Choice D is the best answer. The sentence effectively indicates the California
red-legged frog’s FWS classification category, noting that the FWS classifies the
frog as threatened, a classification given to species that are likely to soon become
endangered.
Choice A is incorrect. The sentence specifies the classification categories of
the FWS list; it doesn’t indicate the classification category of the California
red-legged frog. Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence does note that the
California red-legged frog is among the species classified by the FWS, it doesn’t
indicate what classification category the California red-legged frog occupies.
Choice C is incorrect. While the sentence does appear to indicate the California
red-legged frog’s FWS classification category, the sentence is factually incorrect
and therefore ineffective; the frog’s classification category is threatened, not
endangered

Choice C is the best answer. The sentence specifies how the salt in a freeze-thaw
battery enables energy storage, explaining that energy stops flowing and can be
stored when the salt solidifies at room temperature.
Choice A is incorrect. The sentence explains some properties of molten salt; it
doesn’t specify how that salt enables energy storage. Choice B is incorrect. The
sentence indicates how the energy in a freeze-thaw battery can be released; it
doesn’t specify how the salt in the battery enables energy storage. Choice D
is incorrect. The sentence specifies how much charge the freeze-thaw battery
retains when storing energy; it doesn’t specify how the salt in the battery enables
energy storage

Choice A is the best answer. The sentence identifies the novel’s real author,
explaining that Mary Ann Evans published the novel under the pseudonym of
George Eliot.
Choice B is incorrect. The sentence explains that George Eliot was assumed to
be a pseudonym; it doesn’t identify the novel’s real author. Choice C is incorrect.
The sentence specifies the pseudonym used on the novel’s title page; it doesn’t
identify the novel’s real author. Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence indicates
that the novel’s real author used a pseudonym, it doesn’t identify that author as
Mary Ann Evans.

Choice D is the best answer. “Hence” logically signals that the information in
this sentence about turtle shells—that people incorrectly assume they are
exoskeletons—is a consequence of the shells appearing external to the animal.
Choice A is incorrect because “that being said” illogically signals that this
sentence qualifies or contrasts with the previous information about turtle shells
appearing external to the animal. Instead, it presents a consequence of that
information. Choice B is incorrect because “however” illogically signals that this
sentence contrasts with the previous information about turtle shells appearing
external to the animal. Instead, it presents a consequence of that information.
Choice C is incorrect because “for instance” illogically signals that this sentence
provides an example supporting the previous information about turtle shells
appearing external to the animal. Instead, it presents a consequence of that
information.

Choice B is the best answer. “Conversely” logically signals that the information in
this sentence—that countries with proportional-representation electoral systems
tend toward multi-partyism—contrasts with the previous information about
countries with single-ballot majoritarian elections, which tend to have two-party
systems.
Choice A is incorrect because “subsequently” illogically signals that the
information in this sentence about countries with proportional-representation
electoral systems occurs later in a chronological sequence of events than the
information in the previous sentence. Instead, it contrasts with the previous
information. Choice C is incorrect because “for instance” illogically signals that
the information in this senten countries with single-ballot majoritarian elections. Instead, it contrasts with the
previous statement. Choice D is incorrect because “in other words” illogically
signals that the information in this sentence about countries with proportionalrepresentation electoral systems is a paraphrase or restatement of the previous
information about countries with single-ballot majoritarian elections. Instead, it
contrasts with the previous information in this sentence about countries with proportional-representation
electoral systems is an example supporting the previous statement about

Choice D is the best answer. “As a result” logically signals that the information
in this sentence—the vessel turning black—is a result of the heating technique
discussed in the previous sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because “on the contrary” illogically signals that the
information in this sentence directly opposes the heating technique in the
previous sentence. Instead, the vessel turns black as a result of that technique.
Choice B is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that the information
in this sentence is an example of the heating technique in the previous sentence.
Instead, the vessel turns black as a result of that technique. Choice C is incorrect
because “previously” illogically signals that the information in this sentence
occurs earlier in a chronological series of events than does the heating technique
discussed in the first two sentences. Instead, the vessel turns black as a result of
that technique.

