WL4 2021 Student

CONTENT
1 Idioms & Diction
39 Development & Organization
85 Concision, Style, and Syntax
119 Review Test
141 Complete Test

CHAPTER 1
Idioms & Diction
CHAPTER 1 IDIOMS & DICTION 1
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions indicate position, either in terms of location or time. They are always followed
by nouns or pronouns.
after the party

on the table
for me and you
Certain verbs and nouns must be followed by specific prepositions. A fixed phrase such as a
familiarity with is known as an idiom. Idioms are not correct or incorrect for any logical
reason; they simply reflect the fact that certain phrases have evolved to be considered standard
usage.
A familiarity in Latin is useful for anyone who wishes to pursue serious study of a
modern romance language.
A familiarity with Latin is useful for anyone who wishes to pursue serious study of a
modern romance language.
On the SAT, a preposition may also appear where none is necessary
The students have been criticizing about the administration's decision to begin classes
half an hour earlier on most days.
The students have been criticizing the administration's decision to begin classes half
an hour earlier on most days.
In addition, when a sentence contains two verbs that require different prepositions, a separate
preposition must follow each verb. Very occasionally, the SAT will omit one of the
prepositions.
After her lecture, the author announced that she would accept questions and respond
to audience members.
After her lecture, the author announced that she would accept questions from and
respond to audience members.
2 CHAPTER 1 IDIOMS & DICTION
Example 1.
And it will come as no surprise that a lot of candidates have probably applied for such
position.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) probably applied to
(C) applied probably for
(D) applied probably to
Example 2.
'Are we prepared to insist to our independence and demand to be treated by America

as a friend, not a slave?'
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) insist on our independence and demand
(C) insist on our independence and demand to
(D) insist to our independence and demand
Example 3.
'Remember that your greatest ethical responsibility is to constantly strive to

excellence in everything you do.'
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) for excellence in
(C) for excellence for
(D) to excellence for
Example 4.
She was the waitress who usually waited on him at the cafe'
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) on him in
(C) for him in
(D) for him at
PREPOSITIONS
Unfortunately, preposition/idiom questions are among the most difficult to study for because
there are thousands of possible errors and no real pattern to the prepositions tested. It is
therefore not terribly constructive to spend your time memorizing long lists of phrases. In
general, though, if a given preposition sounds somewhat odd, it's probably wrong. This is one
case that requires you to trust your ear. That said, here is a list of common idioms, including a
number that have appeared on previous tests.
(Pre)occupied with: busy doing something

(in)consistent with: if a fact or an idea is consistent with another one, it seems
to match it
Sympathize with: to feel sorry for someone because you understand their
problems
Correlate with: if two or more facts or ideas correlate or if you correlate them,
they are closely connected to each other or one causes the other
(un)familiar with: to have a good knowledge or understanding of something
In contrast to (BUT Contrast with): a difference between people, ideas,
situations, or things that are being compared
Be native to (BUT be a native of): growing, living, or produced in one
particular place
Recommend to: to say that something or someone is good, or suggest them for
a particular purpose or job
Listen to: to pay attention to what someone is saying or to a sound that you
can hear
Apply to: to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as
a job, a place at a university, or permission to do something
Attend to: to help a customer in a shop or a restaurant
Devoted to: giving someone or something a lot of love and attention
A threat to/ threaten to: to say that you will cause someone harm or trouble if
they do not do what you want
Central to: more important and having more influence than anything else
Enter into: You usually use enter into when talking about starting agreements
or discussions with someone.
Have insight into: have an accurate and deep understanding.
Interested in: giving a lot of attention to something because you want to find
out more about it or because you enjoy it
Succeed in/at: to do what you tried or wanted to do
Adept in/at: good at something that needs care and skill
Have confidence in: the feeling that something is definite or true
PREPOSITIONS
Proficient in: able to do something well or skillfully

Engage in/with: to be doing or to become involved in an activity
Take pride in: to do something very carefully and well, in a way that gives you
a lot of satisfaction
Insist on: to say firmly and often that something is true, especially when other
people think it may not be true
Focus on: to give special attention to one particular person or thing, or to
make people do this
Rely on: to trust or depend on someone or something to do what you need or
expect them to do
Reflect on: to influence people's opinion of someone or something, especially
in a bad way
Draw (up)on: to use information, experience, or knowledge for a
particular purpose
Consist of: to be formed from two or more things or people
Suspicious of: thinking that someone might be guilty of doing
something wrong or dishonest
A proponent of: someone who supports something or persuades people to do
something
An understanding/knowledge of: knowledge about
something, based on learning or experience
(dis)approve of: to think that someone or something is good, right, or suitable
Take advantage of: to treat someone unfairly in order to get what you want,
especially someone who is generous or easily persuaded
Characteristic/typical of: a quality or feature of something or someone that
is typical of them and easy to recognize
Convinced of: feeling certain that something is true
In the hope(s) of: because you hope that you will do something
Composed/ comprised of: to be formed from a number of substances, parts, or
people
Mastery of: thorough understanding or great skill
Criticize for: to express your disapproval of someone or something, or to talk
about their faults
Necessary for: something that is necessary is what you need to have or need
to do
PREPOSITIONS
Prized for: considered very valuable or important

Endure/ last for: to remain alive or continue to exist for a long time
Wait for: to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens,
someone arrives
Responsible for: if someone is responsible for an accident, mistake, or crime,
it is their fault or they can be blamed
Compensate for: to replace or balance the effect of something bad
Strive for: to make a great effort to achieve something
Famous/ celebrated for: known about by many people in many places
Recognized/ known for: to officially and publicly thank someone for
something they have done, by giving them a special honour
Named for/ after: give something the same name as a person or thing
Worry about: to be anxious or unhappy about someone or something, so that
you think about them a lot
Complain about: to say that you are annoyed, not satisfied, or unhappy about
something or someone
Wonder about: to feel surprised and unable to believe something
Curious about: wanting to know about something
Think about: to use your mind to decide about something, form an opinion
or imagine something
Be particular about: very careful about choosing exactly what you like and not
easily satisfied
Protect against: to keep someone or something safe from harm, damage,
or illness
Defend from/ against: to do something in order to protect someone or
something from being attacked
Apparent from: easy to notice
Predate by: to happen or exist earlier in history than something else
Followed by: to happen or do something after something else
Accompanied by: to happen or exist at the same time as something else
Encouraged by: to be given the courage or confidence to do something
Surprised by: having a feeling of surprise
Have power/control over: the ability or right to control people or events
(otherwise) Known as: also called
Far from: used to say that something very different is true or happens
Derived from: to develop or come from something else
IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS
Example 5.
It used to be that if there was a crowd of people gathered together and having a
conversation, Jeff tended not to join in.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) being … crowd
(C) being … bunch
(D) be … bunch
Example 6.
Due to the mining of our waters with magnetic mines, the need for the Thames
Estuary sea forts arose in the last war.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Due to the mining of our waters with magnetic mines the
(C) On account of the mining of our waters with magnetic mines the
(D) On account of the mining of our waters with magnetic mines, the
Example 7.
It was just as good a place any to get away from Julius for a while.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) equally as good a place
(C) equally as good a place as
(D) just as good a place as
Example 8.
Most lived in Germany for at least 10 years before immigrating to Canada, during
which time they had incorporated German customs and baking into their Christmas
celebrations.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) immigrating to Canada, during which time they incorporated
(C) emigrating to Canada, during which time they had incorporated
(D) emigrating to Canada, during which time they incorporated
A, an. The indefinite article a is used before a consonant sound; the indefinite article
an is used before a vowel sound. Say a plan, an idea.
Abide by. Accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation)
Accede to. Agree to a demand, request, or treaty.
According to. As stated by or in
Accuse of. charge (someone) with an offence or crime.
Addicted to. Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance.
Adhere to. Stick fast to (a surface or substance); Believe in and follow the practices
of.
Agree to (something). You agree to a plan or suggestion.
Agree with (someone). You agree with someone, or You agree with an opinion or
statement.
Agree on. Come to terms, and People agree on or about a subject.
Agreeable to. acceptable
Be agreeable to something. to be willing to do something or willing to allow

something to be done.
Aggravate. Aggravate means to make worse. (Drinking iced water will aggravate your
cold.)
All ready. All ready means completely ready. (When the buzzer sounded, the horses
were all ready to start running.)
All right. The only correct spelling is all right. Not alright.
Altogether. Altogether means entirely, wholly. (Jane is altogether too conceited to get
along with people.)
All together. All together means as a group. (After the explosion, the boss was relieved
to find his workers all together in front of the building.)
Already. Already means before or by a certain time. (Mike said that he had already
done the job.)
Amazement at. A feeling of great surprise or wonder.
Amenable to. Capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible
Among. The preposition among refers to collective arrangements; use it when

referring to three or more people or items. The soccer team shared dozens of oranges
among themselves.
Amount. Amount is used in reference to mass nouns (also known as uncountable

nouns): the amount of bravery displayed was awe-inspiring.
And etc. This is incorrect. The abbreviation etc. Stands for the Latin et cetera. The et
means and; the cetera means Other things. It is wrong to say and etc. Because the
idea of and is already included in the etc.
Appetite for. A strong desire or liking for something.
Appreciation of. A full understanding of a situation; Gratitude
Argue about (something). You argue about something or over something
Argue with (someone). You argue with someone
Apply for. Make a formal application or request.
Approve of. Officially agree to or accept as satisfactory.
Arrived at a decision/solution/compromise. to reach a decision, or solution after a lot

of effort
Aside from. Apart from.
As. As, used as a conjunction, is followed by a verb. (Please do it as I told you to.)
Associate with. Connect (someone or something) with something else in one's mind.
Being that. Being that is incorrect for since or because. (Since you are tired, you ought
to rest.)
Believe in. to be sure that someone or something exists; to trust someone and
be confident that they will be successful
Beside; besides. Beside means alongside of; besides means in addition to. (Nixon sat
beside autry at the baseball game.) (There is nobody besides her husband who
understands ann.)
Between. Between is also a preposition, but it refers to only two people or items: Amy
and Tonia split the tasks between them.
Blame for; blame on. Assign the responsibility for a bad or unfortunate
Bunch. Bunch means cluster. Do not use bunch for group or crowd. (This is a large
bunch of grapes.) (a crowd of people were at the scene of the accident.)
Bring. Consider the speaker as a starting point. Bring is used for something carried
in the direction of the speaker. (When you return from lunch, please bring me a ham
sandwich
But that, but what. Do not use these expressions in place of that in structures like the
following: I do not question That (not but that) you are richer than I am.
Can't hardly. Don't use this double negative. Say can hardly.
Capable of. Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a

specified thing.
Chary of. Cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something.
Comment on. A verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction.
Compatible with. (of two things) able to exist or occur together without problems or
conflict.
Complain about. Express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.
Comply with. Act in accordance with a wish or command.
Conform to. Comply with rules, standards, or laws.
Consists of. Have as an essential feature.
Continual. Continual means happening at intervals. (Salesmen are continually

walking into this office.)
Continuous. Continuous means going on without interruption. (Without a moment of

dry weather, it rained continuously for forty days and forty nights.)
Conversant with. Familiar with or knowledgeable about something.
Data. Although data is the plural of datum, idiom permits the use of this word as a
singular. Some authorities still insist on data are gathered rather than data is gathered
or these data rather than this data. Most persons in computer programming now say
data is gathered or this data.
Deal. Do not use this term for arrangement or transaction. (He has an excellent
arrangement (not deal) with the manager.)
Depend on. Be controlled or determined by.
Desire for. A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to
happen
Desirous of. Having or characterized by desire.
Desist from. Stop doing something; cease or abstain.
Die of. Someone dies of or from a disease or injury; Die of is more common than die
from
Differ from. to be different from something in some way
Different from. Different from is correct. Different than is incorrect. (His method of
doing this is different from mine.)
Disagree with. You disagree with someone; You disagree with an idea, or something
that someone says.
Discriminate against. Recognize a distinction; differentiate.
Discover. Discover means to see or learn something that has not been previously
known. (They say the Vikings, not Columbus, discovered America.)
Disdain for. The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration
or respect.
Disinterested. Disinterested means without bias. (An umpire must be disinterested to

judge fairly in a baseball game.)
Due to. At the beginning of a sentence, due to is always incorrect. Use, instead, on
account of, because of, or a similar expression. (On account of bad weather, the
contest was postponed.) As a predicate adjective construction, due to is correct. His
weakness was due to his hunger.
Each other. Each other is used for two people. (The executive and his secretary
antagonize each other.)
Emigrate. To emigrate is to leave one country for another country. It is usually used
with the preposition from: many people emigrated from Europe in search of better
living conditions.
Enamored of. [not before noun] liking something very much; formal in love with
someone
Equally as good. This expression is incorrect. Say, instead, just as good. (This car is
just as good as that.)
Escape from.
Farther. Farther is used for a distance that is measurable. (The farmer's house is
about 100 yards farther down the road.)
Fewer. Fewer should be used when referring to countable objects and concepts:
Diana's yard has fewer squirrels than mine.
Former/latter. Use former and latter only when you discuss two items. (Former refers
to the first item in a series of two; latter, to the second.) When you discuss a series of
three or more items, use first and last. Who was madder, the march hare or the hatter?
Was it the former, or was it the latter (the hatter)? Though the spoon, the knife, and
the fork each asked the dish to elope, everyone knows the dish ran away with the first.
Further. Further is used to express the extension of an idea. (aa further explanation
may be necessary.)
Get. Get means to obtain or receive. Get should not be used in the sense of to excite,
to interest, or to understand. Say:
His guitar playing fascinates (not gets) me. Say: when you talk about lifestyles, I just
don't understand (not get) you.
Good, well. Do not use the adjective good in place of the adverb well in structures like
the following: john works well (not good) in the kitchen. Jim palmer pitched well (not
good) in last night's game.
Graduate. One graduates from, or is graduated from, a school. One does not graduate
a school. (The student graduated [or was graduated] from high school.)
Hardly/scarcely. These words are sufficiently negative on their own that you don't
need any extra negatives (like not, nothing, or without) to get your point across. In
fact, if you do add that extra not or nothing, you've perpetrated the dreaded double
negative.
Do not write: the walrus couldn't hardly eat another bite.
Write: the walrus could hardly eat another bite.
Do not write: compared to the walrus, the carpenter ate hardly nothing.
Write: compared to the walrus, the carpenter ate hardly anything (or anyone).
Hanged, hung. When a person is executed, he is hanged. When anything is suspended

in space, it is hung.
Healthful, healthy. Healthful applies to conditions that promote health. Healthy

applies to a state of health. Say:
Stevenson found the climate of Saranac lake very healthful. Say: Mary is a very
healthy girl.
If, whether. Use whether—not "if"—in structures that follow verbs like ask, doubt,
know, learn, say. Say: hank Aaron didn't know whether (not "if") he was going to
break babe Ruth's homerun record.
Immigrate. To immigrate is to enter a country to take up permanent residence there.

It is usually used with the preposition to: they immigrated to north America because
land was plentiful.
In, into. In is used to express a location, without the involvement of motion. (The sugar
is in the cupboard.) Into is used to express motion from one place to another. (The
house keeper put the sugar into the cupboard.)
In contrast to/with. a difference between people, ideas, situations, things etc that are
being compared
In regards to. This is incorrect. Say in regard to or with regard to.
Indulge in. Allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of.
Inferior to. Lower in rank, status, or quality.
Insensitive to. Showing or feeling no concern for others' feelings.

Insight into. An accurate and deep understanding.
Insist upon. Demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal.
Invent. Invent means to create for the first time. (William S. Burroughs invented the
adding machine.)
Irregardless. Do not use irregardless. It is incorrect for regardless. (You will not be
able to go out to night regardless of the fact that you have done all of your homework.)
Irritate. Irritate means to annoy or exasperate. (Mary's continuous chattering

irritated me.)
Its. Its is a possessive pronoun like his and hers: the rare book would be worth more
if its cover weren't ripped.
It's. It's is a contraction that can mean it is, it has, or it was: it's been a long time since
I last saw you.
Kind of, sort of. Do not use these expressions as adverbs. Say: Ali was quite (not kind
of or sort of) witty in his postfight interview.
Kind of a, sort of a. Omit the a. Say: what kind of (not kind of a or sort of a) game is
lacrosse?
Later/latter. Use later when you're talking about time (you'll do it sooner or later).
Use latter when you're talking about the second one of a group of two (not the
former—that comes first—but the latter).
Every night Imogen stays up later and later serenading peregrine.
Berenice tossed both the troll and a gnome. The latter bounced farther.
Lay. To lay is to place or put something down and is usually followed by a

"something"— a direct object: before she begins to paint, Emily lays all of her pencils,
brushes, and paints on her worktable to avoid interruptions while she draws and
paints. One form, laid, serves as the simple past and the past participle of lay: I laid
my necklace on the counter, just where Rebecca had put hers.
Learn, teach. Learn means gaining knowledge. Teach means imparting knowledge.
Say: he taught (not learned) his brother how to swim.
Leave, let. The word leave means to depart. (I leave today for san Francisco.) The
word let means to allow. (Let me take your place.)
Less. Less should be used only with mass nouns, which are grammatically singular:
Diana's yard has less wildlife than mine. One common misuse of less is a sign you
probably encounter frequently at the supermarket: the 10 items or less sign should
actually be 10 items or fewer, because the items are countable.
Liable, likely. Liable means exposed to something unpleasant. (If you speed, you are
liable to get a summons.) Likely means probable, with reference to either a pleasant
or unpleasant happening. (It is likely to snow tomorrow.)
Lie. To lie is to recline, to be in a lying position or at rest. This verb never takes a
direct object: you do not lie anything down. The simple past form of lie is lay, the past
participle is lain. Notice that the past form of lie is identical with the present form of
lay. This coincidence complicates the task of distinguishing the related meanings of
lay and lie: having laid the picnic cloth under the sycamore, they lay in the shady
grass all last Sunday afternoon.
Like. Like may not be used as a conjunction. If it is used as a preposition, it is not

followed by a verb. (This ice cream looks like custard.)
Locate. Do not use locate to mean settle or move to. Say: we will move to (not locate
in) Florida next year.
Loose/lose. These are not synonyms. Loose is primarily an adjective meaning free or
inexact or not firmly fastened ("a loose prisoner," "a loose translation," "a loose
tooth.") As a verb, loose means to set free or let fly.
Many. Many, on the other hand, modifies things that can be counted, such as plural
nouns. Samantha has many awards in her collection.
Me and. Unacceptable as part of a compound subject.

Nonstandard: me and Berenice can beat any three trolls in the house.
Preferred: Berenice and I can beat any three trolls in the house. (Actually, Berenice
can beat them perfectly well without any help from me.)
Method of. In everyday English, people usually say a way of doing something rather
than a method of doing something.
Much. Much modifies things that cannot be counted, often singular nouns: Jim has
much more money than I do.
Myself, himself, yourself. These pronouns are to be used as intensives. (The chairman
himself will open the meeting.) Do not use these pronouns when me, him, or you will
serve. Say: we shall be happy if Joe and you (not yourself) join us for lunch at the
plaza.
Number. Number is used in reference to countable nouns: the recipe calls for a
specific number of eggs.
Object to. Say something to express one's opposition to or disagreement with

something.
Oblivious to. Not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one.
Off of. Omit the of. Say: the book fell off (not off of) the shelf.
One another. One another is used for more than two persons. (The members of the
large family love one another.)
Opinion of. A view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on
fact or knowledge.
Partial to. Having a liking for
Participate in. Be involved; take part.
Peculiar to. Belonging exclusively to, typical of
Pour, spill. When one pours, he does it deliberately. (He carefully poured the wine
into her glass.) When one spills, he does it accidentally. (I carelessly spilled some wine
on her dress.)
Practical, practicable. Practical means fitted for actual work. Practicable means
feasible or possible. Say: my business partner is a practical man. Say: the boss did
not consider the plan practicable for this coming year.
Prefer to. You prefer to do something; You prefer doing something.
Preoccupied with. Engrossed in thought; distracted.
Prevent from. Keep (something) from happening.
Principal, principle. Principal applies to a chief or the chief part of something.

Principle applies to a basic law. Say: Mr. Jones is the principal of the school.
Professor white was the principal speaker. Honesty is a good principle to follow.
Prior to. Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.
Prohibited from. That has been forbidden; banned.

Prone to. Likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something unpleasant or
regrettable.
Protect from. Keep safe from harm or injury.
Raise. Raise means to lift up, or to cause to rise or grow, and it is paired with a direct
object: you raise weights, roof beams, tomato plants, or children. Raise is a regular
verb. The trade tariff on imported leather goods raised the prices of Italian shoes.
Reason is because. Do not use the expression reason is because—it is always

incorrect. Say the reason is that. (The reason jack failed the course is that he didn't
study.)
Relevant to. Closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered.
Respectfully, respectively. Respectfully means with respect as in the complimentary

close of a letter, respectfully yours. Respectively means that each item will be
considered in the order given. Say: this paper is respectfully submitted. Say: the hero,
the heroine, and the villain will be played by Albert, Joan, and harry respectively.
Rise. To rise is to get up, to go up, or to be built up. This verb is never paired with a
direct object: you do not rise something. The past and past participle forms are
irregular; rose is the simple past tense, while risen is the past participle. Long-
distance commuters must rise early and return home late.
Same. Lawyers and writers of commercial documents sometimes use same as a

pronoun. In writing essays, use the pronouns it, them, this, that in its place.
Incorrect: I have received your billet-doux and will answer same once my messenger
owl returns home.
Correct: I have received your billet-doux and will answer it once my messenger owl
returns home.
Separate from. Form a distinction or boundary between.
Set. The difference between set and sit is very similar to the difference between lay
and lie and between raise and rise. To set is to put or place, settle or arrange
something. However, set takes on other specific meanings when it is combined with
several different prepositions, so always think carefully about the meaning of the word
in the sentence. Set is an irregular verb because it has one form that serves as present
tense, past tense, and past participle. Set usually has a direct object: you set a ladder
against the fence, a value on family heirlooms, or a date for the family reunion: the
professor set the students' chairs in a semicircle to promote open discussion.
Sit. To sit is to take a seat or to be in a seated position, to rest somewhere, or to occupy

a place. This verb does not usually have a direct object: the beach house sits on a hill
at some distance from the shoreline. When sit doesn't make sense, consider the word
sat: the usher sat us in the center seats of the third row from the stage.
Some. Do not use some when you mean somewhat. Say: I'm confused somewhat (not
some).
Subscribe to. Arrange to receive something, typically a publication, regularly by

paying in advance.
Succeeded in. Achieve the desired aim or result.
Suspicion. Do not use suspicion as a verb when you mean suspect.
Take. Take is used for something carried away from the speaker. (If you are going
downtown, please take this letter to the post office.)
Tamper with. Interfere with (something) in order to cause damage or make

unauthorized alterations.
Terrific, terrible. Avoid "lazy words." Many people don't want to take the trouble to
use the exact word. They will use words like terrific, swell, great, beautiful, etc., to
describe anything and everything that is favorable. And they will use words like
terrible, awful, lousy, miserable, etc., for whatever is unfavorable. Use the exact word.
Say: we had a delicious (not terrific) meal. Say: we had a boring (not terrible)
weekend.
Their. 'Their' is a possessive form of the pronoun they: the players respected their
coach.
They're. 'They're' is a contraction of they are: the students say they're planning to
attend college.
There. 'There' is used to introduce a sentence or indicate a location: there was plenty
of water in the well when we arrived there.
Theirs. 'Theirs' is the possessive plural form of the pronoun they: the team was ecstatic
when it was announced that the prize was theirs.
There's. 'There's' is a contraction of there is or there has: there's been a lot of rain
this summer.
This kind, these kind. 'This kind' is correct—as is 'that kind', 'these kinds', and 'those
kinds'. (my little brother likes this kind of pears.) These kind and those kind are
incorrect.
Try and. Do not say 'try and'. Say 'try to'. (Try to visit me while I am in Florida.)
Uninterested. Uninterested means not caring about a situation. (I am totally

uninterested in your plan.)
Unique. The adjective unique describes something that is the only one of its kind.
Don't qualify this adjective by more, most, less, least, slightly, or a little bit. It's just
as illogical to label something a little bit unique as it is to describe some-One as a
little bit pregnant.
Incorrect: only the one ring has the power to rule elves, dwarfs, and mortal men. It is
most unique.
Correct: only the one ring has the power to rule elves, dwarfs, and mortal men. It is
unique.
Wait for, wait on. Wait for means to await; wait on means to serve. Say: I am waiting
for (not on) carter to call me on the telephone.
Way, ways. Do not use ways for way. Say: it is a long way (not ways) to Japan.
Weary of. Feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive

exertion.
Where. Do not use 'where' in place of that in expressions like the following: I see in
the newspaper that (not where) a nuclear reactor may be built a mile away from our
house.
Whose. 'Whose' is a possessive pronoun used to refer to people or things: whose phone
is ringing?
Who's. 'Who's' is a contraction of who is or who has: who's planning to join us for
dinner?
Willing to. Ready, eager, or prepared to do something.

