Bluebook SAT Test Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: "The scientist's latest paper, while densely written, offered a compelling argument for revising long-held assumptions about deep-sea ecosystems." The word 'compelling' most nearly means:
- Convincing (Correct answer)
- Controversial
- Confusing
- Concise
Correct answer: Convincing
'Compelling' means strongly persuasive or convincing, which fits the context of an argument that prompts reconsideration.
Question 2: Passage: "Unlike her predecessor, who favored bold, sweeping policy changes, the new director preferred incremental reforms, believing that sustained progress required building consensus step by step." The passage primarily conveys that the new director:
- Values gradual change over dramatic overhaul. (Correct answer)
- Opposes policy reform entirely.
- Shares the same philosophy as her predecessor.
- Believes consensus-building slows progress.
Correct answer: Values gradual change over dramatic overhaul.
The passage contrasts the director's 'incremental reforms' and consensus-building approach with her predecessor's 'bold, sweeping' style.
Question 3: Passage: "Despite decades of research, scientists remain divided on whether a specific gene variant is a cause of the condition or merely a marker associated with it." Which choice best states the main claim of the text?
- Scientists have not yet determined whether the gene variant causes or merely correlates with the condition. (Correct answer)
- Research has definitively linked the gene variant to the condition.
- The gene variant is unrelated to the condition in question.
- Decades of research have been wasted on an inconclusive topic.
Correct answer: Scientists have not yet determined whether the gene variant causes or merely correlates with the condition.
The passage states scientists are 'divided' on causation versus correlation, which is best captured by answer A.
Question 4: The following sentence has a punctuation error. Choose the correctly punctuated version: 'She submitted the report however she forgot to include the data appendix.'
- She submitted the report; however, she forgot to include the data appendix. (Correct answer)
- She submitted the report, however she forgot to include the data appendix.
- She submitted the report however, she forgot to include the data appendix.
- She submitted the report; however she forgot to include the data appendix.
Correct answer: She submitted the report; however, she forgot to include the data appendix.
A conjunctive adverb like 'however' joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Question 5: Text 1 argues that urban green spaces reduce stress. Text 2 notes that access to green spaces is unevenly distributed across income levels. How does Text 2 relate to Text 1?
- It complicates Text 1's argument by raising an equity concern. (Correct answer)
- It directly contradicts Text 1's main claim.
- It provides additional evidence supporting Text 1.
- It is unrelated to Text 1's discussion.
Correct answer: It complicates Text 1's argument by raising an equity concern.
Text 2 does not dispute the stress-reduction benefit but highlights that not everyone has equal access, complicating the broader claim.
Question 6: Which choice most logically completes the text? 'Paleontologists recently discovered fossilized footprints that predate any previously known hominin fossils in the region; therefore, ______.'
- human ancestors may have inhabited the area earlier than previously thought. (Correct answer)
- the fossils are unrelated to human evolutionary history.
- footprints are unreliable evidence in paleontological research.
- the region has no significant role in human prehistory.
Correct answer: human ancestors may have inhabited the area earlier than previously thought.
Earlier footprints push back the timeline for human presence in the region, supporting an earlier habitation date.
Question 7: Passage: "Although the term 'superfood' is widely used in popular media, it has no official scientific definition." The author's use of quotation marks around 'superfood' most likely serves to:
- Signal that the term is informal or lacks scientific standing. (Correct answer)
- Imply that the foods in question are genuinely superior.
- Indicate that the term was coined by researchers.
- Suggest that the author endorses the term.
Correct answer: Signal that the term is informal or lacks scientific standing.
Quotation marks here distance the author from the term, reinforcing that it lacks formal scientific definition.
Bluebook SAT Test Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice 1
Passage: "The scientist's latest paper, while densely written, offered a compelling argument for revising long-held assumptions about deep-sea ecosystems." The word 'compelling' most nearly means: