Practice Test 4

Reading and Writing

27 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS

The questions in this section address a number of important reading and writing skills. Each

question includes one or more passages, which may include a table or graph. Read each passage

and question carefully, and then choose the best answer to the question based on the passage(s).

All questions in this section are multiple-choice with four answer choices. Each question has a

single best answer.

According to the United States Department of Labor, Employing slightly subtler brushstrokes than most of

the 2021 median pay for veterinarians was his counterparts, the artist focused his labors on

approximately $100,000 annually, with the top 10 capturing the tranquil, shore-side recreations of

percent _____ more than $165,000. bourgeois vacationers. Around this time, it was

becoming fashionable among the middle class to

Which choice completes the text with the most logical possess commemorative depictions of the places one

and precise word or phrase? had traveled, and he managed to fill this niche

A) using masterfully.

B) discovering As used in the text, what does the word “fashionable”

C) earning mostly mean?

D) writing A) tailored

B) popular

C) leisurely

D) economical

1
Although some invasive species do cause tremendous Parthenogenesis is not limited to lizards and sharks but
and irreparable damage to their ecosystems,
is common in insects, crayfish, flatworms, snails,
environments are not static; they change, develop, and
snakes, and even some birds. The exception is
adapt to transitions, whether these be natural or
mammals. Although parthenogenesis can be artificially
manmade. We must learn to be more discriminating in
induced in a science laboratory, it has never been
our eradication of invasive plants from those areas

where they have become an integral part of the greater known to have occurred in mammals naturally.

ecosystem.

Which choice best states the function of the second

As used in the text, what does the word sentence in the text as a whole?
“discriminating” most nearly mean? A) To transition to a clarification
A) Biased B) To define an unfamiliar term
B) Intolerant C) To give ethical reasoning
C) Tasteful D) To analyze an economic part
D) Selective

The text is from Booker T. Washington’s 1901

Though not the first to utilize encryption, Roman
autobiography.
I was born a slave on a plantation in Franklin County, emperor Julius Caesar is perhaps the most notable

Virginia. I am not quite sure of the exact place or exact early adopter. A man of many secrets, Caesar would

date of my birth, but at any rate I suspect I must have send messages to his generals in which the letters of

been born somewhere and at some time. As nearly as I the alphabet had been shifted a set number of places

have been able to learn, I was born near a cross-roads (A became D, B became E, and so forth). The recipient

post-office called Hale’s Ford, and the year was 1858 or of the message would be alerted to the cipher in

1859. I do not know the month or the day. The earliest advance and would thus decode the message upon

impressions I can now recall are of the plantation and delivery. The Caesar Shift was simplistic by today’s

the slave quarters - the latter being the part of the standards, but in an era in which very few could read in

plantation where the slaves had their cabins. the first place, the encryption was effective.

2
Which choice best states Washington’s primary The text most strongly suggests that the encryption

purpose in the text above? used by Julius Caesar was successful in large part due

A) lament hiss increased senility to

B) express his identity A) its mathematical complexity

C) critique his familial relations B) a lack of widespread literacy at the time

D) underscore his rootlessness C) its ancient historical roots

D) its incapacity to be physically intercepted

Text 1 FedEx and UPS now provide online tracking of

Many historians find that general trends tend to repeat packages for the consumer. It is interesting to log on

themselves if you look far enough back through the and see the journey that a purchase has traveled to go

records of humanity. It truly can be said that there is from source to destination. Each time an arrival and a

nothing new under the sun. Perhaps this is simply a departure are scanned, that item must be picked up by

function of how long humans have been around, but an employee, and placed on another vehicle for its next

perhaps it also says something about just how similar leg in the sojourn. Holiday seasons put these logistics

all humans are, even across thousands of years. systems to a severe test each year, and companies in

the business of logistics are constantly investing in new

Text 2 ways to handle the information and the items as they

Studying fashion history is a lot like listening to remixes flow through the pipelines. Billions of dollars have been

of your favorite songs. As you examine textiles from invested in these types of service industries, and the

around the world and through time, you’ll constantly activity behind the scenes is something to behold.

see that most “new” fashions are just old ideas remade.

And so, women’s high-waisted shirts from the early Which choice best describes the author’s attitude

2000s weren’t anything new or different: they were toward the process of logistical distribution?

simply 18th-century empire-style gowns remixed for a A) skeptical

new generation. B) positive

C) neutral

What best describes the relationship between the two D) bellicose

texts?

3
 A) Text 2 provides a specific example to illustrate

the broad claim made in Text 1.

B) Text 2 presents arguments that are generally

opposed to the primary position made in Text

1.

C) Text 1 emphasizes a modern approach to the

study of history, whereas Text 2 is more

antiquated.

D) Text 1 addresses the major objection to the

study of history that is raised by Text 2

The text is from Anatole France’s 1912 novel The Gods Will Have Blood.

Those who make a trade out of foretelling the future rarely grow rich. Their attempts to deceive are too easily

found out and arouse detestation. And yet it would be necessary to detest them much, much more if they

foretold the future correctly. For a man’s life would become intolerable, if he knew what was going to happen to

him. He would be made aware of future evils, and would suffer their agonies in advance, while he would get no

joy of present blessings since he would know how they would end. Ignorance is the necessary condition of

human happiness, and it must be admitted that on the whole mankind observes that condition well. We are

almost entirely ignorant of ourselves, absolutely of others. In ignorance, we find our bliss, in illusions, our

happiness.

Which choice best summarizes the main idea conveyed in the above monologue?

A) let bygones be bygones

B) the truth will set you free

C) Focus on the moment

D) Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

4
Note: writing scores range from 0 to 300, and students were surveyed nationwide. Source: U.S. Department of
Education, National Center for Education Statistics.

Those who read for fun more often have higher writing scores - in fact, those who read daily for fun outperform

those who never or hardly ever read by approximately _____ points on national writing tests.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the chart to complete the example?