DICTION ERRORS
Diction errors (also known as usage or "wrong word" errors) generally appear at most once
per test, and often they do not appear at all. They are created by switching two similar or
identical-sounding but differently spelled words.
The work of Portuguese Renaissance painter Gregorio Lopes insists mostly of

frescoes for monasteries across the Iberian Peninsula
The work of Portuguese Renaissance painter Gregorio Lopes consists mostly of
frescoes for monasteries across the Iberian Peninsula.
Below is a list of word pairs of the sort that may appear on the SAT. Please be aware,
however, that like preposition errors, diction errors are often extremely random and cannot
be predicted with any degree of confidence.
Accept Give an affirmative answer to (an offer or proposal); say yes to.
Except Not including; other than.
Access The means or opportunity to approach or enter a place.
Excess An amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
Adopt Legally take (another's child) and bring it up as one's own.
Adapt Make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify.
Advice Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.
Advise Offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.
Affect To affect is to have an influence on something: Eli refused to let the rain affect
his plans for a picnic, so he sat under an umbrella and ate his sandwich. An affect is
an emotion or behavior: the guidance counselor noticed that more outdoor time
resulted in improved student affect.
Effect To effect is to bring something about or cause something to happen: the young
activist received an Award for effecting a change in her community. An effect is an
influence or a result: the newspaper article about homeless animals had such an effect
on Zarak that he brought home three kittens from the shelter. Affect is most often used
in its verb form, and effect is most often used in its noun form.
DICTION ERRORS
Afflict with (of a problem or illness) cause pain or trouble to; affect adversely.
Inflict To inflict is to impose punishment or suffering on someone or something: no

one dared displease the king, for he was known to inflict severe punishments on those
who upset him.
Allusion An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it

explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
Illusion An instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience.
Ambivalent Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or

someone.
Ambiguous Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
Anecdote A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Antidote A medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.
Appraise Assess the value or quality of.
Apprise Inform or tell (someone)
Assent The expression of approval or agreement.
Ascent A climb or walk to the summit of a mountain or hill.
Averse Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.
Adverse Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavourable.
Censor An official who examines books, films, news, etc. that are about to be published
and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a
threat to security.
Censure Express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a

formal statement.
Comprehensive Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of

something.
Comprehensible Able to be understood; intelligible.

DICTION ERRORS
Conscious Aware of and responding to one's surroundings.
Conscience A person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide
to one's behavior.
Considerate Careful not to inconvenience or harm others.
Considerable Notably large in size, amount, or extent.
Contribute Give (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide

something
Attribute Regard something as being caused by.
Counsel Advice, especially that given formally.
Council An advisory, deliberative, or administrative body of people formally

constituted and meeting regularly.
Contemptuous Showing contempt; scornful.
Contemptible Deserving contempt; despicable.
(In)credible Able to be believed; convincing.
Incredulous (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.
Devise Plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful

thought.
Device A thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of

mechanical or electronic equipment.
Elicit Evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone.
Illicit Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
Elude Escape from or avoid (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or

cunning way.
Allude Suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at.
Ensure Make certain that (something) will occur or be the case.

DICTION ERRORS
Assure Tell someone something positively to dispel any doubts.
Explicit Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
Implicit Suggested though not directly expressed.
Flaunt Display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or

admiration or to show defiance.
Flout Openly disregard (a rule, law, or convention)
Foreboding A feeling that something bad will happen; fearful apprehension.
Forbidding Unfriendly or threatening in appearance.
Imminent About to happen.
Eminent (of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere.
Imply Indicate the truth or existence of (something) by suggestion rather than explicit
reference.
Infer Deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from
explicit statements.
Incur Become subject to (something unwelcome or unpleasant) as a result of one's

own behaviour or actions.
Occur Happen; take place.
Indeterminate Not exactly known, established, or defined.
Interminable Endless or apparently endless (often used hyperbolically)
Influence The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour

of someone or something, or the effect itself.
Affluence The state of having a great deal of money; wealth.
Ingenious (of a person) clever, original, and inventive.
Ingenuous (of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.

DICTION ERRORS
Manner A way in which a thing is done or happens.
Manor A large country house with lands.
Mustered (of a group of people) gather together.
Mustard A hot-tasting yellow or brown paste made from the crushed seeds of certain
plants, typically eaten with meat or used as a cooking ingredient.
Pair A set of two things used together or regarded as a unit.
Peer A person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person.
Pier A platform on pillars projecting from the shore into the sea, typically
incorporating entertainment arcades and places to eat.
Pray Address a prayer to God or another deity.
Prey An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.
Precede Come before (something) in time.
Proceed Begin a course of action
Precedent An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be

considered in subsequent similar circumstances.
President the elected head of a republican state.
Perpetrate Carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action)
Perpetuate Make (something) continue indefinitely.
Rain The condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling visibly in separate drops.
Reign Hold royal office; rule as monarch.
Rein A long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs
to guide or check a horse in riding or driving.
DICTION ERRORS
Root The part of a plant which attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically
underground, conveying water and nourishment to the rest of the plant via numerous
branches and fibers.
Route A way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination.
Violation The action of violating someone or something.
Volition The faculty or power of using one's will.
Visual Relating to seeing or sight.
Visible Able to be seen.

TEST
1. The Wave, a sandstone rock formation located near the Utah-Arizona border, is famous on
its colorful forms and rugged, unpaved trails.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) border is famous for its
(C) border, is famous for its
(D) border is famous for their
2. Frank Lloyd Wright was a proponent for organic architecture, a philosophy that he
incorporated into structures such as the Fallingwater residence.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) for organically
(C) of organically
(D) of organic
3. Although the author's diaries provide a wealth of information about her daily interests and
concerns, they fail to present a comprehensive picture of her life.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) provide a wealth of information of
(C) provides a wealth of information of
(D) provides a wealth of information about
4. As an old man, Rousseau acknowledged that it was arrogant of him to promote virtues that
he was unable to embody into his own life.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) was unable to embody in
(C) were unable to embody in
(D) were unable to embody into
5. In contrast against his contemporaries, whose work he viewed as conventional and

uninspiring, Le Corbusier insisted on using modern industrial techniques to construct
buildings.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to his contemporaries,
(C) to their contemporaries,
(D) against their contemporaries,
6. Beethoven, who strongly sympathized to the ideals of the French Revolution, originally
planned to name the Eroica symphony after Napoleon.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to the ideals of the French Revolution original
(C) with the ideals of the French Revolution, originally
(D) with the ideals of the French Revolution originally
TEST
7. Choreographer Alvin Ailey Jr. is credited in popularizing modern dance and integrating
traditional African movements into his works.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) in popularizing modern dance and integrate
(C) with popularizing modern dance and integrate
(D) with popularizing modern dance and integrating
8. As a result of its new program, which consists in three world premiers, the ballet troupe has
become one of the few eminent companies to promote choreographic innovation.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) program that consists in three world premiers
(C) program, that consists of three world premiers,
(D) program, which consists of three world premiers,
9. The Industrial Revolution, which began toward the end of the eighteenth century, marked
the start of the modern era in both Europe and the United States.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) marking the start of the modern era in both Europe and the United States.
(C) marking the start of the modern era both in Europe and the United States.
(D) marked the start of the modern era both in Europe and in the United States.
10. Created in Jamaica during the late 1960's, reggae music emerged out of a number of
sources that ranged from traditional African songs and chants to contemporary jazz and blues.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Creating in Jamaica during the late 1960's, reggae music emerged out of
(C) Creating in Jamaica during the late 1960's, reggae music emerged of
(D) Created in Jamaica during the late 1960's, reggae music emerged of
11. Since reports given by the various witnesses at the crime scene were highly inconsistent to
one another, the detective was thoroughly perplexed.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) inconsistent to another
(C) inconsistent with one another
(D) inconsistent with another
12. Teachers have begun to note with alarm that the amount of time their students spend
playing video games and surfing the Internet has severely impacted their ability to focus at a
single task for an extended period of time.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) at a single task for an extending
(C) on a single task for an extended
(D) on a single task for an extending
TEST
13. During the early decades of the Heian Empire, a person who lacked a thorough knowledge
in Chinese could never be considered fully educated.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) lacked a thorough knowledge of
(C) lacking a thorough knowledge of
(D) lacking a thorough knowledge in
14. Both bizarre and familiar, fairy tales are intended to be told rather than read, and they
possess a truly inexhaustible power on children and adults alike.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) a truly inexhaustible power over
(C) a true inexhaustible power over
(D) a true inexhaustible power on
15. It was an honor to die at battle for their religion.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to die in battle for their religion
(C) die in battle for their religious
(D) die at battle for their religious
16. After the ceremony, the newlyweds ascended up the stairs.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) ascending up
(C) ascending
(D) ascended
17. I hope that the admissions office will comply to my request for an extension.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) will comply with
(C) would comply with
(D) would comply to
18. Bronze was used by primitive people before either iron and tin.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Bronze is used by primitive people before either iron nor tin.
(C) Bronze is used by primitive people before either iron or tin.
(D) Bronze was used by primitive people before either iron or tin.
TEST
19. Because of his preoccupation in classical music, Justin bought a subscription to Symphony
Hall concerts.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) being preoccupied in
(C) being preoccupied with
(D) his preoccupation with
20. Most rock climbers are lured by either danger and love of adventure.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) dangerous or love
(C) danger nor love
(D) danger or love
21. When Lucy returned home, she felt as though she had never been away.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) never been
(C) was never
(D) has never been
22. The posse went in pursuit after the horse thieves.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) after the horses
(C) of the horses
(D) of the horse
23. The new security system uses electronic eye scans in the identifying of employees.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to identify
(C) in identifying of
(D) identify
24. Work-study programs offer opportunities to both students and the business community.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to both students but the business community
(C) both to students and to the business community
(D) both to students and to the business community
25. No new plans were developed in respect to the environment.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) developed with
(C) developing with
(D) developing in
TEST
26. Columbus sailed west in search for a way to the Indies.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) in search of
(C) by search in
(D) by search for
27. The wounded marine could not endure that kind of a pain without passing out.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) a pain without to pass
(C) pain without passing
(D) pain without to pass
28. The children were waiting on the bus to arrive.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) on the bus arriving
(C) for the bus to arrive
(D) for the bus arriving
29. Generic drugs are not nearly as expensive than brand-name drugs.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) nearly as expensive as
(C) near as expensive as
(D) near as expensive than
30. Billy Collins is regarded to be one of the most popular contemporary American poets.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to be one of more
(C) as one of more
(D) as one of the most
31. Artists must often make a choice between teaching or devoting their time to creating art.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) teach or devote
(C) teach and devote
(D) teaching and devoting
32. Most people who travel at Thanksgiving prefer driving more than flying.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to drive to fly
(C) driving to flying
(D) driving to fly
TEST
33. Because the boat's engine had failed, the sailor was never far away from harm during the
storm.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) had failed, the sailor was never far
(C) failed, the sailor was never far
(D) failed, the sailor was never far away
34. Although Jackie's term paper was neither well written or fully researched, its grade was
A+.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) good written or fully researched
(C) good written nor full researched
(D) well written nor fully researched
35. The girls were always challenging their father's rules for every opportunity.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) onto every opportunity.
(C) in every opportunity.
(D) at every opportunity.
36. While I really enjoy studying the French language, I would also like to try and learn some
Portuguese as well.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese as well.
(C) I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.
(D) I would also like to try learning some Portuguese.
37. She would frequently compare her mother with the most loving of saints.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) with most loving of saints.
(C) to the most loving of saints.
(D) to saints that are the most loving.
38. The amount of people living in the area was still a matter of much debate in researchers.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) around researchers.
(C) among research.
(D) among researchers.
39. Questions are rarely asked by students from an imposing teacher.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to an imposing teacher.
(C) through an imposing teacher.
(D) in an imposing teacher.
TEST
40. To some people, the idea of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is synonymous for rowdy
behavior, noisiness, and disorder.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) in meaning for
(C) with
(D) of
41. The mother was endlessly comparing her friends' children against her own, something that
drove her whole family crazy.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The mother was endlessly in comparison with her friends' children with her own,
(C) The mother was endlessly comparing her friends' children with her own,
(D) The mother was endlessly comparing her friends' children for her own,
42. The night grew so cold that all the campers were shivering although a raging fire.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) even though a raging fire.
(C) despite a raging fire.
(D) from a raging fire.
43. That author's most recent novel is based on the Civil War in Spain, but, on a deeper level,
many perceive the book as a protest on Spanish social conventions.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) but on a deeper level, many perceive the book as a protest on Spanish social conventions.
(C) but, on a deeper level, many perceive the book as a protest against Spanish social
conventions.
(D) but on a deeper level many perceive the book as a protest against Spanish social
conventions.
44. No matter how hard I concentrated on the question, the solution to it kept alluding me.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the solution was kept elusive.
(C) the solution was keeping allusive.
(D) the solution to it kept eluding me.
45. The rain has a big affect on his mood.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) On his mood, the rain is largely effecting.
(C) The rain has a big effect on his mood.
(D) The rain affects his mood.
TEST
46. Many New Yorkers had no choice but to evacuate the area because of the imminent danger
of the approaching snow storm.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) because of the imminent danger from the approaching snow storm.
(C) because of the eminent danger from the approaching snowstorm.
(D) because of the imminent danger of the approaching snowstorm.
47. The two campaigns became certain the election was so close election night would not
feature a definite result.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) was closely
(C) was so close that
(D) was too close
48. We're you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to
wait until the car stopped working?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) We're you ever planning on telling me that were almost out of gas or we're you going to
(C) Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or we're you going to
(D) Were you ever planning on telling me that we're almost out of gas or were you going to
49. Marlene and Josh spent hours debating what to wear and where to go for dinner.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) were and wear
(C) where and were
(D) wear and were
50. Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test strategy for the next exam.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) for preparing her test strategy
(C) to prepare her test strategy
(D) in an effort to prepare her test strategy
51. Some writers use literary illusions to tactfully reference authors who previously wrote
about similar themes.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) tactfully use literary illusions to reference authors
(C) use literary allusions to tactfully reference authors
(D) tactfully use literary allusions to reference authors
TEST
52. Floridians often have to secure and fortify their homes in anticipation of an eminent costal
hurricane.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) as they anticipate an eminent costal hurricane
(C) in anticipation of an imminent costal hurricane
(D) having to anticipate an imminent costal hurricane
53. During the political debate, it was quite obvious whom the speaker's insult was directed at.
(A) NO CHANGE
B) who the speaker's insult was directed at
(C) to who the speaker had directed his insult
(D) at whom the speaker's insult was directed
54. Gina wished that she had chosen the red dress instead of the pink one.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) has chosen
(C) will have chosen
(D) would have chosen
55. The professor spoke to us as if he were an ancient Athenian general.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) was
(C) had been
(D) has been
56. I wanted to see the countryside, but I was sick in bed for the entire vacation.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) wanted to have seen
(C) would have wanted to see
(D) would have wanted to have seen
57. In order to become truly great at a sport, players must spend most of his or her free time
practicing.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) most of their free time practicing
(C) many of his or her free time practice
(D) many of their free time practice
TEST
58. Japan's status as an island country means that they must rely heavily on other countries for
the supply of natural resources that are indispensable to national existence.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the Japanese must rely heavily on
(C) they must rely heavy at
(D) the Japanese must rely heavily at
59. The Marquesa islands were among the first South Pacific islands to be settled, and from
its shores departed some of the greatest navigators of all time.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) settled and from their shores departing
(C) settled and from its shores departing
(D) settled, and from their shores departed
60. Henry, an ambulance driver, disapproved of war but drove it to the front lines anyway.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) An ambulance driver, although Henry disapproved of war, but he drove it to the front lines.
(C) Although he disapproved of the war, Henry drove his ambulance to the front lines.
(D) Henry drove his ambulance to the front lines despite disapproving of the war.
61. When the coins fell out of his sleeve, the audience laughed even harder than we.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) harder than us
(C) hardest than us
(D) hardest than we
62. The Sherlock Holmes form of mystery novel, which revolve around a baffling crime solved
by a master detective and his assistant, contrasts the scientific method with prevailing
superstitions.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) revolves around a baffling crime solved by a master detective and his assistant, contrasts
(C) revolve around a baffling crime solved by a master detective and his assistant, contrast
(D) revolves around a baffling crime solved by a master detective and his assistant, contrast
63. In the early years of the fourteenth century, Pope Clement V moved the papacy to the
French city of Avignon and leaving Rome prey to the ambitions of local overlords.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) and left
(C) but left
(D) but leaving
TEST
64. Along the side of the winding country road stretch a long line of pine trees and a low,
crumbling stone wall covered with both moss and snow.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) stretch a long line of pine trees and a low crumbling
(C) stretches a long line of pine trees and a low crumbling
(D) stretches a long line of pine trees and a low, crumbling
65. Ignacio proved that he was capable to rebuild the engine on the '62 Chevy.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) capable rebuilding
(C) capable of rebuilding
(D) capable to rebuilding
66. While I was reading Macbeth, I was amazed that Shakespeare had such insight on
ambitious leaders who ruthlessly seize power.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) insight to
(C) insight onto
(D) insight into
67 Alex tried to get his mother's attention, but she was preoccupied with the complicated recipe
she was preparing.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) within
(C) in
(D) on
68. In contrast to ornate Gothic architecture, modern geometric buildings have clean lines and
sharp edges.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Contrasting to
(C) Contrasting with
(D) In contrast with
69. Because my dad is such a great cook, my family prefers eating at home rather than eating
in restaurants.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to
(C) than
(D) rather
TEST
70. The prosecutor feared the showing of a teleplay based on the defendant's life would make
it impossible in selecting a jury.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) select
(C) to select
(D) selecting
71. Researchers have extended the life span of laboratory-grown cells, a feat that may shed
light on the process to age.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) process age
(C) process aging
(D) process of aging
72. Based in Oscar Hijuelo's prize-winning novel, The Mambo Kings has a screenplay by
Cynthia Cidres, and stars Armand Assante.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Based on
(C) Based up
(D) Based into
73. Exercising without proper warm-ups can be as harmful to the body as if you didn't exercise
at all.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) as no exercise at all
(C) than not exercising at all
(D) than no exercise
74. I walked from the hall in the room.

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) on
(C) for
(D) into
TEST
From the outside, 2648 West Grand Boulevard in the city of Detroit may not look like much,
but the in-side was the center of the famed Hitsville U.S.A. offices of Motown Records, [75]
the most influential and dynamic recording companies in America. [76] Not only were the
Motown offices a 24-hour business producing hit records and discovering new talent, but the
company also helped develop the careers of budding songwriters, producers, and [77] a record
executive.
75.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the more
(C) one of the most
(D) one of the more
76.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Not only the Motown offices were a 24-hour business to produce hit records and
discovering new talent, but the company also helped to develop
(C) Not only were the Motown offices a 24-hour business producing hit records and discover
new talent, but also the company helped develop
(D) Not only the Motown offices were a 24-hour business producing hit records and
discovering new talent but also the company helped developing
77.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) executing records
(C) record executives
(D) those who execute records
TEST
The arrival of the "Motown sound" [78] heralded a new direction in American [79] music, and
marked the beginnings of "crossover" music, or songs that [80] appeals to many different
groups and tastes. Guided by the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy, the sound helped
fully push African American singers, musicians, and songwriters into the mainstream arena of
pop music.
78.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) borrowed
(C) canceled
(D) managed
79.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) music, and marks
(C) music and marks
(D) music and marked
80.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) appeal to
(C) appeal for
(D) appeals for
CHAPTER 2
Development & Organization
CHAPTER 2 DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATION 39
DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATION
Writing and Language Test measures not only your knowledge of the technical aspects of
writing, but also your ability to comprehend and evaluate content. Many of these questions
require you to gain the "big picture," meaning the logical progression of ideas in the passage.
You may be asked whether the writer should add information or delete details. You may be
asked to select changes for clarity or coherence. Questions may also require evaluating how
information presented in a graph or diagram relates to the passage.
Faces and Feelings1
[Researchers say that a person's facial expression affects the person's own mood,
and also the moods others.]2 [So if a woman smiles, the muscles in her face, affect
her brain in such a way that she actually feels happier. If another person sees her
smiling face, that person's brain is also affected and he feels happier. Frowns have
the opposite effect.]3
[Of course, most people do not walk around either smiling or frowning.]4 Most faces
we see have in-between expressions, and we have to interpret the emotions behind
them. [Studies have found that people can be trained to perceive ambiguous facial
expressions more positively.]5
[For example, in one study, aggressive, at-risk teenagers were shown 15 photos at a
time of the same face in a range of expressions from smiling to frowning. The teens
had to determine if the expression was happy or angry. For some of the expressions
in the midrange, if a teen identified the expression as angry, the computer responded
with a message that the answer was incorrect; the expression was happy. After a week
of training, the teens apparently perceived the people around them differently; they
became significantly less aggressive.]6
[Ultimately, it seems that people are strongly affected not only by what they see in
other people's faces, but also by what they think they see.]7
1
Title provides a general focus point.
2
Introductory sentence makes initial claim.
3
Explanations set up information that follows.
4
Logical deduction. ALSO, Transition phrase and sentence acknowledge counterpoint and set up the
information that follows.
5
New claim sets up the information that follows.
6
Narrative provides evidence to support claim.
7
Conclusion connects and reflects upon the passage's main ideas.
40 CHAPTER 2 DEVELOPMENT & ORGANIZATION
PASSAGE AND PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
Some Writing and Language questions may ask whether information in the passage includes
too many details, or conversely, not enough support/explanation. You may also be asked to
evaluate an introductory or concluding statement. Make sure that you have a clear idea of the
passage's and paragraph's main ideas; the title of the passage is a crucial due. Focus questions
require you to assess whether portions of the passage include only the information and ideas
relevant to the author's topic and purpose. You may be asked to add, change, or omit text.
When answering Focus questions, identify whether the text in question fits the topic, scope,
and purpose of the entire passage. Topic is what the passage is about. Scope is the aspect of
the broader topic that is the center of the author's focus. Purpose is the author's reason for
writing.
PROPOSITIONS
Proposition questions ask about how well a writer uses language— arguments, information,
and ideas— to express the central purpose of a passage or part of a passage. You will be asked
to add, revise, or retain portions of the passage to communicate key ideas, claims,
counterclaims, and topic sentences most clearly and effectively. To answer Proposition
questions, you need to identify the topic and purpose of the passage and focus on the writer's
point of view. Ask questions such as:
What is the central idea of the passage?

Why did the author write the passage?
What does the author think about the subject?
What is the author's tone?
Example 1.
A Popular "Spider''
Chlorophytum comosum is a grass-like, clumping perennial plant. It sends out wiry,
arching stalks with flowers that then develop into plantlets. [*] In its natural setting,
its stalks droop until the plantlets reach the soil and send out roots of their own. In
homes, however, Chlorophytum comosum is usually displayed as a hanging plant,
which allows its slender leaves to swing below the plant. The species is native to
southern Africa.
The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of the sentence. Should it be
kept or deleted?
(A) Kept, because it provides an important clarification.