Choice D is the best answer. “Though” logically signals that the claim in the
sentence—that Morton’s improvisational skills helped shape jazz as a genre
during its early years (“No one can deny” it)—is true despite the previous
information about Morton’s exaggerated claim to have invented jazz.
Choice A is incorrect because “therefore” illogically signals that the claim in
the sentence is a result of the previous information about Morton’s claim to
have invented jazz. Instead, the sentence states that Morton helped to shape
jazz—even if his claim was an exaggeration. Choice B is incorrect because “in
the second place” illogically signals that the claim in the sentence is a second,
separate point in addition to Morton’s claim to have invented jazz. Instead, the
sentence states that Morton helped to shape jazz—even if his claim was an
exaggeration. Choice C is incorrect because “in other words” illogically signals
that the claim in the sentence is merely a paraphrase or restatement of the
previous information about Morton’s claim to have invented jazz. Instead, the
sentence states that Morton helped to shape jazz—even if his claim was an
exaggeration

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation
of supplementary elements within a sentence. The comma after “described”
separates the first supplementary element (“both of interviewees and the items
they described”) from the second supplementary element (“from hair to grass to
sculptures”). Furthermore, the dash after “sculptures” pairs with the dash after
“photographs” to separate these two supplementary elements from the rest of
the sentence. The pair of dashes, which operate at a higher organizing level than
the comma, indicates that the elements between the dashes function together—
in this case, the second supplement (“from…sculptures”) describes the range of
items mentioned in the first supplement—and could be removed without affecting
the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to appropriately punctuate the
supplementary elements in the sentence. A dash is needed after “sculptures”
to separate the supplementary elements (“both…sculptures”) from the rest of
the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to appropriately punctuate
the supplementary elements in the sentence. The two supplementary elements
“both…described” and “from…sculptures” function together to describe the
photographs, and placing a dash between them would make this relationship
less clear, suggesting that the supplement “both…described” is a standalone
element that could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence
of the sentence, which isn’t the case. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to
appropriately punctuate the supplementary elements in the sentence. A colon
isn’t conventionally used in this way to separate a supplementary element (“from
hair to grass to sculptures”) from the noun phrase it is modifying (“items they
described”). Additionally, a dash is needed after “sculptures” to separate the
supplementary elements (“both…sculptures”) from the rest of the sentence.

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of
punctuation between titles and proper nouns. No punctuation is needed to set off
the proper noun “Marie-Denise Villers” from the title that describes Villers, “littleknown French portrait artist.”
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice C is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation
is needed.

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb
agreement. The plural verb “represent” agrees in number with the plural subject
“references.”
Choice A is incorrect because the singular verb “represents” doesn’t agree in
number with the plural subject “references.” Choice B is incorrect because the
singular verb “has represented” doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject
“references.” Choice C is incorrect because the singular verb “was representing”
doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject “references.”

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of plural
nouns in a sentence. The plural noun “hands” and the plural noun “antennas”
correctly indicate that two hands are placed between two antennas when playing
the theremin.
Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the plural nouns “hands”
and “antennas,” not the singular possessive nouns “hand’s” and “antenna’s.”
Choice C is incorrect because the context requires the plural nouns “hands” and
“antennas,” not the plural possessive nouns “hands’” and “antennas’.” Choice D
is incorrect because the context requires the plural noun “hands,” not the plural
possessive noun “hands’.

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb
agreement. The singular verb “ensures” agrees in number with the singular
subject “using.”
Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “are ensuring” doesn’t agree in
number with the singular subject “using.” Choice B is incorrect because the plural
verb “have ensured” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “using.”
Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb “ensure” doesn’t agree in number
with the singular subject “using.”