A) 10

B) 30

C) 60

D) 120

“Mabel Osborne” is a 1915 poem by Edgar Lee Masters in which the narrator expresses her sorrow at being

ignored by other people.

Which quotation from “Mabel Osborne” most effectively illustrates that claim?

A) “But you do not ask for water./You cannot speak!”

B) “Everyone knows that you are dying of thirst,/Yet they do not bring water!”

C) “And I, who had happiness to share,/And longed to share your happiness;”

D) “I who loved you, Spoon River,/And craved your love,”

5
Bacteriostatic antibiotics are often prescribed to patients who have an intact immune system that can assist in

killing the microorganism causing the infection. Allowing the innate immune system to do some of the work

decreases the length of time the patient needs to be on the antibiotic, which can help eliminate some of the

unwanted side effects. In contrast, bactericidal drugs are prescribed when the patient may be

immunocompromised (i.e., the natural immune system is not functioning properly) and cannot fight off the

infection. Depending on the severity and type of infection, a doctor may select a narrow - or broad - spectrum

bactericidal drug.

It is reasonable to conclude from the text that a bacteriostatic medicine and a bactericidal medicine would be

optimally used on patients in which of the following respective situations?

A) Relatively healthy, relatively ill

B) Generally unhealthy, generally healthy

C) Internally sick, externally sick

D) Physically ill, mentally ill

A new approach was required before color photography could emerge as a truly viable artistic and documentary

medium. Such an approach was theorized just ten years later. While Hill’s and Becquerel’s labors had emphasized

the search for a novel, chameleonic compound to assume any spectral wavelength shown upon it, Scottish

physicist James Clerk Maxwell used as his model the color sensitivity of the human eye.

The text suggests that Maxwell was able to make a scientific breakthrough in photographic technology by shifting

his focus from

A) chemistry to biology

B) anthropology to astronomy

C) physics to mathematics

D) artistry to geometry

6
Halley’s Comet falls into a category called Great Comets, which are those that become bright enough during their

passage near Earth to be observed by the naked eye. Predicting whether a comet will be “Great” has proven a

challenging task even for the most talented astronomers and astrophysicists. The comet must pass through a

relatively small expanse of space near enough to the sun to reflect a large amount of light but remain close

enough to Earth for the light to reach and penetrate our atmosphere. Moreover, it is thought that a Great Comet

must possess a large and active nucleus, though the exact physics of comet nuclei - which consist of dust, ice, and

perhaps particulate minerals - are still poorly understood. Even so, comets meeting these criteria have on

occasion failed to achieve “greatness”.

According to the text, which characteristic of a comet is most essential to its being categorized as a “Great

Comet”?

A) Whether it has a significant proportion of dust and ice in its core

B) Whether it has an orbital eccentricity greater than zero

C) Whether humans can observe it without a telescope

D) Whether it contributes to meteor activity visible by astronomers

Occupational therapists work with many clients on any Among many discoveries, the Voyager 2 spacecraft

given day. If routine daily activities occupy _______ __________ volcanic activity - the first time another

schedules, occupational therapists can provide astronomical body was found to have this Earth - like

treatments. characteristic.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to

the conventions of Standard English? the conventions of Standard English?

A) their clients’ A) found that lo a moon of Jupiter has

B) they’re clients B) found that lo, a moon of Jupiter has

C) there client’s C) found that lo, a moon of Jupiter, has

D) their clients D) found that lo a moon, of Jupiter has

7
A few years ago, a research team at Fermi Lab known Tim, while appropriately interested in diagnosing and

as the DZero Collaboration announced observations of treating _________ problems with their teeth and gums,

matter - antimatter asymmetries on a scale never seen demonstrated real passion for repairing teeth and

before. Prior to the DZero study, baryon asymmetry aiding in cosmetic dental concerns.

and similar CP violations __________ in laboratory

settings only in much smaller - and thus, less helpful - Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to

orders of magnitude. the conventions of Standard English?

A) patients

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to B) patient’s

the conventions of Standard English? C) patients’

A) has been observed D) those of patients

B) have been observed

C) had been observed

D) is being observed

Allergens, pollution, bacteria, and sunlight - these are Additionally, there is a boat passing __________ a calm

just some of the foreign objects that ______________ sea, which is ancient depiction symbolizing the passage

of life to death.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to

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

A) on a basis that is daily are attacking the the conventions of Standard English?

human body A) to

B) attacking the bodies of humans on a daily B) over

basis C) and journeying throughout

C) attack the human body on a daily basis D) sequencing

D) attacks humans each and every day

8
Not long after the Pinkertons surrendered, Pennsylvania governor Robert Pattison authorized the militia to

advance and placed the town of Homestead under martial law. In the days that followed, steel production at the

plant resumed, with strikebreakers living on the ________ too dangerous for them to cross the picket.

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

A) mills grounds: it was still

B) mills’ grounds-it was still

C) mill’s grounds:, it was still

D) mill’s grounds; it was still

While researching a topic a student has made the following notes:

● The Heliocentric Model has the Earth and other planets revolving around the sun.

● Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was a proponent of the Heliocentric Model.

● The Geocentric Model has the sun and other planetary bodies revolving around the Earth.

● Ancient Greek philosopher Ptolemy was a proponent of the Geocentric Model.

● The Heliocentric Model eventually became dominant after Copernicus demonstrated that it better

utilized mathematics to explain astronomical observations.

The student wants to emphasize a similarity between the Heliocentric and Geocentric theories. Which choice

most effectively uses relevant information to accomplish this goal?

A) The Heliocentric and Geocentric models are both widely accepted by scientists today.

B) Both the Heliocentric and Geocentric models incorporate rotational movement.

C) The Geocentric and Heliocentric models were both widely known by the citizens of ancient Greece.

D) Aristotle and Copernicus were both eminent scientists who lived in ancient Greece.