(B) Kept, because it maintains the stylistic pattern established previously.
(C) Deleted, because it provides an unnecessary detail.
(D) Deleted, because it undermines the previous sentence.
Example 2.
[1] But signs suggest that amount of textile work in the United States is on the rise
again. [2] In 2014, the industry employed 232,000 people, making up roughly 2
percent of the American workforce. [3] While that percentage is a far cry from that of
the industry's heyday, it shows that textile manufacturers are re-evaluating business.
[4] The textile industry produces the materials needed to make clothing, such as yarn
and cotton. [*]
Which sentence should be omitted to improve the focus of this paragraph?
(A) Sentence 1
(B) Sentence 2
(C) Sentence 3
(D) Sentence 4
Example 3.
According to industry insiders, the United States is still a viable competitor in global
textile manufacturing. Not only the United States have the means to produce raw
materials such as cotton and human-made fibers, but it also possesses a workforce
that is becoming savvier in the global marketplace. Many American textile companies
have turned inward and spent money on retooling manufacturing centers, studying
work flow and costs, and looking for niche markets for exact goods. Also, increased
consumer concern has made environmentally safe products made in the United States
preferable. [*]
Which sentence, if added at this point, would best support the paragraph's central
idea?
(A) China continues to produce the largest amount of cotton in the world.
(B) China, India, and Germany continue to export more textiles than the United States.
(C) Not everyone is willing to pay more for garments made from textiles produced in
the United States.
(D) Rising costs in overseas factories have also helped drive interest in bringing the
industry back to America.
INTRODUCTION & CONCLUSION
Introductions and conclusions questions task you with improving the beginning or ending of
a passage or paragraph, making sure that the transition words, phrases, or sentences are being
used effectively not only to connect information and ideas but also to maintain logical
structure.
Example 4.
A Popular "Spider''
Chlorophytum comosum is a grass-like, clumping perennial plant. It sends out wiry,

arching stalks with flowers that then develop into plantlets. In its natural setting, its
stalks droop until the plantlets reach the soil and send out roots of their own. In homes,
however, Chlorophytum comosum is usually displayed as a hanging plant, which
allows its slender leaves to swing below the plant. [*] The species is native to
southern Africa.
Which sentence provides the best conclusion for the passage?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Consequently, one of its common names is "Spider plant," referring to the spider-
like appearance of the plantlets.
(C) The plantlets' resemblance to a spider has earned it the nickname "Spider plant,"
but I don't call it that because I hate spiders.
(D) Many people regard it as one of the easiest houseplants to grow.
Example 5.
Indeed the heart never rests while it supplies blood to the rest of the body, it actually
works harder than any other muscle in the body and needs a much richer blood supply
than other muscles. Although the heart makes up less than 1 percent of a person's
body weight, it requires 4 to 5 percent of the body's blood. [*]
Which answer choice most effectively establishes the central idea of the passage?
(A) The heart is responsible for moving blood to all of the body's tissues through a
60,000-mile network of vessels.
(B) Scientists are conducting cutting-edge research regarding how the heart pumps
blood through the body.
(C) The heart is thought by some to be the seat of the soul, though others view it in
purely clinical terms.
(D) The heart oxygenates the body by moving blood to all of the body's tissues.
PASSAGE ORGANIZATION
Logical sequence questions ask you to reorder the sentences in a paragraph or paragraphs in a
passage to ensure that information and ideas are logically conveyed. When rearranging
sentences or paragraphs, begin by determining which sentence or paragraph most logically
introduces the paragraph or the passage, respectively.
Example 6.
Teacher for a Day
[1] Substitute teachers must find the classroom, find the light switch, and find several
pages of written instructions from the teacher. [2] They must comprehend the purpose
of piles of instructional materials and supplies, and they must log on to an unfamiliar
computer to find the attendance site. [3] The slightest problem, such as where the
teacher keeps extra pencils, means that the substitute must pause instruction;
whereupon students can hardly be expected to refrain from loud conversations. [4]
Within short order, they meet and manage large groups of students whom they do not
know, follow routines that they do not know, and provide instruction for learning
activities that they may never have seen before.
To make the paragraph more logical, sentence [4] should go
(A) before sentence [1]. (C) before sentence [3].

(B) before sentence [2]. (D) where it is now.
Example 7.
[1] The human heart is divided into four chambers, the walls of which are made of the
myocardium, the muscle that contracts rhythmically under the stimulation of
electrical currents. [2] The heart is able to pump blood in a coordinated manner
because of the arrangement of the cells and the electrical messages that pass easily
between the cells. [3] This cardiovascular pump operates by squeezing blood out of
its chambers (contraction) and then expanding to allow blood in (relaxation). [4] The
action is similar to squeezing water out of a soft plastic bottle while holding it
underwater and then releasing one's grasp so that water is sucked back into the bottle
as it re-expands. [5] The myocardium is composed of individual muscle cells called
myocytes, which work together to contract and relax the heart chambers in the correct
sequence to pump blood to the lungs and the body. [*]
To make this paragraph most logical, sentence 5 should be placed
(A) where it is now

(B) after sentence 1
(C) after sentence 2
(D) after sentence 3
TRANSITIONS
Whereas conjunctions clarify the relationship between ideas within a sentence, transition
words clarify the relationship between the ideas presented in different sentences. SAT Writing
and Language Tests often include questions requiring you to select an appropriate connecting
word or phrase. You will have to look carefully at the sentences or clauses to consider how to
indicate the progression of thought accurately.
Add and strengthen: also, additionally, furthermore, in fact, moreover, what is more
Describe an effect: as a result, consequently, hence, therefore, thus
Describe order: next, subsequently, thereafter
Show factors in common: likewise, similarly
Contrast: however, in comparison, in contrast, on the other hand
Reinforce an assertion: all the same, even so, nevertheless, nonetheless,
notwithstanding (that), still
Introduce specifics: for example, for ·instance, in this case, specifically
Suggest: alternatively, if not, instead, otherwise, then again
Prepare to conclude: thus, finally, in short, hence, therefore
Example 8.
Peyton and Aveline admitted to leaving out a few ingredients. [*] Nonetheless, their
cake was arguably better than their father's.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) In fact,
(C) Similarly,
(D) For instance,
Example 9.
At its top in the years following World War II, the American textile industry dominated
both the national and global workplaces. [*] However, by the 1990s, employment in
the textile industry had plummeted from an all-time high of 1.3 million jobs to
approximately 672,000. Even more alarming was that the numbers would
keep dropping—dramatically.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Therefore,
(C) Consequently,
(D) Moreover,
Example 10.
[*] Indeed the heart never rests while it supplies blood to the rest of the body, it
actually works harder than any other muscle in the body and needs a much richer
blood supply than other muscles. Although the heart makes up less than 1 percent of
a person's body weight, it requires 4 to 5 percent of the body's blood.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Because
(C) Whenever
(D) While
QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION
Both the reading and writing sections of the SAT include graphics. The reading test includes
two graphics, while the writing test generally includes one. For that one graphic, you'll
encounter one or two questions which may ask you to consider
how the writer can integrate the information from the graphic into his or her
argument,
whether that argument accurately reflects the information in the graphic,
or whether the graphic accurately reflects the information in the argument.
Example 11.
Despite all the ups and downs in China's economy over the past decade, its official
unemployment rate has remained incredibly stable. Incredible in the sense of
"impossible to believe." The registered urban jobless rate is just 4.1 % now. This
would seem to point to economic vigor, but the problem is that it has sat at that precise
level, without moving, since late 2010, and it [*] fluctuated within just five
percentage points relative to unemployment rates in Japan, the United States, and
the Euro zone, even at the depths of the global financial crisis.
Which choice completes the sentence with accurate data from the chart?
(A) NOCHANGE
(B) was predicted to drop below Japan's rate in 2008,
(C) mirrored the low unemployment rates in Japan, the United States, and the Euro
zone in 2009,
(D) has stayed within a narrow range of 4.0-4.3% since 2002,
Example 12.
The reason for the decline was clearly the American government began allowing the
outsourcing of jobs to foreign manufacturers, who promised cheap labor and
production costs. The most notable example of this shift was the 1994 signing of
NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, which allowed inexpensive
textile imports from Mexico. It also gave American textile companies an incentive to
move production south where lower costs meant higher profits, the entry of China into
world markets as a major competitor with less expensive exports also contributed to
a decline in the number of American textile manufacturing jobs. [*]
Which sentence, if added at this point, best reflects the information presented in the
graph?
(A) The number of textile and apparel jobs began to decline steadily in the 1970s.
(B) Textile and apparel jobs reached their peak in the 1950s after a steady increase.
(C) The number of textile manufacturing jobs remained relatively stable during the
1950s and 1960s.
(D) There was a sharp decline in textile and apparel jobs following the signing of
NAFTA.
TEST
Questions 1-4 are based on the 01.

following passage.
Which choice most effectively
establishes the main topic of the
passage?
Swimming Giants
(A) NO CHANGE
[1] Living in weight-supporting water (B) Animals that live in water have the
allows some aquatic animal species to advantage of speedy mobility.
become huge. Even behemoths are able
to stay afloat and mobile. The most 02.
obvious example is the blue whale, the (A) NO CHANGE
largest animal on Earth. The blue whale (B) As a result,
is about as long as three school buses,
and usually weighs around 200 tons. It 03.
usually ambles along at about 5 miles
per hour (mph). However, if it is in a The writer is considering deleting the
hurry, it can swim much faster, up to 20 underlined sentence. Should the
mph. The giant Pacific octopus can grow sentence be kept or deleted?
to as long as 20 feet end to end and (A) Kept, because it supports the topic
weigh 50 pounds-big enough to wrap sentence by Listing animals that are
around a small car. Yet it can dart after ungainly on land.
prey at jet-like speed.
(B) Deleted, because it lists land
[2] On the other hand, water's buoying animals, distracting from an emphasis
properties allow some species to thrive on marine life.
even though they appear quite slow and
ungainly. [3] For example, tree sloths,
penguins, and elephants are all expert 04.
swimmers. The heaviest bony fish, the The writer wants to add a sentence here.
Mola mola (or ocean sunfish) can weigh Which choice would best support the
up to 2,200 pounds. [4] The Mola mola writer's main point about the Mola
can therefore be an awkward giant in an mola?
aquarium tank. In the open ocean,
(A) Its body is tall (10 feet) but narrow,
however, it is perfectly shaped to glide
so that it looks like a swimming
down to deep, cold waters to eat, and
pancake.
then gracefully swim up to the surface to
expose one of its large, flat sides to the (B) It periodically swims into kelp beds,
sun. where smaller fish clean parasites from
its skin.
TEST
[5] As a result, angiosperms are the most 05.

important ultimate source of food for
Which choice, if inserted at the
birds and mammals, including humans.
beginning of the paragraph, would most
In addition, the flowering plants are the
effectively establish the main topic of
most economically important group of
the passage?
green plants, serving as a source of
pharmaceuticals, fiber products, timber, (A) The angiosperms dominate the
ornamentals, and other commercial Earth's surface in more environments
products. than any other group of plants.
(B) Fruits are derived from the maturing
floral organs of the angiospermous
plant.
(C) The taxonomy, or classification, of
the angiosperms is still incomplete.
(D) The size range among angiosperms
is quite remarkable.
According to new data from field trials 06.

carried out in Bangladesh and South [6] The writer is considering revising the
Africa, Pages from a "drinkable" book underlined portion of the sentence to
can greatly benefit humanity. Titled read:
The Drinkable Book, the hardcover work
contains pages impregnated with silver pages from a "drinkable" book can
nanoparticles that release bacteria- remove more than 99 percent of bacteria
killing ions. In field trials, the pages from contaminated water.
successfully eliminated from water the Should the writer make this revision?
bacteria that cause cholera, typhoid, and
other waterborne diseases. Water was (A) Yes, because it expresses more
cleaned by simply pouring it over a page directly the benefit of the "drinkable"
that had been torn out from the book and book, which is illustrated in the rest of
slid into an accompanying filter box. the paragraph.
(B) Yes, because it explains how the
book should be read.
(C) No, because it is not relevant to the
paragraph's discussion of water-borne
bacteria.
(D) No, because it includes a statistic
that contradicts the main idea.
TEST
California's urban areas are also slowly 07.

transforming themselves. East of Los
At this point, the writer is considering
Angeles is a quietly innovative water
adding the following sentence:
district called the Inland Empire Utilities
Agency, providing water for just under a The desalination process removes
million people. The agency has an chemicals and salt, turning 35 million
aggressive water recycling program, gallons a day of tainted brine into water
which cleans and resupplies 52 million at least as clean as tap.
gallons of water a day for an immediate Should the writer make this addition
second use, on farms, in factories and
here?
commercial laundries, in recharging the
area's groundwater. And although it is (A) Yes, because it shows that, with
dozens of miles from the Pacific Ocean, ingenuity, it is possible to desalinate
the agency also desalinates water. The ocean water even from an inland
Inland Empire sits over an aquifer that location.
has been polluted by a legacy of careless (B) Yes, because it both shows how the
agricultural and human habitation. [7] tainted water is cleaned and explains one
Those techniques expand Inland of the techniques mentioned in the
Empire's water supply without actually following sentence.
requiring any new water, and they
represent the leading edge of an effort in (C) No, because it dubiously refers to the
Southern California toward "water tainted water as "at least as clean as tap."
independence." (D) No, because its language is too
technical for the general reader to
understand.
TEST

following passage.
The writer is considering deleting the
underlined sentence from the paragraph.
Should the sentence be kept or deleted?
[1] From the founding of the United
States until the late 19th century, women (A) Kept, because it shows the
were almost entirely excluded from overwhelming support for women's
voting or participating in the country's suffrage among the states.
politics. [2] Women's suffrage groups
(B) Kept, because it follows directly
gained steam during the 1800s, working
from the previous sentence, reinforcing
separately and together to gather support
the assertion of the success of the
for a federal amendment that would
women's suffrage movement.
enshrine in the country's constitution
women's right to vote and for similar (C) Deleted, because it blurs the
amendments to the constitutions of paragraph's focus on passing the
individual states. [3] The women's Nineteenth Amendment.
suffrage movement and the movement (D) Deleted, because it doesn't provide a
to abolish slavery had several themes in specific example of the success of the
common. [4] The first constitutional women's suffrage movement.
amendment for women's suffrage was
proposed in Congress in 1878 and was 09.
reintroduced in every Congress
thereafter. [5] Meanwhile, individual To improve the focus of this paragraph,
states began amending their own which sentence should be removed?
constitutions. [8] [ 6] By 1918, 15 states (A) Sentence 1
allowed women to vote. [7] After a (B) Sentence 3
federal vote passed in the House and (C) Sentence 5
failed in the Senate, the National (D) Sentence 7
Women's Party banded together to oust
senators who had voted against the
measure. [8] The Nineteenth
Amendment, allowing women to vote
all across the United States, was finally
ratified on August 18, 1920. [9]
TEST
Many universities in America and 10.

Britain have incorporated "great"
Which choice most accurately reflects
literature into their law curriculum.
the data in the chart?
There are sensible reasons behind this;
the University of Southampton, in line (A) NO CHANGE
with recent studies, states (not (B) twice as often
implausibly) that it offers the (C) three times as often
opportunity to study law through a (D) four times as often
literary prism of Shakespeare, Dickens,
Kafka and others in order to "help law
students to become more ethically astute
practitioners." Indeed, Supreme Court
judges allude to literary giants like
Shakespeare and Carroll [10] eight
times as often as colloquial masters like
Faulkner or Salinger.
TEST

following paragraph. Which choice most effectively
The thing about airport immigration paragraph?
lines is that you only get to experience
(A) NO CHANGE
how awful other countries' are. A bit like
driving, we swear at the idiots around us, (B) Those who have experienced the
while convincing ourselves of our own process of immigrating to America,
irreproachability because we never get however, almost universally express
to hear the exasperation of those we admiration for its system.
have just cut off. [11] Still, there must
(C) Without new policies to make
be nowhere in the rich world in which
immigration processes more expedient,
immigration is as consistently difficult
most countries and immigrants-will
as in America. Things have certainly
continue to pay the price of inefficiency.
improved with the introduction of EST
A visa system, but still the lines at (D) Immigrants to the United States,
American airports can last hours and the however, tend to have fewer complaints
immigration officers [12] bend over than those traveling to countries such as
backwards to assist new immigrants Germany, for example.
in acclimating to their new home.
12.
Which choice most effectively supports
the paragraph's central claim?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) work to create an atmosphere of
professionalism and respect unrivaled in
the world.
(C) tend towards an unappealing blend
of the surly and the incompetent.
(D) often dispense with bureaucratic
formalities so as to move people through
the system more quickly.
TEST

following passage. The writer would like to make an
addition to the end of this sentence that
[l] The Daily Telegraph reports that will accurately reflect more of the data
travelers on a British Airways flight in the chart. Which choice best achieves
have [13] waited up to 138 minutes to this goal?
clear immigration at JFK. [2] So many
(A) NO CHANGE
of the four million Britons who travel to
the United States each year will no doubt (B) and close to three hours at Miami,
be delighted to hear of a plan to station although wait times differ depending on
American immigration officers at two the airport and the time of day.
British airports, London Heathrow and
(C) but only from three to five p.m.
Manchester. [3] These will process
travelers before they leave the country, (D) while immigrants from other
and with luck considerably speed up countries fared better at less crowded
entrance at the other end. [4] Some points of entry.
officials have expressed misgivings
about the feasibility of the program. [5] 14.
And, as the Telegraph goes on,
processing people before they board the To improve the focus of the second
plane would be popular on both sides of paragraph, which sentence should be
the pond: [14] deleted?
There has also been concern in the (A) Sentence 1
White House at the poor impression (B) Sentence 2
visitors to the U.S. [15] obtain of the (C) Sentence 4
country on their arrival at a time when (D) Sentence 5
tourism plays an increasingly important
role in the American economy. 15.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) find
(C) sense
(D) get
TEST
[ . .] The Obama administration believes 16.

[the move] would improve the country's
(A) NO CHANGE
safety by preventing terrorists' boarding
(B) from our one-yard line
a plane in the first place.
(C) on our one-yard line
"I want to take every opportunity we (D) while standing on the one-yard line
have to expand homeland security
beyond our borders, "said [Jeh] 17.
Johnson [America's homeland security
(A) NO CHANGE
secretary] last year. "To use a football
(B) flying from, or refueling at,
metaphor, I'd much rather defend our
(C) flying or refueling in
end-zone from the 50-yard line than [16]
(D) flying from or also, refueling at,
our one-yard line."
Pre-arrival clearance has been available
for those [17] flying, or refueling at,
Shannon airport in Ireland for some
time. This was one of the benefits of
IAG, the parent of British Airways,
acquiring Aer Lingus, an Irish carrier.
Eight other European airports may also
be included in the scheme, reports the
Telegraph, including Schiphol in
Amsterdam, Madrid-Barajas and
Arlanda Airport in Stockholm. Still, it
will probably take two years for officials
on both sides of the Atlantic to agree
upon and then implement the scheme in
Britain. And, of course, there is always
the danger that the immigration officers
that are sent over here will be just as
surly and incompetent as those they
employ at home. But let's stay
optimistic.
TEST
[18] As if malpractice suits and 18.

unnecessary bankruptcies were not
enough of a problem, lawyers have
chosen to increase the burden that
paragraph?
they place on society by engineering
an excess of increasingly ridiculous (A) NO CHANGE
product warnings. Why else would a (B) Each year, effective product warning
box of sleeping pills be marketed with labels help countless people avoid
the cautionary note that consumers may serious injuries resulting from their use
experience drowsiness? Or a cup of of consumer products.
coffee be emblazoned with a notice that
"THIS PRODUCT MAY BE HOT"? (C) In recent years, a coalition of
Anyone with common sense will not lawyers and consumer safety advocates
need to be warned about these has successfully campaigned to require
possibilities, and anyone WITHOUT companies to include safety warnings on
common sense is probably not going to product labels.
be stopped by a warning label from (D) Product safety warnings are
undertaking a foolish course of action necessary to protect consumers who
anyway. So honestly, in the long run, the thoughtlessly use products without first
only ones who benefit from these thinking about the possible risks
warnings are the lawyers who are paid involved.
hundreds of dollars an hour to compose
them.
[1] It is amazing how little the structure 19.

of the American public school system To make this paragraph most logical,
has changed since its inception. [2] sentence 4 should be placed
Students still change classes according
to bells, even though the bell system (A) where it is now.
originated during the days of factories. (B) before sentence 1.
[3] School is still not in session during (C) after sentence 1.
the summer, although most students will (D) after sentence 6.
not use that time to work on farms. [4]
Although class and school sizes have
varied widely and the curriculum has
certainly become varied, the actual
system remains surprisingly similar to
the way it once was. [5] Despite these
idiosyncrasies, however, the American
public school system continues to
educate the children of this country in a
fair and equitable fashion, [6] Without
the established structure, the chaotic
nature of school would severely inhibit
learning. [19]
TEST
I still remember the magic of walking 20.

home under the cold, brittle blue sky,
(A) NO CHANGE
watching the sun strike the glittering
(B) But
blanket laid down by that first snowfall.
(C) Consequently
The world dripped with frosting, and
(D) In fact
everything was pure and silent. I
breathed deeply, enjoying the sting of
the icy air in my nostrils, and set off
through the trees, listening to the
muffled crunch of my footsteps and the
chirps of the waking birds. Later, the
cars and schoolchildren and mundane
lives would turn the wonderland back
into dingy slush; the hush would be
interrupted by horns and shouts. [20]
Indeed for now, the sparkling, cloistered
world was mine alone. I smiled, and for
a moment, my mind was still.
TEST

following passage.
To make the passage most logical,
paragraph 2 should be placed
Earthquakes
(A) where it is now.
(B) after paragraph 3.
[1]
(C) after paragraph 4.
The recent devastating earthquakes in
(D) after paragraph 5.
China, Haiti, Chile, Mexico, and
elsewhere have caused many to wonder
if this earthquake activity is unusual.
[2]
"While the number of earthquakes is
within the normal range, this does not
diminish the fact that there has been
extreme devastation and loss of life in
heavily populated areas," says USGS
Associate Coordinator for Earthquake
Hazards, Dr. Michael Blanpied. [21]
[3]
Scientists say 2010 is not showing signs
of unusually high earthquake activity.
Since 1900, an average of 16 magnitude
7 or greater earthquakes—the size that
seismologists define as major—have
occurred worldwide each year. Some
years have had as few as 6, as in 1986
and 1989, while 1943 had 32, with
considerable variability from year to
year.
[4]
With six major earthquakes striking in
the first four months of this year, 2010 is
well within the normal range. From
April 15,2009, to April 14,2010, there
have been 18 major earthquakes, a
number also well within the expected
variation.
TEST
[5] 22.
[1] What will happen next? [2] It is
To make this paragraph most logical,
unlikely that any of these aftershocks
sentence 4 should be placed
will be stronger than the earthquakes
experienced so far, but structures (A) where it is now.
damaged in the previous events could be (B) before sentence 1.
further damaged and should be treated (C) before sentence 2.
with caution. [3] Beyond the ongoing (D) after sentence 2.
aftershock sequences, earthquakes in
recent months have not raised the 23.
likelihood of future major earthquakes; Which choice most effectively
that likelihood has not decreased, either. concludes the paragraph?
[4] Aftershocks will continue in the
regions around each of this year's major (A) NO CHANGE
earthquakes sites. [5] Large earthquakes (B) However, earthquake forecasting
will continue to occur just as they have employs methods to assess the general
in the past. [22] earthquake hazard in a particular area.
(C) However, researchers have studied
[6] dogs to determine their ability to sense
Though the recent earthquakes are not an impending earthquake.
unusual, they are a stark reminder that
earthquakes can produce disasters when (D) However, undersea earthquakes
they strike populated areas, especially produce low-frequency sound waves
areas where the buildings have not been that can arrive minutes before the
designed to withstand strong shaking. associated tsunami wave.
What can be done to prepare? Scientists
cannot predict the timing of specific
earthquakes. [23] However, families and
communities can improve their safety
and reduce their losses by taking actions
to make their homes, places of work,
schools, and businesses as earthquake-
safe as possible.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) This medical advice remains the
Dr. Barry Marshall standard today, despite Dr. Barry
Marshall's recent efforts.
For hundreds of years, the medical
(C) This medical advice remained the
community and conventional wisdom
standard for generations, until Dr. Barry
held that ulcers were caused by stress.
Marshall developed a cure for the
Strong gastric juices would sometimes
stomach ulcer.
burn sores through the lining of the
stomach or intestines, causing widely (D) This medical advice remained
varied symptoms, including internal standard for generations despite a lack of
bleeding, inflammation, and stomach evidence. That is, until Dr. Barry
pain Doctors reasoned that if patients Marshall proved it with scientific
with ulcers changed their daily habits to experiments.
reduce the level of tension in their lives,
altered their diets to avoid foods that
would irritate the stomach, and took
medicine to moderate the amount of
stomach acid, these ulcers would heal.
Although the problem often recurred, no
one seriously questioned why. [24] This
medical advice remained standard for
generations, until Dr. Barry, Marshall
came along.
TEST
Beginning in the 1980s, Marshall, an 25.

