DSAT Reading and Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads the following sentence: 'The committee, after hours of deliberation, finally reached a consensus.' Which word is the simple subject of this sentence?
- committee (Correct answer)
- hours
- deliberation
- consensus
Correct answer: committee
The simple subject is 'committee' — the prepositional phrase 'after hours of deliberation' is a modifier, not the subject.
Question 2: Read the passage: 'Some researchers argue that social media fosters connection; others contend it breeds isolation. The debate remains unresolved.' The author's primary purpose is to:
- present opposing viewpoints without taking a side (Correct answer)
- argue that social media is harmful to society
- prove that social media improves human connection
- call for more government regulation of social media
Correct answer: present opposing viewpoints without taking a side
The passage presents two conflicting perspectives and states the debate is 'unresolved,' indicating a neutral, balanced purpose.
Question 3: Which choice best completes the sentence? 'The scientist's findings were ______, overturning decades of established theory.'
- revolutionary (Correct answer)
- redundant
- conventional
- ambiguous
Correct answer: revolutionary
'Revolutionary' correctly describes findings that overturn established theory, matching the context of dramatic change.
Question 4: A student wants to add a transition that shows contrast between two sentences. Which word or phrase is most appropriate?
- However (Correct answer)
- Furthermore
- Similarly
- Therefore
Correct answer: However
'However' signals contrast, making it the correct choice when two ideas conflict or differ.
Question 5: In context, what does the word 'ephemeral' most nearly mean in the sentence: 'The beauty of a sunset is ephemeral, lasting only minutes before darkness falls.'
- short-lived (Correct answer)
- brilliant
- natural
- distant
Correct answer: short-lived
'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time, supported by the context clue 'lasting only minutes.'
Question 6: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- She loved hiking; she went to the mountains every weekend. (Correct answer)
- She loved hiking; and went to the mountains.
- She loved; hiking in the mountains every weekend.
- She loved hiking and; went to the mountains.
Correct answer: She loved hiking; she went to the mountains every weekend.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses; 'She loved hiking' and 'she went to the mountains every weekend' are both complete sentences.
Question 7: A passage states: 'Urban green spaces reduce stress, lower crime rates, and improve air quality.' A student wants to add a detail supporting the claim about air quality. Which addition is most relevant?
- Studies show trees in cities absorb pollutants and reduce particulate matter. (Correct answer)
- Parks encourage community gatherings and social bonding.
- Green spaces can increase property values in nearby neighborhoods.
- Research links park access to reduced rates of depression.
Correct answer: Studies show trees in cities absorb pollutants and reduce particulate matter.
Only the detail about trees absorbing pollutants directly supports the air quality claim made in the passage.
DSAT Reading and Writing 2
A student reads the following sentence: 'The committee, after hours of deliberation, finally reached a consensus.' Which word is the simple subject of this sentence?