PSAT Questions + Answers Part 3
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:55 am
QUESTION 201
In the incomplete table above, the sum of the three integers in each row, column, and diagonal is the same. If the numerical values in four of the blocks are as shown, what is the value of w ?
A. -6 B. -5 C. 2 D. 5 E. 8
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the sum of the integers in each row, column, and diagonal is the same, it follows that w - 2 + a = 3 + a - 3. Thus w - 2 = 0 so that w = 2. The answer to this problem is (C).
QUESTION 202
If n is an odd integer, which of the following must be an odd integer?
A. n-1 B. n+1 C. 2n
D. 3n+1 E. 4n+1
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If n is an odd integer, both one more and one less than n will be even integers, eliminating choices (A) and (B). Any even multiple of n will be an even integer, eliminating choice (C). However, 4n is even, making 4n +1 an odd integer. The answer to this problem is (E). Note that 3n + 1 is even if n is odd and it is odd if n is even. Since the question asks, "Which of the following MUST be an odd integer," (D) cannot be the correct answer.
QUESTION 203
A 19-liter mixture consists by volume of 1 part juice to 18 parts water. If x liters of juice and y liters of water are added to this mixture to make a 54-liter mixture consisting by volume of 1 part juice to 2 parts water, what is the value of x ?
A. 17 B. 18 C. 27 D. 35 E. 36
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
It is given that the 19-liter mixture consists by volume of 1 part juice to 18 parts water, so that there is 1 liter of juice and 18 liters of water in the mixture. Since the ratio juice/water =
1/18 and x liters of juice and y liters of water are added to make a mixture consisting by volume of 1 part juice to 2 parts water, then equation The new mixture is 54 liters; therefore, x + y =
54 - 19 = 35. The two simultaneous equations to be solved are equation and x + y = 35.
Since the question askes for the value ofx, substitute y = 35 - x into the fractional equation obtaining equation It follows that 2 + 2x = 18 + 35 - x or 3x = 51 so x = 17. The
answer to this problem is (A).
QUESTION 204
If a and b are integers greater than 100 such that a + b = 300, which of the following could be the exact ratio of a to b ?
A. 9to1 B. 5to2 C. 5to3 D. 4to1 E. 3to2
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
To solve this question, you need to look at the answer choices. For any of the answer choices to be the ratio of a to b, some multiple of the sum of the two numbers must evenly divide 300. For example, if the ratio of a to b equaled 9 to 1, then a would equal 9x and b would equal x for some number x. Furthermore, 9x + x would have to equal 300. This is possible since 10x = 300 yields an integer solution, namely x = 30. However, if x = 30, then a would equal 270 and b would equal 30. Although the sum of these numbers equals 300, they do not satisfy the other condition in the problem. That is, both of these numbers are not greater than 100. Therefore, choice (A) can be eliminated. Answer choices (B) and (C) can be eliminated since neither the sum of the two numbers in (B) nor the sum of the two numbers in (C) evenly divided 300. (5x + 2x = 300 does not yield an integer solution, nor does 5x + 3x = 300.)
Although answer choices (D) and (E) are possible ratios of a to b (both 4x + x = 300 and 3x + 2x = 300 yield integer solutions), (D) results in a = 240 and b = 60 and can be eliminated since 60 is not greater than 100.
Only choice (E) gives a correct ratio of a to b that satisfies all of the conditions in the problem. For (E), a = 180 and b = 120, and both integers are greater than 100.
QUESTION 205
In the figure above, a square is inscribed in a circle with diameter d. What is the sum of the areas of the shaded regions, in terms of d ?
A. equation B. equation C. equation D. equation E. equation
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The sum of the areas of the shaded regions is the area of the circle minus the area of the square. The area of the circle is equation where equation Therefore, this area is equation. To
find the area of the square, you need the length of one of the sides. Since the diagonal of the square is d, each side equals equation. Therefore, the area of the square is equation. The
sum of the areas of the shaded regions is equation which equals equation.
The correct answer is (A).
QUESTION 206
Two seniors, Abby and Ben, and two juniors, Cathy and Dave, are to be assigned to the 3 lockers shown above according to the following rules. The locker assignments of all four students can be determined from the assignments of which of the following pairs?
A. AbbyandBen II.Ben and Cathy III.Cathy and Dave
B. Ionly
C. II only
D. III only
E. IandIIonly
F. I,II,andIII
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the students are to be assigned to the lockers shown, each "assignment" is the pairing of a student with a specific locker (locker #46, #47, or #48), not the pairing of a student with another student. The conditions of the problem allow you to deduce which students will share a locker, but they are not enough to allow you to deduce the specific locker assignments. For example, knowing that Cathy and Dave will share a locker does not tell you to which locker they will be assigned. First consider what knowing the assignments of Abby and Ben will tell you about the locker assignments of the remaining two students. Since Abby and Ben are seniors and they cannot share a locker with each other or with any juniors, you know that Cathy and Dave must share the third locker. Since you know the specific locker assignments of all four students, (I) is correct. If you know the assignments of Ben and Cathy, you know that Abby is in the third locker and Dave must share Cathy's locker. Therefore, (II) is correct.
If you know the assignments of Cathy and Dave (they must share the same locker), you only know to whom one of the lockers is assigned. You will not know specifically to which lockers Abby and Ben are assigned -- you will only know that they do not share a locker. The correct answer is choice (D).
QUESTION 207
For positive integers a and b, let a b be defined as ab+1. If x and y are positive integers and x
y = A.
16, which of the following could be a value of y?
B. C. D. E. F.
Ionly
II only
I and III only IIandIIIonly I,II,andIII
1 II.2 III.3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
For this question, you are given that x circle graphic y = 16 where x circle graphic y is defined
as xy +1. You are asked which of three values are possible for y when xy +1 = 16. The value of y could be 1 if x = 4, since 41+1 = 42 = 16. So I is correct. The value of ycould be 3 if x = 2, since 23+1 = 24 = 16. So III is correct. Since there is no integer that can be raised to the (2 + 1) or 3rd power to obtain 16, II is not correct. The correct answer is (C).
QUESTION 208
If Lynn can type a page in p minutes, what piece of the page can she do in 5 minutes?
A. 5/p
B. p-5
C. p+5 D. p/5
E. 1-p+5
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 209
If Sally can paint a house in 4 hours, and John can paint the same house in 6 hour, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house together?
A. 2hoursand24minutes B. 3hoursand12minutes C. 3 hours and 44 minutes D. 4 hours and 10 minutes E. 4hoursand33minutes
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 210
Employees of a discount appliance store receive an additional 20% off of the lowest price on an item. If an employee purchases a dishwasher during a 15% off sale, how much will he pay if the dishwasher originally cost $450?
A. $280.90 B. $287
C. $292.50 D. $306
E. $333.89
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
QUESTION 211
The sales price of a car is $12,590, which is 20% off the original price. What is the original price?
A. $14,310.40 B. $14,990.90 C. $15,290.70 D. $15,737.50 E. $16,935.80
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 212
Solve the following equation for A : 2A/3 = 8 + 4A
A. -2.4 B. 2.4 C. 1.3 D. -1.3 E. 0
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 213
If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue?
A. 8
B. 10 C. 14 D. 19 E. 21
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 214
Alfred wants to invest $4,000 at 6% simple interest rate for 5 years. How much interest will he receive?
A. $240 B. $480 C. $720 D. $960 E. $1,200
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 215
Jim is able to sell a hand-carved statue for $670 which was a 35% profit over his cost. How much did the statue originally cost him?
A. $496.30 B. $512.40 C. $555.40 D. $574.90 E. $588.20
Correct Answer: A
Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 216
The city council has decided to add a 0.3% tax on motel and hotel rooms. If a traveler spends the night in a motel room that costs $55 before taxes, how much will the city receive in taxes from him?
A. 10cents B. 11cents C. 15 cents D. 17 cents E. 21cents
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 217
A student receives his grade report from a local community college, but the GPA is smudged. He took the following classes: a 2 hour credit art, a 3 hour credit history, a 4 hour credit science course, a 3 hour credit mathematics course, and a 1 hour science lab. He received a "B" in the art class, an "A" in the history class, a "C" in the science class, a "B" in the mathematics class, and an "A" in the science lab. What was his GPA if the letter grades are based on a 4 point scale? (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
A. 2.7 B. 2.8 C. 3.0 D. 3.1 E. 3.2
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 218
Simon arrived at work at 8:15 A.M. and left work at 10: 30 P.M. If Simon gets paid by the hour at a rate of $10 and time and 1⁄2 for any hours worked over 8 in a day. How much did Simon get paid?
A. $120.25 B. $160.75 C. $173.75 D. $180
E. $182.50
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 219
Grace has 16 jellybeans in her pocket. She has 8 red ones, 4 green ones, and 4 blue ones. What is the minimum number of jellybeans she must take out of her pocket to ensure that she has one of each color?
A. 4 B. 8 C. 12 D. 13 E. 16
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 220
If r = 5 z then 15 z = 3 y, then r =
A. y
B. 2y C. 5y D. 10y E. 15y
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 221
If y = 3, then y3(y3-y)=
A. 300 B. 459 C. 648 D. 999 E. 1099
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 222
If the average of three numbers is V. If one of the numbers is Z and another is Y, what is the remaining number?
A. ZY-V
B. Z/V-3-Y C. Z/3-V-Y D. 3V-Z-Y E. V-Z-Y
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
appropriate answer.
QUESTION 223
You need 4/5 cups of water for a recipe. You accidentally put 1/3 cups into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. How much more water in cups do you need to add?
A. 1/3cups B. 2/3cups C. 1/15 cups D. 7/15 cups E. 7/16cups
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 224
7 1/2 - 5 3/8 =
A. 11/2 B. 12/3 C. 21/8 D. 31/4 E. 3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
clear answer.
QUESTION 225
Which of the following letters represents the vertex in the following picture?
A. DandE B. EandH C. FandG D. G only E. Honly
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 226
If a circle has the diameter of 8, what is the circumference?
A. 6.28 B. 12.56 C. 25.13 D. 50.24 E. 100.48
Correct Answer: C Section: (none)
Explanation Explanation/Reference:
straight answer.
QUESTION 227
What is the area of the triangle below?
A. 22cm2 B. 33cm2 C. 44 cm2 D. 50 cm2 E. 66cm2
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 228
In his pocket, a boy has 3 red marbles, 4 blue marbles, and 4 green marbles. How many will he have to take out of his pocket to ensure that he has taken out at least one of each color?
A. 3 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 11
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
true answer.
QUESTION 229
Which fraction is equal to 0.20%?
A. 1/20 B. 1/40 C. 1/50 D. 1/400 E. 1/500
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
QUESTION 230
Find the missing term in the following sequence: 4, 9, 19, __, 79
A. 36 B. 37 C. 38 D. 39 E. 40
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
agreed with the mentioned answer.
QUESTION 231
If Jessica only spent 20% instead of the 25% allotment for food in May of 2001, how much did she save?
A. $131.10 B. $144.30 C. $148.32 D. $152.22 E. $153.33
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
appropriate answer.
QUESTION 232
Jonathan can type a 20 page document in 40 minutes, Susan can type it in 30 minutes, and Jack can type it in 24 minutes. Working together, how much time will it take them to type the same document?
A. 5minutes B. 10minutes C. 15 minutes D. 18 minutes E. 20minutes
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
fine.
PSAT Reading
QUESTION 1
Given the seeming _______ of alternatives to fossil fuels, it seems rather ______ to continue on our current path without fully directing our collective resources to develop independence from questionable suppliers.
A. gluttony...reticent
B. plethora...pernicious
C. readiness. . .curious
D. availability. . .understandable E. capacity...forgiving
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A quick look at the first blank options doesn't yield much reduction of choices. In fact, any of them might be correct. Remembering that the tone of the sentence is bent toward the negative, we're looking for a fit for the second blank that is negative. Only Choice B, "pernicious," qualifies as it means harmful.
QUESTION 2
Jennifer liked third period best as her English professor was a most ______ fellow; so much so that there was often no time left for student input, which suited her fine.
A. garrulous B. ingenious C. superlative D. felicitous E. facetious
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choices A and E are the only real qualifiers as to there being no time left for student input. Choice E, "facetious," means jocular, and the good professor would likely be in jeopardy of losing his job were this the case. Choice A, "garrulous" or given to prosy rambling, fits the more typical English professor.
QUESTION 3
The paparazzi received many sizeable offers for the pictures of Ferggie in the ______ act of topless bathing in Capri.
A. embarrassing B. ignoble
C. hypocritical D. degenerative E. hedonistic
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice A, "embarrassing," certainly qualifies but may be too simplistic for an SAT question. Be guarded against picking the first factually correct choice. Choice C, "hypocritical," might qualify if we were told she typically spoke against such acts, but we aren't. Choice D, "degenerative," suggests a degraded act or a sexual perversion, and topless bathing generally would not meet such criteria, particularly in an area where such practice was commonplace. Choice E, "hedonistic," seems to fit with the exception that a singular incident does not a lifestyle devoted to pleasure make. Choice B, "ignoble," fits nicely, particularly since she represented the royal family.
QUESTION 4
It seems America has not lacked for presidents who as a result of their own ______ have performed acts that most considered insensitive, corrupt, and immoral.
A. grandiloquence B. fortitude
C. effluvia
D. demagoguery E. hubris
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Although many presidents are guilty of Choice A, "grandiloquence" or pompous speaking, and Choice D, "demagoguery" or politically appealing to the emotions or prejudice of a people, these acts don't typically qualify someone to perform the type acts represented. However, as pride goeth before a fall, Choice E, "hubris" or excessive pride, certainly sets one up for this type failure.
QUESTION 5
His _____ behavior toward her caused a considerable riff in the organization, partially because of the size of the company and partially because he was a married man with children.
A. untoward B. snide
C. mysterious D. periodic
E. obsequious
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given the response of the organization, the only adjective rising to the level to stimulate such action is Choice E, "obsequious," or excessively attentive, particularly given his marital status
QUESTION 6
He was held up to small children as an ______, one who is worthy of imitation, principally because of his self-sacrificing dedication to helping others--clearly his ______ made him deserving of such claim.
A. enigma...heart
B. exemplar...altruism C. egotist. . .devotion D. emancipator. . .thrift E. idol...immortality
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Clearly we are looking for two positives, the first of which must be exemplary. Only Choices B and D, "exemplar" and "emancipator" qualify. The second blank need also be positive, and only Choice B "altruism" or concern for others qualifies.
QUESTION 7
His proclivity for _____ had at one time made him a suspect in every open case of vandalism, but it also made him mentally qualified for the specialized unit in the military whose job it was to reduce ______ munitions.
A. trouble...reliance
B. gangmembership...builtup C. extirpation. . .stockpiled
D. intimidation. . .depleted
E. opulence...droll
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a first word match that would align with the crime of destruction or vandalism. Choices A, B, and C "trouble," "gang membership," and "extirpation" all qualify. The second blank should relate to the destruction of a certain type of munitions. Again, Choices B and C "built up" and "stockpiled" are possible. Now we're down to making a choice between two possible choices. Since "extirpation" means destruction and is more specific to the crime of vandalism than simply belonging to a gang, Choice C is correct.