Australian physician, hypothesized that
(A) NO CHANGE
at least some ulcers were caused by
bacteria that often lie dormant in the (B) At medical conferences, the young,
human stomach. The international unknown Marshall was regarded as at
medical community scoffed. It was best, a maverick, and at worst, a quack.
common knowledge, or so Marshalls (C) At medical conferences, the young,
colleagues believed, that no microbes unknown Marshall was regarded as
could survive for long in the highly friendly and sociable at after-hours
acidic environment of the stomach. [25] networking events.
At medical conferences, the veteran,
well-known Marshall was regarded as (D) Dr. Marshall mostly avoided
at best a maverick, and at worst, a medical conferences and symposia.
quack. Over several years, he and his
fellow researcher, Dr. J. Robin Warren, 26.
attempted to isolate and identify the Which additional detail is most
bacteria that caused ulcers. As is the case appropriate to include at this point in the
with many medical discoveries, their passage?
breakthrough came about partly by
accident, when they left a culture (A) Dr. Marshall was a well-organized
growing in the lab overnight. [26] man and valued a neat workspace; the
misplaced petri dish was almost
certainly Dr. Warren's fault.
After this, to further prove his point, Dr. (B) The following morning, Marshall
Marshall took a bold step. Although and Warren found a vibrant culture of a
hospitals frown on such potentially theretofore overlooked bacteria that they
dangerous actions, the doctor soon realized was an important suspect
experimented on himself by deliberately in the formation of ulcers.
drinking a flask of the bacteria. Over a
two-week period, Marshall developed (C) Marshall's and Warren's research
vague, though not disabling, symptoms, was supported by grants, and by that
and medical tests showed evidence of point they were nearing the exhaustion
ulcers and infection. Other researchers' of their funds.
studies later confirmed that Marshall's (D) What Mars hall and Warren
and Warrens findings apply to about discovered in their lab the next day
90% of all ulcers, which can now be brought them closer to finding the link
cured by a short course of antibiotics between bacteria, ulcers, and stress.
instead of being temporarily managed
by antacids.
TEST
In 2005, Marshall's bold move earned 27.

him and Warren the Nobel Prize in
Medicine. [27] Dr. Marshall brought
concludes the passage?
his wife to the Nobel Prize ceremony,
and she was very proud to witness the (A) NO CHANGE
public celebration of his work. (B) Both of their careers flourished from
this point forward, with each earning a
tenured, endowed faculty position at a
prestigious university.
(C) Sadly, since 2005, Marshall's and
Warren's work has been neglected by the
medical and scientific communities, and
our understanding of ulcers has not
progressed since that time.
(D) Their important advance, like many
other scientific discoveries in history,
was a combination of experimentation,
persistence, and luck.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) has already been studied by
Human Skin countless scientists.
(C) is mainly composed of dead cells
The skin is the human body's largest
and thus is not of great interest to
organ. An adult's skin comprises
scientists.
between 15 and 20 percent of the total
body weight. Each square centimeter has (D) is mainly composed of dead cells
6 million cells, 5,000 sensory points, and these are constantly being replaced
100 sweat glands, and 15 sebaceous by newer cells.
glands. The outer layer, the epidermis,
consists of rows of cells about 12 to 15 29.
deep and is between .07 and .12
millimeters thick (the thickness of a
concludes the sentence and paragraph?
piece of paper). This top layer [28] has
already been studied by countless (A) NO CHANGE
scientists, and few new discoveries or (B) the skin detoxifies harmful
insights are likely to occur. One square substances in a way scientists are still
inch of skin contains up to 4.5 m of trying to understand.
blood vessels, which regulate body
temperature. The skin varies in thickness (C) the skin relies on other organs, such
from .5 mm on the eyelids to 4 mm or as the liver, to detoxify harmful
more on the palms and the soles. substances with special enzymatic
processes.
(D) the skin requires careful and upkeep
The skin forms a protective barrier and care.
against the action of physical, chemical,
and bacterial agents on the deeper
tissues and contains the special nerve
organs for the various sensations
commonly grouped as the sense of
touch. The body replaces its skin every
month, and because the skin constitutes
the first line of defense against
dehydration, infection, injuries, and
extreme temperatures, [29] the skin
detoxifies harmful substances with
many of the same enzymatic processes
the liver uses.
TEST
Skin is constantly being regenerated. A 30.

cell is born in the lower layer of the skin,
Which choice results in a sentence that
called the dermis, which is supplied with
best supports the central idea of the
blood vessels and nerve endings. For the
paragraph and passage?
next two weeks, the cell migrates
upward until it reaches the bottom (A) NO CHANGE
portion of the epidermis, which is the (B) immediate medical attention is
outermost skin layer. The cell then necessary to protect the internal organs.
flattens out and continues moving
toward the surface until it dies and is (C) it has its own defense system that
shed. immediately goes into repair mode.
(D) there is an elaborate repair system
The most important property of the skin that relies primarily on red and white
is that it provides our sense of touch. Ml blood cells, which clot the breach, fight
other senses have a definite key organ infection, and initiate healing.
that can be studied, but the skin is spread
over the entire body and cannot be as 31.
easily studied. Receptors located at the Which choice most effectively
ends of nerve fibers are used to detect concludes the passage?
stimuli and convert them into neural
impulses to be sent to the brain through (A) NO CHANGE
the peripheral and central nervous (B) Since skin covers the body and is
systems. The sense of touch is actually easily visible, it is not wonder that its
recorded in the dermis (skin) and passed color and decoration have important
on to the central nervous system. cultural meanings.
(C) However, more important organs do
The most important job of the skin is to indeed exist and likely deserve more
protect the inside of the body; it acts like scientific attention than the skin.
a "shock absorber." If a body falls, the
(D) Without the skin's properties, most
skin protects all of the internal organs.
importantly the sense of touch, life
When the skin is broken, [30] there is
would hardly be worth living.
an elaborate repair system that relies
primarily on blood cells, which clot
the breach, fight infection, and initiate
healing. The skin also acts as a
thermostat to regulate body temperature.
[31] It is no exaggeration to say that
skin is among the most important
organs: without it, a body simply
cannot continue living.
TEST
[l] Dogs, unlike people, are capable of 32.

pure love – at least according to Freud.
[2] As ever more Americans live alone,
unconditional affection is in demand. [3]
Pet ownership has risen for decades. [4] (A) where it is now.
More than a third of homes have at least (B) after sentence 4.
one dog. [5] But the popularity of four (C) after sentence 7.
legged friends has an icky cost: dogs (D) after sentence 8.
squeeze out a lot of waste: around 275
pounds a year. [6] Around 60% of the
stuff gets scooped and trucked to 33.
landfills, where it releases methane, a The writer wants to add the following
greenhouse gas. [7] With over 83 sentence to this paragraph.
million pooches roaming the country,
Since 2012, fully 126 of them have
that is a lot of poop. [8] The rest delivers
been killed in combat there,
surprises to pedestrians and can
according to the latest French
contaminate waterways, as carnivorous
figures, more than half of them this
diets create pathogen-rich waste. [32]
year alone.
Which placement would be the most
[1] Home to Europe's biggest Muslim logical?
minority, some 5 million-6 million
strong, France has become a particularly (A) After sentence I
fertile recruiting ground for violent (B) After sentence 2
Islamist networks. [2] In absolute (C) After sentence 4
numbers, France has supplied more of (D) After sentence 5
its citizens to fight with jihadists in Iraq
and Syria than any other European
country. [3] The French government is
also worried about jihadist recruitment
inside its prisons, where over half of all
inmates are Muslim. [ 4] Manuel Valls,
the prime minister, says France is
engaged in nothing less than a "war of
civilization" against radical Islam. [5]
The government recently tightened
counter-terrorism laws and increased the
intelligence budget in response. [33]
TEST
That freedom, combined with the chance 34.

encounters that are possible in a small
(A) NO CHANGE
city full of brainy folk, means that much
of Cambridge's genius is off-balance- (B) however
sheet and hard to track. Entrepreneurs (C) similarly
donate advice. Dons and angel investors (D) for example
take young firms under their wing.
Companies invite students to help them. 35.
SimPrints, [34] consequently, hosts
(A) NO CHANGE
weekly "hacking" sessions during which
young developers help solve its (B) And
technical quandaries-and it also flies star (C) Thus
volunteers out to Zambia to help test (D) For instance
products ....
Mr. Obama's trip to the summit in Las

Vegas comes as part of a green week for
the president. He will visit New Orleans
on August 27th to mark a decade since
Hurricane Katrina struck the city, and
Alaska on August 31st to bemoan the
melting Arctic. The president has
stretched executive power to its limit,
and perhaps beyond, in the name of
limiting climate change. [35] Yet this is
not enough for some of his supporters.
In addition to the expected attacks from
Republicans, Mr. Obama is currently
being pelted from the left for clearing
the way for Shell to drill for oil in the
Arctic.
TEST
[36] After Jimmy Carter moves into the 36.

twilight of his life, it is enormously
(A) NO CHANGE
frustrating for those of us who worked
closely with him in the White House to (B) As
witness his presidency caricatured as a (C) Since
failure, and to see how he has been (D) Whenever
marginalized, even by his fellow
Democrats, [37] while he left office in 37.
1981.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) although
(C) where
(D) since
TEST
Marx might have called this kind of 38.

work "estranged labor," but the phrase
(A) NO CHANGE
isn't quite right. My experience working
in fine dining was marked by hard, (B) Thus
repetitive and often meaningless work. (C) Nevertheless
But it wasn't completely "estranging," (D) Finally
not at first. [38] To the contrary, I
found that hard, repetitive work, 39.
however "estranged" in some abstract or
(A) NO CHANGE
theoretical sense, could be incredibly
affirming. Executing the same tasks with (B) so
machine-like precision over and over (C) but
and over again, like one of Adam (D) yet
Smith's nail-cutters, offered a special
kind of enjoyment. There was no
reflection, no question about what my 40.
job required of me, [39] or I could Which choice most effectively sets up
indulge, for hours, in the straightforward the information that follows?
immediacy of action.
(A) People in power are working to
address this urgent issue, but there are
In the last presidential election cycle, still reasons for concern.
climate change was barely considered (B) There are even more reasons to be
until Hurricane Sandy forced the issue confident about our ability to prepare for
onto the candidates. We should take climate change.
note: Even if we don't prioritize this
issue, it will be present in our lives. A (C) And so, it seems, are many of his
majority of Americans support action to contenders in the Republican party.
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and so (D) Yet in spite of those hopeful signs
do leaders of the military and even Pope that we can deal with climate change,
Francis. And late in his term, President recent science shows that our actions
Obama is making good on pledges to will be utterly futile.
protect our environment. [40]
For one thing, some of the presidential

candidates don't even believe in climate
change at all. "For the last 17 years,
there's been zero warming," Sen. Ted
Cruz of Texas said weeks before
flooding and storms killed over 30
people in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico.
Last year saw a record number of natural
catastrophes, and the weather-related
ones were the most costly.
TEST
In the mid to late sixties, it was natural 41.

to assume that people would stop
believing things just because they had
underlined sentence. Should the writer
always believed them. Faith would
do this?
steadily give way to science as humanity
converged on an ever better (A) Yes, because it does not provide a
understanding of what was real. transition from the previous paragraph.
(B) Yes, because it fails to support the
[41] Almost 50 years later, that dream main point of the previous paragraph.
seems to be coming apart. Some of the (C) No, because it continues to assert
opposition is familiar: The creationist how scientific explanations came to
battle against evolution, for example. supplant explanations based on faith.
But it's not just organized religions that
are insisting on their own alternate (D) No, because the chronological
truths. On one front after another, the transition from the first paragraph is
hard-won consensus of science is also used to emphasize how the expectations
expected to accommodate personal about science have not been met.
beliefs, religious or otherwise, along
with the validity of global climate
change.
Sticking to a diet requires self-control 42.

and a willingness to forgo present
pleasures for future benefits. [42] Which choice provides the most
Exercise is also considered to be a appropriate introduction to the passage?
major predictor of healthful and (A) NO CHANGE
lasting weight loss. Wondering why we
so often override our resolve to eat more (B) Those future benefits may include
improved physique, increased self-
healthfully, scientists at the University
of Zurich recently considered the role of confidence, and greater overall health,
stress, which is linked to a variety of but they are often hard-won.
health problems, including weight gain. (C) Not surprisingly, almost everyone
(There's some truth to the cliché of the yields to temptation at least sometimes,
jilted lover eating ice cream directly opting for the cookie instead of the
from the carton.) But just how stress apple.
might drive us to sweets has not been
(D) But scientists are beginning to
altogether clear. It turns out that even
question whether dieting alone is the
mild stress may immediately alter the
optimal way to lose weight and keep it
workings of our brains in ways that
off.
undermine willpower.
TEST
Check out the first and last paragraphs 43.

of this passage about streaks of success
(A) NO CHANGE
in sports ...
(B) researchers will continue to doubt
the conventional, intuitive notion that
First paragraph: Anyone who watched
the hot-hand is even possible.
Game Five of the NBA championship
series on June 14th would swear they (C) athletes may decide to ignore the
had seen a "hot hand"1 in action. In the hot-hand theory until the evidence is
final quarter Stephen Curry, basketball's conclusive.
best shooter, made four long contested
(D) the hot-hand theory is something
jump shots to seal a victory for the
that gamblers, at least, can bet on.
Golden State Warriors, who went on to
win the title in the next contest. Most
economists would shake their heads at
the notion that Mr. Curry had truly
elevated his game: numerous studies
have found that players do not sustain
outperformance after a brief run of
unusual success, and their authors have
dubbed the belief that such streaks have
predictive power the "hot hand fallacy."
But a new wave of research suggests that
Mr. Curry may indeed have been "in the
zone" after all.
Last paragraph: The recent streak of

papers vindicating the long-maligned
hot-hand belief fits into a broader trend.
Earlier generations of sports researchers,
like those featured in the film
Moneyball," delighted in disproving this
conventional belief among coaches and
announcers. But as the quality of data
improves-shot distances could not be
calculated until the NBA began
recording players' locations with camera
arrays- [43] many of those old nuggets
of popular wisdom are now being
proven true.
TEST

following passage.
Which choice provides the most
appropriate introduction to the passage?
How a Knockout Punch Works (A) NO CHANGE
(B) Undoubtedly, both will go in to the
On May 2nd at the MGM Grand casino
match hoping to win it with a definitive
in Las Vegas, two of the world's most
knockout strike.
marketable boxers, Manny Pacquiao of
the Philippines and America's Floyd (C) The public has been clamoring for a
Mayweather, will face each other in a fight between Pacquiao and
fight. [44] According to Forbes Mayweather, especially since
magazine, Pacquiao was the second- Pacquiao's 2009 victory against Miguel
highest paid athlete in the world as of Cotto.
2015. Mr. Mayweather, an undefeated
(D) Pacquiao's reluctance to submit to
professional boxer, takes particular
delight in flattening his opponents (26 of drug testing before the event, however,
his past 47 wins were knockouts). What has led to suspicions that he is using
is a knockout punch and how does it banned substances.
work?
45.
[l] A knockout blow is a form of cerebral (A) NO CHANGE
concussion, a common scourge in other (B) Subsequently
sports such as football, soccer, and (C) For example
hockey. [2] But in boxing, to land the (D) On the other hand
killer blow is a constant endeavor as
much as it is an occupational hazard. [3]
46.
It can start at the feet, work its way up
the rotating torso, and force itself (A) NO CHANGE
through the shoulder muscles onto the (B) consequently
fist. [ 4] A good punch is a result of the (C) in other words
entire body working in tandem. [5] It (D) similarly
need not always be forceful. [45] [6]
Likewise, former heavyweight champ
George Foreman, who won 68 of his 76 47.
bouts by knocking his opponents off To make this paragraph most logical,
their feet, relied on catching them off- sentence 4 should be placed
guard with a flurry of short-arm slugs.
[7] Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson, [46] on (A) before sentence 1.
the other hand, were known to put their (B) before sentence 2.
entire body into their punches, to (C) after sentence 2.
devastating effect. [47] (D) after sentence 6.
TEST
[48] So what happens in those final 48.

few moments between the time the
jaw takes a hit and the legs give
underlined sentence. Should the
away? The start of the process is easy
sentence be kept or deleted?
enough to explain. In most cases, the
impact from a punch or series of (A) Kept, because it provides an
punches causes the brain to move inside effective transition from the previous
and smash up against the skull. paragraph
Roundhouse punches and hooks are (B) Kept, because it illustrates the
particularly menacing. The arc at which "devastating effect" mentioned in the
the gloved fist meets the opponent's jaw previous paragraph
sends the head (and hence, the brain)
into a spin. Just as a passenger on a (C) Deleted, because the question it
motorbike would slide in his seat and poses is irrelevant to the main idea of the
bump into his rider when he brakes passage
without warning, a blow to the head (D) Deleted, because it isn't related to
causes the skull to shift and the brain to
the topic of this paragraph
catch up before colliding against it. The
fall when a dazed head hits the mat can
also contribute to the trauma. It is less 49.
clear how exactly that trauma Which choice most effectively sets up
contributes to unconsciousness. [49] For the information that follows?
instance, the impact can cause the
massive release of important brain (A) NO CHANGE
chemicals called neurotransmitters, (B) One possibility is that
which normally help the brain send (C) On the other hand,
signals. This can mess with the cellular (D) The flip-side of the coin is that
chemistry of the brain and cause neurons
to fire out of control. Overwhelmed, the
brain may simply shut down reboot,
effectively-until chemical balance can
be restored. Other mechanisms might
also cause a knockout. The carotid
artery, which provides blood to the
brain, has a reflex area known as a sinus,
which helps regulate the flow of blood
and oxygen to the head. A sharp knock
on the jaw could jolt that sinus, altering
blood and oxygen flow by enough to
generate a loss of consciousness.
TEST
[50] So that they can't plan for it, 50.

fighters look to diffuse the impact of
(A) NO CHANGE
potential knockout punches by training
hard. A muscular neck is key to ensure (B) Whether
that the head, upon being hit, does not (C) Whereas
bob back and forth like a dandelion in (D) While
the wind. A strong jaw bone helps, too,
and so do clever fighting techniques. 51.
Ironically, the very boxing gloves that
protect the pugilist from cuts and The writer wants a conclusion that refers
bruises-a throwback to the bare-knuckle back to the anecdote in the introduction
era-are responsible for damaging head while still maintaining the overall theme
injuries. Heavily padded gloves favor of the article. Which choice best
the hitter who would have been loath to accomplishes this goal?
punch with the same ferocity using his (A) NO CHANGE
bare knuckles; the bones of the skull are
stronger than those in the fist. But the (B) On Saturday, high rollers at the
10-ounce gloves help knockout artists MGM Grand casino in Las Vegas and
like Mr. Mayweather show off their millions of TV viewers will clamor for
skills. It makes business sense too; the the guy in their corner to deliver that
"fight of the century" is set to rake in knockout blow.
$400 million. [51] That's cash that (C) In boxing, a knockout is usually
gamblers can pump back into the awarded when one participant falls to
coffers of the MGM Grand, which can the canvas and is unable to rise to his feet
then schedule more boxing matches. because of exhaustion, pain,
disorientation, or unconsciousness.
(D) The race and sports book is a state-
of-the-art betting area at the MGM
Grand where bets on the fight will be
made.
TEST
When I was in elementary school, I was 52.

a shy little girl . . . . The stories I made
up always had the same plot: I was
underlined sentence. Should the writer
carried off by a prince (David) on a
do this? Why or why not?
flying horse to his castle where I became
his wife and got to live in the lap of (A) Yes, because it adds unnecessary
luxury. [52] From there I would go technical details.
into elaborate detail about the décor (B) Yes, because it makes the grown-up
of the castle, how many horses we writer seem silly and childish.
owned, what colors they were, and so
on. It was a silly, childish fantasy, but it (C) No, because it adds funny details and
comforted me. helps to show that the narrator was a
child at the time.
(D) No, because, without this sentence,
[1] A few years ago, U.S. government
experts predicted that employment of the last sentence in the paragraph would
technical writers would grow 1.5 percent not make sense.
from 2012 to 2022, a gain of about 7,400
jobs per year. [2] (This is faster than the 53.
average for all occupations on which the
For the sake of cohesion, sentence 4
U.S. Department of Labor gathers
should be placed
statistics.) [3] This causes a greater need
for professionals with the talent and (A) where it is now.
skills to write instructional manuals that (B) before sentence 1.
users can easily understand and follow. (C) after sentence 1.
[53] [4] The high-tech and electronics (D) after sentence 2.
industries continue to change and grow.
TEST
Technical communicators, better known 54.

as "technical writers," plan, write, and
Which choice most accurately and
edit instruction manuals, print and
effectively represents the information in
online articles, and other documents.
the chart?
Requirements for this well-paid
profession include [54] a bachelor's (A) NO CHANGE
degree and five to ten years of on-the- (B) a bachelor's degree and less than ten
job training in a technical field. years of on-the-job work experience in a
related occupation
(C) a master's degree, less than five
years of work experience in a related
occupation, and a short period of on-the-
job training
(D) a bachelor's degree, less than five
years of work experience in a related
occupation, and a short period of on-the-
job training
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) is
Jane Austen and Fanny Price (C) will be
(D) may have been
…In real life, one [55] was sometimes
left out because of actual purposeful 56.
wrongdoing on the parts of those doing
the leaving out, but sometimes one is (A) NO CHANGE
simply left out—and [56] realism is (B) purpose
beside the point. [57] The second case (C) culpability
is much less satisfying to the left-out (D) satisfaction
person, but it is also much more usual.
Fairytales such as Cinderella are
57.
satisfying because, in them, it is clearly
the nastiness of the villains and The writer is considering deleting the
villainesses that causes the heroes and underlined sentence. Should the writer
heroines to be excluded from do this?
pleasurable activities.
(A) Yes, because it does not provide a
good transition between the first and
third sentences in the paragraph.
(B) Yes, because it fails to support the
main argument of the passage: that
Mansfield Park presents a fairytale
conception of being left out.
(C) No, because it identifies important
distinctions among three different
"cases."
(D) No, because it provides a good
transition between the first and third
sentences in the paragraph.
TEST
[1] When I was in elementary school, I 59.

was a shy little girl not unlike Fanny
Which choice provides the most relevant
Price of Jane Austen's [58] Mansfield
detail?
Park. [2] Sometimes when I was feeling
left out, I would sit on a bench at the very (A) NO CHANGE
edge of the playground and put spit on (B) the shortest boy in my classroom
my cheeks to simulate tears, in case (C) the handsomest boy in the school
David Gould, [59] a boy I knew, should (D) my sister's best friend's boyfriend
pass by and take pity on me. [60] [3] I
also had a fairytale conception of being
left out (as Fanny and Jane Austen have 60.
in this novel). [4] He never did, but it To make this paragraph most logical,
didn't really [61] matter. My sentence 3 should be placed
imagination would take over from that
point. [5] The stories I made up always (A) where it is now.
had the same plot: I was carried off by a (B) after sentence 1.
prince (David) on a flying horse to his (C) after sentence 4.
castle where I became his wife and got (D) after sentence 6.
to live in the lap of luxury. [6] (From
there I would go into elaborate detail 61.
about the décor of the castle, how many
horses we owned, [62] what colors they Which choice most effectively combines
were and so on. the two sentences at the underlined
portion?
(A) matter, because my imagination
58.
(B) matter; for example, my imagination
The writer is considering adding the
phrase "magnificent work of art" here. (C) matter; in other words, my
Should the writer do this? imagination
(A) Yes, because it identifies the genre (D) matter—consequently, my
of Mansfield Park. imagination
(B) Yes, because it sums up the writer's
true opinion of the book. 62.
(C) No, because it is an unnecessary and (A) NO CHANGE
possibly confusing addition. (B) what colors they are and so on.
(D) No, because it contradicts the (C) what colors they will be, and so on.)
writer's previous, more critical (D) what colors they were, and so on.)
statement.
TEST
In the course of Mansfield Park, Fanny 63.

goes through one big suffer-and-be-
(A) NO CHANGE
vindicated cycle (her [63] ultimate
marriage to Edmund after many, many (B) ill-advised
years of being left out) and many little (C) initial
suffer-and-be-comforted cycles: (D) volatile
"Edmund . . . going quietly to another
table . . . brought a glass of Madeira 64.
to Fanny [who had a headache as a (A) NO CHANGE
result of being deprived of proper (B) yet,
exercise by the thoughtless disregard
(C) predictably,
of others], and obliged her to drink
the greater part. She wished to be (D) on the other hand,
able to decline it, but the tears which
a variety of feelings created, made it 65.
easier to swallow than to speak."
(A) NO CHANGE
[Mansfield Park, page 513; from The
Complete Novels of Jane Austen, (B) sinful, this
Modern Library edition] (C) sinful: this
(D) sinful (this
The little gush of passionate, passive
gratefulness that Fanny feels when
Edmund "obliges" her to drink the
Madeira feels to me similar to the sweet
rush of vindicated personal pathos that I
felt at the moment in my David Gould
fantasy when he would suddenly appear
and sweep me up and away from my
wrongfully left-out state into one of
well-deserved bliss. This way of
thinking is childish, self-pitying, and
self-deluded; [64] accordingly, Jane
Austen (who is usually far more astute)
lets Fanny get away with it.
The author rigs things so that whenever

