Module II: Reading and Writing

Math - SAT Practice Test 7

The local government's initiative to plant more trees has been met with enthusiasm from the community. Urban planner Leo Thompson believes that increasing the number of trees will ______ the city's aesthetic appeal, as well as provide environmental benefits.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

1
Mark for Review

undermine

heighten

disregard

obscure

Researchers at the Australian Marine Biodiversity Hub are investigating the box jellyfish species Chironex fleckeri to assess whether environmental factors such as water temperature and salinity have ______ effect on the composition of their venom. The aim is to understand if variations in these environmental conditions correlate with significant changes in venom composition.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

2
Mark for Review

a negligible

a moderate

a minimal

a pronounced

In a 2020 study by Cybersecurity Agency of Atlantic, analysts observed that patterns in data breaches across major corporations were not haphazard. On the contary, they postulate these occurrences were ______, indicating a coordinated effort by hackers.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

3
Mark for Review

orchestrated

restrained

anticipated

replicated

The 1965 novel The Scent of the Wild by Liam Green intricately describes the landscapes and smells of the countryside, transporting readers into the settings he depicts. Fans and critics alike have complimented Green's ability to craft a profoundly ______ experience through his detailed sensory descriptions.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

4
Mark for Review

auditory

visual

tactile

immersive

In a project focusing on renewable energy, engineers at the Green Tech Innovation Center are assessing the impact of solar panels' orientation on their ______ in energy output. The objective is to determine if the angle at which solar panels are installed can significantly affect the efficiency and total power generation in different climate zones.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

5
Mark for Review

capacity

variability

absorption

composition

In a recent initiative to assess energy sustainability, engineers at the City Power Solutions are scrutinizing the impact of solar panel ______ on local electricity grids. The project is designed to evaluate whether integrating these renewable energy sources can effectively reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and contribute to energy independence.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

6
Mark for Review

innovation

utilization

disruption

conservation

The following text is from Aria Bloom's novel Beneath the Watercolor Sky. The protagonist, Evelyn, is a painter trying to find inspiration in her coastal hometown.

Evelyn was known for her vibrant watercolor paintings, her skill in capturing the essence of a scene unmatched by her peers. Yet, recently, she had been struggling with a creative block, her canvas remaining untouched. As she walked along the shore, the once inspiring vista seemed dull and monotonous. The vastness of the ocean, with its ever-shifting blues, seemed to echo her own feeling of being adrift. The sand beneath her feet, the sound of the waves crashing — it all seemed to highlight her sense of displacement.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

7
Mark for Review

It highlights Evelyn's mastery of watercolor techniques.

It foreshadows a dramatic turn of events in Evelyn's personal life.

It introduces the coastal setting of the story.

It signifies Evelyn's frustration with her lack of creative inspiration.

Text 1

Researchers recently discovered a fossilized leaf in a 45-million-year-old sediment layer. This leaf has a unique vein pattern and a distinct shape, which led scientists to initially classify it as belonging to a previously unknown species of ancient fern. The characteristics of the leaf, especially its vein structure, appeared to be quite distinct from known plant species of that era.

Text 2

A subsequent study by a different group of botanists examined additional fossilized plant remains found in the same sediment layer. Upon closer examination of these new fossils, including leaves and stems, the researchers identified several similarities with a rare but known species of conifer. They proposed that the fossilized leaf initially thought to be a fern is more likely a part of this conifer species, noting that the vein patterns, while unusual, are consistent with some conifer varieties.

Based on the texts, what would the botanists in Text 2 most likely say about the researchers' initial classification in Text 1?

8
Mark for Review

It is misguided because the distinctive vein pattern clearly indicates it is not a fern.

It is partially correct, considering the age of the fossil plays a significant role in classification, yet the leaf's unique characteristics more closely align with those of a conifer than a fern.

It is accurate because the leaf's distinct shape and vein pattern are typical of ancient fern species.

It is understandable because the unique characteristics of the leaf could easily be mistaken for a fern, even though it is likely a conifer.

This passage is from Desert Mirage by Elena Harlow. Jamal is a desert dweller.

Jamal found tranquility in the vast expanses of the Sahara. The oasis dwellers might greet him warmly or try to engage him in stories of the day, but he would remain indifferent, choosing to return to the solitude of the desert. When the merchants Salim and Rashid arrived on the awaited camel caravan, Jamal barely acknowledged them until they began discussing the changing desert winds. Then, he showed a modest interest, receiving their desert wisdom as if he was doing them a favor by listening.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

9
Mark for Review

Jamal is distancing himself from the life of the oasis.