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms
within a sentence. A main clause requires a finite (tensed) verb to perform the
action of the subject (in this case, Land), and this choice supplies the finite past
tense verb “used” to indicate what Land did with the technology he had invented.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
nonfinite perfect infinitive “to have used” doesn’t supply the main clause with a
finite verb. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence.
The nonfinite to-infinitive “to use” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite
verb. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
nonfinite participle “using” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun-antecedent
agreement. The singular pronoun “this” agrees in number with the singular
antecedent “Lê Lương Minh became the thirteenth secretary-general of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in January 2013.” The pronoun
“this” is referring back to the singular event described earlier in the sentence in
which Minh became secretary-general of ASEAN.
Choice A is incorrect because the plural pronoun “these” doesn’t agree in number
with the singular antecedent “Lê Lương Minh became the thirteenth secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in January 2013.”
Choice B is incorrect because the plural pronoun “those” doesn’t agree in number
with the singular antecedent “Lê Lương Minh became the thirteenth secretarygeneral of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in January 2013.”
Choice D is incorrect because the indefinite pronoun “some” is ambiguous in
this context; the resulting sentence leaves unclear what marks the first time the
organization appointed a Vietnamese leader.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion about Aztec (Nahua) ethics. The text indicates that, according to
Purcell’s interpretation of available Aztec philosophical works, the Aztec ethical
system views an individual’s actions in relation to that individual’s societal role and
how the actions affect the community. The text contrasts this view with another
held by some ethicists, namely that actions are morally good or bad regardless of
the context in which they occur. Thus, Purcell’s analysis suggests that the Aztecs
would have asserted that the morality of an individual’s actions are rooted in that
person’s position in the community and the actions’ effects and therefore cannot
be determined in the absence of that context.
Choice B is incorrect. Although the text indicates that morally judging an action
according to Aztec ethics requires an understanding of the action’s effects and
the individual’s social circumstances, it does not specify that only members
of that society can acquire this information. Choice C is incorrect because it
implies that the Aztecs considered some actions good or bad regardless of the
surrounding context, which contradicts the text’s claim that the Aztecs believed
that the morality of an individual’s action is dependent on the action’s effects on
the community and the person’s specific circumstances. Choice D is incorrect.
Although the text indicates that in Aztec ethics the morality of an action depends
in part on how it affects the community, this is only one of the two factors—the
other being the person’s societal role—that need to be considered. Therefore,
it is possible that two actions with the same effect on the community could be
considered morally distinct if they are performed by individuals in different social
roles

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of Smith and colleagues’ investigation of the evolution and biological
role of the appendix. The text indicates that the team found several instances
of the appendix emerging and not disappearing in the lineages of various
mammal species the team examined. Furthermore, the text states that species
that possess an appendix also tend to have relatively high amounts of lymphoid
tissue—a type of tissue that supports immune system function. Taken together,
these details strongly support the hypothesis that the appendix has persisted
in some species because it has a function that contributes to effective immune
responses in those species.
Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t address any nonmammalian
species. Choice C is incorrect because the text doesn’t make predictions
about the evolutionary future of the species Smith and colleagues examined,
and although the implication of the text is that the appendix likely does serve a
function for the immune system, nothing in the text indicates that the appendix
will become more widespread in the future. Choice D is incorrect. Although the
text does suggest an association between having an appendix and relatively high
concentrations of lymphoid tissue, it doesn’t claim that the appendix causes the
tissue to grow, nor does it address the relative production of the tissue at different
periods of time.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of a crater’s connection to the start of the Younger Dryas. According
to the text, some scientists believe that a comet fragment hitting Earth caused the
cooling of the Younger Dryas period to come about. The text then indicates that a
team of scientists found a crater in Greenland, which some believe supports the
theory of a comet fragment hitting Earth to initiate the Younger Dryas. However,
the text also notes that the team was unable to determine the age of the crater.
If the age of the crater can’t be determined, then its connection to the Younger
Dryas period of time can’t be confirmed either. Thus, it can’t be concluded that
the impact that made the crater was connected to the beginning of the Younger
Dryas.
Choice B is incorrect because though the text suggests that the age of the comet
crater found by a team of scientists is uncertain, it doesn’t address whether a
comet fragment can make a crater as large as 19 miles wide. The text doesn’t
consider the size of comet fragments and how they relate to the size of craters
they might make. Choice C is incorrect because the debate in the text centers on
the age of the crater found, not the cause of the crater. The text doesn’t indicate
uncertainty about what caused the discovered crater. Choice D is incorrect
because the text suggests that the age of the crater found by the team of
scientists is uncertain, not that the dates of the Younger Dryas are uncertain or
incorrect. The text states that “the Younger Dryas was a period of extreme cooling
from 11,700 to 12,900 years ago” but doesn’t indicate any debate about the
timing of the period.