QUESTION 8
The ______ aroma of the bark of this shrub make it ______ year round whether the leaves have fallen or not.
A. stark...indistinguishable B. subtle...anomalistic
C. pungent. . .recognizable D. hidden. . .obtrusive
E. sickening...reticent
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a complementary pair; either two negatives or two positives and given the overall tone of the sentence, try positive first. In this case, only "pungent" meaning strong and "recognizable" meaning recognizing makes Choice C correct.
QUESTION 9
As the grass roots movement gained momentum, outside forces attempted to infiltrate and change the direction of the original purpose so the sponsor recommended we adopt a ______, making it clear to the public our motives and purpose.
A. manifesto B. declaration C. statement D. mandate E. invocation
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A "manifesto" is a public declaration of policy or views and matches exactly what the sponsor recommended. Choices B and D, "declaration" and "statement," respectively, don't carry the specific meaning delineating policy or views as does "manifesto."
QUESTION 10
Given the research available today on how students learn differently, teachers need to have an ______ bag of tricks to successfully engage them all.
A. enormous B. expansive C. available D. impromptu E. eclectic
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Although the teacher's bag of tricks certainly needs to be A "enormous," B "expansive," C "available," and D "impromptu," none of these relate to the diversity of learning styles mentioned in the sentence. Choice E, "eclectic," means drawing on or from varied sources, which is the best choice for this question
QUESTION 11
Children today are being taught to be ______ of any abnormality including strangers, standing packages, or simply anything out of the order; not for merely their own good, but for the good of the community--such are the times we now live in.
A. skittish
B. wary
C. shy
D. impudent E. challenging
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given the tone of the sentence, only one choice meets the demands of the blank. Choice B, "wary," which means to be careful in guarding against danger or deception is the only selection that fully complies with the demand of the sentence.
QUESTION 12
In general, new breakthroughs in scientific and biological research allow us to identify origins of many viruses of formerly ______ origins.
A. escapable B. mysterious C. abstract D. useful
E. memorable
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice B, "mysterious," indicates that the origin of many viruses are discovered now only through new research methods.
QUESTION 13
Hitherto impossible research has been made ______ by the new technology recently engineered by her company with greatly enhanced scope and depth of mapping the core of the earth.
A. commonplace B. controversial C. problematic D. feasible
E. resolute
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given that the technology is new, it would hardly be Choice A, "commonplace," and since we're looking for a positive word--remembering that important tool of monitoring the tone of the sentence-- Choice D, "feasible," is the best choice.
QUESTION 14
The dissimilarities are absolutely striking; even though she is ______, she has few friends, and even though she is a ______ stylist, few customers ask for her when booking.
A. cute...fair
B. amiable...consummate C. professional. . .haphazard D. nice. . .radical
E. magnificent...futuristic
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're clearly looking for two qualifiers here: one regarding her ability to make friends as an offset to having few of them; two regarding her profession as a stylist and an offset to her having few requesting customers. Remembering the clue phrase "even though" is telling us that the word we're looking for is again, an offset to the conditions that follow that phrase. In the first blank, all choices are possible, although Choice B, "amiable," means easy to get along with, a really good match to the friendship issue. The second blank is the easier to eliminate bad choices and since "consummate" means complete or perfect, it is a good fit to her professional qualifications notwithstanding her lack of requesting customers.
QUESTION 15
Sales literature that provide excessively complex and irrelevant numbers tend to ______ the real facts and generate sales by causing buyers to accept ______ data in lieu of the real and truthful information so hidden.
A. obscure...spurious
B. hide...rational
C. confuse. . .representational D. elucidate. . .faulty
E. define...questionable
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the conditions set are "excessively complex and irrelevant," we are going to looking for two negatives. Looking at the first blank, only Choices A, B, and C are negative. Looking for a negative in the second blank, only "spurious" in that group of three qualify, making Choice A, "obscure," which means dim, hazy, or vague and "spurious," which means not genuine the best choice.
QUESTION 16
Only his truest and most _____ fans remained faithful followers following the news of his steroid use.
A. reticent
B. vocal
C. demonstrative D. boisterous
E. ardent
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Only Choice E represents something other than volume or noise. "Ardent," or characterized by warmth of feeling is the stand-alone qualifier.
QUESTION 17
It was her need to ______ that caused her to become an _____; the belief that the government was corrupt and the constant censorship being the two principal causes for move.
A. express...outcast
B. release...icon
C. expose. . .outsider
D. expatiate. . .expatriate E. control...anarchist
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a cause-and-effect relationship here, and that relationship has to do with the beliefs about the corrupt government and the fact that she is constantly censored. Someone who is censored has a need to present, and toward that end, Choices A, B, C, and D all qualify. Since we also know that her action involved moving, we can reduce the choices based on the second blank to Choices C and D. Further looking at the result of her actions and the subtleties of the sentence, we find that the censorship is recurring. So, in fine-tuning the first blank, we look for the word that best indicates a repetitive action. That choice is D,
"expatiate," which means to speak or write at length indicating often, making Choice D the best selection.
QUESTION 18
Not desirous of meeting his Maker in the middle of a poker game, Doc Holiday ______ placed an ace inside his vest as Bat Masterson shuffled the remaining cards.
A. suspiciously B. coyly
C. overtly
D. furtively
E. brazenly
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Clearly, we're looking for a word that suggests not drawing attention to oneself or causing a distraction away from the shuffling. Choice B, "coyly," might look like a possibility, but there is nothing shy or pretending shyness about hiding an ace in your vest opposite Bat Masterson. Choice D, "furtively," which means slyly or secretly done is the best choice.
QUESTION 19
Given ______ politicians can generally raise campaign financing easier than challengers, Lt. Governor James should have the advantage.
A. honest
B. incumbent
C. entrepreneurial D. opulent
E. gregarious
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice E, "gregarious," is an excellent distractor as it means social or companionable; a good trait for a politician to be sure, especially if he is raising money. But the gist of the sentence is not about qualifying a politician except in light of him or her being in office as opposed to a challenger. Choice B, "incumbent," best qualifies for this distinction.
QUESTION 20
Following the completion of an unusually arduous day at the office, Sue happily enjoyed the ______ experience of relaxing in the hot tub while watching television learning that she just won the state lottery.
A. erratic
B. superfluous C. halcyon
D. untoward E. geriatric
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a word that describes a most pleasant experience that causes much joy and is an offset to a difficult day. Choice C, "halcyon," meaning prosperous or most pleasant certainly fits the bill on both counts-- pleasant hot tub and prosperous winning of the lottery.
QUESTION 21
I trust a proposal for matrimony would seem more ______ were it written in the sky, or written on a scoreboard, or written in a test question for the SAT prep; which is what I am formally doing now in asking Teressa for her hand in marriage.
A. aggrandized B. sincere
C. appreciated D. honorable E. cherished
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
While all of the choices should apply, the best selection for the test question is Choice A, "aggrandized," which means to make great or greater, which is certainly my greatest hope.
QUESTION 22
Friends of the theater have long decried the ---- of the New York drama critics, whose reviews can determine the fate of a play in a single night.
A. insensitivity B. provinciality C. intelligence D. power
E. inaccuracy
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The missing word must fit the description of the critics given in the second half of the sentence. If they "can determine the fate of a play in a single night," then clearly they have a lot of "power."
QUESTION 23
The ---- manner in which the teacher candidate addressed the school board was a key factor in his rejection; the school board members agreed that enthusiasm is an essential quality in a teacher.
A. pretentious B. solicitous C. superficial D. perfunctory E. combative
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Remember that a semicolon (;) often indicates that the two halves of the sentence restate or paraphrase the same idea. The second half of this sentence tells us that the members of the school board wanted "enthusiasm" in a teacher candidate. Therefore, the word that describes the candidate they rejected should mean the opposite of "enthusiastic." "Perfunctory" fits the bill.