Jamal finds peace in the solitude of the desert rather than in socializing with the oasis dwellers.

Jamal respects Salim and Rashid because of their knowledge about the desert winds.

Jamal enjoys Salim and Rashid's conversations about the desert.

In the sun-drenched savannas of Kenya, cheetahs reign supreme, renowned for their exceptional hunting prowess. This hunting ability, largely attributed to their incredible speed, has been known to be critical to cheetahs' survival. However, in the arid regions of the Tsavo East National Park, where prey animals are limited due to the harsh environmental conditions, local cheetah populations are flourishing. To explain this observation, local zoologist Peter Akwana conjectured that the cheetahs, in response to limited prey, have started to rely more on scavenging than hunting, supplementing their diet and ensuring their survival.

Which finding, if true, would most directly undermine Peter Akwana's hypothesis?

10
Mark for Review

A local tribe has been known to leave behind portions of their hunt for scavengers.

Other carnivores in the Tsavo East National Park, such as hyenas and vultures, are known scavengers, and their populations are also thriving.

Observation of the cheetahs in the Tsavo East National Park showed that they still spend a major portion of their day hunting.

The prey animals in Tsavo East National Park have been observed to have a slower average speed compared to those in other regions, making them easier targets.

Cascades of Time is a 1923 poem by Helena Morris. The poem reflects the speaker's fascination with the relentless and unceasing flow of a river: ______

Which quotation from the poem most effectively illustrates the claim?

11
Mark for Review

"With every twist and turn, the river sculpts the land, / Its current a constant artist, never resting, ever grand."

"The river's song, a timeless tune, / Whispers of journeys from mountain to moon."

"It rushes on, a liquid thread, through valleys deep and wide, / A journey set by nature's hand, with time itself as guide."

"Each ripple a story, each wave a new verse, / In the river's flow, the world's secrets disperse."

In the science fiction novel Neural Nexus by Margaret Penn, the author seeks to blur the boundaries between human and machine, suggesting that the symbiotic relationship between the two is more complex than generally understood, stating, ______

Which quotation from Neural Nexus most effectively illustrates the claim?

12
Mark for Review

"As Janice interfaced with the computer, her thoughts began to accelerate, a fusion of organic and synthetic intellect."

"Machines, though created for servitude, displayed an uncanny curiosity that mirrored human inquiry."

"The silence of the dormant robots spoke volumes, raising ethical questions about the future of AI."

"Bound by invisible threads, human and machine coexisted even in the uncharted reaches of space."

Antioxidants such as phenolics and flavonoids in fruits can be enhanced by certain environmental factors. Julia Chen and her team at Cornell University hypothesized that exposing apples to UV light increases their antioxidant activity, as measured by the levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. To test this hypothesis, they conducted an experiment with two groups of apples: one group was exposed to UV light, while the other group was not, serving as a control. After the treatment period, they measured the levels of total phenolics and flavonoids in both groups of apples.

Which choice best describes data in the table that support Chen and her colleagues' hypothesis?

13
Mark for Review

Both groups of apples showed similar levels of total phenolics and flavonoids.

The control apples had higher levels of flavonoids than the UV light-exposed apples.

The apples exposed to UV light showed higher levels of both total phenolics and flavonoids than the control apples.

The apples without UV light exposure showed higher levels of total phenolics, but the flavonoid levels were similar in both groups.

When studying various bird species, one can observe considerable differences in their reproductive strategies and lifespan. Species like sparrows, known for their high reproductive rate, tend to have shorter lifespans. On the other hand, parrots, which produce fewer offspring, tend to live considerably longer. An ornithologist hypothesized that bird species producing fewer offspring per year would generally exhibit longer lifespans.

Which choice best describes data from the table that support the ornithologist's hypothesis?

14
Mark for Review

Crows produce fewer offspring per year than sparrows and live shorter.

Parrots produce the least number of offspring per year and have the longest lifespan.

Pigeons produce less offspring per year than parrots and have a shorter lifespan.

Sparrows produce the most offspring per year.

In studying language acquisition in children, researchers found that the mirror neuron system, which activates during observation and imitation, plays a significant role in learning. They also observed that word retention is improved through repetition and positive reinforcement. Consequently, frequent interaction with caregivers who provide descriptive language and positive reinforcement should likely ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

15
Mark for Review

diminish the effectiveness of the mirror neuron system in language acquisition.

limit the number of words a child can learn over a given period.

enhance a child's ability to grasp and retain new words and phrases.

prevent the child from being able to imitate complex sentence structures.

