Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Flashcards

Passage: "Critics initially dismissed the artist's use of unconventional materials as _____, but retrospective exhibitions later revealed a coherent, decades-long artistic vision." Which word best completes the sentence?

Answer: gimmickry

'Gimmickry' means using tricks or stunts without real substance, matching the critics' initial dismissal of the unconventional approach.

A table shows three fertilizer types (A, B, C) and plant growth in centimeters after 30 days: Type A: 18 cm, Type B: 22 cm, Type C: 15 cm. Which conclusion is directly supported?

Answer: Plants treated with Type B grew the most in this study.

Type B produced the highest growth (22 cm) within this specific study; broader conclusions require more evidence.

Select the option that correctly uses who/whom: '___ the committee selects will lead the organization's international outreach program.'

Answer: Whoever

'Whoever' is the subject of the embedded clause 'whoever the committee selects will lead'; the whole clause is the subject of the main verb.

Text 1 explains that the placebo effect can produce measurable physiological changes. Text 2 describes a study in which patients who received placebos labelled as 'placebos' still showed improvement. What does Text 2 contribute to the discussion in Text 1?

Answer: It shows that the placebo effect can occur even without patient deception.

Improvement even with transparent placebos extends Text 1's claim by showing the effect does not require deception.

Passage: "The early climate models, though imperfect, were groundbreaking in their day; they established a framework that later, more sophisticated models built upon and refined." The author's attitude toward the early climate models is:

Answer: Balanced — acknowledging limitations while recognizing their foundational importance.

The author acknowledges imperfection ('though imperfect') but also praises them as 'groundbreaking' and foundational, showing a balanced view.

Choose the most effective concluding sentence for a paragraph arguing that arts education improves critical thinking: 'Studies show that students enrolled in arts programs outperform peers on problem-solving assessments. _____'

Answer: Arts education, far from being a luxury, is a core driver of the analytical skills students need across all disciplines.

Option A directly reinforces the argument that arts education develops critical and analytical skills, linking the evidence to a strong concluding claim.

Passage: "Many of the region's wetlands have been drained for agricultural use; this conversion, while economically beneficial in the short term, has reduced biodiversity and increased flood risk." The author's use of 'while' signals:

Answer: A concession that the conversion had real economic benefits before presenting its drawbacks.

'While' introduces a concession ('economically beneficial in the short term') before pivoting to the negative consequences.