QUESTION 24
Her ---- writing style made it difficult to follow her thought processes--no surprise to her colleagues, who were familiar with her ---- manner of speech.
A. precise..arcane
B. laborious..tedious
C. trite . . flippant
D. convoluted . . circumlocutory E. ambiguous..affected
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since both blanks here describe something similar--the way this unnamed person communicates--the two words should be near-synonyms. And the words "difficult to follow her thought processes" make it clear that both missing words should mean "hard to understand, unnecessarily complicated
QUESTION 25
The giant squid is still ---- marine biologists, as it has never been seen alive, making it impossible to study in its natural habitat.
A. fascinatingto B. enigmaticto C. dangerous to D. exploited by
E. famousamong
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
This sentence has a cause-and-effect relationship, as indicated by the word "as." If the squid "has never been seen alive," one could logically conclude that it would be "enigmatic
QUESTION 26
Advertising can increase sales of a ---- product, but it cannot create demand for a bad one; consumers may buy a ---- item because of advertising--but only once.
A. good..new
B. reliable..costly
C. useful . . valuable
D. needless . . single
E. well-made..badlymade
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Both halves of the sentence make much the same point--that people will buy good products but not bad ones. Only the words in choice E. fit this idea.
QUESTION 27
Like Truman, who was never considered a major national figure until Roosevelt's death made him president, Ford attained national prominence only after ---- thrust him into the presidency.
A. personalambition
B. outsidecircumstances C. popular acclaim
D. political intrigue
E. publicdemand
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Obviously, the structure of this sentence is similarity. We want a phrase to fit in the blank that will match the description of how both Truman and Ford attained prominence. You don't need to know history; just realize that Ford's case must have resembled Truman's, in which pure accident (or "outside circumstances") made him president.
QUESTION 28
Thus far, predictions that global ---- would lead to mass starvation have proven false; however, in the years to come, population - --- may yet prove to be one of the world's greatest problems.
A. pollution..expansion B. overcrowding..growth C. poverty . . density
D. deforestation . . control E. warfare..stabilization
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The word "however" tells you that the two halves of the sentence contrast with one another. The first half says that "predictions" of "mass starvation have proven false"; the second half says that, in the future, (something) "may yet prove to be one of the world's greatest problems." Thus, the contrast involves the idea that a problem which doesn't exist now may come to exist in the future; the same problem is being discussed in the both parts of the sentence. Choice (B), then, makes sense because "global overcrowding" and "population growth" describe the same problem.
QUESTION 29
Amelia Earhart's hope of being the first woman to fly around the globe was ---- when she disappeared in the middle of her ---- journey.
A. thwarted..ill-fated
B. realized..triumphant
C. fulfilled . . historic
D. controversial . . hazardous E. postponed..famous
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If she disappeared during the journey, then clearly her hope of flying around the globe was "thwarted," choice A. "Ill-fated" is the logical word to use to describe a trip that ends this way (worse than losing your luggage).
QUESTION 30
The idea of "children's literature" ---- in the late eighteenth century, when educators first decided that children needed special -- -- of their own.
A. emerged..books B. changed..reading C. grew . . treatment
D. developed . . training E. receded..teaching
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If it wasn't until the late eighteenth century that educators decided children needed books of their own, then that must have been when the idea of children's literature"emerged," choice (A).
QUESTION 31
In some of the poorest neighborhoods of New York City, community gardens are springing up as ---- the filth and desolation of their urban surroundings.
A. anaffirmationof B. avalidationof
C. a reaction to
D. an amplification of E. acelebrationof
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
C). Only "reaction" makes sense as a description of the relationship betweena garden and surroundings that are full of "filth and desolation."
QUESTION 32
The neighborhood group's rendering of the proposed office complex ---- the ---- of the project: as they appeared on the drawing, the proposed office buildings appeared to dwarf the rest of the downtown area.
A. minimized..grandiosity B. accentuated..beauty C. underscored . . vastness D. trivialized . . enormity
E. revealed..immensity
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The second half of the sentence shows that "vastness" is the dominant quality of the proposed office complex.
QUESTION 33
Twentieth-century Japan faced the question of how to ---- the best of modern civilization without losing the benefits of Japan's ---- way of life.
A. reject..ancient
B. adopt..outmoded
C. assimilate . . traditional
D. incorporate . . contemporary E. reshape..historic
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The sentence describes something that twentieth-century Japan wanted to do; therefore, it must be referring to a desirable combination of the best of the old and the new. Choice C. makes sense because it refers to "assimilating," that is, absorbing, what is good in modern life while retaining what is "traditional." A negative word like "outmoded," choice B, wouldn't fit this context.
QUESTION 34
The proposal to forbid the use of indoor furniture on front porches has divided the town along ---- lines:
the affluent feel the old couches are eyesores, while those who cannot afford new outdoor furniture are ---- about what they feel is an attempt to restrict their lifestyle.
A. political..nonplussed B. aesthetic..dismayed C. class . . pleased
D. racial . . angry
E. socioeconomic..incensed
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Because the second half of the sentence contrasts "the affluent" with "those who cannot afford new outdoor furniture," we can see that the first blank should be filled with a word referring to class or economic differences. This narrows the possibilities to choices C. and (E). Choice C. doesn't work because an attempt to restrict someone's lifestyle wouldn't logically make them feel "pleased."
QUESTION 35
In his politics, Aristotle characterizes Plato's support of collectivism as ---- and ---- the unity of the city; not only would it be difficult to institute and enforce, but the absence of private property would lead to bickering among the citizens.
A. commendable..deleteriousto B. controversial..essentialto
C. impractical . . detrimental to
D. divisive . . indifferent toward
E. unattainable..supportiveof
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The two words in this answer choice nicely paraphrase the two points made later in the sentence: "impractical" = "difficult to institute," and "detrimental to . . . unity" = "lead[ing] to bickering"
QUESTION 36
The bright coloration of American coot chicks is an anomaly: although colorful plumage is usually ---- to newborn birds because it may attract predators, among this species it appears to be ----, because parents are more likely to notice and care for brightly-colored offspring.
A. pernicious..fatal
B. dangerous..unnecessary C. deleterious . . favorable
D. beneficial . . advantageous E. detrimental..helpful
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The words "anomaly" and "although" both suggest that the second half of the sentence is built around a contrast between the role colorful plumage usually plays among birds and the role it actually plays in this particular species. Thus, the two words we want must be nearly opposite in meaning, as the two words in choice E. are.
QUESTION 37
Unlike the American worker, who expects to work for several different firms during his or her career, until recently the Japanese worker regarded employment as - --- commitment.
A. alifetime
B. asignificant C. a bilateral
D. an economic E. amoral
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The word "Unlike" shows us that the two halves of the sentence will contrast with one another. The idea of a "lifetime" commitment nicely contrasts with the idea of changing jobs several times.
QUESTION 38
Andre's gift for music seemed to be ----; both his mother and grandfather before him had been famed concert pianists.
A. simulated B. innate
C. accidental D. inexplicable E. prodigious
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If musical talent runs in Andre's family, then it would be logical to consider his gift inborn, inherited, or "innate."
QUESTION 39
The many obvious lapses in the author's research make it ---- to accept the ---- of his conclusions.
A. easy..accuracy
B. impossible..meaning C. attractive . . logic
D. questionable . . structure E. difficult..validity
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A simple cause-and-effect relationship is required here; if the research contains "many obvious lapses," then accepting its conclusions would certainly be "difficult."
In the incomplete table above, the sum of the three integers in each row, column, and diagonal is the same. If the numerical values in four of the blocks are as shown, what is the value of w ?