9
Sociologically, sports unite us far more than they divide Birth order isn’t a one-size-fits-all theory; there are

us. Take, ________ Americans and football. Regardless of many loopholes and exceptions. People can change, if

where you’re from, what you believe, or what team you they want to, through hard work. _______ it can be

like, when it’s football season you can connect with helpful to understand the factors that influence

other people, even strangers, though this unifying personalities, and birth order helps a little.

agent.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to transition?

the conventions of Standard English? A) Nevertheless,

A) though, B) As a result,

B) on the other hand, C) Due to this,

C) still, D) Continuing,

D) for example,

The following text is adapted from Charles W.

Researchers and conservationists stress that
Chesnutt’s 1901 novel The Marrow of Tradition.
biodiversity loss due to invasive species is ______ . For Mrs. Ochiltree was a woman of strong individuality,
example, people can take simple steps such as washing whose comments upon her acquaintance[s], present or
their footwear after travel to avoid introducing absent, were marked by a frankness at times no less
potentially invasive organisms into new environments. than startling. This characteristic caused her to be

more or less avoided. Mrs. Ochiltree was aware of this

Which choice completes the text with the most logical sentiment on the part of her acquaintance[s], and
and precise word or phrase? rather exulted in it.
A) preventable

B) undeniable Based on the text, what is true about Mrs. Ochiltree’s

C) common acquaintances?
A) concerning A) They try to refrain from discussing topics that

would upset Mrs. Ochiltree.

10
 B) They are unable to spend as much time with

Mrs. Ochiltree as she would like.

C) They are too preoccupied with their own

concerns to speak with Mrs. Ochiltree.

D) They are likely offended by what Mrs. Ochiltree

has said about them.

Euphorbia esula (leafy spurge) is a Eurasian plant that has become invasive in North America, where it displaces

native vegetation and sickens cattle. E. esula can be controlled with chemical herbicides, but that approach can

also kill harmless plants nearby. Recent research on introducing engineered DNA into plant species to inhibit

their reproduction may offer a path toward exclusively targeting E. esula, consequently ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) making individual E. esula plants more susceptible to existing chemical herbicides.

B) enhancing the ecological benefits of E. esula in North America.

C) enabling cattle to consume E. esula without becoming sick.

D) reducing invasive E. esula numbers without harming other organisms.

STOP

If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this module only. Do not turn to

any other module in the test.

11
 Reading and Writing
27 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS

The questions in this section address a number of important reading and writing skills. Each

question includes one or more passages, which may include a table or graph. Read each passage

and question carefully, and then choose the best answer to the question based on the passage(s).

All questions in this section are multiple-choice with four answer choices. Each question has a

single best answer

The Citizeness Gamelin put the soup on the table, The stove and the oven remain to this day our

said the Benedicite, seated her son and her guest, most-used cooking technologies, and innovations in

and began to eat standing up, declining the chair the field of heating elements have frequently

which Brotteaux offered her next to him, since, she ameliorated the mechanism without much change

said, she knew what courtesy required of her. to the principal design. The commercialization of

natural gas in late 19th century England eventually

As used in the text, what does the word “declining” gave cooks the ability to precisely _____ their cooking

most nearly mean? flame, as well as the convenience of instantaneous

A) Repulsing ignition. To this day, gas ranges are preferred by

B) Decreasing many professional chefs.

C) Turning down

D) Plummeting Which choice completes the text with the most

logical and precise word or phrase?

A) annihilate

12
 B) satisfy

C) craft

D) manipulate

The following text is from Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel “The Jungle”.
The work which Jurgis was to do here was very simple, and it took him but a few minutes to learn it. He was

provided with a stiff besom, such as is used by street sweepers, and it was his place to follow down the line

the man who drew out the smoking entrails from the carcass of the steer; this mass was to be swept into a

trap, which was then closed, so that no one might slip into it.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A) To analyze a character’s motivations

B) To evaluate social conditions in the present-day United States

C) To describe a character’s professional tasks

D) To consider a likely objection by the reader

Spanning more than 1,500 miles, the border Ernest Hemingway speaks of the artistry of another

between Canada and the United States has been culture’s profanity with admiration in his celebrated

called the longest undefended international novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, wherein the narrator

boundary in the world. This is true to some extent, in bears witness as obscenities and insults build to a

that neither the United States nor Canada maintains high formalism and eventually collapse upon

a military presence at the border. But as anyone who themselves, leaving the profanities implied rather

has crossed from one side of Niagara Falls to the than stated.

other knows, civilian law enforcement is present and

accounted for at checkpoints on both sides of the The phenomenon described in the text is most like

boundary, where entrants are monitored and A) An aqueduct that is constructed in ancient

customs laws administered. Partly because of our times only crumble as the centuries pass.

cultural similarities and partly because of the

13
remarkable amiability of our diplomatic relations B) The development of architectural

over the past 150 years, it can sometimes seem technology enabling ever higher

almost as though the distinction between Canada construction.

and the United States is more of policy than of C) The prohibition of subversive political

practice. meetings by an authoritarian dictator.

D) The evolution of painting from realistic

Which choice best states the function of the portraiture to abstract expressionism.

underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) To analyze the economic consequences of

international borders on global commerce.

B) To explain the details of the security

screenings that people who cross the U.S.-

Canadian border must undergo.

C) To give evidence of the continual border

hostility that the United States and Canada

have had since the war of 1812.

D) To clarify that although the United States

and Canada have friendly relations, they are

still clearly two different countries.

Text 1

Melaleuca trees were brought to the Florida Everglades from Australia; developers thought these trees

would help dry up vast swampy areas, enabling residential and commercial construction. Unfortunately, the

trees spread widely and covered up large swaths of the Everglades, displacing native plants. Florida has had

to spend a great deal of money to remove these invasive trees.

