DSAT Reading and Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read this sentence: 'Neither the coach nor the players was satisfied with the outcome.' Which revision corrects the subject-verb agreement error?
- Neither the coach nor the players were satisfied with the outcome. (Correct answer)
- Neither the coach nor the players is satisfied with the outcome.
- Neither the coach nor the players are being satisfied with the outcome.
- Neither the coach nor the players been satisfied with the outcome.
Correct answer: Neither the coach nor the players were satisfied with the outcome.
When 'neither...nor' connects subjects, the verb agrees with the closer subject ('players'), which is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 2: A passage describes a scientist who spent 30 years studying ant colonies. The author refers to her as 'tireless.' Based on context, 'tireless' most likely means:
- persistently dedicated without flagging (Correct answer)
- physically unable to feel fatigue
- working without taking any breaks
- reluctant to stop despite poor results
Correct answer: persistently dedicated without flagging
'Tireless' in context means dedicated and persistent over a long period, not literally incapable of fatigue.
Question 3: Which choice most effectively combines the following two sentences? 'The novel was praised by critics. It failed to attract a wide readership.'
- Although the novel was praised by critics, it failed to attract a wide readership. (Correct answer)
- The novel was praised by critics, and it failed to attract a wide readership.
- The novel was praised by critics; and it failed to attract a wide readership.
- The novel was praised by critics because it failed to attract a wide readership.
Correct answer: Although the novel was praised by critics, it failed to attract a wide readership.
'Although' correctly signals the contrast between critical praise and poor readership, making option A the most logical and grammatical combination.
Question 4: The graph shows average reading scores increasing from 2010 to 2020, then dropping sharply in 2021. Which claim is best supported by this data?
- Reading scores declined significantly after a decade of improvement. (Correct answer)
- Reading programs implemented in 2010 were ultimately ineffective.
- Students in 2021 spent less time reading than in previous years.
- The drop in 2021 will likely continue through the next decade.
Correct answer: Reading scores declined significantly after a decade of improvement.
The data directly shows a rise followed by a sharp decline in 2021, supporting only the factual claim about the trend.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to catch the bus, her backpack fell off. (Correct answer)
- Running to catch the bus, she dropped her backpack.
- She dropped her backpack while running to catch the bus.
- Her backpack fell as she ran to catch the bus.
Correct answer: Running to catch the bus, her backpack fell off.
In option A, 'Running to catch the bus' modifies 'her backpack,' which cannot run — this is a dangling modifier.
Question 6: A student reads: 'The author uses the metaphor of a storm to describe the character's inner turmoil.' What does this sentence primarily analyze?
- literary technique (Correct answer)
- plot summary
- character motivation
- historical context
Correct answer: literary technique
Identifying and discussing a metaphor is an analysis of literary technique, not a plot summary or character motivation.
Question 7: In the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section, what does it mean for evidence to be 'textual'?
- The evidence comes directly from words in the passage. (Correct answer)
- The evidence is supported by outside research.
- The evidence is based on a graph or chart.
- The evidence is drawn from the student's personal experience.
Correct answer: The evidence comes directly from words in the passage.
Textual evidence refers specifically to words, phrases, or sentences found in the passage itself.
DSAT Reading and Writing 3
Read this sentence: 'Neither the coach nor the players was satisfied with the outcome.' Which revision corrects the subject-verb agreement error?