A. -6 B. -5 C. 2 D. 5 E. 8
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the sum of the integers in each row, column, and diagonal is the same, it follows that w - 2 + a = 3 + a - 3. Thus w - 2 = 0 so that w = 2. The answer to this problem is (C).
QUESTION 202
If n is an odd integer, which of the following must be an odd integer?
A. n-1 B. n+1 C. 2n
D. 3n+1 E. 4n+1
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If n is an odd integer, both one more and one less than n will be even integers, eliminating choices (A) and (B). Any even multiple of n will be an even integer, eliminating choice (C). However, 4n is even, making 4n +1 an odd integer. The answer to this problem is (E). Note that 3n + 1 is even if n is odd and it is odd if n is even. Since the question asks, "Which of the following MUST be an odd integer," (D) cannot be the correct answer.
QUESTION 203
A 19-liter mixture consists by volume of 1 part juice to 18 parts water. If x liters of juice and y liters of water are added to this mixture to make a 54-liter mixture consisting by volume of 1 part juice to 2 parts water, what is the value of x ?
A. 17 B. 18 C. 27 D. 35 E. 36
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
It is given that the 19-liter mixture consists by volume of 1 part juice to 18 parts water, so that there is 1 liter of juice and 18 liters of water in the mixture. Since the ratio juice/water =
1/18 and x liters of juice and y liters of water are added to make a mixture consisting by volume of 1 part juice to 2 parts water, then equation The new mixture is 54 liters; therefore, x + y =
54 - 19 = 35. The two simultaneous equations to be solved are equation and x + y = 35.
Since the question askes for the value ofx, substitute y = 35 - x into the fractional equation obtaining equation It follows that 2 + 2x = 18 + 35 - x or 3x = 51 so x = 17. The
answer to this problem is (A).
QUESTION 204
If a and b are integers greater than 100 such that a + b = 300, which of the following could be the exact ratio of a to b ?
A. 9to1 B. 5to2 C. 5to3 D. 4to1 E. 3to2
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
To solve this question, you need to look at the answer choices. For any of the answer choices to be the ratio of a to b, some multiple of the sum of the two numbers must evenly divide 300. For example, if the ratio of a to b equaled 9 to 1, then a would equal 9x and b would equal x for some number x. Furthermore, 9x + x would have to equal 300. This is possible since 10x = 300 yields an integer solution, namely x = 30. However, if x = 30, then a would equal 270 and b would equal 30. Although the sum of these numbers equals 300, they do not satisfy the other condition in the problem. That is, both of these numbers are not greater than 100. Therefore, choice (A) can be eliminated. Answer choices (B) and (C) can be eliminated since neither the sum of the two numbers in (B) nor the sum of the two numbers in (C) evenly divided 300. (5x + 2x = 300 does not yield an integer solution, nor does 5x + 3x = 300.)
Although answer choices (D) and (E) are possible ratios of a to b (both 4x + x = 300 and 3x + 2x = 300 yield integer solutions), (D) results in a = 240 and b = 60 and can be eliminated since 60 is not greater than 100.
Only choice (E) gives a correct ratio of a to b that satisfies all of the conditions in the problem. For (E), a = 180 and b = 120, and both integers are greater than 100.
QUESTION 205
In the figure above, a square is inscribed in a circle with diameter d. What is the sum of the areas of the shaded regions, in terms of d ?
A. equation B. equation C. equation D. equation E. equation
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The sum of the areas of the shaded regions is the area of the circle minus the area of the square. The area of the circle is equation where equation Therefore, this area is equation. To
find the area of the square, you need the length of one of the sides. Since the diagonal of the square is d, each side equals equation. Therefore, the area of the square is equation. The
sum of the areas of the shaded regions is equation which equals equation.
The correct answer is (A).
QUESTION 206
Two seniors, Abby and Ben, and two juniors, Cathy and Dave, are to be assigned to the 3 lockers shown above according to the following rules. The locker assignments of all four students can be determined from the assignments of which of the following pairs?
A. AbbyandBen II.Ben and Cathy III.Cathy and Dave
B. Ionly
C. II only
D. III only
E. IandIIonly
F. I,II,andIII
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the students are to be assigned to the lockers shown, each "assignment" is the pairing of a student with a specific locker (locker #46, #47, or #48), not the pairing of a student with another student. The conditions of the problem allow you to deduce which students will share a locker, but they are not enough to allow you to deduce the specific locker assignments. For example, knowing that Cathy and Dave will share a locker does not tell you to which locker they will be assigned. First consider what knowing the assignments of Abby and Ben will tell you about the locker assignments of the remaining two students. Since Abby and Ben are seniors and they cannot share a locker with each other or with any juniors, you know that Cathy and Dave must share the third locker. Since you know the specific locker assignments of all four students, (I) is correct. If you know the assignments of Ben and Cathy, you know that Abby is in the third locker and Dave must share Cathy's locker. Therefore, (II) is correct.
If you know the assignments of Cathy and Dave (they must share the same locker), you only know to whom one of the lockers is assigned. You will not know specifically to which lockers Abby and Ben are assigned -- you will only know that they do not share a locker. The correct answer is choice (D).
QUESTION 207
For positive integers a and b, let a b be defined as ab+1. If x and y are positive integers and x
y = A.
16, which of the following could be a value of y?
B. C. D. E. F.
Ionly
II only
I and III only IIandIIIonly I,II,andIII
1 II.2 III.3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
For this question, you are given that x circle graphic y = 16 where x circle graphic y is defined
as xy +1. You are asked which of three values are possible for y when xy +1 = 16. The value of y could be 1 if x = 4, since 41+1 = 42 = 16. So I is correct. The value of ycould be 3 if x = 2, since 23+1 = 24 = 16. So III is correct. Since there is no integer that can be raised to the (2 + 1) or 3rd power to obtain 16, II is not correct. The correct answer is (C).
QUESTION 208
If Lynn can type a page in p minutes, what piece of the page can she do in 5 minutes?
A. 5/p
B. p-5
C. p+5 D. p/5
E. 1-p+5
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 209
If Sally can paint a house in 4 hours, and John can paint the same house in 6 hour, how long will it take for both of them to paint the house together?
A. 2hoursand24minutes B. 3hoursand12minutes C. 3 hours and 44 minutes D. 4 hours and 10 minutes E. 4hoursand33minutes
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 210
Employees of a discount appliance store receive an additional 20% off of the lowest price on an item. If an employee purchases a dishwasher during a 15% off sale, how much will he pay if the dishwasher originally cost $450?
A. $280.90 B. $287
C. $292.50 D. $306
E. $333.89
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
QUESTION 211
The sales price of a car is $12,590, which is 20% off the original price. What is the original price?
A. $14,310.40 B. $14,990.90 C. $15,290.70 D. $15,737.50 E. $16,935.80
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 212
Solve the following equation for A : 2A/3 = 8 + 4A
A. -2.4 B. 2.4 C. 1.3 D. -1.3 E. 0
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 213
If Leah is 6 years older than Sue, and John is 5 years older than Leah, and the total of their ages is 41. Then how old is Sue?
A. 8
B. 10 C. 14 D. 19 E. 21
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 214
Alfred wants to invest $4,000 at 6% simple interest rate for 5 years. How much interest will he receive?
A. $240 B. $480 C. $720 D. $960 E. $1,200
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 215
Jim is able to sell a hand-carved statue for $670 which was a 35% profit over his cost. How much did the statue originally cost him?
A. $496.30 B. $512.40 C. $555.40 D. $574.90 E. $588.20
Correct Answer: A
Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 216
The city council has decided to add a 0.3% tax on motel and hotel rooms. If a traveler spends the night in a motel room that costs $55 before taxes, how much will the city receive in taxes from him?