Fanny is left out, we can be sure that one
or some of the other characters are
engaged in something [65] sinful; this is
an unrealistic (fairytale) element in what
is otherwise a highly developed, realistic
novel.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) ordinary
A Technical Writing Career (C) complex
(D) varied
Technical communicators, better known
as "technical writers," plan, write, and 67.
edit instruction manuals, print and
online articles, and other documents that (A) NO CHANGE
transform [66] intense technical (B) determines end users' needs.
information into simpler language that
end users can understand. (C) determines and decides end users'
needs.
(D) determines the needs of end users
A typical technical writer
and people who will be using the
• [67] determines end users' product.
needs and requirements.
• studies product samples and
discusses them with designers 68.
and developers. Which choice provides the most relevant
• outlines, writes, and edits list of details?
documents that support a
variety of technical products. (A) NO CHANGE
• gathers and/or creates graphics (B) (books, magazines, newspapers,
that illustrate instructions and television news shows)
other technical documents.
• writes scripts for online (C) (drawing, painting, sculpture,
instructional videos. computer-generated graphics)
• decides which medium [68] (D) (keyboards, monitors, hard drives,
(how-to manuals, "frequently software, cloud computing)
asked questions" pages,
online videos) will most
effectively convey the
information.
• gathers feedback on products'
usability from customers,
designers, and manufacturers.
• revises documents to fit product
changes.
• works with customer service
specialists to improve the end-
user experience through product
design changes.
TEST
Technical writers must be able to fully 69.

comprehend complex information.
Which change most effectively ends this
Their work colleagues may include
paragraph and is also consistent with
computer hardware engineers, scientists,
information provided in the chart?
computer support specialists, and
software developers. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) Prior knowledge about such
[69] How else can they be expected to colleagues' fields enables technical
communicate with people from such an writers to understand and translate "tech
array of professional backgrounds? speak" into clear, useful instructions for
users.
(C) It takes years of graduate study to
enable a technical writer to understand
various work colleagues' fields—a
master's degree or Ph.D. in technical
writing is advisable.
(D) DELETE the underlined sentence
and do not replace it.
TEST
[70][1] Why is the technical writing 70.

field growing so quickly? [2] A few
For the sake of cohesion, sentence 1
years ago, U.S. government experts
should be placed
predicted that employment of technical
writers would grow [71] 1.5 percent (A) where it is now.
from 2012 to 2022, a gain of about 7,400 (B) after sentence 2.
jobs per year. [3] (This is faster than the (C) after sentence 3.
average for all occupations on which the (D) after sentence 4.
U.S. Department of Labor gathers
statistics.) [4] As the high-tech and
electronics industries continue to change 71.
and grow, they [72] reflect a greater
Which choice most accurately and
need for professionals with the talent
effectively represents the information in
and skills to write instructional manuals
the chart?
that users can easily understand and
follow. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) 7.5 percent from 2012 to 2022, a
gain of about 7,500 jobs per year.
(C) 15 percent from 2012 to 2022, a gain
of about 7,400 jobs per year.
(D) 15 percent from 2012 to 2022, a gain
of about 7,400 jobs total.
72.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) generate
(C) effect
(D) obligate
TEST
Job opportunities [73] abound. This is 73.

especially true for applicants with
Which choice most effectively combines
both technical skills and writing skills.
the two sentences at the underlined
Increasingly, consumers rely on
portion?
technologically sophisticated products
in the home as well as in the workplace. (A) abound, especially for applicants
[74] In addition—for many people— with
ordinary daily life requires us to (B) abound, especially is this the case for
understand complex medical and applicants with
scientific information. All of these
factors are combining to create many (C) abound; especially positively
new opportunities for technical writers. impacted are applicants with
[75] Remember now, that as older (D) abound—and especially for those
workers retire, their jobs will become lucky applicants who have acquired
vacant. Yet, competition among
freelance technical writers will remain
[76] lively. 74.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) And another thing: for many people,
(C) I need to make one last point—for
many people—
(D) in contrast, for many people,
75.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) As older technical writers retire,
(C) Baby Boomers are retiring these
days, so
(D) Smarter job seekers will recall that,
as older workers retire,
76.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) competitive
(C) apparent
(D) stagnant
TEST
Czech novelist Milan Kundera cited 77.

Tolstoy as the last novelist who [77] was
(A) NO CHANGE
possessing the sum of his era's human
knowledge. This may seem like an odd (B) will possess
claim. Some but is it really possible to (C) possess
know everything? [78] Neighboring (D) possessed
Tolstoy's other great novels and non-
fiction writings, a book like War and
78.
Peace makes the case that it is possible
to know it all, or at least that it was (A) NO CHANGE
possible. Shakespeare [79] seemed to (B) Alongside
have an emotional vocabulary that was (C) Touching
advanced for his age, but Tolstoy lived
(D) Bordering
in an era of facts and discoveries, and his
novels show the fruits of his vast study.
[80] Thus, it is conceivable that a man 79.
with Tolstoy's leisure, intelligence, and
curiosity could have learned about his (A) NO CHANGE
age's most current findings in literature, (B) seems having
politics, religion, and science. (C) has
(D) seemingly has
80.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Surprisingly,
(C) Nevertheless,
(D) Instead,
CHAPTER 3
Concision, Style, and Syntax
CHAPTER 3 CONCISION, STYLE, AND SYNTAX 85
CONCISENESS AND REDUNDANCY
Concision, or conciseness, means presenting an idea clearly and simply. The correct answers
on Writing and Language Test questions will not necessarily be the fanciest-sounding or most
elaborate ones. Rather, correct answers often convey information in a straightforward manner
and without repetition. Concision questions will require you to revise text to improve the
economy of word choice by eliminating wordiness and redundancy. The SAT tests concision
by presenting you with unnecessarily long and complex structures or redundant usage— or
sometimes both. The shortest answer is often but not always the correct one; the portion of the
passage in question needs to also be grammatically correct and retain the intended meaning.
Unnecessarily long and complex structure implies that a sentence uses more words than
necessary to make its point, even though it may be grammatically correct. Not every long,
underlined segment will include a concision issue; sometimes it takes a lot of words to convey
meaning. Nevertheless, when a long selection is underlined, you should ask, "Are all of these
words necessary? Is there a more concise way to say the same thing?"
Another aspect of concision is redundancy. Redundancy errors occur when two words in the
sentence have essentially the same meaning in context or when the meaning of one word is
implicit in the meaning of another. If you determine that a sentence contains unnecessary
words or phrases, the sentence is likely wordy or redundant and can be made more concise.
Wordy: Serving as entertainment for audiences both young and old, Greek myths
might be also recognized for their abilities to reveal facets of Greek cultural values
and practices.
The sentence may sound academic, but it lacks clarity because of unnecessary wordiness.
Concise: Greek mythology is not only entertaining, but it also reveals many details
about ancient Greek culture.
When writers repeat themselves, they are being redundant. When you choose an answer, be
careful to distinguish between redundancy and support. While it is redundant to say, "The
ancient structure was incredibly old," saying, "The ancient structure is more than 2,000 years
old" is not redundant because the phrase "more than 2,000 years old" adds new information.
Redundancies are especially common in descriptions. When you notice a long description,
make sure none of the terms that comprise the description repeat or overlap with each other.
86 CHAPTER 3 CONCISION, STYLE, AND SYNTAX
CONCISENESS AND REDUNDANCY
Redundant: The archaeologist looked for subtle clues that were barely noticeable as
he combed through the foundations of the ancient structure, which was incredibly old.
Which phrases are redundant?
subtle= barely noticeable

ancient = incredibly old
Free of redundancy, the sentence is shorter and simpler:
Concise: The archaeologist looked for subtle clues as he combed through the
foundations of the ancient structure.
Example 1.
Correct these sentences.
It is important to carefully consider and think about what kind of college you wish to
attend.
Often, a house cat will typically sleep for up to 16 hours per day.
The whole team felt a sense of excited anticipation in the seconds before the whistle
blew.
My sister and I couldn’t come to an agreement with each other about what movie we
wanted to watch that afternoon.
Noctilucent clouds appear approximately 82 kilometers above Earth’s surface. This
is an altitude more than seven times higher than commercial airlines fly.
Answers.
It is important to carefully consider and think about what kind of college you wish to
attend.
Often, a A house cat will typically sleep for up to 16 hours per day.
The whole team felt a sense of excited anticipation excited in the seconds before the
whistle blew.
My sister and I couldn’t come to an agreement with each other agree about what
movie we wanted to watch that afternoon.
Noctilucent clouds appear approximately 82 kilometers above Earth’s surface,. This
is an altitude more than seven times higher than commercial airlines fly.
Example 2.
The scenes sculpted on the Parthenon in ancient Athens were designed [*] in such a
way as to inspire awe.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) so as
(C) as
(D) DELETE the underlined portion
Example 3.
Offerings left in ancient graves tell us what [*] the community valued and what
people believed was worth having.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the community valued as
(C) people considered
(D) was
DICTION OR PRECISION
On the SAT, precision refers to the exactness and accuracy of the author's choice of words,
also known as diction. Precision questions will ask you to revise a text as needed to make a
vague word more precise or to change a word or phrase so that it makes sense with the rest of
the content. Word choice is important because being precise in language use allows an author
to effectively and clearly convey his or her thoughts, including the thesis and central
arguments.
SAT Precision questions mostly test your knowledge of correct word choice in context.
Though these questions are similar to the Reading test's Vocab-in-Context questions, Precision
questions do not ask about the definition or implication of a word, but about the correctness
of it— is it the right word to convey the author's meaning?
PRECISION questions are essentially vocabulary questions-another reason for you to study
academic vocabulary, in spite of the College Board's claim that on the test there will be "No
vocab that you'll never use again." In fact, precision questions on the test are designed to gauge
your mastery of the nuances of vocabulary and your familiarity with contemporary usages and
their most common contexts. Indeed, vocabulary questions will not necessarily be as easy as
the College Board suggests.
Diction refers to the overall characteristics of the words the writer uses. When evaluating
answer choices for Writing and Language questions, take note of how effectively the words
serve the author's purpose.
DICTION OR PRECISION
The most appropriate word choice in each case depends largely on the context. In most cases
answer choices that include informal, non-standard diction will not be the correct answers
Less formal: The aquarium's simulated flash flood displays scary force.
More formal: The aquarium's simulated flash flood displays frightening force.
In most cases, the best answer to a diction question will be the one that is specific and that
most precisely conveys the author's meaning.
Less specific: Passengers hurriedly got their bags from the overhead bins.
More specific: Passengers hurriedly retrieved their bags from the overhead bins.
Less specific: Astronauts at the international space station have an important job.
More specific: Astronauts at the international space station have an important
mission.
Example 4.
The soldier's torch cut through the darkness, providing a [*] buffer around which his
comrades could rally.
(A) NO CHANCE
(B) sign
(C) beacon
(D) message
CONSISTENCY
Good writing often includes rhythms and patterns. For that reason, the Writing and Language
Test may ask you to choose an answer that will maintain a pattern already established in the
text.
At the paragraph level, using consistent sentence patterns often makes information easier for
readers to absorb. Matching an established pattern requires rereading the previous sentences
and noting their structure and tone.
The ancient Egyptian festival of Opet was a multi-day public holiday. The Nile River
flooded every summer, covering agricultural fields with nutrients for the soil. Next
year's crops would flourish. The flooding was Life-giving. It was a symbol of rebirth.
It was a sign that the gods were pleased. The floods meant that there was a lot of
water for a beautiful floating parade.
CONSISTENCY
Tile underlined portion does not match the pattern or tone that precedes it. An improved
version is:
The ancient Egyptian festival of Opet was a multi-day public holiday. The Nile River
flooded every summer, covering agricultural fields with nutrients for the soil. Next
year's crops would flourish. The flooding was Life-giving. It was a symbol of rebirth.
It was a sign that the gods were pleased. It even provided the means for beautiful
floating processions.
Example 5.
It is possible that high heels were invented for a purely practical reason. Ninth-century
pottery images show Persian horseback riders wearing high heels, probably to grip
the stirrups [*] and so their feet did not slip.
Which choice most closely matches the stylistic pattern established earlier in the
sentence?
(A) which meant that their feet did not slip.
(B) whenever their feet started to slip.
(C) and keep their feet from slipping.
(D) preventing any foot slippage.
STYLE AND TONE
Style and tone, questions which will ask you to determine whether a word or phrase fits in
with the author's tone (e.g., casual or formal, expressive or objective), or which choice might
achieve a certain stylistic effect ...
Example 6.
David Hogue isn't sure that he should tell me his name. He sits in a back office in the
shelter where he has lived for the past 18 months, hands folded neatly in his lap. It
isn't that he doesn't want to talk. He tells me about how he's had trouble finding work.
[*] He tells me about how he's bounced between homes for years. He tells me about
how his brother dropped him off here the day after New Year's.
The author is considering revising the underlined sentence as follows:

The fact that he bounced between homes for years is the next thing he
shares.
Should the writer make this revision?
(A) Yes, because it more precisely expresses what has happened to David Hogue
(B) Yes, because it adds sentence variety to the paragraph
(C) No, because it distorts the main idea of the sentence
(D) No, because it disrupts the rhetorical effect of repetition that the writer has
established in the paragraph
Example 7.
It is a rivalry that compares [1] with Chris Evert-Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf-
Monica Seles. Venus and Serena Williams have met 26 times, 13 in Grand Slam events
and eight in Grand Slam finals. The 13 Grand Slam meetings are the most of any pair
save for Evert and Navratilova, who met 22 times. The Williamses' latest match,
Tuesday night in the United States Open quarterfinals, may be the most important yet,
as Serena is bidding for the first Calendar-Year Grand Slam since Graf in 1988. But
it is also a rivalry between sisters, and that brings with it some ambiguity or even [2]
bad vibes. The sisters have said they do not especially [3] enjoy playing each other.
"It definitely doesn't get easier," Serena said after their most recent meeting in the
round of 16 at Wimbledon this year.
1. The writer is considering adding the following phrase at this point

in terms of importance and longevity
Should the writer make this addition?
(A) Yes, because it lends a more serious tone and provides detail about the nature of
the comparison
(B) Yes, because it offers an example of the rivalry between the Williams sisters
(C) No, because it blurs the focus of the paragraph on the records that Serena
Williams has set
(D) No, because it does not help to qualify the sort of competition that exists between
the Williams sisters
2. Which choice is most consistent with the overall tone of the paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) soreness
(C) irritation
(D) discomfort
3. Which choice is most consistent with the overall tone of the paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) revel in
(C) savor
(D) delight in
SYNTAX
Syntax, or how to combine sentences or to improve the flow or emphasis of a selected portion
of a passage.
Example 8.
Global food security largely depends on the production of a few "mega-crops" in the
breadbasket regions: maize, wheat, rice and soybeans. On the whole, the system works
well. International trade provides a global market for these specialized production
[*] centers. This trade reduced the cost of food for billions of people by allowing
agriculture to flourish where it can be most efficient. Trade also allows countries to
meet unforeseen production shortfalls through imports, as Britain did in the summer
of 2013 after floods spoiled the winter wheat harvest. But when extreme weather ruins
the harvest in a breadbasket region, that's not just a problem in the country affected,
it's a problem for all importing countries.
Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) NOCHANGE
(B) centers, reducing
(C) centers, and this trade also reduces
(D) centers, a trade that reduces
Example 9.
I've found that high turnover, unhappiness and low morale lead to decreased
productivity, not to mention an obviously lower quality of life for the employees that
endure it every day. This is why I built my business in a way that rewards employees
for [1] productivity, while allowing them the freedom and autonomy they need to be
happy. All of my employees work from home, every day, and there are no strict hours
they're expected to work. Instead, I set goals and expectations with regard to
productivity or output; my employees know that their responsibilities must be met both
on-time and at the highest level of quality. [2] They meet those expectations, and they
enjoy autonomy, a high degree of respect and trust, and freedom.
1. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) productivity. This allows
(C) productivity, and allowing for
(D) productivity; I can thus allow
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Whenever meeting those expectations, they
(C) As long as they meet those expectations, they
(D) When they meet those expectations, it is then that they
TEST

following passage.
the sentences at the underlined portion?
Serving Up School Lunches of (A) San Francisco, its school district
Tomorrow
(B) San Francisco, a place where the
school district
It's no secret that, although progress has
been made, school lunches need help. (C) San Francisco, where the school
This is a national project, and an district
important one. One of the proving (D) San Francisco, which has a school
grounds is [1] San Francisco. The district that
school district there is joining with
researchers from the Department of 02.
Agriculture and the University of (A) NO CHANGE
California, Berkeley's School of Public (B) communicating
Health to evaluate a project designed to
(C) gossiping
increase school lunch participation,
improve nutrition, reduce waste and (D) chewing the fat
ultimately counter tendencies toward
obesity. 03.
(A) NO CHANGE
I took a look at a pilot project for this (B) For me, the primary takeaway
program by visiting Roosevelt Middle
School and [2] chatting with Zetta (C) In my own opinion, the primary
Reicker, who's the director of the school takeaway
system's student nutrition services, and (D) Regarding the primary takeaway,
Kristine A. Madsen, an associate what I feel
professor at the school of public health.
(I also talked to a few kids, and ate 04.
lunch. Which was-for institutional food- Which choice most effectively combines
better than O.K.) [3] For me, I feel the the sentences at the underlined portion?
primary takeaway is that since school
food is often healthier than what many (A) lunches being that
kids get at home, participation isn't just (B) lunches, which is because
a matter of economics (the more kids (C) lunches, for the reason that
served, the more efficient the program), (D) lunches because
but can have a real impact on kids'
health. We want kids to be eating school
05.
[4] lunches. It's something we want
because those are the only meals most (A) NO CHANGE
get that are prepared according to (B) compel
constantly evaluated and (we hope) (C) promote
ever-improving standards. So the goal is (D) encourage
to [5] coax kids to eat it.
TEST
To that end, access to lunches has been 06.

improved; there was a time [6] when a
(A) NO CHANGE
cash-paying kid got more choices than
a free-lunch candidate, but now the (B) when more choices went to the kid
system in San Francisco is blind to how who paid cash than to the one who was
the lunch is paid for. Food is made eating for free
available not only in the cafeteria but (C) when, as far as choice goes, cash-
outdoors during recess and in hallways paying kids were better off than kids
(preventing cafeteria lines that were so eating for free.
long that kids were [7] acquiring their
food as the next class was starting). And (D) during which the kids who were
the food is better; what was once frozen eating for free: didn't get the same
is now prepared fresh. amount of choices as the kids who were
paying cash
07.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) obtaining
(C) getting
(D) gaining
08.
The chronology of life on Earth that
nineteenth century geologists created (A) NO CHANGE
was based on the everchanging species (B) preserved
of fossils within the rocks. These fossils (C) continued
are mainly animals, mainly marine and (D) upheld
mainly ones with hard parts such as
shells, which are easily [8] kept. The
09.
method worked well, but only up to a
point. Below the strata they dubbed the (A) NO CHANGE
Cambrian, fossils vanished. Unknown, (B) imprecise
lifeless aeons stretched into the past. It (C) indeterminate
was as if an almost biblical act of (D) obscure
creation had populated the Earth
overnight, after an [9] uncertain period
of its being a desert.
TEST
The herring is hardly the grandest offish, 10.

but as a cheap source of protein it's hard
(A) NO CHANGE
to beat, and herring fishing was a way of
life for many communities around the (B) Wealth was made by merchants who
North Atlantic from the Middle Ages up traded in the fish
to the 20th century. [10] Merchants (C) The fish made merchants wealthy
were made wealthy by trading the when they traded in it
fish. In Scotland, herring are known as
"the silver darlings"; in Norway, they (D) Trade in the fish made merchants
are called, even more lovingly, "the gold wealthy
of the sea."
Guy Moquet was just 17 years old when 11.

[11] a firing squad shot at and (A) NO CHANGE
executed him in Nazi-occupied France.
In a poignant letter to his family before (B) his execution by firing squad
his death in 1941, the young Communist occurred
resistant wrote: "My life has been short, (C) he was executed by firing squad
I have no regrets, if only that of leaving
you all. I am going to die ... Mummy, (D) his life was ended by execution by a
what I ask you, what I want you to firing squad
promise me, is to be brave and to
overcome your sorrow." [12] Moquet 12.
swiftly entered French history as a
Resistance martyr, and remains a (A) NO CHANGE
potent symbol. In 2007, on the day of his (B) Moquet entering French history
inauguration as president, Nicolas swiftly as a martyr of Resistance
Sarkozy vowed that Moquet's farewell
letter would be read out each year in (C) French history was entered by
every French high school. Moquet as a martyr of Resistance
(D) Martyrdom in the Resistance
allowed Moquet to enter French history
with all swiftness
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Modern Readers (B) prosaic
(C) voracious
Judging by the types of novels that (D) modern
typically receive the top rankings on
contemporary "best seller” lists, one
14.
would be wise to conclude that the
modern book consumer does not enjoy (A) NO CHANGE
reading ancient mythology. Seemingly, (B) to understand or to comprehend
such antiquated stories hold little (C) to understand and comprehend
relevance to the concerns of the modern (D) to understand
age. It is a literature not for the [13]
distracted reader immersed in his
“everyday” cares, but for a more 15.
imaginative audience with more (A) NO CHANGE
universal tastes. (B) ambivalence
(C) complexity
To even begin [14] to understand or (D) ambivalent complexity
comprehend this issue, we must
understand what it is that most readers
seek out in the works they read. What is
it in a book—a novel, for example—that
causes them to continue turning the
pages? The answer can be a bit slippery.
Is it the psychological realism of the
characters? Is it the drama of the events
they encounter? Is it the modem author’s
consciousness of his position as author
and the relationship—distant or
intimate, serious or playful—that he
develops with his readers?
The obvious answer is that it is all of

these things. The defining features of the
modern story are its complexity and
ambivalence. Narrators are not always
reliable. Loyalties are often fleeting, and
even a character’s central motives may
undergo a transformation before the
story is done. There is no neat
conclusion, no definitive redemption or
damnation, and not always even a clear
message. In this confusion and
dislocation, the modern reader sees his
own life reflected, complete with all of
its [15] complexity, and ambivalence.
TEST
In a complex world where the disparate 16.

lives of alienated individuals still
manage to affect each other on a daily
basis, there is a paradoxical credulity
extended towards anything murky and (A) NO CHANGE
unclear. Far from the cosmopolitan (B) nod his head sagely. He will think
savant he would like us to believe he is about
(to say nothing of the author who writes
for him), the modern reader is only able (C) nod his head sagely, thinking about
to take comfort in his own confusion. (D) nod his head sagely, be thinking
When, for example, George and Jane about
finish their fairy-tale courtship and
suddenly find themselves unable to live
together, the contemporary pop
intellectual will [16] nod his head
sagely, and he will think about the
relationships in his own life that he
didn’t understand either.
What escapes the minds of the masses is

that, taken past a certain point, realism is
not art. Neither unsatisfying
conclusions, nor irritating characters,
nor obscure motives are indications of
the literary talents of the author. The
older, mythic characters may be drawn
with a broad brush, and may possess a
simplicity and singularity of purpose
that finds no parallel in day-to-day life,
but that simplicity is not a sign of an
author lacking in subtlety. Rather, a
purposeful author will have purposeful
characters. Whether the story is meant to
illustrate moral principles, explore
character types, or simply entertain, a
quality work of art must have a purpose.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Military Nurses
(B) few people knew there were other
health care professionals about: male
During the American Civil War, Miss nurses.
Dorothea Dix was in charge of
organizing the volunteer nurses who (C) some health care professionals were
assisted the Union Army. The nurses male nurses that few people knew about.
chosen by Dix were all women, (D) there were other health care
preferably plain ones, and had to dress professionals that few people knew
simply in order to serve. Dorothea Dix’s about: male nurses.
volunteers were the first famous nurses
in United States history, but on both the
Union and Confederate sides, [17] other 18.
health care professionals there that (A) NO CHANGE
few people knew about were male (B) first triumphs
nurses. As the nineteenth century
(C) undisputed wins
progressed, nursing became
increasingly considered “women's (D) finest achievements
work,” until, at the turn of the 20th
century, female nurses began to 19.
organize, unofficially excluding men.
(A) NO CHANGE
The American Nursing Association was
formed in 1917, and men were not (B) denied to and excluded from
officially permitted to join until 1930. (C) excluded from
(D) denied and excluded from
One of the [18] major victories of the
female-dominated nursing community 20.
was to have men [19] denied admission (A) NO CHANGE
to and excluded from military nursing.
(B) It was not until after the Korean War
Traditionally, non-volunteer military
that men could once more work as
nurses had been exclusively male, but in
military nurses.
1901, the United States Army Nurse
Corps was formed exclusively for (C) In this day and age, it is nearly
women. [20] It is amazing to even inconceivable that it took until after the
think that men couldn’t work as Korean War before men could once
military nurses until after the Korean more exercise their right to work as
War. Today, depending on the branch of military nurses.
service, anywhere between 35% and
(D) Not until after the Korean War could
70% of military nurses are men; this is
men once more take up the noble calling
in sharp contrast to the civilian world,
to serve as military nurses.
where an average of 6% of American
nurses are men.
TEST
Questions 21–31 refer to the following 21.

