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1/23/2014
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Online - Practice Test #3 1 Mala based her new online business in the -------, because she wanted to work far away from the crowded, expensiv e city . (A) m etropolis (B) neighborhood (C) country side (D) em porium (E) m ultitude A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. The countryside is a rural area. The sentence indicates that Mala wanted to be far away from the crowded, expensive city. If Mala wanted to be far away from a city, it makes sense that she would base her new business in the countryside, a rural place that is likely less crowded and less expensive than a city. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. A metropolis is a large important city. The sentence indicates that Mala wanted to be far away from the crowded, expensive city, so it does not make sense to suggest that Mala would base her new business in a metropolis. A large city is likely to be crowded and expensive. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The term neighborhood typically refers to a small area inhabited by people who live near one another. The sentence indicates that Mala based her new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away from the crowded, expensive city. A neighborhood is not necessarily far away from a cityin fact, neighborhoods are frequently located in citiesso there is no reason to believe that Mala would base her business there. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. An emporium is place of trade or a center of commercial activity. The sentence indicates that Mala based her new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away
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new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away from the crowded, expensive city. An emporium would not necessarily be far away from a cityindeed, a center of commercial activity might be located in a city where there is a large number of customersso there is no reason to believe that Mala would base her business there. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. A multitude is a great number of people. The sentence indicates that Mala based her new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away from the crowded, expensive city. Mala wants to avoid crowdslarge groups of people so the term multitude does not logically complete the sentence. Further, it is somewhat illogical to suggest that an online business could be based in the multitude because a multitude is not a place.
In his v iv id representations of the African Am erican experience, painter Rom are Bearden often used colors so ------- that v iewers could not take their ey es off his works of art. (A) sensible (B) residual (C) v ibrant (D) m annered (E) form ulaic A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. If something is vibrant it is bright and pulsating with life or activity. According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect these qualities. It makes sense to describe the colors Bearden used as vibrant: vibrant colors in works of art would likely captivate people, making viewers feel they could not take their eyes off the paintings. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. In this context, sensible means capable of being sensed or perceived. According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect these qualities. Sensible colors are those that can be perceived, so it is possible that sensible colors would captivate viewers. However, sensibility is not directly connected to vividnessindeed, perceivable colors could also be dull and boringso the term sensible is not the best choice. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. If something is residual it is a remaining
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Choice (B) is incorrect. If something is residual it is a remaining part, or that which is left, after the completion of a process. Residual colors would be those remaining after something is completed. According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect these qualities. It does not make much sense to describe colors as being "so residual that viewers could not take their eyes off" paintings containing those colors. It is not clear how colors could be a leftover part of something, and there is no reason to believe that something residual would necessarily be captivating. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. To be mannered is to display a particular character or behavior, often an artificial one. According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect these qualities. A color with a particular character or attribute could captivate viewers. However, there is no direct connection between being mannered and being vivid. Further, it is somewhat illogical to describe colors as being mannered or as having the ability to display any type of behavior, artificial or otherwise. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. If something is formulaic, it follows a set form or method in a way that leaves little room for originality. According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect these qualities. If Beardens use of color follows a set form and does not incorporate originality, it is unlikely that his works of art would be described as vivid or that the colors in them would cause viewers to feel they could not take their eyes off the paintings. Therefore, the term formulaic is not the best choice.
By discov ering how to ------- an affordable substitute for cortisone from soy beans, Percy Julian helped to m ake arthritis treatm ent ------- large num bers of people. (A) elim inate . . superfluous for (B) sy nthesize . . prohibitiv e for (C) com prom ise . . feasible for (D) constitute . . irrelev ant to (E) create . . accessible to A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer E : Choice (E) is correct. To create something is to bring it into existence. If something is "accessible," it is within reach or capable of being used. The structure of the sentence indicates a cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence. The key word is "affordable": something happened with "an affordable substitute for cortisone" (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLocat
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substitute for cortisone" (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. The existence of a cortisone substitute that people can afford would certainly help to put the treatment of arthritis within many peoples reach; because Percy Julian discovered how to create the affordable substitute, arthritis treatment became accessible to large numbers of people. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. To eliminate something is to get rid of it or remove it. If something is "superfluous," it is extra or unnecessary. The structure of the sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. There is not necessarily any reason to believe that someone would try to get rid of a cortisone substitute that people could afford. Further, it is unlikely that the elimination of an affordable substitute would make arthritis treatment unnecessary for many people; presumably, people with arthritis would still need treatment, even if they could not afford cortisone or a cortisone substitute. The term eliminate and the phrase superfluous for do not logically complete the sentence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. To synthesize is to combine different parts to form a whole. If something is "prohibitive," it prevents the use or purchase of something. The structure of the sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. It makes sense to suggest that Percy Julian discovered a way to synthesize a substitute for cortisone. However, because the substitute is affordable, it does not make sense to say that it made the treatment of arthritis prohibitive for large numbers of people suffering from arthritis; an affordable treatment would most likely be accessible to many people. The term synthesize and the phrase prohibitive for do not logically complete the sentence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. In this context, to compromise something is to damage it or cause the impairment of it. If something is "feasible," it is able to be done or carried out. The structure of the sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. If a cortisone substitute is available and affordable, it does make sense to conclude that it could make arthritis treatment feasible for, or able to be carried out by, large numbers of people. However, if an affordable substitute for cortisone was to be compromised, or damaged, it is unlikely that the result would be to make arthritis treatment feasible. https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLocat
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unlikely that the result would be to make arthritis treatment feasible. Further, there is not necessarily any reason to believe that someone would try to damage a cortisone substitute that people could afford. The term compromise and the phrase feasible for do not logically complete the sentence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to constitute something is to establish it or set it up. If something is "irrelevant," it is inapplicable or not related to a matter at hand. The structure of the sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. It makes sense to suggest that Percy Julian discovered how to establish a substitute for cortisone. However, it does not make sense to say that an affordable substitute would make the treatment of arthritis irrelevant to large numbers of people; presumably, people with arthritis would need treatment whether the treatment was expensive or affordable.