A. 10cents B. 11cents C. 15 cents D. 17 cents E. 21cents
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 217
A student receives his grade report from a local community college, but the GPA is smudged. He took the following classes: a 2 hour credit art, a 3 hour credit history, a 4 hour credit science course, a 3 hour credit mathematics course, and a 1 hour science lab. He received a "B" in the art class, an "A" in the history class, a "C" in the science class, a "B" in the mathematics class, and an "A" in the science lab. What was his GPA if the letter grades are based on a 4 point scale? (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0)
A. 2.7 B. 2.8 C. 3.0 D. 3.1 E. 3.2
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 218
Simon arrived at work at 8:15 A.M. and left work at 10: 30 P.M. If Simon gets paid by the hour at a rate of $10 and time and 1⁄2 for any hours worked over 8 in a day. How much did Simon get paid?
A. $120.25 B. $160.75 C. $173.75 D. $180
E. $182.50
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 219
Grace has 16 jellybeans in her pocket. She has 8 red ones, 4 green ones, and 4 blue ones. What is the minimum number of jellybeans she must take out of her pocket to ensure that she has one of each color?
A. 4 B. 8 C. 12 D. 13 E. 16
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 220
If r = 5 z then 15 z = 3 y, then r =
A. y
B. 2y C. 5y D. 10y E. 15y
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 221
If y = 3, then y3(y3-y)=
A. 300 B. 459 C. 648 D. 999 E. 1099
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 222
If the average of three numbers is V. If one of the numbers is Z and another is Y, what is the remaining number?
A. ZY-V
B. Z/V-3-Y C. Z/3-V-Y D. 3V-Z-Y E. V-Z-Y
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
appropriate answer.
QUESTION 223
You need 4/5 cups of water for a recipe. You accidentally put 1/3 cups into the mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. How much more water in cups do you need to add?
A. 1/3cups B. 2/3cups C. 1/15 cups D. 7/15 cups E. 7/16cups
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 224
7 1/2 - 5 3/8 =
A. 11/2 B. 12/3 C. 21/8 D. 31/4 E. 3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
clear answer.
QUESTION 225
Which of the following letters represents the vertex in the following picture?
A. DandE B. EandH C. FandG D. G only E. Honly
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 226
If a circle has the diameter of 8, what is the circumference?
A. 6.28 B. 12.56 C. 25.13 D. 50.24 E. 100.48
Correct Answer: C Section: (none)
Explanation Explanation/Reference:
straight answer.
QUESTION 227
What is the area of the triangle below?
A. 22cm2 B. 33cm2 C. 44 cm2 D. 50 cm2 E. 66cm2
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
QUESTION 228
In his pocket, a boy has 3 red marbles, 4 blue marbles, and 4 green marbles. How many will he have to take out of his pocket to ensure that he has taken out at least one of each color?
A. 3 B. 7 C. 8 D. 9 E. 11
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
true answer.
QUESTION 229
Which fraction is equal to 0.20%?
A. 1/20 B. 1/40 C. 1/50 D. 1/400 E. 1/500
Correct Answer: E Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
QUESTION 230
Find the missing term in the following sequence: 4, 9, 19, __, 79
A. 36 B. 37 C. 38 D. 39 E. 40
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
agreed with the mentioned answer.
QUESTION 231
If Jessica only spent 20% instead of the 25% allotment for food in May of 2001, how much did she save?
A. $131.10 B. $144.30 C. $148.32 D. $152.22 E. $153.33
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
appropriate answer.
QUESTION 232
Jonathan can type a 20 page document in 40 minutes, Susan can type it in 30 minutes, and Jack can type it in 24 minutes. Working together, how much time will it take them to type the same document?
A. 5minutes B. 10minutes C. 15 minutes D. 18 minutes E. 20minutes
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
fine.
PSAT Reading
QUESTION 1
Given the seeming _______ of alternatives to fossil fuels, it seems rather ______ to continue on our current path without fully directing our collective resources to develop independence from questionable suppliers.
A. gluttony...reticent
B. plethora...pernicious
C. readiness. . .curious
D. availability. . .understandable E. capacity...forgiving
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A quick look at the first blank options doesn't yield much reduction of choices. In fact, any of them might be correct. Remembering that the tone of the sentence is bent toward the negative, we're looking for a fit for the second blank that is negative. Only Choice B, "pernicious," qualifies as it means harmful.
QUESTION 2
Jennifer liked third period best as her English professor was a most ______ fellow; so much so that there was often no time left for student input, which suited her fine.
A. garrulous B. ingenious C. superlative D. felicitous E. facetious
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choices A and E are the only real qualifiers as to there being no time left for student input. Choice E, "facetious," means jocular, and the good professor would likely be in jeopardy of losing his job were this the case. Choice A, "garrulous" or given to prosy rambling, fits the more typical English professor.
QUESTION 3
The paparazzi received many sizeable offers for the pictures of Ferggie in the ______ act of topless bathing in Capri.
A. embarrassing B. ignoble
C. hypocritical D. degenerative E. hedonistic
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice A, "embarrassing," certainly qualifies but may be too simplistic for an SAT question. Be guarded against picking the first factually correct choice. Choice C, "hypocritical," might qualify if we were told she typically spoke against such acts, but we aren't. Choice D, "degenerative," suggests a degraded act or a sexual perversion, and topless bathing generally would not meet such criteria, particularly in an area where such practice was commonplace. Choice E, "hedonistic," seems to fit with the exception that a singular incident does not a lifestyle devoted to pleasure make. Choice B, "ignoble," fits nicely, particularly since she represented the royal family.
QUESTION 4
It seems America has not lacked for presidents who as a result of their own ______ have performed acts that most considered insensitive, corrupt, and immoral.
A. grandiloquence B. fortitude
C. effluvia
D. demagoguery E. hubris
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Although many presidents are guilty of Choice A, "grandiloquence" or pompous speaking, and Choice D, "demagoguery" or politically appealing to the emotions or prejudice of a people, these acts don't typically qualify someone to perform the type acts represented. However, as pride goeth before a fall, Choice E, "hubris" or excessive pride, certainly sets one up for this type failure.
QUESTION 5
His _____ behavior toward her caused a considerable riff in the organization, partially because of the size of the company and partially because he was a married man with children.
A. untoward B. snide
C. mysterious D. periodic
E. obsequious
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given the response of the organization, the only adjective rising to the level to stimulate such action is Choice E, "obsequious," or excessively attentive, particularly given his marital status
QUESTION 6
He was held up to small children as an ______, one who is worthy of imitation, principally because of his self-sacrificing dedication to helping others--clearly his ______ made him deserving of such claim.
A. enigma...heart
B. exemplar...altruism C. egotist. . .devotion D. emancipator. . .thrift E. idol...immortality
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Clearly we are looking for two positives, the first of which must be exemplary. Only Choices B and D, "exemplar" and "emancipator" qualify. The second blank need also be positive, and only Choice B "altruism" or concern for others qualifies.
QUESTION 7
His proclivity for _____ had at one time made him a suspect in every open case of vandalism, but it also made him mentally qualified for the specialized unit in the military whose job it was to reduce ______ munitions.
A. trouble...reliance
B. gangmembership...builtup C. extirpation. . .stockpiled
D. intimidation. . .depleted
E. opulence...droll
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a first word match that would align with the crime of destruction or vandalism. Choices A, B, and C "trouble," "gang membership," and "extirpation" all qualify. The second blank should relate to the destruction of a certain type of munitions. Again, Choices B and C "built up" and "stockpiled" are possible. Now we're down to making a choice between two possible choices. Since "extirpation" means destruction and is more specific to the crime of vandalism than simply belonging to a gang, Choice C is correct.