passage. (A) NO CHANGE
Genetically Modified Organisms (B) insist
(C) hope
Although biotechnology companies and (D) think
the chronically naïve [21] imagine that
there is no danger to be feared from 22.
genetically modified foods, they
overlook a plethora of evidence (A) NO CHANGE
indicating that they may be gambling (B) thoughtlessly interfere and casually
with people’s lives by continuing to [22] tamper
interfere and tamper with nature to (C) interfere by casually tampering
create these “Frankenfoods.” (D) tamper
Potential problems range from the
relatively minor— increased possibilities
of allergic reactions to certain foods, for 23.
instance—to the potentially devastating— (A) NO CHANGE
the complete skewing of the balance of (B) we as a society
an ecosystem. All of these factors should
be carefully considered before [23] we (C) those of us who comprise society
choose to risk so much for the possibility (D) the citizens making up our
of a better tomato. population
TEST
[1] [24] For example, the cultivation of 24.

insect-resistant plants could lead to the
Which choice best connects the sentence
reduction or even destruction of certain
with the previous paragraph?
insect species that naturally feed on
those plants. [2] A change in the insect (A) NO CHANGE
population could have a disastrous (B) On the other hand,
impact on certain bird species that rely (C) Although unlikely,
on the affected insects as their food (D) DELETE the underlined portion
source. [3] [25] Ecosystems are
and begin the sentence with a
relatively stable, and the ripple created
by genetically altering one variety of capital letter.
soybean [26] will translate into a shock
wave of unforeseen repercussions in the 25.
long term. [4] And alterations in the
Which choice most effectively sets up
balance of the bird population could
have further-reaching consequences, all the information that follows?
the way up the food chain. [27] (A) NO CHANGE
(B) Humans are tightly connected to
ecosystems,
(C) Each ecosystem is an independent
entity,
(D) An ecosystem is a delicate thing,
26.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) must
(C) would
(D) could
27.
(B) after sentence 1.
(C) after sentence 2.
(D) DELETED from the paragraph.
TEST
Further, it is likely that there are 28.

dangerous impacts on the genetically
At this point, the writer is considering
modified organisms themselves and on
those who consume foods produced adding the following sentence.
from genetically modified organisms. Some studies indicate that
[28] Human studies have not been certain genetically modified
performed, [29] and the possibility that
tampering with an organism’s genetic foods have negative effects on
structure could cause far-reaching health the digestive systems and
consequences for the people who eat cardiac health of rats that
genetically modified foods must be consume those foods in high
prioritized in future scientific research. quantities.
Should the writer make the addition
here?
(A) Yes, because it provides evidence
that helps support the main idea of
the paragraph.
(B) Yes, because it provides a
significant counterargument to the
main claim of the paragraph.
(C) No, because it unnecessarily
repeats a detail that appears later in
the passage.
(D) No, because it shifts the focus of the
passage away from the writer’s
primary topic.
29.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) so
(C) or
(D) since
TEST
Arguments about the potential for 30.

genetic engineering to end world hunger
by maximizing the quantity and quality
of food grown around the world are underlined sentence. Should the
based on an essential fallacy: people do sentence be kept or deleted?
not starve because there is a lack of food. (A) Kept, because it provides an
People starve because it is more
profitable for businesses to let food go to alternate explanation for the main
waste than to distribute it to the world’s claim of the paragraph.
impoverished and famine-stricken (B) Kept, because it explains
regions. We have plenty of farmland background information about the
sitting fallow and plenty of food rotting topic of the paragraph.
in warehouses. [30] And shockingly, (C) Deleted, because it contradicts the
the governments in some countries
writer’s main claim in the passage.
that struggle with hunger may
actually thwart food supplies from (D) Deleted, because it interrupts the
reaching their citizens. Many of the flow of the writer’s argument in the
agribusinesses arguing that genetically paragraph.
modified foods can solve world hunger
are the same companies that accept 31.
government subsidies now to limit their
production of crops in order to avoid Which choice most effectively
flooding the market. These companies concludes the paragraph and the
are primarily concerned with profit, and passage?
whatever lip service they pay to global (A) NO CHANGE
well-being, the driving force behind (B) It would be nice if we could trust
genetically modified organisms and
the very companies that could
foods is profit, not people. [31] In
conclusion, the benefits and risks of benefit most from the creation of
any new technology must be carefully genetically modified organisms.
considered before implementing that (C) Unfortunately, those companies
technology. affect so many aspects of modern
life that we have no choice but to
trust them.
(D) Why would we trust our own well-
being and that of the planet to
companies recklessly pursuing
money at the risk of Mother Earth?
TEST
The idea of virtual reality----of building 32.

a convincing computer-generated world
(A) NO CHANGE
to [32] replace the boring old real one-
has [33] built science fiction's novels (B) amend
and movies since the 1950s. In the (C) abridge
1990s, as computers became (D) switch
commonplace, several big firms tried to
build headsets as a first attempt to 33.
realize the idea. They failed. The feeble
computers of the time could not produce (A) NO CHANGE
a convincing experience. Users suffered (B) kindled
from nausea and headaches, and the kit (C) forced
was expensive and bulky. Although VR (D) fueled
found applications in a few bits of
engineering and science, the consumer
34.
version was little more than [34] a
shortened fad in the world's videogame (A) NO CHANGE
arcades. But now a string of companies (B) a passing
are betting that information technology, (C) a casual
both hardware and software, has [35] (D) an expiring
boosted enough to have another go.
They are convinced that their new,
improved virtual reality will shake up 35.
everything from video-gaming to social (A) NO CHANGE
media, and from films to education. (B) elevated
(C) gained
(D) advanced
TEST
In 2011, Raquel Nelson was convicted 36.

of vehicular homicide following the
Which choice is most consistent with the
death of her four-year-old son. Nelson,
overall tone and purpose of the
it's crucial to note, was not driving. She
paragraph?
didn't even own a car. She and her three
children were crossing a busy four-lane (A) NO CHANGE
road from a bus stop to their apartment (B) saw
building in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. (C) bore
She'd stopped on the median halfway (D) tolerated
across when her son let go of her hand
and stepped into the second half of the
road. Nelson tried to catch him but
wasn't fast enough; she and her two-
year-old daughter were also injured. The
driver admitted to having alcohol and
painkillers in his system (and to being
legally blind in one eye) and pleaded
guilty to the charge of hit-and-run. He
served six months in prison. For the
crime of walking three tired, hungry
children home in the most efficient way
possible, Nelson [36] faced more jail
time than the man who had killed her
son.
At its [37] top in the years following 37.

World War II, the American textile
industry dominated both the national (A) NO CHANGE
and global workplaces. However, by the (B) height
1990s, employment in the textile (C) leap
industry had plummeted from an all- (D) stature
time high of 1.3 million jobs to
approximately 672,000. Even more
alarming was that the numbers would
keep dropping—dramatically.
TEST
The reason for the decline was [38] 38.

clearly the American government
(A) NO CHANGE
began allowing the outsourcing of jobs
to foreign manufacturers, who promised (B) clear; the
cheap labor and production costs. The (C) clear: The
most notable example of this shift was (D) clearly, the
the 1994 signing of NAFTA, or the
North American Free Trade Agreement,
which allowed inexpensive textile
imports from Mexico. It also gave
American textile companies an
incentive to move production south
where lower costs meant
higher profits, the entry of China into
world markets as a major competitor
with less expensive exports also
contributed to a decline in the number of
American textile manufacturing jobs.
According to industry insiders, the 39.

United States is still a viable competitor
in global textile manufacturing. [39] Not (A) NO CHANGE
only the United States have the means (B) Not only has the United States
to produce raw materials such as cotton (C) Not only does the United States have
and human-made fibers, but it also (D) Not only has the United States had
possesses a workforce that is becoming
savvier in the global marketplace. Many
American textile companies have turned 40.
inward and spent money on retooling (A) NO CHANGE
manufacturing centers, studying work (B) distinct
flow and costs, and looking for niche (C) particular
markets for [40] exact goods. Also,
increased consumer concern has made (D) unusual
environmentally safe products made in
the United States preferable.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
The Internet and Conversation (B) these are
[1] (C) this reliance is
Internet speak is often maligned as (D) empty chatter is
vacuous in its reliance on acronyms and
abbreviations, but [41] this is far from 42.
universal. On certain discussion boards,
you can witness opinions stated and Which choice provides the best
arguments debated with an eloquence transition within the paragraph?
that people rarely use when speaking, (A) NO CHANGE
freely sharing knowledge just for the joy
of it. I participate in an online (B) I still remember those long
Renaissance music discussion group afternoons cooped up inside.
that has a library of original articles that (C) I am still careful to eat well and get
are the product of a master's thesis. The plenty of rest.
author gained no monetary reward for
(D) I regret not being able to play
the information (which he made
outdoors with other children.
available for free) and receives little
praise for it outside the community that
shares his interest. He posts because he 43.
is passionate about the music, and that
inspires him to share what he knows (A) NO CHANGE
with anyone who wants to learn. (B) succinct
(C) succinctly stated and to the point
[2] (D) succinct, brief, and to the point
[1] In part, this has to do with my habit
of observing the world from my 44.
bedroom. [2] As a child, I was
frequently ill and forced to stay inside. To make this paragraph most logical,
[3] Although my health is much better sentence 5 should be placed
now, [42] I still go out much less than (A) where it is now.
most people. [4] After all, I have (B) before sentence 4.
everything kneed inside. [5] Everyone (C) after sentence 7.
can be everywhere they want when they (D) after sentence 8.
want, and every social situation feels
completely comfortable and natural. [6]
From my room, I have access to people
all over the world. [7] I can talk about
medieval literature with a friend in
China and later collaborate on a piece of
music with a synthesizer virtuoso in
Spain. [8] There is no need for awkward
introductions or a graceful exit—people
feel free to launch right into what they
want to talk about and, when they are
done, just sign off with a “g2g,” or “got
to go.” [9] Everything is [43] succinct
and to the point. [44]
TEST
[3] 45.
For as long as I can remember,
(A) NO CHANGE
conversation [45] had always struck me
(B) has
as a strange chimera, something that is
(C) would have
half two minds exchanging
(D) have
sophisticated ideas and [46] at the same
time two dogs barking at each other. I do
not find the banalities of small talk 46.
comforting, but boring and idiotic. [47] (A) NO CHANGE
When I can dispense with it altogether (B) similar to
and proceed right to substantive (C) frequently like
dialogue, it is almost like flying. I can be (D) half
talking with the closest of friends or a
mere acquaintance with a shared 47.
interest. Either way, the kinship is there.
I don’t feel myself included by smiles, (A) NO CHANGE
pats on the back, or eye contact so much (B) Now
as by the willingness of a partner to (C) Later
share my ideas or gift me with thoughts (D) Where
of his own. There is nothing more
ingratiating than intellectual passion. 48
[48] Which choice places the paragraphs of
this passage in the most logical order?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) 1, 3, 2
(C) 3, 1, 2
(D) 3, 2, 1
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) produced
Inside Looking Out: Post- (C) was producing
Impressionism
(D) will produce
Post-Impressionism was an artistic
movement that took place between 1886 50.
and 1892 and [49] produces some of the (A) NO CHANGE
world’s foremost artists. Post- (B) For example,
Impressionism emerged as one of the
many different artistic styles created in (C) Consequently,
response to the Impressionist (D) However,
movement, which focused on creating
realistic representations of human 51.
perceptions. [50] Next, Impressionists
(A) NO CHANGE
sought to [51] restate nature in their
work. They used small, controlled brush (B) obscure
strokes in an effort to capture how the (C) photocopy
human eye sees light. Post- (D) replicate
Impressionism was radically different.
Artists of this time focused more on self- 52.
discovery than anything else. Instead of
looking out on a landscape and [52] (A) NO CHANGE
attempt to paint exactly what they saw, (B) attempting
they turned their eyes inward. They (C) was attempted
interpreted subjects through their own (D) is attempting
[53] unique vision, which included their
personal experiences and emotions. This
53.
change influenced the course of all art
created since. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) single
(C) cautious
(D) acceptable
TEST
[54] Among the Impressionist artists 54.

were Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste
Renoir, and Edgar Degas, Paul
establishes the central idea of the
Cezanne and Georges Seurat used shape
paragraph?
and color to describe their worlds rather
than mimic them. Their work acted as a (A) NO CHANGE
bridge between Impressionist art and the (B) Modern artists are well versed in
more abstract subcategories of Post- many different kinds of styles thanks to
Impressionism. Two such subcategories the many artists of the past.
were Cubism and Abstract
Expressionism. [55] Cubism was (C) Artists in the Post-Impressionist era
created by Spanish painter Pablo employed a wide range of methods when
Picasso and French painter Georges creating their art.
Braque. It featured geometric shapes (D) Prior to the Impressionist and Post-
used to construct conceptual Impressionist eras, artists painted in a
portraits. Both of these artists rejected much more realistic style.
traditional views on modeling nature
and people, as well as classical
techniques. Abstract Expressionism 55.
used color instead of geometric figures,
and artists like Jackson Pollock and
Willem de Kooning covered their
canvases with color and indistinct (A) NO CHANGE
forms. Abstract Expressionists aimed to (B) Created by Spanish painter Pablo
express deep emotional themes. Paul Picasso and French painter Georges
Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh are also Braque, Cubism featured geometric
considered Abstract Expressionists, as shapes used to construct conceptual
[56] they both prioritized the depiction
portraits.
of their memories and emotions over
observations that could be made with the (C) Cubism was created by Spanish
eye. … (the rest of the paragraph is in painter Pablo Picasso and French painter
the next page) Georges Braque so it featured geometric
shapes.
(D) Cubism was created by Spanish
painter Pablo Picasso and French painter
Georges Braque, but it featured
geometric shapes.
56.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) it
(C) you
(D) we
TEST
[57] Never before had such an emphasis 57.

on individualism taken precedence over
Which choice, if added here, most
classical technique, a change that laid
effectively supports the central idea of
the foundation for art in the 20th century
the paragraph?
and beyond.
(A) Some Impressionist artists, such as
[1] These artists worked and created Renoir, painted images of children,
during the same time period and flowers, and social gatherings.
movement. [2] However, they had (B) Degas often painted ballet dancers at
varying world views and techniques. [3] the barre as well as molding sculptures
Today, we can get to know the souls of of them.
some of the worlds greatest artists by
visiting [58] they’re Post-Impressionist (C) Art is often viewed as a window into
work in museums around the world. [4] the minds and experiences of artists as
These differences cumulatively they lived their lives.
succeeded in breaking from the natural (D) To transfer their emotions to their
guidelines of Impressionism to create canvases, Post-Impressionist artists
something entirely new that sometimes used violent gestures to
dramatically influenced all artists who apply paint.
came after them. [5] In the words of
Edvard Munch, another Post-
Impressionist painter, “Nature is not 58.
only all that is visible to the eye... it also
(A) NO CHANGE
includes the inner pictures of the soul.”
(B) their
[59]
(C) they are
(D) there
59.
(C) before sentence 5.
(D) after sentence 5.
TEST

following passage.
Which choice, if added here, would
provide the most relevant detail?
James Polk
(A) Like the fiery Jackson, Polk was
born in North Carolina and moved to
For much of his distinguished career,
Tennessee to begin a political career.
James Knox Polk followed in the
footsteps of Andrew Jackson. [60] In (B) Both men were fiery, aggressive
fact, “Young Hickory’s” policies were personalities who hailed from North
very similar to Jackson’s: [61] both men Carolina and later moved to Tennessee
favored lower taxes: championed the to begin their political careers.
frontiersmen, farmers, and workers:
(C) Like the fiery Jackson, Polk was
and neither was afraid to indulge in
born in North Carolina and moved to
Tennessee whiskey. Polk, however, did
Tennessee, but unlike Jackson, he did
not share Jackson’s rather fierce
not fight in the War of 1812.
temperament; he was instead known for
remaining soft-spoken even as he (D) Polk, like Jackson, had antipathy
worked energetically toward his goals. toward the Native Americans of the
Although history will likely always southeastern United States, and his
remember the frontier persona of efforts to remove them defined his
Andrew Jackson, it was Polk who did career.
much more to shape the course of
American history.
61.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) while they agreed on little regarding
taxes or the suffrage of frontiersmen,
farmers, and workers, both men were
known to indulge in Tennessee whiskey.
(C) both men favored lower taxes;
championed the frontiersmen, farmers,
and workers; and opposed the
controversial Bank of the United States.
(D) both men favored lower taxes;
championed the frontiersmen, farmers,
and workers; and yet they could not
agree on the controversial Bank of the
United States.
TEST
[62] The Polk family was poor— 63.

James’s father had emigrated from
Which choice results in a sentence that
Scotland and arrived in the U.S.
best supports the point developed in the
South penniless. From an early age,
paragraph and is consistent with the
Polk suffered ill health that would turn
information in the rest of the passage?
out to be a lifelong affliction. Despite his
physical shortcomings, he was an able (A) NO CHANGE
student and graduated from the (B) he married Sarah Childress.
University of North Carolina with (C) he was elected as governor of
honors in 1818. Two years later, Polk Tennessee.
was admitted to the bar to practice law, (D) he was elected to the Tennessee
and in 1823, [63] he married Sarah. House of Representatives.
Childress, the daughter of a
prominent planter and merchant 64.
from Murfreesboro. From there, he
was elected to the U.S. House of Which choice most effectively
Representatives in 1825, serving until concludes the paragraph and transitions
[64] Polk was also Speaker of the to the following paragraph?
House from 1835 to 1839. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) Polk was also Speaker of the House
from 1835 to 1839, an experience that
62. made him wary of wading deeper into
national politics.
(C) Polk was also Speaker of the House
introduces this paragraph?
from 1835 to 1839, a post that catapulted
(A) NO CHANGE him to a position of prominence in
(B) James Polk’s parents tried to politics.
discourage the draw of politics and law, (D) Polk was also Speaker of the House
instead urging their eldest son to become from 1835 to 1839, an experience that
a farmer. left his already strained constitution
(C) Polk married his wife, Sarah exhausted and forced him into a
Childress, in 1823. temporary retirement.
(D) Polk was born in Mecklenburg,

North Carolina, in 1795 as the oldest of
ten children.
TEST
After he left Congress to serve as 65.

governor of Tennessee in 1839, it
became clear that Polk’s political
detail?
aspirations were high indeed. During the
1844 presidential campaign, [65] a (A) NO CHANGE
young Abraham Lincoln threw his (B) the leading Democratic candidate
support behind Whig Henry Clay was ex-President Martin van Buren and
instead of the Democratic ex- the Whig candidate was Henry Clay.
President Martin van Buren. Both
men, as part of their platforms, opposed (C) the issue of slavery’s expansion into
expansionist policies, and neither new territories began its long stint as the
intended to annex the independent state most divisive issue to plague national
of Texas or the Oregon Territory. [66] politics.
Polk, spurred on by Jackson’s advice, (D) both the leading Democratic
recognized that neither candidate had candidate, ex-President Martin van
correctly surmised the feelings of the Buren, and the Whig candidate, Henry
people, so he publicly announced that, as Clay, sought to campaign under the
president, he would do his utmost to banner of “Manifest Destiny” and
acquire Texas and Oregon. Polk was the territorial expansion.
first political “dark horse” in American
politics, coming out of nowhere to win
the Democratic nomination and the 66.
election.
(A) NO CHANGE
As the eleventh President of the United (B) Polk, against Jacksons advice,
States, [67] Polk pursued an agenda of recognized
diverse issues. First, he reached an (C) Polk recognized
agreement with England that divided the
Oregon Territory, carving out the (D) Polk, against the wishes of his
present-day states of Washington and advisors, recognized
Oregon. Polk also quickly annexed 67.
Texas and provoked war with Mexico to
acquire California and the New Mexico Which choice provides the most
territory. While these triumphs were appropriate introduction to the
somewhat diminished by controversy paragraph?
from abolitionists who opposed the (A) NO CHANGE
spread of slavery into new territories,
under Polks leadership the dream of (B) Polk worked tirelessly to expand the
“manifest destiny” became a reality, and borders of the nation.
the United States fully extended its (C) Polk worked to reign in unchecked
borders from the Atlantic to the Pacific. expansion of the frontiers.
(D) Polk stopped at nothing short of war
to expand the borders of the nation.
TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Reefs at Risk (B) Unfortunately,
(C) Consequently,
[1] [68] Coral reefs contain more than (D) Inevitably,
one quarter of all marine life and help
reduce storm damage to coastal lands. 70.
[2] [69] Ultimately, about ten percent of
the world’s coral reefs have been Which choice most accurately
destroyed and [70] about sixty percent represents the information in the pie
of the remaining reefs are in danger. charts?
[3] Many people enjoy snorkeling and (A) NO CHANGE
fishing near coral reefs. [4] [71] A coral
reef is formed by a community of very (B) threats have been made to sixty
small plants and animals: these plants percent of remaining reefs.
and animals are known as algae and (C) more than 6 in 10 reefs have faced
polyps. [5] The algae use sunlight to threats of some kind or another.
produce their own food for energy and
growth. [6] The polyps eat other small (D) about sixty percent of the remaining
animals that come to feed on the algae. reefs have experienced danger.
[7] They also make a hard substance,
called limestone, which eventually
71.
builds up to form a reef.
(A) NO CHANGE
68. (B) Very small plants and animals,
known as algae and polyps, make up the
Which sentence should be removed in
community that forms a coral reef.
order to improve the focus of this
paragraph? (C) A coral reef is formed by a
community of very small plants and
(A) Sentence 1
animals called algae and polyps.
(B) Sentence 3
(C) Sentence 6 (D) Known as algae and polyps, very
(D) Sentence 7 small plants and animals form a
community that is called a coral reef.
TEST
The health of a coral reef depends on 72.

having clean water and sunlight, but
(A) NO CHANGE
human activities can threaten these [72]
basic resources. Oil or chemical spills in (B) elusive
the water near the reefs can harm the (C) committed
polyps, and chemical runoff into streams (D) vital
from mines and farms can also destroy
the polyps and algae. 73.
[73] Fishing and boating are popular Which choice most effectively
sports near coral reefs. People who fish establishes the paragraphs central idea?
for a living often use explosives to catch (A) NO CHANGE
the many fish that are attracted to coral
reefs, causing significant damage. Boats (B) People who participate in activities
also destroy reefs with their anchors, and near coral reefs often cause damage.
tourists who swim in coral reefs often (C) Boats are dangerous to the health of
break coral off to keep as a souvenir. coral reefs.
Development along a coast, such as (D) Coral reefs are fragile, and people
cutting down trees and building roads or should be careful around them.
parking lots, [74] increased the amount
of dirt and sand that washes into the
74.
ocean and settles on the bottom. This
covers the coral and blocks sunlight. (A) NO CHANGE
Without sunlight, the algae cannot grow, (B) increases
and in turn, the polyps lack the energy (C) increasing
needed to produce limestone and build
(D) increase
up the reef.
TEST
[1] Marine biologists have found that 75.