Although the wom en in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries who undertook botanical illustration were prim arily -------, their contributions as naturalists and cataloguers actually helped ------- the field as an academ ic discipline. (A) researchers . . depreciate (B) am ateurs . . legitim ize (C) entrepreneurs . . subsidize (D) biologists . . eschew (E) historians . . chronicle A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B : Choice (B) is correct. "Amateurs" are people who engage in an activity as a pastime or hobby rather than as a profession. To legitimize something is to make it legitimate, or give it authority and respectability. The term Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two missing terms: although something is a certain way, the results are not what one would expect. If most women who undertook botanical illustration were amateurs, then one would not expect their work to have given the field authority and respectability, because amateurs are not usually experts in a field. The sentence suggests that although the women were primarily amateurs, they nevertheless made contributions that actually helped legitimize the field as an academic discipline. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. "Researchers" are people who investigate something thoroughly. To depreciate is to lower in esteem or https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLocat
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something thoroughly. To depreciate is to lower in esteem or value. The term Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two missing terms: although something is a certain way, the results are not what one would expect. Because researchers conduct careful investigations, their contributions to a field would most likely be valued and add value to that field. Thus, there is a contrast between the expertise of researchers and the depreciation, or devaluing, of a field. However, there is no reason to believe that illustrations produced by researchers actually would have caused the field of botanical illustration to lower in esteem; in fact, because the illustrations were considered contributions, it makes sense to conclude that they increased the fields esteem. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. "Entrepreneurs" are people who manage and take on the risks of a business project. To subsidize something is to offer assistance or promote it, usually with money. The term Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two missing terms: although something is a certain way, the results are not what one would expect. The terms entrepreneurs and subsidize do not support the necessary contrast; if most women who undertook botanical illustration were entrepreneurs, then it is possible that their contributions subsidized the field, or helped it financially. Additionally, nothing in the sentence indicates that the womens contributions related to financial matters. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. "Biologists" are people who study living organisms. To eschew something is to avoid it as a habit, often for moral reasons. The sentence is about botanical illustrations and certain womens contributions as naturalists, both of which relate to the field of biology, so it is possible that most of the women who undertook botanical illustration were biologists. However, the term eschew does not logically complete the sentence. It does not make sense to say that the womens contributions helped eschew, or helped avoid, the field as an academic discipline. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. "Historians" are people who study events or people in the past. To chronicle something is to provide a historical or narrative account of it. The term Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two terms: although something is a certain way, the results are not what one would expect. The terms historians and chronicle do not support the necessary contrast; if most women who undertook botanical illustration were historians, then it is logical to conclude that they might have chronicled, or provided a historical account of, the field.
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To end his lecture on tim e, Professor Burke decided to ------- his final point and address it instead at the next class m eeting. (A) im prov ise (B) am end (C) forgo (D) reiterate (E) prom ote A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. To forgo something is to give it up or do without it. The sentence indicates that instead of addressing his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time." It would be accurate to say that the professor decided to forgo, or give up, discussing his final point during the current class period. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. To improvise is to do something without preparation. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time. It is possible that an improvised part of a lecture might need to be addressed again in another class meeting. However, the term instead indicates that rather than presenting his final point without preparation, Professor Burke did not present his final point at all during the current class period. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. To amend something is to change it for the better or improve it. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time. The term instead indicates that Professor Burke did not present his final point at all during the current class period, so it does not make sense to suggest that he somehow amended his final point during the current class period. Further, if the professor improved part of his lecture, it is unlikely that he would address it again in the next class meeting; he would already have addressed the point sufficiently. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to reiterate something is to state it repeatedly. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time. It is possible that a point that a professor wants to reiterate might be addressed again in another class meeting. However, the term instead indicates that rather than addressing his final point https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLocat
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term instead indicates that rather than addressing his final point repeatedly, Professor Burke did not present his final point at all during the current class period. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. To promote something is to advance it or contribute to its growth or prosperity. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time. It is possible that a professor who wants to promote a certain point might address it in more than one class meeting. However, the term instead indicates that rather than advancing his final point, Professor Burke did not present his final point at all during the current class period.
