countries---Colombia, Vietnam, and Brazil---over six years, from 2014 to 2020. Each country's contribution is expressed as a percentage of total global coffee exports for that year. A student is researching global coffee exports and observes that for the year 2018, ________.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to complete the text?

Betty Smith's 1940 novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was a well-received meditation on the New York City borough and its tenacious residents. Although Smith grew up in ________ was written entirely in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she lived at the time with her professor husband. Smith recognized that her distance from Brooklyn while writing the novel likely allowed her the intellectual detachment to write something so compelling.

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

In 1839, English artist Frederick Catherwood joined an expedition to Central America, where he saw over forty sites full of ________ creating detailed drawings and paintings of the ruins, Catherwood helped to reintroduce the Mayan civilization to the Western world.

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

One of the more difficult aspects of promoting sustainable practices is getting people to change their behavior. When trying to address this ________ at Ohio State University concluded that the most effective method is to engage the person in a conversation about adopting pro-sustainability practices where the person can feel that their concerns have been addressed.

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

In her scholarly exploration of urban transformation in India, Rani Kumar investigates how public spaces, such as parks and marketplaces, ________ as pivotal arenas for community engagement, cultural dialogue, and social cohesion.

Which choice best completes the sentence to adhere to the conventions of Standard English?

The innovative techniques employed by the artist in her paintings challenge traditional ideas of visual art, with each piece reflecting a distinct emotional perspective _______ among her most famous works is the series of abstract landscapes that evoke a sense of both tranquility and turbulence.

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

"Architect," like other trochees that frequently pair with complementary words (e.g., "master" and "disaster"), ________ with "intellect" to create a harmonious verbal pairing.

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

Hexokinase is a key enzyme in glycolysis, the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into energy. It catalyzes the phosphorylation of glucose to form glucose-6-phosphate, the first step in the pathway. ________ hexokinase is essential for regulating energy production in cells, as it ensures glucose is metabolized efficiently; in contrast, the absence of this enzyme would severely disrupt cellular energy processes.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

The cities of _______ Quito, and Singapore lie near the equator, but each is located in a different region of the world: South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, respectively.

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

In her novel The Unbroken, author C.L. Clark intricately explores the multifaceted nature of war and loyalty, while simultaneously delving into profound themes of personal freedom and the search for identity. Despite the gravity of these weighty topics, Clark's narrative remains both intimate and introspective, drawing readers into a deeply reflective experience. _______ her characters frequently grapple with existential questions, often asking themselves, "What does it mean to be free?"

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Plants can adapt to their environment by altering their growth patterns (such as growing taller in search of sunlight). ________, animals can adapt to changes in their environment by evolving specific traits that enhance survival.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

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

· Understanding the history of scientific exploration helps explain how discoveries are made.

· Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist born in 1920.

· She is known for her contributions to the discovery of DNA's double-helix structure.

· Mary Anning was a British paleontologist born in 1799.

· She is known for her discoveries of fossils in Lyme Regis, England.

Which choice most effectively uses information from the given sentences to emphasize a difference between Franklin and Anning?

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

· The Genius of Birds is a scholarly book by ornithologist Jennifer Ackerman.

· The book explores the intelligence and behavior of birds across various species.

· Chapter 5 focuses on the problem-solving abilities of crows.

· Chapter 8 discusses how parrots use language to communicate.

· In chapter 5, Ackerman writes, "Crows are among the most remarkable of problem solvers, using tools and even passing knowledge to others."

The student wants to explain what Jennifer Ackerman writes about in chapter 5. 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:

· Researchers have been investigating the effects of sports-related concussions on the brain.

· Biomarkers in the blood indicative of tissue injury were found in participants two weeks following their last injuries.

· Extensive white matter damage deeper in the brain was found in participants six months following their last injuries.

· Many participants had more than one sports-related concussion.

The student wants to make and support a generalization about sports-related concussions. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?