Text 2

Though common protocol would dictate that an invasive species like honeysuckle be removed from areas

where it becomes dominant, these new findings demonstrate that such action would likely strike a

significant blow to native bird populations. What’s more, areas that today are abundant in honeysuckle

14
typically host 30 to 40 percent more birds than these same regions did thirty years ago, indicating a

longterm change for the better.

The author of Text 2 would most likely agree with which statement about Text 1?

A) While invasive species may cause damage, not all invasive species should be considered harmful.

B) Melaleuca trees demonstrate the importance of uniformly removing invasive species from the

environment.

C) Honeysuckle plants and melaleuca plants show the need for a consistent approach to invasive

species management.

D) So long as invasive plants are not transported across oceans, they are unlikely to be harmful.

The text is from Benjamin Franklin’s 1771 autobiography.

Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and

some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of

felicity, the conducting means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity

may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be

imitated. That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say, that were it offered to my

choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the

advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first.

According to the text, what is true about Franklin’s personal financial situation?

A) It was as strong later in his life as it was when he was young.

B) It worsened as he advanced in years.

C) It had a random pattern of booms and busts over his life.

D) It Improved greatly over his lifetime.

15
The Galapagos Islands have been isolated from human habitation until relatively recently.

A scientist makes this statement: “Take a walk through the woods almost anywhere in the temperate U.S.

and you’ll probably come across clusters of honeysuckle, dandelions, bobbing water lilies and dense patches

of ivy. Despite their pervasiveness, none of these plants developed here naturally, but were introduced by

human activity.”

Based on the quotation and the statement, what would the scientist say would be the most likely

consequence of tourism with respect to invasive plants in the Galapagos between 1980 and 2010?

A) Due to an increase in humanity’s awareness of the Galapagos, it is more likely that a desire for

environmental stewardship of the islands will grow.

B) Due to an increase in economic activity as a result of tourism, the inhabitants of the Galapagos will

have more money with which to combat unwanted plant species.

C) Due to an increase in human contact, it is more likely that nonnative organisms will be introduced

by accident.

D) Due to an increase in hotel construction as a consequence of tourism, intentional cultivation of

invasive species will grow.

16
A historian argues that the primary advantage of the Fraktur variety of blackletter font was that it balanced

elegance with functionalism.

Which quotation from the historian’s essay most effectively illustrates this claim?

A) Though far less calligraphic than textualis, Fraktur is nonetheless more intricate than Schwabacher,

and combines the soft readability of the latter with the bold regality of the former.

B) Antigua’s subversion of blackletter began gradually, appearing primarily in scientific texts (which

valued readability over appearance).

C) By far the most familiar blackletter style, Fraktur originated at the end of the 15th century through

a commission of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.

D) The revolutionary scale of his innovation firmly established blackletter - particularly the

Schwabacher and Fraktur varieties - as the preferred script for printed texts throughout Europe.

They are a common fixture in household kitchens across the United States, but remarkably few of us who

use them have any real idea of how our microwave ovens work. Contrary to most other food-heating

appliances - the toaster, the convection oven, and the stove, for instance - the microwave itself has no

internal heating element: flame, coil, or otherwise. Instead, the microwave oven uses the principle of dipole

rotation to ________________________ .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) create a healthy alternative to highly processed foods

B) give consumers an affordable alternative to restaurant meals

C) generate heat from the molecules within the food itself

D) provide structural support to the walls of the appliance.

17
The innate immune system _____ of two major He understood firsthand how being ashamed of

barriers: the skin and the natural flora (i.e., naturally your dental health can ____ your whole demeanor.

occurring bacteria).

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms

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

to the conventions of Standard English? A) effect

A) consist B) effects

B) consists C) affects

C) consisting D) affect

D) to consist

I don’t think anyone would call me a world traveler. I

Reading also stimulates the ______ consider what it
have only been overseas twice. Everywhere I have
would have been like to be at some historical event,
traveled there _____ a trend - the ever-present
or to form a picture of what one could accomplish in
difficulty of learning the new language.
life.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms
to the conventions of Standard English?
to the conventions of Standard English?
A) has been
A) imagination to identify with a hero in a
B) have been
story, to
C) will have been
B) imagination: to identify with a hero in a
D) be
story, to

C) imagination; to identify with a hero in a

story, to

D) imagination, to identify with a hero in a

story to

18
From the parental conflicts on a little-league team Now, more than ever, science is beginning to

_____ international exchanges from a World Cup, understand the deleterious effects of prolonged

sports and sociology go hand in hand. stress, __________ .

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms Which choice completes the text so that it conforms

to the conventions of Standard English? to the conventions of Standard English?

A) to A) including-but far from limited to,

B) when hypertension, obesity, and heart disease

C) from B) including-but far from limited to

D) in hypertension, obesity, and heart disease

C) including-but far from limited to;

hypertension, obesity, and heart disease

D) including-but far from limited

to-hypertension, obesity, and heart disease

Reading is an enriching activity well worth making One theory behind human bipedalism speculates

part of one’s regular habits. Starting from an early that it originated in a mostly ground-based ancestor

that practiced four-legged “knuckle-walking,” like

age, children who read for pleasure encounter many
chimpanzees and gorillas do today, and eventually
new words and concepts that expand their minds.
evolved into moving upright on two legs. But
______ images are frequently used in society today,
recently, researchers observed orangutans, another
words, unlike images, require using one’s mind to relative of humans, standing on two legs on tree
understand them, ponder their meaning, and branches and using their arms for balance while

consider whether they are communicating they reached for fruits. These observations may

something true or false. suggest that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

Which choice completes the text with the most

logical transition?

A) Although

19
 B) Since A) bipedalism evolved because it was

C) Because advantageous to a tree-dwelling ancestor of

humans.
D) In addition,
B) bipedalism must have evolved

simultaneously with knuckle-walking and

tree-climbing.

C) moving between the ground and the trees

would have been difficult without

bipedalism.