Choice B is the best answer because it effectively uses data from the graph to
complete the statement about Rodrigo da Costa Portilho-Ramos and colleagues’
conclusion. The graph shows the ratio of manganese to calcium in L. pertusa coral
samples from the Alboran Sea and the Mauritanian coast. The graph reflects time
in approximate years before present: in other words, the greater the number in
years noted on the graph’s horizontal axis, the farther that moment is in the past.
The text indicates that the researchers tested the samples to determine whether
oxygenation played a role in the decline of L. pertusa. The text goes on to note
that a change in the ratio of manganese to calcium would signal an inverse, or
opposite, change in oxygenation. According to the graph, the ratio of manganese
to calcium in samples from the Alboran Sea increased from about 30 micromoles
per mole 10,000 years ago to about 80 micromoles per mole 8,000 years ago,
which means that oxygenation decreased between 10,000 and 8,000 years ago.
Meanwhile, there was almost no discernible change in the ratio of manganese to
calcium in samples from the Mauritanian coast between 12,000 and 10,000 years
ago. According to the text, the population of L. pertusa declined significantly
around 9,000 years ago in the Alboran Sea and around 11,000 years ago near the
Mauritanian coast. Thus, the increase in the ratio of manganese to calcium around
9,000 years ago in the Alboran Sea coincides with the decline in the L. pertusa
population, suggesting an association between the decrease in oxygenation and
the decline in population of the coral. No such relationship is suggested around
11,000 years ago near the Mauritanian coast. So, oxygenation likely played a role
in the L. pertusa decline in the Alboran Sea but not in the coral’s decline near the
Mauritanian coast.
Choice A is incorrect because it asserts the opposite of what the graph indicates
regarding oxygenation in the Alboran Sea, and it misrepresents what the graph
indicates about oxygenation near the Mauritanian coast. The graph indicates
that at the time of the decline in L. pertusa (approximately 9,000 years ago), the
samples from the Alboran Sea contained a ratio of manganese to calcium that
was increasing. According to the text, this ratio inversely correlates with ocean
oxygenation levels, so if the ratio was increasing, oxygenation was decreasing,
not substantially increasing. Furthermore, the graph shows that the ratio of
manganese to calcium remained relatively stable in coral samples from the
Mauritanian coast during the period studied, which suggests that there was
no discernible relationship between oxygenation and the coral’s population
decline in that location, not that there was a substantial decrease in oxygenation
corresponding to the coral’s decline. Choice C is incorrect. Although the graph
suggests that the level of oxygenation in the Alboran Sea was higher before the
decline in L. pertusa than after—because the ratio of manganese to calcium
inversely correlates with ocean oxygenation levels and this ratio was lower before
the decline than after—the graph doesn’t support the claim that oxygenation
near the Mauritanian coast was consistently low before and after the coral’s
decline there. Rather, the graph indicates that relative to coral samples from
the Alboran Sea, the ratio of manganese to calcium in samples from near the
Mauritanian coast was consistently low, which suggests that oxygenation levels
were relatively high both before and after the decline of L. pertusa. Choice D is
incorrect because it states the opposite of what the graph indicates: the graph shows that throughout the period studied, the ratio of manganese to calcium was higher in coral samples from the Alboran Sea than it was in samples from near the Mauritanian coast. Since the text indicates that the ratio of manganese to calcium inversely correlates with ocean oxygenation levels, oxygenation in the Alboran Sea was therefore lower than, not higher than, oxygenation near the Mauritanian coast during the period studied. Moreover, even if choice D did accurately represent the graph, it wouldn’t effectively complete the statement since a
comparison of the ocean oxygenation levels at the two locations is not relevant to
the claim that a decline in oxygenation levels was associated with the decline of
L. pertusa in the Alboran Sea but not near the Mauritanian coast.

Choice C is the best answer because it most effectively illustrates the claim that
the narrator of “The Yellow Wallpaper” has mixed feelings about her surroundings.
She says she is “really getting quite fond of the big room,” a positive sentiment,
but also describes the room’s wallpaper as “horrid,” a negative sentiment. Since
some of her feelings about her surroundings are positive and others are negative,
they are best described as mixed.
Choice A is incorrect because though the narrator describes the room’s wallpaper
as “irritating,” a negative sentiment, she does not mention a positive sentiment.
Thus, the quotation does not effectively illustrate the claim that the narrator has
mixed feelings about her surroundings. Choice B is incorrect because it describes
how the appearance of the room’s wallpaper changes at night but does not
mention the narrator’s feelings about her surroundings. Choice D is incorrect
because though the narrator describes the room’s wallpaper as “repellant,”
a negative sentiment, she does not mention a positive sentiment. Thus, the
quotation does not effectively illustrate the claim that the narrator has mixed
feelings about her surroundings.

