SAT Pastpaper with Solutions

In a study of urban wildlife, researchers observed that squirrels often ________ changes in their environment, such as the availability of food or shelter, by adjusting their foraging patterns. When food becomes scarce, for example, squirrels tend to become more aggressive in their search for resources.

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

Chris McKee, professor of physics and of astronomy at UC Berkeley, led a study using supercomputer simulations to analyze theories of star formation. By taking into account the effects of turbulence, the simulations disproved the "competitive accretion" theory, which posits that stars begin as many small cores of hydrogen that gradually grow much larger as they accumulate more gas. McKee's simulations give credence to________theory, in which the early star cores are already very large but they gradually change in structure.

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

The Pulitzer Prize is one of the highest honors an author can receive. One of the authors recognized with the prize is Toni Morrison, who was chosen for her lifetime _______ literature, with works such as Beloved and Song of Solomon exploring the complexities of African American life.

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

The increasing acidification of the world's oceans is one of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century.  As atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise, a significant portion of this carbon dioxide is absorbed by the oceans. This process alters the chemical composition of seawater, leading to a decrease in pH levels. Ocean acidification has a profound impact on marine ecosystems, particularly on organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and certain plankton species. As the pH levels continue to decrease, these organisms face significant challenges in maintaining their structural integrity, which can have cascading effects on the entire marine food web.

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

In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein begins as a passionate and idealistic young scientist, eager to unlock the secrets of life. His pursuit of knowledge leads him to create a living being from inanimate parts, but once he brings the creature to life, he is horrified by its appearance and abandons it. As the novel progresses, Victor's attitude toward his creation evolves. The following quotation most effectively illustrates Victor Frankenstein's growing sense of guilt and responsibility for his actions: _________.

Which quotation from Frankenstein most effectively illustrates Victor Frankenstein's growing sense of guilt and responsibility for his creation?

Despite his efforts to avoid distractions, Thomas found his mind constantly drifting back to his unfinished projects. He had tried to focus on his current task, but the nagging thoughts of what still needed to be done seemed to intrude on his concentration at every turn.

As used in the text, what does the word "constantly" most nearly mean?

A marketing research firm compiled data on the global sales of smart speakers by various manufacturers over seven years. The table summarizes the approximate number of units sold for several popular smart speakers. An analyst wants to report on the sales figures for the Google Nest Hub. They find that the approximate number of units sold was approximately _________.

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

Urban green spaces—comprising parks, botanical gardens, and tree-lined boulevards—have emerged as pivotal elements in the ecological infrastructure of contemporary cities. Often regarded as luxuries in densely populated urban centers, these green spaces provide a myriad of environmental advantages that are increasingly recognized by urban planners and environmentalists alike. Beyond their function as carbon sequestration zones that mitigate the urban heat island effect, they contribute significantly to air quality improvement, biodiversity preservation, and the regulation of stormwater runoff. Additionally, these spaces serve as critical venues for social interaction, offering residents opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and communal engagement. Despite their manifold benefits, urban green spaces are under growing pressure as urban expansion accelerates and commercial development encroaches upon these vital areas. The prevailing challenge lies in reconciling the imperatives of urban growth with the necessity of preserving and enhancing these ecological sanctuaries for future generations.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A study investigated the growth patterns of three different tomato plant varieties: Roma, Beefsteak, and Cherry. The researchers measured the number of fruit produced by each variety over a two-month growing period. According to researchers, the yield of these three different types of tomatoes has been increasing over the past two months.

Which choice best describes the data in the chart support the researcher's hypothesis?

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?

The table below summarizes the levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban areas with varying amounts of green space. The measurements are taken in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) over a one-year period. Emily Roberts and her team found that areas with high green space had significantly lower PM2.5 levels compared to more urbanized environments. However, additional studies have indicated that the relationship between green space and air quality may not be linear, suggesting that the benefits of green space vary depending on other urban factors. This raises the question of whether the advantages of urban green spaces on air quality are universally applicable. However, this doesn't seem to be the case:______.

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

While studying art history, Neil MacGregor developed a belief that despite museums' displays of objects from different civilizations, the power of objects to tell stories had not been fully explored. According to a museum expert, during his career as an influential art historian and curator, MacGregor sought to address this issue, not by organizing displays limited to a single culture as was the industry standard, but by presenting the objects as pieces of a larger story, so that people from diverse ethnicities might find the exhibit more accessible.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the museum expert's claim?

