SAT Pastpaper with Solutions

A study conducted by Monica Gagliano and colleagues found that plants that were exposed to stressors, such as drought or intense heat, were more likely to survive future stressors compared to plants that were not previously exposed to these conditions. This evidence of plant memory challenges the common perception of plants as ________ organisms that simply respond to their environment.

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

The Fields Medal, often regarded as the most prestigious award in mathematics, is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional mathematical ability and promise. One of the recipients, Andrew Wiles, was honored for his lifetime_______mathematical research, culminating in his proof of Fermat's Last Theorem.

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

The emergence of quantum computing in the 21st century has the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from cryptography to artificial intelligence. The advances made so far are considered by many to be an_______leap forward, yet the complexities and ethical concerns surrounding its development cannot be overlooked.

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

Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated worldwide for his role in leading India to independence through nonviolent civil disobedience. His philosophy of peaceful resistance influenced numerous civil rights movements around the world, including those in the United States and South Africa. However, Gandhi's legacy is not without its complexities. While he is hailed as a champion of nonviolence and social justice, his views on caste and the role of women in society have been criticized as being outdated and at odds with modern progressive ideals. Additionally, his decision to pursue independence through nonviolence at a time of intense political and religious division in India led to significant internal strife, with some accusing him of being too passive in the face of violence. Despite these criticisms, Gandhi remains an iconic figure in both Indian and world history.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

Fish leather, made by preserving and tanning the skins of harvested fish, has been an important, traditional textile for many oceanic communities, from Iceland to Japan. However, the process fell out of favor as alternative materials became available for creating textiles. Elisa Palomino-Perez, who has a background in high fashion, has become a champion of this underappreciated craft. She now creates handbags and other pieces that merge traditional craftsmanship with high-fashion sensibilities. Her hope is to popularize fish leather by showing fish processors that the skins once discarded as waste are now desired and serve a purpose.

Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

Early in her literary career. Anne Carson was regarded primarily as a scholar of Greek classics. The lyrical quality of her writings was admired as a tribute to the great Greek writers or perhaps a return to the styles seen in essays by Michel de Montaigne and Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was only with her later publications that critics came to realize the subtle genius of Carson's work. While her books had been praised as essays with beautifully poetic language, she had actually intended to write poems that were as informative and rhetorical as essays. Carson deliberately challenged the boundaries between literary forms, provoking her readers to question the distinctions of poetry and prose.

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

The following text is adapted from Joseph Conrad's 1900 novel Lord Jim. He was an inch, perhaps two, under six feet, powerfully built, and he advanced straight at you with a slight stoop of the shoulders, head forward, and a fixed from-under stare which made you think of a charging bull. His voice was deep, loud, and his manner displayed a kind of dogged self-assertion which had nothing aggressive in it. It seemed a necessity, and it was directed apparently as much at himself as at anybody else. He was spotlessly neat, apparelled in immaculate white from shoes to hat, and in the various Eastern ports where he got his living as ship-chandler's water-clerk he was very popular.

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

"Joy in the Woods" is a 1920 poem by Claude McKay. In the poem, the speaker describes the resentment he feels when he sees the beauty of nature and does not have an opportunity to enjoy it: ________

Which quotation from "Joy in the Woods" most effectively illustrates the claim?

The following text is excerpted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1891 novel The White Company. Alleyne is a young monk traveling north from his abbey in Beaulieu, England.
The youth had now journeyed considerably beyond the furthest domains of the Abbey. He was the more surprised therefore when, on coming round a turn in the path, he perceived a man clad in the familiar garb of the order, and seated in a clump of heather by the roadside. Alleyne had known every brother well, but this was a face which was new to him-a face which was very red and puffed, working this way and that, as though the man were sore perplexed in his mind.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

The line graph meticulously delineates the percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions attributed to four distinct sectors---Transportation, Industry, Energy Production, and Agriculture---within a specific country spanning from 2005 to 2020. During this temporal interval, significant policy changes were enacted to reduce emissions, particularly in the Energy Production sector. A student analyzing the data notes a key trend in 2015 for the Transportation sector suggesting that_______.

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

As part of a class project, a student is undertaking a detailed comparative analysis of the areas of several forest reserves. To place this measurement into context, the student turns their attention to Pisgah National Forest for comparison. By consulting the provided table, the student ascertains that while Coconino National Forest encompasses a total area of 1,865.2 square miles, Pisgah National Forest covers__________.