Choice B is the best answer because it uses data from the table to complete the
statement regarding a species for which the problem of finding a suitable habitat
would be especially concerning. For each candidate species, the table lists its
common name, scientific name, and when the species became extinct. The text
explains that scientists pursing de-extinction for the candidate species also
consider the length of time that has passed since the species’ extinction, noting
that the longer the animal has been extinct, the less likely it is that a suitable
habitat would exist for the species today. The possibility of not having a suitable
habitat would be especially concerning for the candidate species for which the
most time has passed since its extinction. According to the table this species
would be the saber-toothed cat, which became extinct 11,000 years before
present.
Choice A is incorrect because it compares the time since the extinction of the
passenger pigeon to the time since the extinction of the huia instead of citing the
species listed in the table that has been extinct the longest (the saber-toothed
cat). The text indicates that the longer a species has been extinct, the lower the
chances are that a suitable habitat exists for it today. Neither the table nor the
text supports the claim that the passenger pigeon is especially vulnerable to this
problem. Choice C is incorrect because the text states that the longer a species
has been extinct, the less likely it is that there would be a suitable habitat available
for the species today. So, the problem would be especially concerning for the
saber-toothed cat, which became extinct several thousand years before the
woolly mammoth did—not the other way around. Choice D is incorrect because
the text states that the longer a species has been extinct, the lower the chances
are that a suitable habitat would be available for that species today. According
to the table, the Caribbean monk seal became extinct in 1952, which is the most
recent extinction listed for a candidate species in the table.

Choice D is the best answer because it most effectively uses a quotation from
“The Bet” to illustrate the claim that the banker was very upset about something.
The quotation indicates that the banker shed tears, which suggests that he was
likely unhappy about something, and that his emotions were so strong that they
kept him from sleeping for hours. These details suggest that the banker was very
upset.
Choice A is incorrect because this quotation mainly describes the banker
cautiously unlocking a door; it doesn’t suggest that he was particularly upset
about anything. Choice B is incorrect because this quotation doesn’t mention
whether the banker was experiencing any particularly strong negative feelings;
instead, the quotation focuses on the quietness of the setting. Choice C is
incorrect because this quotation states that the banker was feeling “delighted,”
not that he was upset.

Choice A is the best answer because it presents information about Maya
civilization that is supported by the text. The text states that the writing system
used in the Maya kingdoms had a symbol for the number zero. It goes on to say
that at the time of the zero symbol’s earliest example, more than 2,000 years ago,
almost no other writing systems in the world featured such a symbol. The text
also points out that some historians suggest that Maya mathematicians inherited
the use of zero from the Olmec civilization, which existed in the same area as the
Maya civilization at an earlier date. Thus, according to the text, some historians
suggest that the Maya civilization acquired the use of zero from the Olmec
civilization.
Choice B is incorrect because although the text mentions present-day historians
and Maya mathematicians, it does not say anything about how much the Maya
civilization respected its historians and mathematicians. Choice C is incorrect
because the text does not indicate that the Maya civilization treated its use of the
zero symbol, or any other intellectual achievements, as secrets to be kept from
other civilizations. Choice D is incorrect because although the text mentions
historians who suggest that the writing system of the Maya civilization inherited
some features from the earlier Olmec civilization, the text does not describe any
attempts of Maya civilization to introduce its writing system to other civilizations