Although A. S. By atts stories are elaborate and som etim es contain supernatural elem ents, her characters do not seem -------; on the contrary , they are quite -------. (A) sim plistic . . eccentric (B) realistic . . m em orable (C) abstruse . . incom prehensible (D) contriv ed . . plausible (E) intricate . . com plex A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer D : Choice (D) is correct. In this context, contrived means artificial or false. Plausible means believable. The sentence states that A. S. Byatts stories are elaborate, or marked by complexity and fullness of detail, and include supernatural elements, or things related to entities or events that cannot be explained by natural laws. The phrase on the contrary indicates that the terms that fit the blanks will be opposite in meaning; the terms contrived and plausible are opposites in this context. One might expect characters in complex stories of the supernatural to seem artificial, but Byatts characters are, on the contrary, believable. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. Simplistic means overly simplified. Eccentric means deviating from an established pattern or style. The structure of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank should describe the characters one would expect in such stories. One would not expect characters in complex supernatural stories to be overly simplified, so the term simplistic is not the best choice. Further, the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect. Unusual characters are not necessarily the opposite of simplistic https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLocat
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Unusual characters are not necessarily the opposite of simplistic characters, so the term eccentric does not logically complete the sentence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. In this context, realistic characters would be those who seem like real people. Memorable means notable or worth remembering. The structure of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank should describe the characters one would expect in such stories. One might expect that characters in supernatural stories would not seem like real people, since such stories deal with things beyond our universe, so the term realistic is not the best choice for the first blank. Further, the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect. Characters who seem like real people might also be notable, so the term memorable does not logically complete the sentence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. Abstruse means difficult to comprehend. Incomprehensible means impossible to comprehend. The structure of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank should describe the characters one would expect in such stories. One might expect characters in complex supernatural stories to be difficult to comprehend, so the term abstruse might make sense in the first blank. But the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect. The term incomprehensible does not logically complete the sentence because it means nearly the same thing as, not the opposite of, abstruse. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. Intricate means complicated. Complex means hard to analyze or solve. The structure of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank should describe the characters one would expect in such stories. One might expect characters in a complex supernatural story to be complicated and hard to analyze, so the term intricate makes sense in the first blank. But the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect. The term complex does not logically complete the sentence because it means the same thing as, not the opposite of, intricate.
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Dr. Allan was told inform ally of sev eral intriguing cases that accorded with her theory , but this ------- ev idence could not prov ide the confirm ation that a m ore ------ series of experim ents would. (A) anecdotal . . sy stem atic (B) theoretical . . conv oluted (C) im pressionistic . . analogous (D) unsubstantiated . . dilatory (E) dogm atic . . rigorous A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer A : Choice (A) is correct. Anecdotal means based on reports or observations made by usually unscientific observers. In this context, systematic means methodical in procedure or plan. The sentence indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan would need to conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on a certain type of evidence presented to her informally. It makes sense to suggest that a systematic, or methodical, series of experiments could confirm her theory and that anecdotal evidenceevidence based only on reports made by unscientific observerscould not. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. Theoretical means hypothetical or existing only in theory. Convoluted means intricate and confusing, often unnecessarily so. The sentence indicates that evidence from several . . . cases was presented to Dr. Allan informally. It does not make sense to suggest that information about actual cases is theoretical evidence, or evidence that exists only in theory; whether or not such informal evidence is useful, it seems the evidence does exist. Further, although some experiments might be intricate, there is no reason to believe that a doctor would want to conduct convoluted or unnecessarily intricate experiments. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. Impressionistic means based on or involving impressions rather than facts. If two things are analogous, they share many similarities but are different from each other in some way. The sentence indicates that evidence from several . . . cases was presented to Dr. Allan informally. While this evidence was presented informally, there is no reason to believe that information resulting from real cases would be based only on impressions and not on facts. Further, it does not really make sense to say that Dr. Allan would conduct a more analogous series of experimentsthere is no indication of what the experiments would be similar to or how these more similar experiments would result in strong evidence. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
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Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. Unsubstantiated means unsupported by proof. Dilatory means tending to cause delay. The sentence indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan would need to conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on a certain type of evidence presented to her informally. It makes sense to suggest that evidence that is unsupported by proof would not confirm a theory, so the term unsubstantiated makes sense in the first blank. But the term dilatory does not make sense in the second blank. It is somewhat illogical to suggest that a series of experiments that would cause a delay would help Dr. Allan confirm her theory. Indeed, there is no reason to believe that a doctor would want to conduct experiments that would cause delays. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. Dogmatic means characterized by the expression of very strong opinions as if they were facts. In this context, rigorous means precise or scrupulously accurate. The sentence indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan would need to conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on a certain type of evidence presented to her informally. It makes sense to suggest that rigorous, or very accurate, experiments could confirm her theory. However, the term dogmatic does not make sense in the first blank. It is somewhat illogical to suggest that evidence could be dogmatic; a person conducting studies certainly can express his or her opinions, but the studies results cannot express opinions, strongly or otherwise.