QUESTION 8
The ______ aroma of the bark of this shrub make it ______ year round whether the leaves have fallen or not.
A. stark...indistinguishable B. subtle...anomalistic
C. pungent. . .recognizable D. hidden. . .obtrusive
E. sickening...reticent
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a complementary pair; either two negatives or two positives and given the overall tone of the sentence, try positive first. In this case, only "pungent" meaning strong and "recognizable" meaning recognizing makes Choice C correct.
QUESTION 9
As the grass roots movement gained momentum, outside forces attempted to infiltrate and change the direction of the original purpose so the sponsor recommended we adopt a ______, making it clear to the public our motives and purpose.
A. manifesto B. declaration C. statement D. mandate E. invocation
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A "manifesto" is a public declaration of policy or views and matches exactly what the sponsor recommended. Choices B and D, "declaration" and "statement," respectively, don't carry the specific meaning delineating policy or views as does "manifesto."
QUESTION 10
Given the research available today on how students learn differently, teachers need to have an ______ bag of tricks to successfully engage them all.
A. enormous B. expansive C. available D. impromptu E. eclectic
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Although the teacher's bag of tricks certainly needs to be A "enormous," B "expansive," C "available," and D "impromptu," none of these relate to the diversity of learning styles mentioned in the sentence. Choice E, "eclectic," means drawing on or from varied sources, which is the best choice for this question
QUESTION 11
Children today are being taught to be ______ of any abnormality including strangers, standing packages, or simply anything out of the order; not for merely their own good, but for the good of the community--such are the times we now live in.
A. skittish
B. wary
C. shy
D. impudent E. challenging
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given the tone of the sentence, only one choice meets the demands of the blank. Choice B, "wary," which means to be careful in guarding against danger or deception is the only selection that fully complies with the demand of the sentence.
QUESTION 12
In general, new breakthroughs in scientific and biological research allow us to identify origins of many viruses of formerly ______ origins.
A. escapable B. mysterious C. abstract D. useful
E. memorable
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice B, "mysterious," indicates that the origin of many viruses are discovered now only through new research methods.
QUESTION 13
Hitherto impossible research has been made ______ by the new technology recently engineered by her company with greatly enhanced scope and depth of mapping the core of the earth.
A. commonplace B. controversial C. problematic D. feasible
E. resolute
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Given that the technology is new, it would hardly be Choice A, "commonplace," and since we're looking for a positive word--remembering that important tool of monitoring the tone of the sentence-- Choice D, "feasible," is the best choice.
QUESTION 14
The dissimilarities are absolutely striking; even though she is ______, she has few friends, and even though she is a ______ stylist, few customers ask for her when booking.
A. cute...fair
B. amiable...consummate C. professional. . .haphazard D. nice. . .radical
E. magnificent...futuristic
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're clearly looking for two qualifiers here: one regarding her ability to make friends as an offset to having few of them; two regarding her profession as a stylist and an offset to her having few requesting customers. Remembering the clue phrase "even though" is telling us that the word we're looking for is again, an offset to the conditions that follow that phrase. In the first blank, all choices are possible, although Choice B, "amiable," means easy to get along with, a really good match to the friendship issue. The second blank is the easier to eliminate bad choices and since "consummate" means complete or perfect, it is a good fit to her professional qualifications notwithstanding her lack of requesting customers.
QUESTION 15
Sales literature that provide excessively complex and irrelevant numbers tend to ______ the real facts and generate sales by causing buyers to accept ______ data in lieu of the real and truthful information so hidden.
A. obscure...spurious
B. hide...rational
C. confuse. . .representational D. elucidate. . .faulty
E. define...questionable
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since the conditions set are "excessively complex and irrelevant," we are going to looking for two negatives. Looking at the first blank, only Choices A, B, and C are negative. Looking for a negative in the second blank, only "spurious" in that group of three qualify, making Choice A, "obscure," which means dim, hazy, or vague and "spurious," which means not genuine the best choice.
QUESTION 16
Only his truest and most _____ fans remained faithful followers following the news of his steroid use.
A. reticent
B. vocal
C. demonstrative D. boisterous
E. ardent
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Only Choice E represents something other than volume or noise. "Ardent," or characterized by warmth of feeling is the stand-alone qualifier.
QUESTION 17
It was her need to ______ that caused her to become an _____; the belief that the government was corrupt and the constant censorship being the two principal causes for move.
A. express...outcast
B. release...icon
C. expose. . .outsider
D. expatiate. . .expatriate E. control...anarchist
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a cause-and-effect relationship here, and that relationship has to do with the beliefs about the corrupt government and the fact that she is constantly censored. Someone who is censored has a need to present, and toward that end, Choices A, B, C, and D all qualify. Since we also know that her action involved moving, we can reduce the choices based on the second blank to Choices C and D. Further looking at the result of her actions and the subtleties of the sentence, we find that the censorship is recurring. So, in fine-tuning the first blank, we look for the word that best indicates a repetitive action. That choice is D,
"expatiate," which means to speak or write at length indicating often, making Choice D the best selection.
QUESTION 18
Not desirous of meeting his Maker in the middle of a poker game, Doc Holiday ______ placed an ace inside his vest as Bat Masterson shuffled the remaining cards.
A. suspiciously B. coyly
C. overtly
D. furtively
E. brazenly
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Clearly, we're looking for a word that suggests not drawing attention to oneself or causing a distraction away from the shuffling. Choice B, "coyly," might look like a possibility, but there is nothing shy or pretending shyness about hiding an ace in your vest opposite Bat Masterson. Choice D, "furtively," which means slyly or secretly done is the best choice.
QUESTION 19
Given ______ politicians can generally raise campaign financing easier than challengers, Lt. Governor James should have the advantage.
A. honest
B. incumbent
C. entrepreneurial D. opulent
E. gregarious
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Choice E, "gregarious," is an excellent distractor as it means social or companionable; a good trait for a politician to be sure, especially if he is raising money. But the gist of the sentence is not about qualifying a politician except in light of him or her being in office as opposed to a challenger. Choice B, "incumbent," best qualifies for this distinction.
QUESTION 20
Following the completion of an unusually arduous day at the office, Sue happily enjoyed the ______ experience of relaxing in the hot tub while watching television learning that she just won the state lottery.
A. erratic
B. superfluous C. halcyon
D. untoward E. geriatric
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
We're looking for a word that describes a most pleasant experience that causes much joy and is an offset to a difficult day. Choice C, "halcyon," meaning prosperous or most pleasant certainly fits the bill on both counts-- pleasant hot tub and prosperous winning of the lottery.
QUESTION 21
I trust a proposal for matrimony would seem more ______ were it written in the sky, or written on a scoreboard, or written in a test question for the SAT prep; which is what I am formally doing now in asking Teressa for her hand in marriage.
A. aggrandized B. sincere
C. appreciated D. honorable E. cherished
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
While all of the choices should apply, the best selection for the test question is Choice A, "aggrandized," which means to make great or greater, which is certainly my greatest hope.
QUESTION 22
Friends of the theater have long decried the ---- of the New York drama critics, whose reviews can determine the fate of a play in a single night.
A. insensitivity B. provinciality C. intelligence D. power
E. inaccuracy
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The missing word must fit the description of the critics given in the second half of the sentence. If they "can determine the fate of a play in a single night," then clearly they have a lot of "power."
QUESTION 23
The ---- manner in which the teacher candidate addressed the school board was a key factor in his rejection; the school board members agreed that enthusiasm is an essential quality in a teacher.
A. pretentious B. solicitous C. superficial D. perfunctory E. combative
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Remember that a semicolon (;) often indicates that the two halves of the sentence restate or paraphrase the same idea. The second half of this sentence tells us that the members of the school board wanted "enthusiasm" in a teacher candidate. Therefore, the word that describes the candidate they rejected should mean the opposite of "enthusiastic." "Perfunctory" fits the bill.