Choice D is the best answer because it presents a statement about what
surprised the scientists that is supported by the text. The text states that the
marsquakes described in the data from NASA’s InSight lander originated from the
same location on Mars. The text goes on to say that because they had expected
the opposite (that marsquakes would originate from all over the planet) this
discovery surprised the scientists.
Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t say that the data from NASA’s
InSight lander revealed any surprising information about the planet’s surface
temperature. Instead, the text mentions the cooling of Mars’s surface as a reason
the scientists expected that marsquakes had multiple origins. In addition, cooling
would indicate that the temperature has been falling rather than rising. Choice B is
incorrect. Although the text indicates that by studying seismic activity scientists
found a possible explanation for what causes marsquakes, the text doesn’t say that they discovered that marsquakes are caused by different types of seismic
waves. Rather, the text states that based on the data from NASA’s InSight lander,
scientists now believe that this seismic activity happens because of areas of
active magma that flow below the planet’s surface. Choice C is incorrect because
the text doesn’t discuss the amount of data NASA’s InSight lander collected or
whether scientists who studied the data found the amount to be as expected.
Instead, the text focuses on what the data revealed about where on Mars the
marsquakes originated.

Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes the overall
structure of the text. The text begins by explaining that human activities influence
carbon and nitrogen levels in soil, but how deeply these effects are seen in the soil
remains an unresolved question. Next, the text summarizes Okolo and colleagues’
hypothesis regarding this question—which is that the different effects on carbon
and nitrogen levels associated with different types of land use would also be
observed below the topsoil layer—and then briefly explains the methods they
used to test this hypothesis. Finally, the text states that the researchers found that
at depths below the topsoil layer, carbon and nitrogen decreased to similarly low
levels across all land-use types, a finding that conflicts with the team’s hypothesis
presented earlier in the text. Thus, the text introduces an unresolved scientific
question, presents a research team’s hypothesis pertaining to that question,
and then describes an observation that the team made that conflicted with their
hypothesis.
Choice A is incorrect. Although the text introduces a phenomenon (the fact that
human activities influence carbon and nitrogen levels in the soil) that isn’t fully
understood by scientists and explains a research team’s hypothesis about the
phenomenon, the text doesn’t describe how the team refined their hypothesis
when a research finding contradicted it. Choice C is incorrect because the text
doesn’t discuss a process at all; rather, it poses an unsolved scientific question
and presents a hypothesis that Okolo and colleagues tested to answer that
question. Moreover, the text only describes one hypothesis; it doesn’t mention
any competing hypotheses, nor does it suggest that Okolo’s team was able to
determine which hypothesis was correct. Choice D is incorrect because the
text doesn’t begin by presenting a hypothesis that is under scientific debate;
rather, it presents a question that scientists have been unable to answer and
then introduces a hypothesis formulated by Okolo and colleagues. While the text
does explain how Okolo’s team tested their hypothesis, the text goes on to say
that their data conflicted with their hypothesis, not that the data validated, or
supported, their hypothesis

Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the
underlined portion functions in the text as a whole. The first sentence explains
that reproducing the high ridership of Mexico City’s public transit system in
other cities by implementing some of its features, such as its low fares, is
unlikely to guarantee significant ridership increases in those cities. The following
sentence introduces a study by Guerra et al., whose findings—namely that
choice of transportation mode in urban centers in Mexico is influenced by a
variety of local contextual factors—support this claim. The first part of the last
sentence concedes that features of transportation systems likely do have some
effect on ridership numbers, but the underlined portion reiterates the study’s
conclusion by stating that there is an “irreducibly contextual dimension” to
peoples’ choice to use public transportation: that is, there is a complex mix of
local contextual factors—including population density, spatial distribution of jobs,
and demographics—whose influence over an urban center’s transit ridership is
unique to each location, and it is unlikely that simple changes to transit system
characteristics could negate the influence of those contextual factors. Thus, the
underlined portion explains why it is challenging to influence transit ridership
solely by changing some of a transit system’s characteristics.
Choice A is incorrect. Rather than objecting to the argument of Guerra et al.,
the underlined portion reiterates their argument by stating that there is an
“irreducibly contextual dimension” involved in transportation mode choice; in
other words, transportation mode choice in urban areas of Mexico is strongly
dependent on contextual factors that are unique to each urban area. Choice C is
incorrect because it mischaracterizes the text’s central claim, which is that transit
ridership is the product of a complex mix of contextual factors and transit system
features, not that a characteristic associated with Mexico City’s high transit
ridership was found to have no association with high transit ridership elsewhere.
Additionally, the underlined portion does not illustrate a claim, but instead
restates the findings of Guerra et al. Choice D is incorrect. Although Guerra
et al. demonstrate that population density, the spatial distribution of jobs, and
demographic characteristics—factors that comprise the “contextual dimension of
transportation mode choice”—influence transit ridership, the underlined portion
does not substantiate—that is, provide evidence in support of—this assertion.
Rather, the underlined portion merely restates a study finding that explains why
simply altering a transit system’s features would be unlikely to induce significant
increases in transit ridership