D) a knuckle-walking human ancestor could

have easily moved bipedally in trees.

One poll taken after the first 1960 presidential In his 1925 book The Morphology of Landscape, US

debate suggested that John Kennedy lost badly: only geographer Carl Sauer challenged prevailing views

21 percent of those who listened on the radio rated about how natural landscapes influence human

him the winner. ______ the debate was ultimately cultures. ______ Sauer argued that instead of being

considered a victory for the telegenic young senator, shaped entirely by their natural surroundings,

who rated higher than his opponent, Vice President cultures play an active role in their own development

Richard Nixon, among those watching on the new by virtue of their interactions with the environment.

medium of television.
Which choice completes the text with the most

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

logical transition? A. Similarly,

A) In other words, B. Finally,

B) Therefore, C. Therefore,

C) Likewise, D. Specifically,

D) Nevertheless,

20
While researching a topic, a student has taken the While researching a topic, a student has made the

following notes: following notes:

Started in 1925, the Scripps National Spelling
Miles Davis was a famous jazz musician who
●
●
Bee is a US-based spelling competition.
was born in 1926 in Illinois and died in 1991 in
● The words used in the competition have
California.
diverse linguistic origins.
● Davis studied for a time at the Juilliard School,
● In 2008, Sameer Mishra won by correctly

spelling the word “guerdon.” a music conservatory in New York City.

● “Guerdon” derives from the Anglo-French word ● Davis is best known for his trumpet playing.

“guerdun.” ● Louis Armstrong was also a famous jazz

● In 2009, Kavya Shivashankar won by correctly
musician, who was born in 1901 in Louisiana
spelling the word “Laodicean.”
and died in 1971 in New York.
● “Laodicean” derives from the ancient Greek
● Armstrong learned much of his musical skill,
word “Laodíkeia.”

The student wants to emphasize a difference in the including reading music, by playing on

origins of the two words. Which choice most effectively riverboats.

uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish ● Armstrong is well-known for both trumpet

this goal? playing and vocal skill.

A) “Guerdon,” the final word of the 2008 Scripps The student wants to emphasize a difference between

National Spelling Bee, is of Anglo-French the two musicians. Which choice most effectively uses

origin, while the following year’s final word, relevant information to accomplish this goal?

“Laodicean,” derives from ancient Greek. A) David and Armstrong both were excellent

B) In 2008, Sameer Mishra won the Scripps trumpet players.

National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling the B) Davis and Armstrong were both born in the

word “guerdon”; however, the following year, United States.

Kavya Shivashankar won based on spelling the C) Armstrong’s education was less formal than

word “Laodicean.” Davis’s.

C) Kavya Shivashankar won the 2009 Scripps D) Davis was born several years earlier than

National Spelling Bee by correctly spelling Armstrong.

“Laodicean,” which derives from the ancient

Greek word “Laodíkeia.”

D) The Scripps National Spelling Bee uses words

from diverse linguistic origins, such as

“guerdon” and “Laodicean.”

21
Discussion thus far has affirmed that human newborns are fatter than expected for a mammal of their size

and questioned whether the energy requirements of large brain size might shed light on this characteristic.

Though born plump, human newborns do not attain peak adiposity until early infancy and subsequently

experience a dramatic decline to a comparably lean condition by 5 years of age. The fat percentage of body

weight in 60-month-old males is most similar to the fat percentage of body weight that humans possess at

age __________________________ .

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

A) 0 months

B) 10 months

C) 20 months

D) 40 months

22
“Letter from Delano” is a letter from Cesar Chavez, a Latino American civil rights, union, and labor activist, to
E. L. Barr Jr. in 1969. In the letter, the author comes to a conclusion that the Delano strikers have not

resorted to violence : ______________________

Which quotation from “Letter from Delano” most effectively illustrates the claim?

A) “But God knows that we are not beasts of burden, agricultural implements, or rented slaves: we are

men.”

B) “They have been under the gun, they have been kicked and beaten and herded by dogs, they have

been cursed and ridiculed, they have been stripped and chained and jailed, they have been sprayed

with the poisons used in the vineyards”

C) “To resist not with retaliation in kind but to overcome with love and compassion, with ingenuity and

creativity,”

D) “We welcome it! We have planned for it! We know that our cause is just, that history is a story of

social revolution, and that the poor shall inherit the land.”

The text is adapted from Neal J.Roese and Kathleen Black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a nutritionally
D.Vohs, “Hindsight Bias” 2012 by Neau. Roese and
Kathleen D.Vons. dense food, but they are difficult to digest in part

because of their high levels of soluble fiber and

The reality of hindsight bias is sometimes difficult to
compounds like raffinose. They also contain
convey to seasoned decision makers because
antinutrients like tannins and trypsin inhibitors,
hindsight bias can be confused with simple learning
which interfere with the body’s ability to extract
from experience. Individuals and organizations
nutrients from foods. In a research article, Marisela
innovate, thrive, and prosper when they analyze
Granito and Glenda Álvarez from Simón Bolívar
mistakes and adjust their strategies accordingly. This
University in Venezuela claim that inducing
interpretation follows along the lines of “only fools
fermentation of black beans using lactic acid
wouldn’t know more after learning an outcome than
bacteria improves the digestibility of the beans and
before it occurred.” When, then, is knowledge born
makes them more nutritious.
of hindsight a benefit to be embraced, and when is it

a bias to be avoided? The answer is in the timing of

Which finding from Granito and Álvarez’s research, if
making a conclusion.
true, would most directly support their claim?

A) When cooked, fermented beans contained

significantly more trypsin inhibitors and

23
According to the text, why do some people have tannins but significantly less soluble fiber

trouble recognizing hindsight bias problem? and raffinose than non fermented beans.