QUESTION 24
Her ---- writing style made it difficult to follow her thought processes--no surprise to her colleagues, who were familiar with her ---- manner of speech.
A. precise..arcane
B. laborious..tedious
C. trite . . flippant
D. convoluted . . circumlocutory E. ambiguous..affected
Correct Answer: D
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Since both blanks here describe something similar--the way this unnamed person communicates--the two words should be near-synonyms. And the words "difficult to follow her thought processes" make it clear that both missing words should mean "hard to understand, unnecessarily complicated
QUESTION 25
The giant squid is still ---- marine biologists, as it has never been seen alive, making it impossible to study in its natural habitat.
A. fascinatingto B. enigmaticto C. dangerous to D. exploited by
E. famousamong
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
This sentence has a cause-and-effect relationship, as indicated by the word "as." If the squid "has never been seen alive," one could logically conclude that it would be "enigmatic
QUESTION 26
Advertising can increase sales of a ---- product, but it cannot create demand for a bad one; consumers may buy a ---- item because of advertising--but only once.
A. good..new
B. reliable..costly
C. useful . . valuable
D. needless . . single
E. well-made..badlymade
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Both halves of the sentence make much the same point--that people will buy good products but not bad ones. Only the words in choice E. fit this idea.
QUESTION 27
Like Truman, who was never considered a major national figure until Roosevelt's death made him president, Ford attained national prominence only after ---- thrust him into the presidency.
A. personalambition
B. outsidecircumstances C. popular acclaim
D. political intrigue
E. publicdemand
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Obviously, the structure of this sentence is similarity. We want a phrase to fit in the blank that will match the description of how both Truman and Ford attained prominence. You don't need to know history; just realize that Ford's case must have resembled Truman's, in which pure accident (or "outside circumstances") made him president.
QUESTION 28
Thus far, predictions that global ---- would lead to mass starvation have proven false; however, in the years to come, population - --- may yet prove to be one of the world's greatest problems.
A. pollution..expansion B. overcrowding..growth C. poverty . . density
D. deforestation . . control E. warfare..stabilization
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The word "however" tells you that the two halves of the sentence contrast with one another. The first half says that "predictions" of "mass starvation have proven false"; the second half says that, in the future, (something) "may yet prove to be one of the world's greatest problems." Thus, the contrast involves the idea that a problem which doesn't exist now may come to exist in the future; the same problem is being discussed in the both parts of the sentence. Choice (B), then, makes sense because "global overcrowding" and "population growth" describe the same problem.
QUESTION 29
Amelia Earhart's hope of being the first woman to fly around the globe was ---- when she disappeared in the middle of her ---- journey.
A. thwarted..ill-fated
B. realized..triumphant
C. fulfilled . . historic
D. controversial . . hazardous E. postponed..famous
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If she disappeared during the journey, then clearly her hope of flying around the globe was "thwarted," choice A. "Ill-fated" is the logical word to use to describe a trip that ends this way (worse than losing your luggage).
QUESTION 30
The idea of "children's literature" ---- in the late eighteenth century, when educators first decided that children needed special -- -- of their own.
A. emerged..books B. changed..reading C. grew . . treatment
D. developed . . training E. receded..teaching
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If it wasn't until the late eighteenth century that educators decided children needed books of their own, then that must have been when the idea of children's literature"emerged," choice (A).
QUESTION 31
In some of the poorest neighborhoods of New York City, community gardens are springing up as ---- the filth and desolation of their urban surroundings.
A. anaffirmationof B. avalidationof
C. a reaction to
D. an amplification of E. acelebrationof
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
C). Only "reaction" makes sense as a description of the relationship betweena garden and surroundings that are full of "filth and desolation."
QUESTION 32
The neighborhood group's rendering of the proposed office complex ---- the ---- of the project: as they appeared on the drawing, the proposed office buildings appeared to dwarf the rest of the downtown area.
A. minimized..grandiosity B. accentuated..beauty C. underscored . . vastness D. trivialized . . enormity
E. revealed..immensity
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The second half of the sentence shows that "vastness" is the dominant quality of the proposed office complex.
QUESTION 33
Twentieth-century Japan faced the question of how to ---- the best of modern civilization without losing the benefits of Japan's ---- way of life.
A. reject..ancient
B. adopt..outmoded
C. assimilate . . traditional
D. incorporate . . contemporary E. reshape..historic
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The sentence describes something that twentieth-century Japan wanted to do; therefore, it must be referring to a desirable combination of the best of the old and the new. Choice C. makes sense because it refers to "assimilating," that is, absorbing, what is good in modern life while retaining what is "traditional." A negative word like "outmoded," choice B, wouldn't fit this context.
QUESTION 34
The proposal to forbid the use of indoor furniture on front porches has divided the town along ---- lines:
the affluent feel the old couches are eyesores, while those who cannot afford new outdoor furniture are ---- about what they feel is an attempt to restrict their lifestyle.
A. political..nonplussed B. aesthetic..dismayed C. class . . pleased
D. racial . . angry
E. socioeconomic..incensed
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
Because the second half of the sentence contrasts "the affluent" with "those who cannot afford new outdoor furniture," we can see that the first blank should be filled with a word referring to class or economic differences. This narrows the possibilities to choices C. and (E). Choice C. doesn't work because an attempt to restrict someone's lifestyle wouldn't logically make them feel "pleased."
QUESTION 35
In his politics, Aristotle characterizes Plato's support of collectivism as ---- and ---- the unity of the city; not only would it be difficult to institute and enforce, but the absence of private property would lead to bickering among the citizens.
A. commendable..deleteriousto B. controversial..essentialto
C. impractical . . detrimental to
D. divisive . . indifferent toward
E. unattainable..supportiveof
Correct Answer: C
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The two words in this answer choice nicely paraphrase the two points made later in the sentence: "impractical" = "difficult to institute," and "detrimental to . . . unity" = "lead[ing] to bickering"
QUESTION 36
The bright coloration of American coot chicks is an anomaly: although colorful plumage is usually ---- to newborn birds because it may attract predators, among this species it appears to be ----, because parents are more likely to notice and care for brightly-colored offspring.
A. pernicious..fatal
B. dangerous..unnecessary C. deleterious . . favorable
D. beneficial . . advantageous E. detrimental..helpful
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The words "anomaly" and "although" both suggest that the second half of the sentence is built around a contrast between the role colorful plumage usually plays among birds and the role it actually plays in this particular species. Thus, the two words we want must be nearly opposite in meaning, as the two words in choice E. are.
QUESTION 37
Unlike the American worker, who expects to work for several different firms during his or her career, until recently the Japanese worker regarded employment as - --- commitment.
A. alifetime
B. asignificant C. a bilateral
D. an economic E. amoral
Correct Answer: A
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
The word "Unlike" shows us that the two halves of the sentence will contrast with one another. The idea of a "lifetime" commitment nicely contrasts with the idea of changing jobs several times.
QUESTION 38
Andre's gift for music seemed to be ----; both his mother and grandfather before him had been famed concert pianists.
A. simulated B. innate
C. accidental D. inexplicable E. prodigious
Correct Answer: B
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
If musical talent runs in Andre's family, then it would be logical to consider his gift inborn, inherited, or "innate."
QUESTION 39
The many obvious lapses in the author's research make it ---- to accept the ---- of his conclusions.
A. easy..accuracy
B. impossible..meaning C. attractive . . logic
D. questionable . . structure E. difficult..validity
Correct Answer: E
Section: Sentence Completion Questions Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
A simple cause-and-effect relationship is required here; if the research contains "many obvious lapses," then accepting its conclusions would certainly be "difficult."