SAT Reading Comprehension 3

Question 1

A 19th-century passage uses the phrase 'the better angels of our nature.' In context, this refers to:

Accepted Answer

People's nobler instincts

Answer

The phrase metaphorically describes humanity's best, most virtuous impulses.

Question 2

When a question asks for the 'central claim' of a science passage, the best answer is one that:

Accepted Answer

Summarizes the main argument the whole passage supports

Answer

A central claim is the overarching point that all details in the passage work to support.

Question 3

An author describes a rival's theory as 'elegant but ultimately untenable.' The phrase signals that the author finds the theory:

Accepted Answer

Appealing yet impossible to defend

Answer

'Elegant but untenable' praises the theory's appeal while rejecting its validity.

Question 4

A passage notes that data were 'gathered over three decades from diverse populations.' This detail mainly strengthens the study's:

Accepted Answer

Reliability and breadth

Answer

A long time span and varied subjects make findings more robust and generalizable.

Question 5

In a fiction passage, a character 'forced a smile' when greeting a guest. This detail most strongly implies the character feels:

Accepted Answer

Inward reluctance

Answer

A 'forced' smile suggests the friendliness is performed rather than felt.

SAT Practice Test