small crabs living in coral reefs can help
(A) NO CHANGE
prevent the damage caused by coastal
development. [2] They remove particles (B) hinder
of dirt and sand that settle on the coral (C) obstruct
and [75] stop sunlight. [3] The crabs also (D) cover
eat some of the polyps, which [76]
would probably suggest that the crabs 76.
might also be a threat to the coral. [4]
The crabs help the coral survive [77] but (A) NO CHANGE
benefit from the relationship as well. [5] (B) would suggest
The crabs living on the coral have a (C) maybe suggests
steady source of food, and the reef (D) almost certainly suggests
provides the crabs with shelter from
predators. [6] However, when the
77.
biologists removed crabs from sections
of coral, less coral survived than in the Which choice results in a sentence that
sections where the crabs remained. [78] best supports the central idea of the
paragraph?
The destruction of coral reefs does not (A) NO CHANGE
have to continue. Recognizing the part
that local animals, such as crabs, can (B) but are one of millions of animals
play to reduce the amount of damage that live in coral reefs.
will help to slow the loss of coral reefs (C) and can be very large or very small
and may provide better ways to protect in size.
them.
(D) and are found on coral reefs all over
the world.
78.
(B) before sentence 1.
TEST

following passage.
Which choice, if added here, would
provide the most appropriate
Of the many forms poetry can take—
introduction to the topic of the
triolet, ballad, ode, and epigram, to name
paragraph?
a few—none is quite as briefly beautiful
as the Japanese haiku. With a complex (A) Although the format remained
history and a challenging structure, the unknown to Americans until the 1950s,
haiku is as popular as it is difficult to haiku dates back as early as the seventh
master. Composed of only three lines century.
and 17 or fewer syllables, haiku have (B) The art of haiku includes specific
been written by some of the world's most rules about how lines are to be
prominent poets. structured, but these rules are difficult to
pin down.
[41] [1] Pre-Buddhist and early Shinto (C) Despite its difficult reputation and
ceremonies included narrative poems the years it takes to master, haiku is
called “uta,” or songs. [2] These songs highly entertaining.
were written about common activities
like planting and prayer. [3] The most (D) Haiku is a Japanese poetic art form
popular “uta” were “waka,” or songs and many poets enjoy the challenge of
featuring 31 syllables broken into five writing a poem within its rules.
different lines. [4] Later, the “waka”
format was distilled into the 5-7-5-7-7
80.
syllables-per-line format that is still used
and recognized today. [5] During the (A) NO CHANGE
same time period, writers played word
(B) Nobody is quite sure when it became
games. [6] The syllabic 5-7-5-7-7
known as “haiku.”
structure would remain throughout the
work, adhering to the guidelines used in (C) These days, we know this word as
ceremonies and royal court proceedings. “haiku.”
[7] They would compose lines of poetry, (D) DELETE the underlined portion.
alternating turns, until long strings of
text called “renga” were created. [8] It
was not until the 15th and 16th centuries
that writers of “renga” broke with
tradition and shortened the form, writing
“hokku,” meaning “first verse.” [9] [42]
This name changed into “haiku” over
time.
Previously, hokku master Matsunaga

Teitoku began teaching renga in an
attempt to ignite a classical renaissance.
He founded a writing school where he
taught Matsuo Basho, who is now
known as one of Japan’s most famous
writers. Basho traveled throughout
Japan writing about nature and his
travels.
CHAPTER 4
Review Test
CHAPTER 4 REVIWE TEST 119
TEST
1. Some of the trees looked on the verge of dying, or as if already they had died.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) if they had already
(C) whether they had died already
(D) as though they had already died
2. Experts in marine life say that there is a closer relationship between barracudas with man-
eating sharks than had been previously thought.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) with man-eating sharks than will have been
(C) and man-eating sharks than will have been
(D) and man-eating sharks than had been
3. Many students who successfully use computers in the bettering of vocabulary for the SATs
find that a computer provides limited help in the improvement of writing skills.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to improve
(C) with the purpose of bettering
(D) with the purpose of improving
4. Twenty years ago Peterson took a job with the federal Bureau of Land Management, and he
has been responsible for maintaining public lands ever since.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) since then his responsibility has been maintaining public lands
(C) wherever since he is responsible for maintaining public land
(D) he has been responsible for maintaining public lands since then
5. The fictional characters in the novel War and Peace are as similar as the friends and
acquaintances that the author, Leo Tolstoy, actually had.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) being similar to
(C) resembling
(D) are similar to
6. While walking down Market Street, that was when Clarissa sighted her old guitar in the
pawn shop window.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Clarissa sighted her old guitar in the pawn shop window
(C) then the sighting of Clarissa's old guitar took place
(D) Clarissa's old guitar was sighted in the pawn shop window
120 CHAPTER 4 REVIWE TEST
TEST
7. The consultant, Dr. Smart, agreed to study the school's schedule and she would meet with
students, teachers, and administrators to discuss it.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) and meeting with students, teachers, and administrators for discussing it
(C) in holding discussions at meetings with students, teachers, and administrators about it
(D) by discussing it with students, teachers, and administrators
8. Because dinosaurs were the hugest creatures ever to roam the Earth is the reason why they
are fascinating to us.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Because dinosaurs were the hugest creatures ever to roam the Earth,
(C) Dinosaurs were the hugest creatures that ever roamed the Earth and is the reason why
(D) As a result of dinosaurs, the hugest creatures ever to roam the Earth,
9. Thomas Wolfe, the early 20th-century American writer often confused with the
contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe, grew up in Asheville, North Carolina.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) writer, having grown up in Asheville, North Carolina, is often mistaken with the
contemporary novelist Tom Wolfe
(C) writer, grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, but is often confused with the contemporary
novelist Tom Wolfe
(D) writer has often been confused with Tom Wolfe, the contemporary novelist, growing up
in Asheville, North Carolina
10. In his speech, the candidate made a comment of spending sleepless nights worrying over
the large number of people without health insurance.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) commented on the spending of his
(C) gave a comment that he spent
(D) commented on his spending
11. When you plan a plane trip, you choose a flight, make a reservation, and then that
reservation entitles you to a seat on the aircraft.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) and make a reservation that entitles you to a seat
(C) and make a reservation, then you are entitled to a seat
(D) and make a reservation, then entitling you to a seat
TEST
12. Better military equipment, such as stronger bullet-proof vests, has been valuable so that it
helps soldiers feel more secure when they go into battle.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) valuable because it helps
(C) valuable, even though it will help
(D) valuable in order that they help
13. After 9/11, the American public accepted the government's authority about more thorough
screening of airline passengers.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) to screen airline passengers more thoroughly
(C) to improve more thoroughly passenger screening at the airport
(D) for the more thorough screening of airline passengers boarding airplanes at the airport
14. The pollution of the municipal well was discovered, the town posted notices urging people
to boil their water.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The municipal well's pollution being discovered,
(C) When having made the discovery of the pollution of the water in the municipal well;
(D) After discovering pollution in the municipal well,
15. Last year, Fairfield High School defeated every one of its rivals in girls' field hockey,
nevertheless, they did not win the state championship.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) hockey, they nevertheless
(C) hockey, they
(D) hockey, but it
16. An event in Richard's life story that moved me greatly was when he was separated from
the family.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) when he and the family were separated
(C) his separation from the family
(D) the separating from the family
17. Although she dislikes city living and has never been east of the Mississippi, Sarah intends
to move to New York or Boston after she graduates from college.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) she is without liking for city living nor having been east of the Mississippi
(C) she dislikes city living nor has she visited there
(D) she does not like city living and has never been a visitor
TEST
18. Two Coast Guard crews were dispatched to check an anonymous informant's warning, and
he had observed a boatload of undocumented immigrants approaching Florida's west coast.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the warning of an anonymous informant that he
(C) that an anonymous warning of an informant he
(D) the anonymous informant's warning saying he
19. Women in a hunter-gatherer society led demanding lives, the reason was that they collected
plant food for the family while protecting herself and her children from wild beasts.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) lives, it was that she had to collect plant food for the family while also protecting herself
and her children
(C) lives; collecting plant food for the family while protecting herself and her children
(D) lives because they not only collected plant food for the family but also protected
themselves and their children
20. If you wish to truly understand Jefferson's notion of "the pursuit of happiness," the letters
Jefferson wrote to his son should be read.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Jefferson's letters to his son should be read
(C) you should read the letters Jefferson wrote to his son
(D) you should read his letters to his son
21. Allan asked Sadie to go to the prom with him, this surprised Sadie because she thought
Allan would ask Marnie.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) him, therefore Sadie was surprised
(C) him, surprising Sadie
(D) him, which surprises Sadie
22. Of the four seasons in New England, Granny most loves the autumn, of which she finds
the mild days and cool nights especially appealing.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) autumn; she finds the mild days and cool nights especially appealing
(C) autumn, and it is especially the mild days and cool nights that are of appeal
(D) autumn; the appeal of the mild days and cool nights especially
TEST
23. In the Middle Ages, a lord's intricate wall hangings were more than mere tapestries they
were a measure of his consequence and wealth.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) merely tapestries they were a measure
(C) mere tapestries and were a measure
(D) mere tapestries; they were a measure
24. Great plans for the future were made by Huck and Tom that depended on their finding the
gold hidden in the cave.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Great plans for the future were made by Huck and Tom which
(C) Huck and Tom, who made great plans for the future that
(D) Huck and Tom made great plans for the future that
25. We were afraid of the teacher's wrath, due to his statement that he would penalize anyone
who failed to hand in his term paper on time.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) wrath due to his statement that,
(C) wrath, inasmuch as his statement that,
(D) wrath because of his statement that
26. Because the sports industry has become so popular is the reason that some universities
have created new courses in sports marketing and event planning.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) popular, some universities have created new courses in sports marketing and event
planning
(C) popular, there have been new courses in sports marketing and event planning created by
some universities
(D) popular is the reason that new courses in sports marketing and event planning have been
created by some universities
27. Inflation in the United States has not and, we hope, never will reach a rate of 20 percent a
year.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) has not reached and, we hope, never will
(C) has not and hopefully never will reach
(D) has not reached and, we hope, never will reach
28. Her thesis explained what motivated Stiller and Meara to give up their separate theatrical
careers to become comedy duos in the late 1960s.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) when they will become comedy duos
(C) that they had become a comedy duo
(D) to become a comedy duo
TEST
29. Many of the innovations in the early compositions of Charles Ives were adaptations of
musical experiments performed by his father, particularly that of polytonality.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Ives, and in particular polytonality, was an adaptation of musical experiments performed
by his father
(C) Ives being adapted, and polytonality in particular, from musical experiments performed
by his father
(D) Ives, particularly polytonality, were adaptations of musical experiments performed by his
father
30. There is a great deal of practical advice on antiques that readers may find useful in the
mystery novels of Jonathan Gash.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) There are great deals of practical advice regarding antiques that readers may find useful in
Jonathan Gash's mystery novels.
(C) Readers may find useful the great deal of practical advice on antiques in Jonathan Gash's
mystery novels.
(D) In his mystery novels, Jonathan Gash offers readers a great deal of practical advice on
antiques.
31. Of the three Fates, the weavers Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, the latter was most
frightening, for she cut the "thread" of life, thus determining the individual's moment of death.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the latter was more frightening
(C) the latter is most frightening
(D) the last was most frightening
32. A turncoat is when someone is a traitor to a group or society to which he owes it to be

loyal.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) is when a person does treachery to a group or society to which he owes it to be loyal
(C) is someone who betrays a group or society to which he owes loyalty
(D) is a person which betrays a group or society to which he owes being loyal
33. The movie's unlikely happy ending came to pass as the result of an incredulous series of
lucky accidents.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) came past as the result of an incredulous series
(C) came about through an incredulous series
(D) resulted from an incredible series
TEST
34. Whatever the surface appearances at the moment may be, modern men are fundamentally less
tolerant of despots then men of old.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) less tolerant of despots than of older men
(C) more intolerant of despots than of men of old
(D) less tolerant of despots than were men of old
35. The method of how different viruses being transmitted from one patient to another depends on the
particular viruses involved.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) whereby the transmission of different viruses is
(C) by which different viruses are transmitted
(D) for different viruses that are being transmitted
36. Experts predict that global warming will cause sea levels to raise and lead to flooding from
tidal surges.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) would cause sea levels to raise and lead to flooding
(C) will result in raising sea levels and leading to floods
(D) will raise sea levels and lead to flooding
37. The della Robbias created many sculptural reliefs of the Virgin and Child surrounded by
garlands, and they traditionally worked in terra-cotta.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The della Robbias, who created many sculptural reliefs of the Virgin and Child surrounded
by garlands,
(C) Creating many sculptural reliefs of the Virgin and Child surrounded by garlands were the
della Robbias, and they
(D) The della Robbias created many sculptural reliefs of the Virgin and Child surrounded by
garlands, and doing this they
38. Many of us attempt to rewrite our personal stories to present ourselves in the best light;
indeed, there is an almost universal inclination to this.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) our inclination for it is almost universal
(C) our having this inclination is an almost universal condition
(D) we are almost universally inclined to do so
TEST
A city of 139 square miles, with a long history of growth and middle-class success, Detroit
now faces an unusual, though not entirely novel, situation for U.S. cities: depopulation. [39]
Economic transformations caused by recessions, the loss of manufacturing, and other factors
have wreaked havoc on the once prosperous city, driving away its middle class and leaving
behind vast tracts of urban blight.
39. Which choice provides the most logical introduction to the sentence?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Civic growth caused by the depression
(C) The improvement in living conditions
(D) The decrease in pollution
The statistics are staggering— since 1950, some 60 percent of the population has gone
elsewhere, leaving the city with [40] 20,000 new residents. When the people left, thousands
of businesses went with them.
40. Which choice provides information that best supports the claim made by this sentence?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) 100,000 vacant residences or lots
(C) 50,000 more middle-class residents
(D) 30,000 homeless people
City planners have been responding to the challenge of depopulation. Over several years, they
have studied their urban spaces and used varying and innovative techniques to [41] require the
input of 6 some 30,000 of their residents.
41. (A) NO CHANGE

(B) confirm
(C) solicit
(D) implore
One of the boldest suggestions of the plan is a basic conversion of about one third of all
Detroit's urban space. Making the city more compact, the planners [42] reasoned, would save
money on services and allow them to devote more resources to a smaller total area.
42.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) insisted
(C) noted
(D) commented
TEST
One of the boldest suggestions of the plan is a basic conversion of about one third of all
Detroit's urban space. [2] Making the city more compact, the planners reasoned, would save
money on services and allow them to devote more resources to a smaller total area. [43] [3]
Walking paths, parks, ponds for rainwater collection and retention (the city's sewage system
is overburdened), sports fields, meadows, forested areas, campgrounds, and other green space
initiatives would then gradually transform the shutdown area. [4] Controversially, the plan
suggests shutting down services in certain areas to drive current residents out of them and into
neighborhoods being targeted for strengthening. [5] The plan also calls for remaining
neighborhoods to be transformed but–not by the traditional models of economic growth. [6]
For example, the city, if organized carefully with viable public transportation options, hopes
to create jobs right where people live.
43. For the sake of the cohesion of this paragraph, sentence 3 should be placed
(B) before sentence 1.
(C) before sentence 2.
(D) before sentence 5.
In a public square on the Indonesian island of Java, dusk falls. Families gather; it is a festival
day. Children dart around while, on the edges of the square, vendors [44] hawk snacks and
toys. A large screen, lit from behind, stands prominently in the square. A twenty-piece
percussion orchestra, or gamelan, prepares to play.
44.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) stock
(C) advertise
(D) trade
TEST
In a public square on the Indonesian island of Java, dusk falls. Families gather; it is a festival
day. Children dart around while, on the edges of the square, vendors hawk snacks and toys. A
large screen, lit from behind, stands prominently in the square. A twenty-piece percussion
orchestra, or gamelan, prepares to play.
[45] The scene is modern-day Java, or perhaps Java hundreds of years ago. The performance
is wayang kulit, or shadow puppetry, one of the world's oldest storytelling traditions its origins
stretch back to the ancient spiritual practices of Indonesia's original inhabitants, who believed
that the spirits of the ancestors governed the living world. Ceremonial puppet plays addressed
the spirits, asking them to help the living.
45. At this point, the author is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the writer
do this?
(B) Yes, because it distracts from the main ideas of the paragraph.
(C) No, because it provides a transition from the previous paragraph to this one.
(D) No, because it explains what wayang kulit is.
The puppet plays reflected these cultural changes. [46] They began to depict narratives from
Hindu religious texts, including the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Serat Menak.
Traditional Indonesian stories were blended into Hindu epics or lost altogether. Later, when
Islam began to spread throughout Indonesia, puppet plays again transformed. The Islamic
religion [47] prohibited the display of gods in human form, so Indonesians adapted their art
by making flat, leather puppets that cast shadows on a screen. The puppets themselves remain
unseen during the performance; only their shadows were visible. Wayang kulit was born.
46. At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence.
A master of shadow puppetry is called a dalang.
Should the writer do this?
(A) Yes, because it provides relevant and new information about the practice of wayang kulit.
(B) Yes, because it adds an important fact to the paragraph's focus on shadow puppetry.
(C) No, because it repeats information that has already been given.
(D) No, because it distracts from the paragraph's focus on cultural changes.
47.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) discouraged
(C) hindered
(D) restricted
TEST
Java is particularly well-known for its continuation of the shadow puppet tradition.
Performances are epic events, lasting all night long from sunset to sunrise with no break at all.
They take place in public spaces and are performed on holidays and at family celebrations. At
the center is a large screen, backlit by a gas or electrical light. Behind this screen sits the
dalang, or shadow master, traditionally a man. He manipulates the puppets—sometimes more
than a hundred of them in one show—with rods, voicing and singing all of the roles. [48]
Simultaneously, he directs the gamelan, the large percussive orchestra, which consists of
percussive instruments, some of which are played by mallets.
48. Which choice most effectively maintains the paragraph's focus on relevant information
and ideas?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Simultaneously, he directs an orchestra.
(C) Simultaneously, he directs an orchestra with instruments, some of which are played by
mallets.
(D) Simultaneously, he directs the gamelan, the large percussive orchestra.
Today, the American Southwest, [49] simplistically defined in this document as encompassing
all of Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, is the country's fastest-growing
[50] region. It is home to more than 50 million people who are the source of ever-increasing
water demands. Yet, the region is dependent for its water on just two river systems, the
Colorado and the Rio Grande, of which the former is unequivocally the primary.
49. Which choice provides the most relevant detail?

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) which has influenced painters as different as Georgia O'Keefe and Agnes Martin,
(C) home to such Native American tribes as the Navajo and Apache,
(D) generally considered a desirable tourist destination,
(A) region, but it is home
(B) region; home
(C) region, and it is home
(D) region, home
It was also apportioned according to a volume that simply does not exist in current years; for
example, in the years 2001–2006, river water that had been [51] projected to flow versus
river water that did flow came up a staggering 34 percent short.
51.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) hoped
(C) desired
(D) thought
TEST
In 2014, the U.S. Department of the Interior warned that the Colorado River basin area "is in
the midst of a fourteen-year drought nearly unrivaled in 1,250 years." [52] It further noted that
the river's two major reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead—the once-massive backup
systems for years in which drought occurs—were, alarmingly, more than 50 percent depleted.
Equally dire, if, more comfortably projected, predictions came out of a recent study, cited in
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States, that suggested a 50
percent chance of Lakes Powell and Mead reaching a level so low that they become inoperable
by the 2020s. [53] For all intensive purposes, the Southwest's water supply is drying up.
52. At this point, the writer is considering deleting this sentence. Should the writer do this?
(A) Yes, because it repeats information that has already been presented in the passage.
(B) Yes, because it blurs the paragraph's focus by introducing a new idea.
(C) No, because it illustrates the severity of drought conditions with a specific example.
(D) No, because it introduces the argument that the Southwest's water supply is drying up.
53.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) For all intentional purposes,
(C) For all intents and purposes,
(D) For all intended purposes,
TEST
[54] Compounding the problems of drought, increasing population, and an overly optimistic
historical assessment of water resources are problems related to climate change. For example,
between 2000 and 2013, temperatures in much of the Southwest rose as much as [55] 2
degrees, increasing the negative effects of evapotranspiration, the evaporation of water from
the soil. Finally, climate change and drought are leading to the greater prevalence and intensity
of fires, including so-called "super fires," a result, in part, of the beetle infestations and dying
trees that are weakened by the lack of water.
54.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Escalating
(C) Inflating
(D) Exaggerating
55. Which choice completes the sentence with accurate data based on the map and its
information below
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) 0.8 degrees
(C) 1.2 degrees
(D) 1.4 degrees
TEST
[56] In a society in which television and movies have been well documented as [57] influences
of social change, current data about women in the movies is far from reassuring. [58] Women
simply can't expect to play the leading roles men play or even, in general, to be on-screen for
as many minutes as men are in any given film, while there seems to be no end of extraordinary
acting talent among women in Hollywood. As for other categories of filmmaking, at least by
Oscar standards, women seem barely to exist at all.
56. Which choice most effectively establishes the main topic of the paragraph?
(A) There are many actresses in Hollywood with extraordinary talent, but they cannot seem to
get the same roles as men.
(B) Though women land far fewer leading roles than men, in other categories of filmmaking,
they do a little better.
(C) Women are not adequately represented in Hollywood, either by the roles they play or by
the amount of time they appear on-screen.
(D) The movie industry has the capacity to change, but it has not done so in the area of women
in film.
57.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) agents
(C) necessities
(D) factors
58.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Women simply can't expect to play the leading roles men play or even, in general, while
there seems to be no end of extraordinary acting talent among women in Hollywood, to be
on-screen for as many minutes as men are in any given film.
(C) Women simply can't expect to play the leading roles men play or to be on-screen for as
many minutes as men, and there seems to be no end of extraordinary acting talent among
women in Hollywood in general.
(D) While there seems to be no end of extraordinary acting talent among women in Hollywood,
women simply can't expect to play the leading roles men play or even, in general, to be on-
screen for as many minutes as men are in any given film.
TEST
Other inequities have been revealed by Cinemetrics, which strives to gather objective data on
movies, and by other organizations. [59] For example, in 2013, lead actresses in full-length
films spent 57 minutes on-screen, while lead actors spent 85 minutes on-screen. Compounding
the inequity is the tendency of the camera to stay on a female actress longer in a single shot,
or stare at them passively, while the camera moves more actively when it shows a male
character. In other aspects of films, women are treated even more outrageously. Since the
Oscars began in 1928, only 16 percent of all nominees have been women. In fact, there were
no women nominees at all in seven categories of achievement for the 2014 Oscars. More
significantly, Oscar trends do not seem to be improving over time.
59. Which choice most effectively maintains support for claims or points in the text?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) For example, women direct more documentaries than narrative films.
(C) For example, the highest paid actress in 2013 made $33 million dollars.
(D) For example, women buy about half of movie tickets purchased in the United States.
Some women, however, have managed to shine despite these inequities. Actress Meryl Streep
has been nominated for 19 Oscars as of 2015, easily outstripping both male and female
competitors for the record of most Academy Award nominations. She is famous for her strong,
authoritative roles; she portrayed a powerful—if terrifying—boss in The Devil Wears Prada
(2006) and a [60] formidable leader in The Giver (2014). Streep has received [61] accolades
for such parts, as 15 of her 19 Academy Award nominations were in the category of Best
Actress in a Leading Role. Even Streep, however, is subject to the inequities of the film
industry: in The Devil Wears Prada her characters love life was brought to the forefront and
depicted as a sacrifice that she, as a woman in power, had to continually make for the good of
her career.
60. Which choice gives a second supporting example that is most similar to the example
already in the sentence?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) a mild-mannered bakery owner in It's Complicated (2009)
(C) a talented country singer in A Prairie Home Companion (2006).
(D) a struggling novelist in Manhattan (1979)
61.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) privileges
(C) recognition
(D) attention
TEST
A [62] rigid red-and-white sign erected on a rural road in Burma reads, "[The Military] AND
THE PEOPLE IN ETERNAL UNITY. ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO DIVIDE THEM IS
OUR ENEMY."
62.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) graphic
(C) rare
(D) stark
Five years after Eric Arthur Blair began his tour of duty in the far-flung, [63] obscure Asian
colony, he returned to his homeland, shed his uniform, changed his name to George Orwell,
and started a new career as a novelist.
63.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) darkened
(C) obvious
(D) uncertain
The Irish rock band U2 dedicated their song "Walk On" to Burmese academic Aung San Suu
Kyi, who was under house arrest from 1989 until 2010 because of her pro-democracy stance.
[64] The members of U2 have a history of incorporating their political views into their music.
Her National League for Democracy (NLD) won the 1990 elections with an overwhelming
majority, but she was not allowed to serve. In 1991, she received the Nobel Peace Prize, [65]
an honor given out to people and organizations by the Nobel Committee since 1901.
64. The writer is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the writer do this?
(A) Yes, because the sentence does not support the main idea of the paragraph.
(B) Yes, because the sentence should be moved to the beginning of the paragraph.
(C) No, because the sentence expands upon the main idea of the paragraph.
(D) No, because the sentence introduces an important detail about Burma.
65. Which choice most effectively maintains support for claims or points in the text?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) though she only heard about it on the radio while confined in her home.
(C) but she was not able to accept the award until almost two decades later in 2012.
(D) in recognition of her commitment to a nonviolent struggle for democracy in Burma.
TEST
Military rule supposedly ended in 2011. Then-Secretary of State Hilary Clinton visited in 2011
and President Obama in 2012. The European Union has lifted sanctions against Burma and
offered them financial aid. [66] There are signs that the country is emerging from their
isolation. However, it's too soon to be sure that the people of this land are finally free of the
ever-watching gaze of Big Brother.
66. At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:
In 2010, things started to change in Burma with the end of house arrest for Aung San
Suu Kyi.
Should the writer make this addition here?
(A) Yes, because it provides additional historical detail in the paragraph.