The Sumerian civilization, from which modern     Mesopotamian cultures are descended, arose as early as 4500 B.C.E. in what is now Iraq and mysteriously disappeared around 1900 B.C.E., leaving behind extensive cities with systems for producing textiles. Recent analysis comparing ancient textile remnants found in Ur, a Sumerian city, to samples from contemporary textile production in Anatolia revealed that modern textiles bear certain shared weaving patterns with Sumerian ones, patterns that only appeared in Anatolia after 1800 B.C.E. Thus, researchers concluded that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

16
Mark for Review

the conditions for textile production in Anatolia and Ur were more similar in the past than they are today.

the communities in Anatolia had little to no textile production before 1800 B.C.E.

the Sumerians of Ur likely adopted weaving techniques from other regions.

some Sumerians likely migrated to Anatolia around 1900 B.C.E., carrying their textile-production practices with them.

Deep within ancient forests, the canopy formed by towering trees ______ the forest floor, creating a unique ecosystem where diverse forms of plant and animal life thrive in the filtered light.

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

17
Mark for Review

shelters

shelter

sheltering

to shelter

Typically, heavy modifications and aftermarket parts decrease a car’s resale ______ when the vehicle is associated with a notable racing driver like Enzo Ferrari, such alterations, often customizations for performance, can greatly enhance its collectibility.

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

18
Mark for Review

value

value,

value but

value, but

Pioneers in the field of computer science, Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper are often celebrated for ______ contributions to early computing. Their work laid the foundation for future innovations, even though they operated in an era when women's achievements in science were frequently overlooked.

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

19
Mark for Review

her

she's

their

they’re

Professional photographers must carefully consider their subjects' surroundings to capture compelling images. They often adjust their camera settings to ensure that the ______ are highlighted in the final photograph.

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

20
Mark for Review

subjects' features

subjects' feature's

subjects features

subjects feature's

For generations, storytelling has been a cornerstone of childhood, not just for entertainment but also for moral education. For example, Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales, a collection of enchanting stories that captivate children's imaginations, ______ valuable life lessons subtly.

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

21
Mark for Review

imparts

impart

are imparting

have imparted

A writer and historian with an extensive body of work on ancient civilizations, and whose publications have been translated into multiple languages, including in-depth studies on the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and ______ Samuel Harris was invited to present at the International Archaeological Symposium.

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

22
Mark for Review

Greece;

Greece

Greece,

Greece:

The Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions, spans from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south. ______ water cycle, influencing everything from weather patterns to marine biodiversity.

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

23
Mark for Review

The ocean's vast expanse makes it an essential component of the Earth's

The oceans vast expanse makes it an essential component of the Earths'

The oceans' vast expanse makes it an essential component of the Earths

The ocean's vast expanse makes it an essential component of the Earths'

The Galápagos Islands are known for their unique biodiversity, which inspired Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. The isolation of the islands has allowed for the evolution of distinct species not found anywhere else on Earth. ______ conservationists are implementing measures such as invasive species removal and habitat restoration to protect these endemic species.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

24
Mark for Review

Accordingly,

For instance,

However,

Firstly,

The Clean Air Act, enacted in 1970, was a landmark environmental law in the United States that aimed to improve air quality. It authorized the development of comprehensive federal and state regulations to limit emissions from both stationary (factories) and mobile (vehicles) sources. ______ the legislation provided for research into the monitoring and control of air pollution.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

25
Mark for Review

Therefore,

Instead,

Additionally,

Firstly,

In his filmography, director Quentin Tarantino is known for his non-linear storytelling and graphic violence. ______ for his movie Jackie Brown, Tarantino utilized a more conventional, linear narrative structure, deviating from his characteristic storytelling style.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

26
Mark for Review

Thus,

However,

Furthermore,

Likewise,

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

There are estimated to be over 3,000 different types of teas in the world.

The taste profiles of some teas change over time.

Darjeeling tea is an example of a tea whose taste profile has changed over time.

Darjeeling tea was once described as having a light, floral flavor.

Now, it's often described as having a more complex flavor profile, with notes of fruit, spice, and muscatel.

The student wants to make and support a generalization about the flavor profiles of teas. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish these goals?

27
Mark for Review

There are estimated to be over 3,000 types of teas in the world; their flavor profiles may change over time.

Like Darjeeling, over 3,000 types of teas in the world have a complex flavor profile.

Darjeeling, which was once described as having a light, floral flavor, is now described as having a more complex flavor profile.

The flavor profile of a tea may change over time: Darjeeling's flavor description has shifted from simply light and floral to more complex flavor.