Digital SAT Reading & Writing Test 3

In science class, the two friends frantically mixed their chemical ingredients together. They had failed to meet over the weekend and their assignment was nowhere close to being finished. When they received a failing grade, the teacher remarked that the ________ to their problem lay in adequate preparation.

Thad walked through the tunnel to a loud applause. He strolled up to the pitching mound and breathed deeply to calm his nerves. He threw hard and fast but was _______. The catcher had to run and retrieve the wild pitch.

The judge decided to ___________ on some mistakes as it was his first case. She could remember fumbling through her opening argument the first time she was in court

Some bystanders overly concerned about potential litigation have chosen not to help for fear they would make the situation worse, thereby opening themselves up to lawsuits. Some states have passed varying degrees of protection known as “good Samaritan laws” so that people can feel comfortable helping. Some countries have even gone so far as to pass “duty to help” laws that generally require people to assist. While these laws are often criticized as legislating morality, they do help alleviate the negative ________ of the bystander effect.

Poker players are fond of saying that if you look around the table and can’t spot the fool, run away as fast as you can; you’re it. The same goes for the world of finance, which has quickly become as adversarial as a duel at high noon. Such is the nature of equities, futures, bonds, and derivatives (to name a few): any transaction has both a winner and a loser. Either the buyer has purchased an instrument that is undervalued and will be worth more tomorrow, or the seller has unloaded a bloated instrument that will fall back closer to its “true” market valuation in the near future. Either way, dollars (both unrealized and actual) will flow from one pocket to another

The following text is from Christina Rossetti’s 19th-century poem “Who Has Seen the Wind?” Who has seen the wind? Neither I nor you. But when the leaves hang trembling, The wind is passing through. Neither you nor I. But when the trees bow down their heads, The wind is passing by.

The following text is adapted from Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. In it, the title character has left home despite his parents’ wishes and sets out to find adventures on the sea. We were not much more than a quarter of an hour out of our ship till we saw her sink, and then I understood for the first time what was meant by a ship foundering in the sea. I could hardly watch, for from the moment that they rather put me into the boat than that I might be said to go in, my heart was, as it were, dead within me, partly with fright, partly with horror of mind, and the thoughts of what was yet before me. We got all safe on shore, where, as unfortunate men, we were used with great humanity, as well by the magistrates of the town, who assigned us good quarters, as by particular merchants and owners of ships, and had money given us sufficient to carry us either to London or back to Hull as we thought fit

The following text is adapted from W. E. B. Du Bois’s 1903 work “Of Sorrow Songs.” What are these songs, and what do they mean? I know little of music and can say nothing in technical phrase, but I know something of men, and knowing them, I know that these songs are the articulate message of the slave to the world. They tell us in these eager days that life was joyous to the black slave, careless and happy. I can easily believe this of some, of many. But not all the past South, though it rose from the dead, can gainsay the heart touching witness of these songs. They are the music of an unhappy people, of the children of disappointment; they tell of death and suffering and unvoiced longing toward a truer world, of misty wanderings and hidden ways.

The following text is from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin . She presents a scene from a time when slavery was widely practiced. Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February two gentlemen were sitting over their wine, in a well-furnished parlour in the town of P________ in Kentucky in the midst of an earnest conversation. “That is the way I should arrange the matter,” said Mr. Shelby, the owner of the place. “The fact is, Tom is an uncommon fellow; he is certainly worth that sum anywhere; steady, honest, capable, manages my farm like a clock. You ought to let him cover the whole of the debt; and you would, Haley, if you’d got any conscience.” “Well, I’ve got just as much conscience as any man in business can afford to keep,” said Haley, “and I’m willing to do anything to ‘blige friends; but this yer, ye see, is too hard on a feller, it really is. Haven’t you a boy or gal you could throw in with Tom?”

The career services office at a college is analyzing the effectiveness of its offerings by evaluating student opinions about the services offered. Some students suggest that the career services office should offer services that students are more likely to find helpful. The administrator of the career services office argues, however, that career services can only be helpful to the extent that students use the services offered.

Physicians claim that broken-heart syndrome often presents symptoms like those of a heart attack but without the defining arterial blockage. Instead of plaque blocking the arteries, scientists believe surrounding muscles constrict the arteries, reducing the flow of blood to the heart and mimicking a heart attack. Unlike a heart attack, broken-heart syndrome is rarely fatal, and can even resolve itself within hours to weeks. Although patients often recover from this condition quickly, the stress that is thought to cause this condition may persist long after their so-called recovery. Unlike broken-heart syndrome, prolonged stress can have consequences on long-term heart health, resulting in heart disease, hypertension, and even stroke. Such consequences exemplify the importance of psychological health, as it can significantly affect one’s physical health.