A) Because they do not expect people to make B) Fermented beans contained significantly

accurate predictions about the future. less soluble fiber and raffinose than non

B) Because they do not understand the extent fermented beans, and when cooked, the

to which hindsight bias affects people’s fermented beans also displayed a

lives. significant reduction in trypsin inhibitors

C) Because they have never experienced the and tannins.

consequences of hindsight bias firsthand. C) When the fermented beans were analyzed,

D) Because they believe that revising one’s they were found to contain two

views based on experience is never wrong. microorganisms, Lactobacillus casei and

Lactobacillus plantarum, that are theorized

to increase the amount of nitrogen

absorbed by the gut after eating beans.

D) Both fermented and non fermented black

beans contained significantly fewer trypsin

inhibitors and tannins after being cooked at

high pressure.

Text 1

When companies in the same industry propose merging with one another, they often claim that the merger

will benefit consumers by increasing efficiency and therefore lowering prices. Economist Ying Fan

investigated this notion in the context of the United States newspaper market. She modeled a hypothetical

merger of Minneapolis-area newspapers and found that subscription prices would rise following a merger.

Text 2

Economists Dario Focarelli and Fabio Panetta have argued that research on the effect of mergers on prices

has focused excessively on short-term effects, which tend to be adverse for consumers. Using the case of

consumer banking in Italy, they show that over the long term (several years, in their study), the efficiency

gains realized by merged companies do result in economic benefits for consumers.

Based on the texts, how would Focarelli and Panetta (Text 2) most likely respond to Fan’s findings (Text 1)?

A) They would argue that over the long term the expenses incurred by the merged newspaper

company will also increase.

24
 B) They would recommend that Fan compare the near-term effect of a merger on subscription prices

in the Minneapolis area with the effect of a merger in another newspaper market.

C) They would encourage Fan to investigate whether the projected effect on subscription prices

persists over an extended period.

D) They would claim that mergers have a different effect on consumer prices in the newspaper

industry than in most other industries.

STOP

If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this module only. Do not turn

to any other module in the test.

25
Math
22 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS

The questions in this section address a number of important math skills. Use of a calculator is

permitted for all questions.

NOTES

Unless otherwise indicated:

• All variables and expressions represent real numbers.

• Figures provided are drawn to scale.

• All figures lie in a plane.

• The domain of a given function f is the set of all real numbers x for which f(x) is a real number.

REFERENCE

The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.

The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2n.

The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

26
 For multiple-choice questions, solve each problem, choose the correct answer from

the choices provided, and then circle your answer in this book. Circle only one answer

for each question. If you change your mind, completely erase the circle. You will not get

credit for questions with more than one answer circled, or for questions with no

answers circled.

For student-produced response questions, solve each problem and write your

answer next to or under the question in the test book as described below.

● Once you've written your answer, circle it clearly. You will not receive credit for anything

written outside the circle, or for any questions with more than one circled answer.

● If you find more than one correct answer, write and circle only one answer.

● Your answer can be up to 5 characters for a positive answer and up to 6 characters

(including the negative sign) for a negative answer, but no more.

● If your answer is a fraction that is too long (over 5 characters for positive, 6 characters

for negative), write the decimal equivalent.

● If your answer is a decimal that is too long (over 5 characters for positive, 6 characters

for negative), truncate it or round at the fourth digit.

● If your answer is a mixed number (such as 3½ 2 ), write it as an improper fraction (7/2)

or its decimal equivalent (3.5).

● Don't include symbols such as a percent sign, comma, or dollar sign in your circled

answer

27
2𝑥 + 1 = 1 − 4𝑥 Which of the following is equivalent to (𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 1)?

What is the solution to the given equation? A)

2
𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 1

A) B)
1 2
− 4
𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 5

B) 0 C)
2
𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 5

C) D) 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 6
1 2
4

D)
1
2

A bicyclist’s average speed was 0.25 kilometers per

minute. The bicyclist traveled 𝑑 kilometers in 𝑡 minutes.

Which of the following represents 𝑑 in terms of 𝑡?

A)
0.25
𝑑 = 𝑡

B)
𝑡
𝑑 = 0.25

C) 𝑑 = 0. 25𝑡

D) 𝑑 = 𝑡 + 0. 25

In the 𝑥𝑦-plane above, the equation of the line (not

shown) that contains points 𝐶 and 𝐷 can be written in

the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏, where 𝑚 and 𝑏 are constants.

What is the value of 𝑚?

A) − 2

B)
1
2

C) 1

D) 2

𝑦 = 10 What is 10% of 45?

𝑦 = 𝑥+ 4 A) 4.5

If (𝑥, 𝑦) is the solution to the given system of B) 10

equations, what is the value of 𝑥? C) 35

D) 49.5

28
 Which of the following is an equation of the graph

shown?

A)
1
𝑦 = 3
𝑥+ 6

B)
1
𝑦 = 3
𝑥− 2

C) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 6

D) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 2

What value of 𝑧 satisfies the equation 2 = 5 −

4
? How many real solutions does the equation
𝑧

(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 8) = 0 have?
2

A) One

B) Two

C) Three

D) Four

2
8𝑥 − 14𝑥 + 3 = 0

What is a solution to the given equation?

In the figure shown, 𝐴𝐵 ∥ 𝐶𝐷 and 𝐴𝐷 intersects 𝐵𝐶 at

point 𝐸 . What is the value of 𝑥?

29
If 8𝑝 + 16 = 32 + 16, what is the value of 𝑝? The number 42 is 15% of 𝑥. What is the value of 𝑥?

A) 2 A) 6.3

B) 4 B) 48.3

C) 8 C) 280

D) 16 D) 630

Element Atomic weight

Helium 4.003

Neon 20.18

Argon 39.95

Krypton 83.80

Xenon 131.3

The table gives the atomic weights of five elements. What fraction of these elements has an atomic weight that is

greater than 100?

A) 0

B)
1
5

C)
2
5

D)
3
5

Nien records the number of steps he takes walking or running. The line graph shows the total number of steps, in

thousands, Nien took each month during the first sixth months of the year.