Eco-friendly products, also known as sustainable or green products, are designed and produced with minimal negative impact on the environment. These products aim to reduce resource consumption, minimize waste, and decrease pollution throughout their lifecycle—from production to disposal. The bar chart depicts the average annual sales growth rates (%) in the electric appliance industry among three companies: Whirlpool, LG, and Bosch in the five years leading up to and following the release of a new eco-friendly product line. A market analysis suggests that launching eco-friendly products significantly boosts sales growth for appliance manufacturers.

Which statement from the choices most directly challenges this analysis?

Mushrooms have become a popular meat substitute, and some varieties, including lion's mane and hen-of-thewoods, are sought after for their meat-like flavor and texture. This should not be that________the fungi kingdom share more DNA markers with animals than they do with plants.

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

Celebrated for her contributions to modernist literature, Virginia Woolf pioneered a narrative style that emphasized inner consciousness and fluidity of time. The enduring influence of Woolf's work is ________ the modern novel, exploring the complexities of identity, and challenging conventional storytelling techniques.

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

In 2014, the American author Colson Whitehead, already recognized for his works like The Intuitionist (1999) and John Henry Days (2001), achieved wide acclaim with the release of his novel The Underground Railroad. Yet, with its sweeping success and the Pulitzer Prize win in 2017, Whitehead became, with the breakout success of the novel, _____ best known for his work.

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

Charles Darwin, a British naturalist famous for his theory of evolution, and German______________, known for popularizing evolutionary theory and coining terms like "ecology," significantly influenced the field of biology.

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

Directed by filmmaker Tony Silver, Style Wars, a documentary about New York City street artists,________contrasting views on graffiti, including those of the artists themselves, who explain their motivations for creating art that is illegal.

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

The process of photosynthesis allows plants to convert sunlight into energy. ________, the process of cellular respiration allows animals to convert food into energy.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

In his memoir The Long Way Home, author Andrew Solomon offers a poignant and introspective account of his personal journey toward understanding his identity and his place in the broader world. Tackling intricate themes such as family dynamics, societal expectations, and the ongoing quest for self-acceptance, Solomon crafts a narrative that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant. _________ he frequently contemplates the universal question, "What does it mean to belong?"

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

In 2022, a helicopter landed in Palm Springs, California, after completing a pioneering 24-mile_________by a rechargeable battery and carrying a 50-pound weight (which was added in order to simulate the weight of a transport care system for organ transplants), the fully electric helicopter was copiloted by Martine Rothblatt and Ric Webb.

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

Chemical recycling uses a process known as depolymerization to break down polymers found in plastic into monomers which can then be recombined into something new. There is a lot of excitement surrounding chemical recycling's potential to eliminate environmental contaminants. Its implementation has yet to be_________initial trials using enzymes show great potential, but it is unclear whether the process is scalable enough to have a significant impact.

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

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

· Aztecs would offer items as sacrifices at Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan, Mexico.

· Archaeologist Leonardo Lopez Lujan has discovered sacrificed artifacts at the base of Templo Mayor.

· Because the soil conditions were waterlogged, many wooden artifacts survived, although were very fragile.

· Luján submerged them in a synthetic sugar mixture, which displaces the water in the wood's cell structure.

· The process can take over the year but preserves the wood without distortion or cracking.

The student wants to emphasize why Luján's wood-preservation technique is particularly useful for the items found at Templo Mayor. 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:

· Oxygen gas is produced as a byproduct of plant photosynthesis.

· In 2013, Andrew Sweetman was exploring the Clarion-Clipperton zone in the Pacific Ocean.

· Sweetman expected oxygen levels to decrease at lower depths because plants would not have enough sunlight to photosynthesize.

· Sweetman found that oxygen levels increased at greater depths, which puzzled him.

· In 2024, scientists announced that the source of this "dark oxygen" comes from polymetalic nodules on the sea floor that leech oxygen through a chemical reaction.

The student wants to make a generalization about the production of oxygen gas. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

While a local legend credits French cheesemaker Marie Harel with the invention of Camembert cheese, she likely learned the technique from a priest, Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust, who passed along the recipe while in hiding during the French Revolution. _________Harel will likely continue to receive recognition for the cheese, as her descendants created a large-scale cheese factory to mass- produce the variety to share with the rest of the world.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

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

· Precisionism was a modernist art movement that originated in the United States in the 1920s.

· Precisionism focused on clean, geometric shapes and often depicted architecture and machinery.

· Elsie Driggs was a Manhattan-based painter focused on modernist styles.

· Her 1927 painting Pittsburgh depicts steel factory smokestacks in a monochrome gray palette.

· Pittsburgh is considered to be an important example of Precisionism.

The student wants to present a description of Pittsburgh in the context of Precisionism. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish the goal?