“On the Firing Line of Education” is a 1919 paper by A.J. Ladd, a professor of education at the State University of North Dakota. In the paper, Professor Ladd discusses the future of vocational education in American high schools. He asserts that schools should help guide students into their most appropriate vocational paths.

A student is studying Edmund Burke’s 18th-century work S elections from the Speeches and Writings of Edmund Burke . The student is specifically analyzing the selection under the title “Colonies and British Constitution.” This selection is believed to have been written shortly before the American Revolution and discusses the relationship between the United States and Great Britain. The student argues that Burke asserted that at the time he wrote the text, the recognition of civil rights for the citizens of countries around the world was relatively limited.

Microplastics are microscopic particles of plastic that tend to accumulate toxins and are in some cases toxic themselves. Unfortunately, microplastics tend to end up being eaten by various organisms. The primary reason for this problem is that in recent years, approximately 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually. Plastic is not biodegradable, which means that once it enters the environment it can take several hundred years to degrade. Some have proposed plastic-eating microorganisms as a revolutionary solution to this critical issue. Others are skeptical of the claims made about ______________

According to Florentine records between the end of the fourteenth century and the middle of the fifteenth, the number of women participating in tribunals dropped by 84 percent. The implications of this backslide are significant. By 1450, the power of women to defend themselves in court had suffered a significant blow. And while weakness in the courtroom may not have significantly impacted the elite women of the upper classes, its effects were undoubtedly felt by working women of the lower classes, who were, by the late 1460s, __________

Career websites like LinkedIn, Dice, and Monster make it simple to get started with your job search. ____________ work experience, intern or research positions, and volunteer efforts.

Capsaicin, the compound in peppers that makes _____ spicy, only affects mammals, so it's effective in driving away squirrels and rodents. Like humans, these animals are often sensitive to spicy foods.

According to Rognlie, the solution put forth in Capital in the Twenty-First Century , since it will do little to limit ________ returns on assets, is no solution at all

The machine shown in Picabia’s drawing demonstrated his appreciation for the technology of his time. However, the machine he depicted did not serve any functional purpose, which he used to mock the excessive pride inventors _______ after successfully creating an invention.

Among the poems that he wrote during his lifetime, Bashō’s 1686 haiku “The Old Pond” is his most well known and is, arguably, the best haiku of all time. _________ was inspired by nature: it describes the splashes a frog makes after it jumps into a pond.

The Kafala System is a migrant worker system in the Middle East. In 2016, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) implemented reforms that __________ in employment and do not tie the worker to the employer.

Around 10,000 years ago, humans started farming in the Fertile Crescent. Farming brought advantages like a more reliable food supply and a less nomadic _____________

Once a birder has identified the kinds of food they want to put out, the next step is to make sure the environment around the feeder is welcoming and safe. Feeders should be placed either within three feet of or farther than 30 feet away from windows to avoid collisions as birds land and take off. Birds _________ like to have cover as they eat; nearby shrubs and trees can provide safety for birds when they feel threatened. Some birders even like to provide water to go with the food.

The process of carbon fixation involves combining an enzyme called RuBP oxygenase-carboxylase (rubisco) with carbon dioxide _______ form an organic molecule; however, the rubisco molecule also has the potential to use O2 as a substrate instead of CO2, which contributes to a side reaction called photorespiration.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: Ibn Battuta was a famous explorer from the 1300s. He explored most of the Muslim world in his lifetime. He is believed to have travelled as far east as China and the Philippines, and as far west as Morocco. Because of his extensive studies in Mecca, Iba Battuta was prized as an Islamic scholar. Ibn Battuta successfully used his intellect to obtain influence with rulers and merchants around the world.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: Pumpkins come in a variety of colors beyond orange, including red, blue, pink, and white. Deep reddish orange pumpkins, commonly referred to as Cinderella pumpkins, are a French variety called Rouge Vif d’Etampes that was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century. Jarrahdale pumpkins are bluish grey with a golden orange interior and were developed in Australia. Porcelain Doll pumpkins were developed in the United States and are pale pink. They also have a wonderful taste, making them a good choice for pumpkin pie. Casperita pumpkins are small and white. While they are edible, their size makes them more common for decorations than for food.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: The Rice’s whale is a unique species of whale discovered in 2021. It is named after whale researcher Dale Rice. It can grow to a little over 40 feet long and has baleen instead of teeth. This whale is found in the Gulf of Mexico. The Rice’s whale is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 100 of the whales believed to still be alive. Major threats to the Rice’s whale include pollution, especially oil spills.