Choice C is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the
underlined sentence functions in the text as a whole. The first sentence describes
a unique location on Earth, the Atacama Desert. The next sentence, which is the
underlined sentence, states that the reason why astrobiologists study life, or
its remains, in this unique location is that Atacama is a harsh environment that
closely resembles the extreme environment of Mars. The remainder of the text
explains that the researchers hope their work in Atacama will support inquiry
into life on Mars. Thus, the underlined portion functions mainly to indicate why
astrobiologists choose to conduct research in the Atacama Desert.
Choice A is incorrect because to contrast two things means to show the
differences between them, and the phrase “closely mirrors” in the underlined
sentence indicates that the extreme environment in the Atacama Desert is
similar to, not different from, that on Mars. This similarity is why, according to the
underlined sentence, astrobiologists conduct research in Atacama. Choice B is
incorrect because the underlined sentence doesn’t address forms of life that
are unable to survive the harsh environment of the Atacama Desert. Instead, the underlined sentence explains why astrobiologists study life, or its remains, in this
environment. Choice D is incorrect because the underlined sentence doesn’t
suggest that the scientific research in the Atacama Desert is limited in any way;
instead, the sentence explains that the similarity between the environments of
Atacama and Mars is the reason why astrobiologists search for life, or its remains,
in Atacama.

Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main
purpose of the text. The text begins by stating that there were many Spanishlanguage newspapers in cities across Texas in the late 1800s, citing San Antonio
as a city that produced eleven such newspapers. The text then goes on to note
that in El Paso, there were twenty-two newspapers published in Spanish in the
late 1800s, more than any other Texas city. The text then concludes by explaining
that the reason for this large number of Spanish-language newspapers was likely
El Paso’s location near Mexico and its large population of Spanish speakers.
Therefore, the main purpose of the text is to explain that Spanish-language
newspapers thrived in Texas cities, especially in El Paso, in the late 1800s.
Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t discuss Spanish-language
newspapers published in Texas today, let alone compare them with newspapers
that were published in the 1800s. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text
characterizes El Paso as a particularly rich site for Spanish-language journalism in
the late 1800s, the text doesn’t discuss whether newspapers published in El Paso
influenced the newspapers published in other cities across Texas, including
San Antonio. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t mention whether
Spanish-language newspapers published in Texas were also widely read in
Mexico. The text only focuses on the popularity of Spanish-language newspapers
within Texas, and especially in El Paso.

Choice D is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main
purpose of the text. In the first sentence of the text, the narrator states that
she thinks there’s a chance she will become part of the basketball team at her
college. She goes on to explain that she is “quick” and “tough.” Based on these
characteristics, she thinks she has a chance to join the team. Thus, the main
purpose of the text is to explain why the narrator thinks she might make the
basketball team.
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
5 SAT PRACTICE TEST #5 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
Choice A is incorrect because the text focuses solely on basketball and doesn’t
mention any other kinds of sports. Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t
describe aspects of the game of basketball. Instead, it provides the narrator’s
reasoning for thinking that she might make her school basketball team. Choice C
is incorrect. Although the narrator explains why she thinks she will be chosen for
the basketball team at her school, the text doesn’t go into the general decisionmaking process or the requirements for being picked for the team.

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of behavioral psychology studies. In this context, “ameliorate” means
to help remedy or improve. The text states that many behavioral psychology
studies are flawed because the subjects used are “highly unrepresentative.”
It is then suggested that researchers should recruit subjects from “diverse
backgrounds and locations” in order to help address the issue of unrepresentative
subject pools. Thus, this context conveys that recruitment efforts focused on
diversity would help ameliorate the problems outlined in the text.
Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “sanction” could have two meanings: to
give official approval for something or to enact a penalty, neither of which makes
sense in this context. The text describes a situation known to be problematic
in behavioral psychology studies and then presents a potential remedy to that
situation; the text does not suggest that the situation is officially approved
or results in any type of penalty. Choice C is incorrect because rather than
“rationalize,” or explain or justify, a situation, the text presents a situation and
its potential remedy. Choice D is incorrect because the text is not attempting to
“postulate,” or suggest a claim or theory, related to the situation described in the
text but is rather presenting a potential remedy for the situation.

Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of using magnetism to detect stress in buried metal pipes. In this
context, “exploited” means made productive use of. The text indicates that
the magnetic fields of some metals change under stress and that Saleem and
colleagues showed that it is possible to measure those changes from a distance,
thereby demonstrating that the integrity of underground metal pipes can be
evaluated without having to unearth them. This context thus indicates that
Saleem and colleagues made productive use of, or exploited, this tendency of the
metals’ magnetic fields.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, “hypothesized” would mean made a
tentative assumption to be evaluated in a study or experiment. Although Saleem
and colleagues may have had one or more hypotheses for these experiments, the
text presents the information about the tendency of some metals’ magnetic fields
to change under stress as a known fact that the researchers made productive
use of, not as a hypothesis to be evaluated. The text after the colon indicates that
the researchers were not evaluating whether such changes occur but whether
those changes can be measured at a distance. Choice B is incorrect because in
this context, “discounted” would mean downplayed or ignored, but the text does
not suggest that Saleem and colleagues minimized or ignored the tendency
of the magnetic fields of some metals to change under stress. Rather, the text
indicates that this tendency is the basis for Saleem and colleagues’ method of
assessing the pipes’ integrity. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text
indicates that Saleem and colleagues “redefined,” or reevaluated or reformulated,
the tendency of some metals’ magnetic fields to change under stress. Instead,
the text indicates that the researchers made use of that tendency to demonstrate
that it is possible to evaluate the integrity of underground pipes without
unearthing them.

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of noses on ancient sculptures. In this context, “fragile” means weak
or delicate. This matches the text’s description of noses on ancient sculptures,
which are often missing from sculptures’ heads because they are “especially easy
to break.” Therefore, this context indicates that noses on ancient sculptures are
the most fragile part of the sculptures’ heads.
Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “recognizable” would mean identifiable,
and since the text indicates that noses are often missing from ancient statues,
they therefore cannot be the most recognizable part of the statue. Choice C
is incorrect because the text indicates that many ancient statues are missing
noses, so noses wouldn’t be “common,” or frequent, aspects of ancient statues;
they would conversely be uncommon. Choice D is incorrect because the text
only indicates that noses on ancient statues often stick out and end up missing
from the heads, which doesn’t relate to the noses being “sophisticated,” or
knowledgeable or refined.

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of noses on ancient sculptures. In this context, “fragile” means weak
or delicate. This matches the text’s description of noses on ancient sculptures,
which are often missing from sculptures’ heads because they are “especially easy
to break.” Therefore, this context indicates that noses on ancient sculptures are
the most fragile part of the sculptures’ heads.
Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “recognizable” would mean identifiable,
and since the text indicates that noses are often missing from ancient statues,
they therefore cannot be the most recognizable part of the statue. Choice C
is incorrect because the text indicates that many ancient statues are missing
noses, so noses wouldn’t be “common,” or frequent, aspects of ancient statues;
they would conversely be uncommon. Choice D is incorrect because the text
only indicates that noses on ancient statues often stick out and end up missing
from the heads, which doesn’t relate to the noses being “sophisticated,” or
knowledgeable or refined.

Choice D is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main
purpose of the text. In the first sentence of the text, the narrator states that
she thinks there’s a chance she will become part of the basketball team at her
college. She goes on to explain that she is “quick” and “tough.” Based on these
characteristics, she thinks she has a chance to join the team. Thus, the main
purpose of the text is to explain why the narrator thinks she might make the
basketball team.
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
5 SAT PRACTICE TEST #5 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
Choice A is incorrect because the text focuses solely on basketball and doesn’t
mention any other kinds of sports. Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t
describe aspects of the game of basketball. Instead, it provides the narrator’s
reasoning for thinking that she might make her school basketball team. Choice C
is incorrect. Although the narrator explains why she thinks she will be chosen for
the basketball team at her school, the text doesn’t go into the general decisionmaking process or the requirements for being picked for the team.