(B) Yes, because it aids the flow of ideas in the paragraph.
(C) No, because the sentence should be added at the beginning of the paragraph.
(D) No, because the sentence provides information that is irrelevant to the paragraph and
doesn't support the main idea.
The place of public education within a democratic society has been widely discussed and
debated through the years. Perhaps no one has written more widely on the subject in the United
States than John Dewey, [67] a philosopher and teacher, whose theories on education have a
large social component, that is, an emphasis on education as a social act, and the classroom or
learning environment as a replica of society.
67. Which choice provides the most relevant detail?

(A) NO CHANGE
(B) sometimes called "the father of public education,"
(C) the son of a grocer in Burlington, Vermont,
(D) a university professor who taught ethics and logic,
Direction was not to be of an [68] autonomous nature, but rather indirect through the selection
of the school situations in which the youngster participated.
68.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) uncertain
(C) overt
(D) abstract
TEST
According to Dewey, education in such a society should provide members of the group a stake
or interest in social relationships and the ability to [69] subjugate change without
compromising the order and stability of the society.
69.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) negotiate
(C) complicate
(D) obfuscate
[70] Compared to animals, plants present unique problems in demographic studies. The idea
of counting living individuals becomes difficult given perennials that reproduce vegetatively
by sending out runners or rhizomes, splitting at the stem base, or producing arching canes that
take root where they touch the ground. In these ways some individuals, given sufficient time,
can extend out over a vast area.
70. What choice provides the most logical introduction to the sentence?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) There are five typical plant life spans, and each presents
(C) Plants are an important source of food, and they present
(D) Annual is one type of plant, and it presents
TEST
Biennial plants are also herbaceous, but usually live for 2 years. [71] Their first year is spent
in vegetative growth, which generally takes place more below ground than above.
Reproduction occurs in the second year, and this is followed by the completion of the life
cycle. Under poor growing conditions, or by experimental manipulation, the vegetative stage
can be drawn out for more than 1 year.
Herbaceous perennials typically live for 20–30 years, although some species have been known
to live for 400–800 years. These plants die back to the root system and root crown at the end
of each growing season. The root system becomes woody, but the above-ground system is
herbaceous. [72] They bloom and reproduce yearly after an initial vegetative state, making
them popular landscaping plants. Sometimes they bloom only once at the conclusion of their
life cycle. Because herbaceous perennials have no growth rings, it is difficult to age them.
Methods that have been used to age them include counting leaf scars and [73] reducing the
rate of spread in tussock (clumped) forms.
71. The writer is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the writer do this?
(A) Yes, because it doesn't support the main idea of the paragraph.
(B) Yes, because it is out of place in the paragraph.
(C) No, because it describes vegetative growth.
(D) No, because it describes what happens in the first year.
72. Which choice most effectively maintains the paragraph's focus on relevant information
and ideas?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Their initial vegetative state lasts 2–8 years, which is an adaptation that is not seen in
animals.
(C) Blooming and reproducing early, herbaceous perennials include such plants as hollyhocks,
aster, and yarrow.
(D) They have a juvenile, vegetative stage for the first 2–8 years, then bloom and reproduce
yearly.
73.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) hedging
(C) estimating
(D) valuing
They develop perennial, woody tissue only near the base of their [74] stems. The rest of the
shoot system is herbaceous and dies back each year.
74. Which choice most effectively combines the two sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) stems, the rest of the shoot system
(B) stems because the rest of the shoot system
(C) stems: the rest of the shoot system
(D) stems; the rest of the shoot system
TEST
[75] Irregardless of the life span, annual or perennial, one can identify about eight important
age states in an individual plant or population.
75.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Regardless
(C) Inregardless
(D) Regarding less
They are: (1) viable seed, (2) seedling, (3) juvenile, (4) immature, (5) mature, (6) initial
reproductive, (7) maximum vigor (reproductive and vegetative), and (8) senescent. If a
population shows all eight states, it is [76] stable and is most likely a part of a climax
community. If it shows only the last four states, it may not maintain itself and may be part of
a seral community.
76. Which choice is most consistent with the style and tone of the passage?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) diminishing
(C) ephemeral
(D) uniform
[77] [1] Within certain fields, workers are especially likely to receive different salaries. [2]
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), large differences in wages can be explained
by a variety of factors. [3] Commercial pilots, for example, had a median annual wage of
$75,620: more than double the median for all occupations in May 2014. [4] But that median
figure [78] diminishes the fact that the gap between the 90th percentile wage and the 10th
percentile wage was more than $100,000. [5] In other words, just because someone chooses
to be a commercial pilot does not necessarily mean he or she will earn as much as the top
earners in the field.
77. For the sake of the cohesion of this paragraph, sentence 1 should be placed
78.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) contradicts
(C) conceals
(D) equivocates
TEST
[79] Everyone is unique. Each person comes to a position with her own set of skills, a capacity
for adapting to the demands of the job, and their own personal strengths and weaknesses. In
addition, job titles can be [80] deceiving. No two jobs are identical. In some fields, this allows
for opportunity to advance dramatically in terms of rank and earnings. There are the fields in
which these differences are very obvious, such as professional sports or the entertainment
field.
79. The writer is considering revising the underlined sentence to read:
Everyone likes to have a job that suits his or her own needs.
Should the writer make this revision?
(A) Yes, because this strengthens the relationship between the first sentence and the second.
(B) Yes, because it is generally a true statement, and it adds detail to the paragraph.
(C) No, because it does not support the main idea of the paragraph as described in the next
sentence.
(D) No, because it is just a restatement of the information provided in the next sentence.
80.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) tenuous
(C) impractical
(D) incidental
CHAPTER 5
Complete Test
CHAPTER 5 COMPLETE TEST 141
COMPLETE TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
The Giants of Theater (B) elders
(C) seniors
The great dramatists of the 20th
(D) historians
century—Arthur Miller, Tennessee
Williams, John Osborne, and Harold 02.
Pinter—still owe an enormous creative
debt to their 19th-century [1] forebears, (A) NO CHANGE
most particularly to the two (B) from the works of these two men
Scandinavian playwrights Henrik Ibsen directly derive.
and August Strindberg. The hallmarks
of modern theater in their present (C) derive directly from the works of
incarnation — from stark realism to these two men.
surreal expressionism — [2] from the two (D) come directly from this.
mens' works directly derive.
[3] Strindberg and Ibsen were not just 03.
rivals themselves. In addition to this, Which choice provides the best
they were impassioned artistic combination of the underlined
adversaries. Famously, Strindberg sentences?
mocked and attacked Ibsen's most
successful and enduring play, "A Doll's (A) Strindberg and Ibsen were neither
House," in a short story of the same title rivals nor adversaries.
and claimed that his ongoing hostilities (B) Strindberg and Ibsen were far more
with Ibsen had cost him his "wife, than rivals—what is more, they had the
children, fortune, and career." Ibsen,
qualities of artistic competitiveness.
meanwhile, somewhat more [4] soberly
— though no less venomously — kept a (C) Strindberg and Ibsen were
portrait of Strindberg in his study where themselves not just rivals but
he worked, naming it "Madness impassioned artistic adversaries.
Incipient." He once remarked, "I can't (D) Strindberg and Ibsen lacked not just
write a line without that madman staring a rivalry, but also lacked an adversarial
down at me with those crazy eyes." spirit.
04.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) soberly; though no less venomously
kept
(C) soberly though no less—venomously
kept
(D) soberly: though no less venomously,
kept
142 CHAPTER 5 COMPLETE TEST
COMPLETE TEST
Strindberg and Ibsen found ways to 05.

clash with one another on nearly every
The writer would like to express that
issue of their time—politics, society, Strindberg and Ibsen shared their ideas
science, religion, women's rights —[5] by on contemporary issues in both direct
focusing on how these current events and indirect ways. Which choice best
had global implications. But at the core conveys this?
of their rivalry lay something more
elemental than mere differences of (A) NO CHANGE
opinion and competitive antagonism; (B) all of which found either subtle or
the characters that populate each writer's overt expression in their plays.
[6] respectedly works are fundamentally
distinct in the way they relate to the (C) through a willingness to both
world around them. Michael Meyer, [7] compromise and stick to their guns,
a Hollywood screenwriter for many depending on the situation.
prominent films, once compared the (D) some of which called for metaphor,
two, writing, "Ibsen's characters think some which called for simile.
and speak logically and consecutively . .
. Strindberg's dart backwards and 06.
forwards. They do not think, or speak, (A) NO CHANGE
ABCDE but AQBZC." These two men — (B) respectable
writing in the same genre at the same (C) respectful
point in history, and emerging from both (D) respective
the same level of society and corner of
the world — [8] nonetheless developed 07.
remarkably antithetical worldviews, The writer wants to insert a brief
each powerful enough not only to statement at this point that speaks about
weather the criticism of the opposition Meyer's qualifications to have a
but to develop and grow in spite of it. worthwhile opinion on this topic.
Which, if true, best accomplishes this
goal?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) , a noted scholar on ancient
Scandinavian history,
(C) , a contemporary Scandinavian poet,
(D) , translator and biographer of both
playwrights,
08.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) consequently
(C) also
(D) divergently
COMPLETE TEST
Although in life the two considered 09.

themselves plenary [9] opposites as
(A) NO CHANGE
drama continues to evolve into the
postmodern era, we may begin to realize (B) opposites as drama continues, to
that the worlds envisioned by Strindberg evolve into the postmodern era we may
and Ibsen were perhaps not so different (C) opposites, as drama continues to
as they believed. Described by evolve into the postmodern era, we may
playwright Bernard Shaw as [10] "the
giants of the theatre of our time," their (D) opposites as drama continues to
lingering influences have coexisted and evolve into the postmodern era we may
even comingled in drama for more than 10.
a century now. The staggering plurality
of postmodern theater itself we must (A) NO CHANGE
attribute, at least in part, to the initial (B) the giants of the theatre of our time,
fracturing of the modern drama in its (C) the giants' of the theatre of our time,
[11] outset state, when refusing to yield (D) 'the giants of the theatre of our time,'
to prevailing winds, Strindberg and
Ibsen produced a cyclone. 11.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) germinating
(C) floral
(D) germinal
COMPLETE TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Gravity, It's Everywhere (B) eminent
(C) complimentary
His is a household name, and he is most
(D) complementary
often thought of as a man unearthing the
world's most [12] imminent mysteries
13.
while napping under an apple tree. He is
Sir Isaac Newton, an English physicist (A) NO CHANGE
and mathematician responsible for the
(B) revolutionary, two objects
law of universal gravitation. More than
regardless of their mass, exert
300 years ago, the idea was quite [13]
revolutionary: two objects, regardless of (C) revolutionary — two objects
their mass, exert gravitational force regardless of their mass, exert
toward one another with a force
(D) revolutionary; two objects,
proportional to the product of the two
regardless of their mass exert
masses and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.
Newton's equation explained why that 14.
apple fell onto his head, [14] why on the
(A) NO CHANGE
ground one firmly stays, and how Earth
(B) on the ground one firmly stays,
orbits the sun. It also allowed NASA
(C) why one stays firmly on the ground,
scientists to send a man to the moon
(D) one stays firmly on the ground,
many years later. Newton's discovery of
gravity wasn't nearly as impressive as
his revelation that gravity was universal.
COMPLETE TEST
Using Kepler's laws of planetary 15.

motion, Newton attempted [15] to cast
Which choice best expresses Newton's
aside all previous scientific discoveries,
scientific journey based on the context
supposing that planets could move
of the passage?
around the Sun because of a force acting
between the bodies. The apple, he (A) NO CHANGE
reasoned, fell [16] and it was attracted to (B) to fill in the blanks,
Earth, and even if it was much higher in (C) to gather more observational data,
the tree, it would still fall toward Earth. (D) to explore the solar system,
So why didn't the moon fall and crash 16.
into Earth? Newton attested that the
moon is, [17] in fact, in a constant (A) NO CHANGE
freefall to Earth but is caught in a (B) because
gravitational field, and Earth's (C) but
movement allows the moon to orbit it (D) from
without ever hitting the surface. The
equation, though simple, accounts for 17.
the position of all planets and moons and (A) NO CHANGE
is partly responsible for [18] the paths of (B) as a matter of fact,
astronauts and the successful orbits of (C) (can you believe it?),
satellites. (D) based on his accurate theoretical
contemplations,
18.
The writer wishes to express that
Newton's theory can explain the
behavior of human-influenced space
activities. Which choice best
accomplishes this goal?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) the movements of both comets and
asteroids.
(C) the rising of the tides and the
occurrence of earthquakes.
(D) Einstein's eventual development of a
revolutionary paradigm.
COMPLETE TEST
It wasn't until 1915 that Albert Einstein 19.

expanded on Newton's work to impart
(A) NO CHANGE
his theory of general relativity, which
(B) it
states that the gravity of any mass curves
(C) these
the space and time around it. Einstein's
(D) Newton's law of universal
theory of relativity is superior to [19]
gravitation
Newton because it takes into account
special relativity and can be used when
20.
great precision is necessary. By creating
a metric theory of gravitation, Einstein (A) NO CHANGE
showed that phenomena in classical (B) starlight used it to bend the
mechanics correspond to inertial motion demonstration
within a curved geometry of space-time.
This scientific discovery laid the (C) it also demonstrated how starlight
groundwork in both astrophysics and bends
cosmology for years to come. Not only (D) demonstrating the starlight
did the theory help to explain an
irregularity in Mercury's orbit, but [20]
the bending of starlight was also 21.
demonstrated by it and set the theoretical (A) NO CHANGE
foundations for black holes. (B) Additionally,
[21] So, when extreme precision isn't a (C) For this very reason,
requirement, Newton's law of universal (D) Yet,
gravitation is still widely used to
approximate the effects of gravitation— 22.
say, for instance, in physics class. [22] The writer wants to conclude the essay
While Newton's theory was preeminent with a sentence that speaks to the lasting
for a time, that time is long since gone. relevance of Newtonian theory. Which
choice best accomplishes the writer's
aim?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) It's hard to believe that science from
the year 1687 is still applicable today.
(C) It is impressive that Newtonian
theory could account for irregularities in
Mercury's orbit.
(D) Students in today's classrooms still
recognize Newton as a brilliant mind.
COMPLETE TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Do the Numbers Lie? (B) continues
(C) is continue
The question of college rankings [23]
(D) are continuing
continue to be a major player at every
level of the university. From the student
24.
flipping through college guides, to
academics searching for job offerings, to (A) NO CHANGE
department administrators figuring their (B) institutes performance — its
next year's budget, the number next to (C) institutes performance; it's
the university can decide quite a bit. The (D) institute's performance, its'
ranking is supposed to be an indicator of
the [24] institute's performance: its
ability to produce excellence. So it
makes sense, particularly with the rising
COMPLETE TEST
tuition costs, that prospective students 25.

should weigh the value of their money
The writer wants to insert a sentence at
against the reputation of the education
this point that further develops the
they will receive. [25] Furthermore,
argument in the paragraph and
faculty must consider, like all job
incorporates information from the
seekers, the security of their
graph. Which choice best accomplishes
employment and the opportunities for
this goal?
career advancement. And more often
than not, a university's funding and (A) This trend is diluted by nearly a 20
resources are directly affected by how it percent overall drop in state and local
measures up in the vast world of governmental support for public
rankings. [26] Rankings often comprise universities between 1998 and 2008,
a variety of important educational making college students bear ever less of
factors. the tuition burden.
(B) This trend is encouraged by nearly a
10 percent overall increase in state and
local governmental support for public
universities between 1998 and 2008,
making college students bear a moderate
amount of the tuition burden.
(C) This trend is exacerbated by nearly a
10 percent overall drop in state and local
governmental support for public
making college students bear ever more
of the tuition burden.
(D) This trend is worsened by nearly a
30 percent overall drop in state and local
governmental support for public
making college students bear far too
much of the tuition burden.
26.
Which choice provides the best
transition between the current paragraph
and the following paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Universities are in dire need of
alternative sources of income.
(C) Applicants often consider college
rankings, but those numbers provide
insufficient information on which to
base a choice.
(D) High schools today have become
real pressure cookers.
COMPLETE TEST
The needs and goals of high school 27.

students are far too nuanced to decide on
(A) NO CHANGE
a university by a single number. Could a
(B) your
particular student searching for the best
(C) they're
fit for the next four to five years of [27]
(D) his or her
their life ever find all the answers in a
college ranking report? While one
28.
student may be looking for small class
sizes, another may be looking for job (A) NO CHANGE
placement, while [28] in another is in (B) from
search of a strong study abroad program. (C) one
When taking into account all the aspects (D) still
of a successful college experience, the
ranking system is oversimplified and
ineffective. What works for one may not
work for another. Moreover, ranking
reports do little to show whether
universities are doing a good job at
actually educating.
COMPLETE TEST
[29] To counter ranking systems and 29.

create a more meaningful college
experience, many universities are
introduction to this paragraph?
adopting undergraduate initiatives that
incorporate internships, research (A) NO CHANGE
experiences, study abroad programs, (B) In order to satisfy federal demands
and community outreach opportunities. for greater governmental oversight,
The idea is simple: the best
undergraduate experience is one that is (C) So they may attract students from
engaging, challenging, and lifelong. [30] underrepresented demographic groups,
In such programs these experiences just (D) To provide more opportunities for
like required classes, are essential to the students to acquire financial assistance,
degree which encourages collaboration
between faculty and students, as well as 30.
commitment to the community. Often, (A) NO CHANGE
students are introduced to their
university's [31] alumni who have (B) In such programs, these experiences
graduated from the school who share just like required classes are essential to
their interests and exposed to careers in the degree, which
their field of study. This university (C) In such programs these experiences
approach can be attractive to the student just, like required classes, are essential
who is looking for more than a number to the degree which
on a page.
(D) In such programs, these experiences,
just like required classes, are essential to
the degree, which
31.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) alumni who are graduates of the
educational institution in question
(C) alumnuses who are proud to have
both matriculated and successfully
graduated from the school
(D) alumni
COMPLETE TEST
The decision of which college to attend 32.

is one of the biggest a person will make.
(A) NO CHANGE
While it is important to keep up with
(B) well
which universities are leading the
(C) better
world's research and hiring the most
(D) good
notable experts, it is more important to
consider which university will [32] best
33.
foster your growth and personal
development. College rankings that (A) NO CHANGE
encourage differentiation between better (B) leafs
and worse universities [33] leaves a lot (C) lives
on the table. (D) leave
COMPLETE TEST

following passage.
(A) NO CHANGE
Draw Your Home (B) my teacher, Mrs. Wabash; asked
In the third grade, [34] my teacher Mrs. (C) my teacher — Mrs. Wabash, asked
Wabash, asked the class to spend ten (D) my teacher, Mrs. Wabash, asked
minutes sketching our home,
specifically the exterior of our house as 35.
it appeared to passersby. This prelude (A) NO CHANGE
was part of a larger exercise that I [35] (B) had since long forgot.
have long since forgotten. What I (C) has long since forgotten.
remember most was sitting in my desk (D) forgot since long.
completely dumbfounded for the
majority of that interval, wondering how
on earth I had forgotten the space where 36.
I spent the majority of my eight years. (A) NO CHANGE
Surely, I could recall most of my (B) And
bedroom; I knew my house was blue; of (C) For
course, there were many windows and a (D) But
big porch. [36] Consequently, what did
the door look like? Were there three or 37.
four steps leading to it? [37] How could
Which choice logically maintains the
he know this was even a real door? To
flow and focus established by the
these questions and many more, I had no
preceding sentences?
answer.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Was the roof pointed or squared?
(C) Why should I study architecture?
(D) I remembered what my neighbor's
house looked like.
COMPLETE TEST
That afternoon, I walked home from the 38.

bus stop, sat on my lawn, and
(A) NO CHANGE
meticulously copied what I saw [38] in
(B) into paper,
paper, memorizing every detail.
(C) onto paper,
Wounded at my previous inattention, I
(D) within paper,
began studying every structure that I
[39] personally visited myself. The
39.
obsession resulting from Mrs. Wabash's
experiment did not fade with time. By (A) NO CHANGE
high school, my journal of sketched (B) witnessed with my own two eyes.
structures transformed from ones I had (C) entered.
seen to ones I had thought up (D) foresaw.
independently. I became transfixed with
several iconic [40] buildings: the 40.
Guggenheim, Getty Center, Reichstag,
Smithsonian, among others. When it (A) NO CHANGE
came time to fill out college (B) buildings; the Guggenheim, Getty
applications, I didn't blink before Center,
selecting "Architecture" as my intended
major. (C) buildings—the Guggenheim Getty
Center
The word meant little to me at the time:
just that I could eventually be paid to do (D) buildings. The Guggenheim, Getter
what I had been doing ineptly for years. Center,
An architect is one who plans, designs,
41.
and oversees the construction of [41]
buildings homes and other structures. I (A) NO CHANGE
researched the course requirements at (B) buildings, homes, and other
three universities I was considering and structures.
found, to my amazement, a quote from a
professor of architectural engineering in (C) buildings homes, and other
one of the programs; he said, "The study structures.
of architecture is one grounded in the (D) buildings, homes, and other,
sciences, but inspired by the arts." I was structures.
hooked.
COMPLETE TEST
Since then, I have found my work as a 42.

professional architect to be [42]
If the author wishes to express both the
undoubtedly rewarding and mercilessly
positive and negative nature of
demanding. Architects are rarely
architecture, which of the following
afforded a regular workweek. Instead,
choices best accomplishes her goal?
we spend hours upon hours preparing
and re-preparing scale drawings, (A) NO CHANGE
looking into environmental and safety (B) fearsomely boring and drearily
regulations, and meeting with clients. trivial.
From contracts to design to
construction, the architect is there, [43] (C) moderately enjoyable and somewhat
there job never done. It is indeed an interesting.
occupation that encompasses nearly (D) terribly impersonal and pleasantly
every field of work—engineering, dispassionate.
mathematics, marketing, administration,
customer service, law, and public safety 43.
are all needed in successful architecture. (A) NO CHANGE
[44] Sometimes I ponder whether all of (B) their job
the time I spend on my architectural (C) our job
projects is truly worth the effort. (D) his or her job
44.
concludes the essay by tying it to the
introductory paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) I look forward to one day fulfilling
my dream of becoming an actual
architect rather than a starry-eyed
student.
(C) Yet when a job is finished, truly
finished, and I look up at it, I thank Mrs.
Wabash.
(D) My dream ever since the third grade
of studying architecture was about to
become a reality.

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CONTENT

1 Idioms & Diction

39 Development & Organization

85 Concision, Style, and Syntax

119 Review Test

141 Complete Test

after the party

On the SAT, a preposition may also appear where none is necessary

'Are we prepared to insist to our independence and demand to be treated by America

'Remember that your greatest ethical responsibility is to constantly strive to

(Pre)occupied with: busy doing something

Proficient in: able to do something well or skillfully

Prized for: considered very valuable or important

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

Abide by. Accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation)

Accede to. Agree to a demand, request, or treaty.

According to. As stated by or in

Accuse of. charge (someone) with an offence or crime.

Addicted to. Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance.

Agree to (something). You agree to a plan or suggestion.

Agree on. Come to terms, and People agree on or about a subject.

Agreeable to. acceptable

Be agreeable to something. to be willing to do something or willing to allow

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

Amazement at. A feeling of great surprise or wonder.

Amenable to. Capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible

Among. The preposition among refers to collective arrangements; use it when

Amount. Amount is used in reference to mass nouns (also known as uncountable

Appetite for. A strong desire or liking for something.

Appreciation of. A full understanding of a situation; Gratitude

Argue about (something). You argue about something or over something

Argue with (someone). You argue with someone

Apply for. Make a formal application or request.

Approve of. Officially agree to or accept as satisfactory.

Arrived at a decision/solution/compromise. to reach a decision, or solution after a lot

Aside from. Apart from.

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

Capable of. Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a

Chary of. Cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something.

Comment on. A verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction.

Complain about. Express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

Comply with. Act in accordance with a wish or command.

Conform to. Comply with rules, standards, or laws.

Consists of. Have as an essential feature.

Continual. Continual means happening at intervals. (Salesmen are continually

Continuous. Continuous means going on without interruption. (Without a moment of

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

Conversant with. Familiar with or knowledgeable about something.

Depend on. Be controlled or determined by.

Desirous of. Having or characterized by desire.

Desist from. Stop doing something; cease or abstain.

Differ from. to be different from something in some way

Discriminate against. Recognize a distinction; differentiate.

Disinterested. Disinterested means without bias. (An umpire must be disinterested to

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

IDIOMS AND CONFUSING WORDS

Hanged, hung. When a person is executed, he is hanged. When anything is suspended