The vestibular system is _______ in the inner ear and is comprised of three tubes on each side of the head. Each tube on the right has a corresponding tube on the left, making up three pairs.

Staging can be a win-win situation for both the aspiring chef and the mentor: the mentor receives help in the kitchen, and the aspiring chef acquires new skills that he can apply in a future position. Stages at prestigious restaurants can _______ a chef’s resume for future opportunities.

Soap is made up of small molecules that have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails; the hydrophilic heads are attracted to water, while the hydrophobic tails are _______ by water. The soap molecules, when dissolved in water, float around and can either act independently or can join with other soap molecules to form bubbles

Organisms that must consume oxygen to live are known as aerobic organisms, while those that do not need oxygen are considered anaerobic. Aerobic organisms ______ most of their energy from a process known as cellular respiration. This process is oxygen-requiring and cannot be completed by anaerobic organisms. Cellular respiration produces 18 times more energy units per glucose molecule consumed in glycolysis than the anaerobic alternative, fermentation.

Since its development in 1932 by Soviet engineer Konstantin Khrenov, marine welding has become a highly specialized and _________ career. As the name suggests, marine welders construct or repair infrastructures like oil rigs and bridges underwater. Welding occurs when structures like metals or thermoplastics are heated to high temperatures and melted together, causing the structures to bind.

The following text is adapted from the 1918 American Federation of Labor Records. In it, the American Federation of Labor discusses the possible ramifications of labor uprisings and revolts in Europe as the end of World War I approaches. The peace then offered would be even worse than that of Haase, namely, . . . adaptation of the status quo ante and “no annexations, no indemnities” formula, with neighboring nations bound by coerced economic treaties and “readjustments of the frontiers.” To aid the German Socialists (positively) and the Bolsheviki (negatively) is not only playing with fire , it is almost certain to end the war before German defeat or American victory—with all the consequences that must inevitably follow such an indecisive outcome.

Text 1 Sitting at the Art Institute of Chicago is a famous work of art—A Sunday on La Grande Jatte . The piece took artist Georges Seurat more than two years to complete. The painting depicts 48 Parisian citizens spending their afternoon along the Seine River. He sought to capture the timelessness seen in historical art using pointillist technique. By positioning dots of contrasting color closely together, the viewers’ eyes would naturally blend the pigments when they looked upon it. Text 2 Claude Monet’s painting, Impression: Sunrise , marked the beginning of the impressionist movement. It was characterized by large, rough brushstrokes that stood out on the canvas. Nature was the preferred muse of its painters, focusing on the shifting light patterns across the environment. Because of the focus on landscapes, most impressionist painters worked outside on small canvases. They wanted to capture the scenery in its fleeting moments, sometimes coming back and repainting the scene in different seasons.

“Antigenic drift” and “antigenic shift” are the main ways influenza circumvents our adaptive immunity; they are likely the causes of epidemic and pandemic influenza, respectively. To date, 16 HA and nine NA subtypes have been identified, only a fraction of which are currently infectious to humans. However, because the influenza genome is split into segments, when an animal—a bird, for instance—is co-infected with a strain specific to its species, as well as one capable of infecting humans, the segments may become intermixed during replication in a process called “viral reassortment.” When these reassorted genes include either HA or NA, antigenic shift occurs, and the resulting viral particles will express novel proteins to which the entire human race is vulnerable. The aggregation of many point mutations over time is known as antigenic drift, and eventually results in renewed vulnerability to viral strains against which an individual was previously immune

The line between over-sterilization and under-sterilization seems to be a tight rope with falling on either side leading to disaster. However, with common sense and moderation, most healthy people can remain healthy with little effort: Wash your hands when you suspect you may have been exposed to something that could make you ill (raw meat, bathroom germs) and before you eat. The rest of the time, let less harmful germs interact with your immune system to keep you healthy.

The Jungle is a 1906 novel by Upton Sinclair. In this story, the characters Jurgis, Ona, and Teta find it extremely difficult to plan their budget because of the high likelihood of unpredictable expenses: __________

A social scientist is researching the general characteristics of people who use social networking websites. The scientist is putting together a presentation and wants to give a concise example of a typical social networking website user. Based on the latest research from the Pew Research Center, the social scientist could best cite this type of person as an example for her presentation: _________________.