30
Which of the following is closest to the number of steps, in thousands, Nien took in May?

A) 50

B) 100

C) 250

D) 450

At a postal facility, the cost, in dollars, of mailing a package weighing 𝑝 ounces is given by the function

𝑓 (𝑝) = 0. 20𝑝 + 𝑘 , where 𝑘 is a constant. If the cost of mailing a package that weighs 12 ounces is $3.32, then

according to the function, how many ounces does a package weigh that costs $4.12 to mail?

A) 16

B) 18

C) 20

D) 22

The daily total revenue 𝑆, in dollars, for an ice-cream The ratio between a certain object’s momentum and its

parlor in the month of July can be estimated from the velocity is 𝑝 to 𝑣 are constants. If the object’s velocity is

daily high temperature 𝑇, in degrees Fahrenheit, using 4𝑣 , what is the object’s momentum in terms of 𝑝?

the equation 𝑆 = 17𝑇 − 700. If the high temperature is A) 2𝑝

90 degrees Fahrenheit on a particular day, what is the B) 4𝑝

best estimate of the total revenue for the parlor on that C) 8𝑝

day? D) 16𝑝

A) $660

31
 B) $740

C) $830

D) $880

8
2 = 32
𝑥

Which of the following is a value of 𝑥 that satisfies the

given equation?

A)
1
− 4

B)
1
− 16

C)
1
8

D)
1
2

Line 𝑚 is shown in the 𝑥𝑦-plane. Line 𝑘 (not shown) is

perpendicular to line 𝑚 and also passes through (1, 0).

Which of the following is the slope of line 𝑘 ?

A) − 2

B) − 1

C) 1

D) 2

A rectangle has width 𝑤 and length 𝑙. If the perimeter of the rectangle is greater than 25, which of the following

inequalities must be true?

A) 𝑤 + 𝑙 > 25

B) 2𝑤 + 2𝑙 > 25

C) 𝑤 + 𝑙 < 25

D) 2𝑤 + 2𝑙 < 25

32
Two different data sets are displayed in the dot plots shown. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The mean of data set I is less than the mean of data set II, but the standard deviations of the data sets

are the same.

B) The mean of data set I is less than the mean of data set II, but the standard deviation of data set I is

greater than the standard deviation of data set II.

C) The mean and standard deviation of data set I are less than the mean and standard deviation of data set

I are less than the mean and standard deviation of data set II.

D) The mean and standard deviation of data set I are the same as the mean and standard deviation of data

set II.

33
Math
22 QUESTIONS

DIRECTIONS

The questions in this section address a number of important math skills. Use of a calculator is

permitted for all questions.

NOTES

Unless otherwise indicated:

• All variables and expressions represent real numbers.

• Figures provided are drawn to scale.

• All figures lie in a plane.

• The domain of a given function f is the set of all real numbers x for which f(x) is a real number.

REFERENCE

The number of degrees of arc in a circle is 360.

The number of radians of arc in a circle is 2n.

The sum of the measures in degrees of the angles of a triangle is 180.

34
 For multiple-choice questions, solve each problem, choose the correct answer from

the choices provided, and then circle your answer in this book. Circle only one answer

for each question. If you change your mind, completely erase the circle. You will not get

credit for questions with more than one answer circled, or for questions with no

answers circled.

For student-produced response questions, solve each problem and write your

answer next to or under the question in the test book as described below.

● Once you've written your answer, circle it clearly. You will not receive credit for anything

written outside the circle, or for any questions with more than one circled answer.

● If you find more than one correct answer, write and circle only one answer.

● Your answer can be up to 5 characters for a positive answer and up to 6 characters

(including the negative sign) for a negative answer, but no more.

● If your answer is a fraction that is too long (over 5 characters for positive, 6 characters

for negative), write the decimal equivalent.

● If your answer is a decimal that is too long (over 5 characters for positive, 6 characters

for negative), truncate it or round at the fourth digit.

● If your answer is a mixed number (such as 3½ 2 ), write it as an improper fraction (7/2)

or its decimal equivalent (3.5).

● Don't include symbols such as a percent sign, comma, or dollar sign in your circled

answer

35
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to The ratio of capillary surface area to alveolar surface

(𝑥 − 3 ) − 4 ?
2
area in a mouse’s lungs is approximately 3 to 2. If the
2
A) (𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 1) alveolar surface of a particular mouse is 82.2 cm , the

B) (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 1) capillary surface area in that mouse is closest to which

C) (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 1) of the following?

2
D) (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 1) A) 41 cm
2
B) 55 cm
2
C) 123 cm
2
D) 164 cm

A scientist collected a total of 84.0 grams of water in a 𝑦 = 2𝑥

precipitation gauge during a single weather event. 𝑦 = 12 − 𝑥

Some water was in the form of rain and some was in If (𝑥, 𝑦) is the solution to the system of equations

the form of snow. This relationship is represented by above, what is the value of 2(𝑥 + 𝑦)?

the equation 25. 4𝑥 + 1. 5𝑦 = 84. 0, where 𝑥 is the

number of inches of rain that was collected and 𝑦 is the

number of inches of snow that was collected. Based on

the equation, if 1.7 inches of rain was collected, how

many inches of snow was collected, to the nearest

tenth of an inch?

Lines 𝑞, 𝑟, and 𝑠 are parallel, as shown in the figure

If angle 𝐵𝐶𝐷 is a right angle and sin(∠𝐶𝐵𝐷)= .64, what is
below.
cos(∠𝐶𝐸𝐴 )?

Note: Figure not drawn to scale

36
The quadratic function 𝑓 has zeros at
1 1
2
𝑥+ 3
𝑦 = 15

𝑥 = 0. 5 and 𝑥 = 𝑐 . If the graph of function in the 𝑥𝑦 2𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐

-plane has its vertex at (7, 𝑑), what is the value of 𝑐 ? In the system of equations above, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are

constants. If the system has infinitely many solutions,

what is the value of 𝑐 ?