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

The table provides a comprehensive analysis of the correlation between daily sunshine duration and its influence on tourist attendance across regions characterized by diverse altitudinal variations. A prominent hypothesis proposed by a tourism expert suggests that extended periods of daily sunshine are positively associated with higher tourist turnout, as visitors tend to be drawn to destinations that offer sunnier and more inviting climates, thereby enhancing their overall travel experience.

Which of the following statements most effectively supports the tourism expert's hypothesis?

Celebrated for his explorations of human morality, Leo Tolstoy's works examine the complexities of life and society. Some of his ideas are articulated as_________"War and Peace," where he intertwines personal struggles with grand historical events to explore the nature of power and duty.

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

Jean-Michel Basquiat, a prominent figure in the New York City street art scene in the 1980s, became known for his raw, expressive works that often incorporated text and imagery related to African American culture. Despite his significant influence on contemporary art, many of Basquiat's pieces---particularly those created during his early career---_______ dismissed by critics as chaotic and difficult to understand at that time.

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

In the study of the civil rights movement, certain events stand out as pivotal: the Montgomery Bus Boycott in_______landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, is another such key moment.

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

Elements can be grouped based on their conductivity. Silver, which conducts electricity exceptionally well, is classified as________other elements, such as sulfur, are classified as nonconductive because they do not allow the flow of electrical current.

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

On March 12, 2023, a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including Dr. Sofia MacMillan, Dr. Evan Hargrove, and Dr. Priya Desai,_____soil samples from remote geothermal sites in Iceland. Preliminary analyses indicated that in the high-temperature vents, the concentration of sulfur was remarkably elevated at 1,200 ppm, whereas in the cooler areas, it was only 250 ppm.

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

"Illuminate," like other Latinate verbs ending in "-ate" (e.g., "celebrate" and "decorate"), ________with "resonate" to convey a sense of clarity and vibrancy.

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

Birds build nests to protect their eggs and provide a safe environment for their young. ________, bees construct hives to safeguard their colonies and store honey.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

Since 1918 and the passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, most wild birds in the United States are protected. This legislation was a reaction to a widespread yet devastating________the late 19th century, feathers, and even whole birds, became in vogue for women's hats. The demand for feathers led to the mass hunting of birds and a subsequent collapse in their population, necessitating the treaty that goes so far as to entirely ban the sale of feathers from wild North American birds.

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

The Royal Game of Ur, a board game that uses an irregularly shaped grid covered in intricately designed squares, was discovered by archaeologists during a dig in the 1920s. ________ rules remained lost to time until the 1980s, when curator Irving Finkel discovered the instructions in a cuneiform tablet that was part of the British Museum's collection.

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

When the automobile first emerged in the early 20th century, it was viewed as a luxury item, reserved for the affluent and met with skepticism by a society accustomed to traditional modes of transportation.__________the automobile has transcended its status as a privilege of the few, becoming an essential and ubiquitous component of modern life.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

A sedentary lifestyle, a hallmark of modernity, has become increasingly prevalent, driven by technological advancements, evolving work environments, and shifting daily routines. Public health officials have noted a troubling correlation between this lifestyle trend and a surge in preventable chronic illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease. ________ numerous governments have implemented initiatives aimed at fostering physical activity and encouraging healthier living habits among their populations."

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

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

· The Eiffel Tower, located in Paris, France, was completed in 1889.

· It stands 1,083 feet tall and was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel.

· The Empire State Building, located in New York City, was completed in 1931.

· It stands 1,454 feet tall, including its antenna, and was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.

· These two structures stand as iconic landmarks and remarkable testaments to human ingenuity and engineering excellence.

The student wants to emphasize a similarity between the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. 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:

· Mary Anning was a British fossil hunter born in 1799.

· She is credited with discovering the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton.

· Elizabeth Fulhame was a Scottish chemist active in the late 1700s.

· She is known for her pioneering research on chemical reactions involving metals.

· Both scientists made groundbreaking contributions to their fields during a time when women faced significant barriers in science.

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

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

· The ozone layer is a layer of ozone molecules in the Earth's stratosphere.

· The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.

· Human-made chemicals, particularly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), have caused significant damage to the ozone layer.

· In the 1980s, scientists discovered a large hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.

· Efforts to reduce the use of CFCs have led to a decrease in ozone layer depletion.

The student wants to emphasize the role of the ozone layer in protecting life on Earth. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?