The primary electrolytes lost during sweating are Na+ and K+. Water follows Na+ in the body, so when one sweats profusely, a decent number of electrolytes are lost as well. Researchers are looking at electrolyte loss in warm versus hot environments, wondering if there is a difference in performance from the amount of sweat lost. They hypothesize that losing body water would not be as detrimental during exercise in the cold

Portfolio variance is an estimation of the risk of a portfolio, with a higher number indicating a greater risk and a lower number indicating a lower risk. A stockbroker is trying to recommend the best portfolio construction for a hypothetical client. The stockbroker wants to create a recommended course of action for the hypothetical client to reduce risk but does not know the precise makeup of the client’s stock portfolio. The stockbroker anticipates that a significant reduction in portfolio risk would most likely come from the following adjustment: ___________

Many countries—including the U.S.—have used Keynesian initiatives to varying degrees of success as a jumpstart for their failing economies. It is difficult even for economists to say with any certainty why the policy has worked so well for Sweden. One possible contributor is the remarkable capacity for compromise demonstrated by Swedish politicians, businessmen, labor unions and farmers, even in times of financial turmoil. Although the Social Democrats have remained in power in Sweden for most of the last century, 90% of Swedish industry remains privately owned; labor disputes, in contrast, ___________

Guest workers can be subject to abhorrent treatment: they often must pay pre arrival recruiters exorbitant fees for very minor work, and recruiters may even hold _______ hostage until additional fees are paid.

The scientific method is the process that takes a hypothesis, tests it, and with careful observation, may lead to the discovery of new knowledge. _________

Cats may have been selectively bred by humans for traits like friendliness and tameness, but they may also have developed those traits naturally through generations of coexisting with humans. This is where the phrase “cats domesticated themselves” comes from: no one is certain exactly how we came to have ________ predators in our homes, but we certainly appreciate them

During the first roller derby event called the Transcontinental Roller Derby, each team consisted of ________ Additionally, female and male pairs would compete against players of their respective gender, and all of the players abided by the same roller derby rules.

Comité des Citoyens (the Committee of Citizens) brought Plessy v. Ferguson to the Supreme Court, where the Court cemented the separate but equal doctrine into law until it was ________ down in Brown v. Board of Education.

The group of modern artists came up with their movement’s name after a knife that was randomly inserted into a dictionary seemed to point to the word “dada.” The ____________ to go against conformity and the violence surrounding World War I. Dada was inspired by various art styles like Expressionism, Cubism, Constructivism, and Futurism, although the movement itself was not classified as an art style.

Many of the greatest battles in history can be simplified to microcosmic struggles between two strong characters. Take Grant and Lee, for instance. Or consider David and Goliath if you prefer an older story. But not often _______ such a struggle occur when both great leaders are on the same side.

For a casual birder—another name for “birdwatcher”—common backyard birds like house sparrows, European starlings, and American robins can be enough. ___________ want to see all kinds of birds in their backyards

Some interpret the pond in the poem as symbolizing subconsciousness— specifically, the subconsciousness of an older person. Just as frogs are motivated to jump into the water by instinct, humans relax and meditate because their biology prompts them to do so. ______ the frog jumping into the water symbolizes the meditative state of the older person.

Creating the closest precursor of the periodic table, Chancourtois—utilizing the invaluable molar mass work of Amedeo Avogadro—graphed 63 known elements in order of increasing atomic weight on his “telluric helix,” and observed an element’s chemical reactivity. __________ because Chancourtois inexplicably included several polyatomic ions on the helix and published his report using geological rather than chemical terminology, his discovery was largely ignored.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: The submarine CCS Hunley was the first to sink another ship, the USS Housatonic . The Hunle y was used by the Confederates during the Civil War and it was human-powered. The Hunley disappeared after its first and only attack that sank another ship. The Hunley remained missing until 2000 when it was raised from the sea floor. The Hunley was in surprisingly good condition, which allowed researchers to learn more about its final battle.

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: The increasing digitization of historical records has increased access to those documents and helped increase the popularity of genealogy as a hobby. Genealogy is tracing one’s family history. Knowing a few key kinship terms will help the hobby genealogist get started. “Consanguinity” refers to family members you’re related to by blood “Affinal” refers to family members you’re related to by marriage.

While conducting research, a student took these notes: Antibiotic resistance has been a growing concern in the medical field for the past decade. One pathway taken to resolve this is an adjuvant that targets bacterial translation. The gene, efp, codes for the elongation factor protein, EF-P, which works to increase the efficiency of polyproline synthesis. One study showed that the deletion of efp in bacteria increases its susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics. Another study tried this deletion but tested bacteria’s resistance to carbapenem antibiotics instead.