Which of the following is(are) true about 𝑥 + 3 and 3 ?

2 𝑥
𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 16 = 0

In the given equation, 𝑏 is a constant. If the equation I. 𝑥 + 3 > 3 , for all 𝑥 > 0
𝑥

has exactly one solution, which of the following could II. 𝑥 + 3 > 3 , for all 𝑥 < 0
𝑥

be the value of 𝑏? A) I only

A) 16 B) II only

B) 0 C) I and II

C) − 2 D) Neither I nor II

D) − 8

The annual number of twin births in the United States

from 1995 to 2005 can be modeled by the linear

function 𝑓 , where 𝑓 (𝑥) is the estimated annual number

of twin births, in thousands, in the United States 𝑥

years since 1995. The graph of 𝑓 is shown in the figure.

Which of the following could define 𝑓 ?

A) 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥

B) 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 94

C) 𝑓 (𝑥) = 4𝑥 + 94

D) 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 + 94y
1
4

37
The circle above has center 𝐵 and radius 6. What is the length of arc 𝐴𝐶 ?

A)
1
9
π

B)
1
6
π

C)
2
3
π

D)
4
3
π

A certain university classifies students as freshmen, In a collection of objects, 𝑦 objects have a certain trait

sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate level. The and the remaining 𝑛 do not, when 0 < 𝑦 < 𝑛. If an

mean number of students per classification is 6,000. If object from the collection is selected at random, what

students classified as graduate level are excluded from is the probability that it has the trait?

the calculation, the mean number of students per A)

𝑛
𝑦

classification is 7,000. Which of the following could be B)

𝑦
𝑛

the number of students classified as graduate level? C)

𝑛
𝑦+𝑛

A) 1,000 D)
𝑦
𝑦+𝑛

B) 2,000

C) 4,000

D) 5,000

The percentage of households that owned a

videocassette recorder (VCR) in the United States, 𝑓 (𝑡),

each year from 1980 to 1995 can be modeled by the

function 𝑓 , where 𝑡 is the number of years after 1980.

38
Which of the following is the best interpretation of In triangle triangle 𝐴𝐶𝐷 above, point 𝐸 (not shown) is 𝑘

𝑓 (10) = 𝑤, where 𝑤 is a constant, in this context? units from point 𝐶 on 𝐶𝐷. If triangle 𝐵𝐶𝐸 is similar to

A) In 1990, there were 𝑤 households in the triangle 𝐴𝐶𝐷, what is the value of 𝑘 ?

United States that owned a VCR. A)

34
3

B) In 1990, 𝑤% of households in the United B) 11

States owned a VCR. C)

72
7

C) The percentage of households in the United D) 10

States that owned a VCR 𝑤 years after 1990

was 10.

D) There were 10 times more households in the

United States that owned a VCR 𝑤 years after

1980 than in 1980.

The height of a triangle is ℎ centimeters, and the base In 2012, 31.9 million tons of plastics and 11.5 million

of the triangle is 10 centimeters greater than the tons of glass were discarded in the United States. Of

height. Which of the following represents the area 𝐴 , in the discarded plastics and glass, 8.8% of the plastics

square centimeters, of the triangle? and 27.7% of the glass were recycled. The number of

A) tons of recycled glass was approximately what percent

1 2
𝐴 = 2
ℎ − 5ℎ

B) greater than the number of tons of recycled plastics?

1 2
𝐴 = 2
ℎ + 5ℎ

C) A) 13.5%
1 2
𝐴 = 2
ℎ − 10ℎ

D) 𝐴 = B) 14.7%
1 2
2
ℎ + 10ℎ

C) 15.1%

D) 18.9%

The function ℎ is defined by ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑎 − 𝑏, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants. The graph of 𝑦 = ℎ(𝑥) in the 𝑥𝑦-plane
𝑥

passes through the points (0, − 4) and (1, 1). What is the value of 𝑎?

A) 3

B) 4

C) 5

D) 6

39
 In the 𝑥𝑦-plane, line 𝑘 has an 𝑥-intercept of (− 3, 0) and
A consumer advocacy group tested 27 cars. The a 𝑦-intercept of (0, 3), and the circle with center O has
scatterplot shows the maximum engine power 𝑥, in radius 4. What fraction of the area of the circle is
horsepower (hp), and the top speed 𝑦, in miles per shaded?
hour (mph), for each of the 27 cars. A line of best fit for A)
3
16π

the data is also shown. Based on the line of best fit, B)

9
32π

which of the following is closest to the predicted top C)

9
16π
speed, in mph, of a car with a maximum engine power D)
3
4π
of 230 hp?

A) 120

B) 130

C) 140

D) 150

2
𝑥 +𝑥
𝑥+3 𝑥 − 5. 0 − 3. 0 − 2. 0 1. 0 4. 0
The expression above can be rewritten in the form

, where A is a polynomial. Which of the

6
𝐴 + 𝑓 (𝑥) 6. 5 5. 5 5. 0 3. 5 2. 0
𝑥+3

following represents A?
The table above shows some values of the variable 𝑥
A)
and the corresponding values of the function 𝑓 (𝑥).
𝑥− 2

B)
Which of the following equations could represent the
𝑥+ 2

C)
2
relationship between 𝑥 and 𝑓 (𝑥)?
𝑥 + 𝑥

D) 𝑥 + 𝑥 − 6
2
A)
𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥) =− 2
+ 4

B)
3
𝑓 (𝑥) =− 𝑥 + 2

C)
𝑥
𝑓 (𝑥) =− 4
+ 2

D) 𝑓 (𝑥) =−
𝑥
2
+ 2

40
 STOP
If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this module only. Do not turn to any

other module in the test.

41