Despite the ------- of books written about Greta Garbo, she ultim ately rem ains -------, an inscrutable personality . (A) ardor . . a paragon (B) profusion . . an enigm a (C) bounty . . an icon (D) obtuseness . . a paradox (E) dearth . . a m y stery A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B : Choice (B) is correct. A profusion of something is a great quantity of that thing. In this context, the term enigma refers to an inscrutable, or not readily understood, person. The structure of the sentence indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand. The phrase an enigma describes such a person. The structure also suggests that books about Greta Garbo should help people understand who she was, but do not; one might expect a great quantity of books about Garbo to lead to an understanding of her, so the term profusion fits the first blank. Even though there are many books about Garbo, she remains an https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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Even though there are many books about Garbo, she remains an enigma. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. Ardor is intensity or extreme energy. A paragon is a model of excellence or perfection. The structure of the sentence suggests that the books about Greta Garbo should help people understand who she was, but do not. It is possible that very intense books about Garbo could include things that would help people understand who she was, so the term ardor might make sense in the first blank; however, the term ardor is not usually used to describe books. Further, the structure of the sentence also indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand. Someone who is a model of excellence is not necessarily an inscrutable person, so the phrase a paragon is not the best choice for the second blank. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. In this context, a bounty is an abundance or ample quantity of something. An icon can be an idol or an object of uncritical devotion. The structure of the sentence suggests that the books about Greta Garbo should help people understand who she was, but do not. One might expect an abundance of books about Garbo to lead to an understanding of her, so the term bounty makes some sense in the first blank. But the structure also indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand. Someone who is an object of devotion might be difficult to understand, but an icon is not necessarily an inscrutable person. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, something that is obtuse is difficult to comprehend or not clear or precise in thought or expression. The term paradox can refer to a person who has seemingly contradictory qualities or phases. The structure of the sentence indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand. Someone who has seemingly contradictory qualities might be inscrutable, so the phrase a paradox makes sense in the second blank. However, the structure of the sentence also suggests that the books about Greta Garbo should help people understand who she was; one would not expect books that are unclear or difficult to comprehend to accomplish this, so the term obtuseness is not the best choice for the first blank. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. A dearth is a lack of something or an inadequate supply. A mystery is something not understood or beyond understanding. The structure of the sentence indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an
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the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand. The phrase a mystery describes such a person. However, the structure also suggests that the books should help people understand who Greta Garbo was, but do not; one would not expect a lack of books about Garbo to lead to an understanding of her, so the term dearth does not logically complete the sentence.
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When we came home, Aunt Sy lv ie would certainly be home, too, enjoy ing the ev ening, for so she described her habit of sitting in the dark. Ev ening was her special time of day . She gav e the word three sy llables, and indeed I think she liked it so well for its tendency to smooth, to soften. She seemed to dislike the disequilibrium of counterpoising a roomful of light against a worldful of darkness. Sy lv ie in a house was more or less like a mermaid in a ships cabin. She preferred it sunk in the v ery element it was meant to ex clude.
The reference to Aunt Sy lv ies pronunciation in line 4 serv es to (A) capture a distinctiv e regional dialect (B) highlight a double m eaning of a word (C) prov ide an om inous foreshadowing (D) underscore a particular m isconception (E) giv e ev idence of a contrary personality A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B : Choice (B) is correct. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEVUN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something even. As the narrator indicates in line 5, Aunt Sylvie was probably aware of the double meaning of the wordthe narrator thinks she liked the word "for its tendency to smooth, to soften"and pronounced it in a way that highlighted this double meaning. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEVUN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something even. Nothing in the passage suggests that Aunt Sylvie pronounces the word evening in a certain way because she speaks in a way that is particular to a certain region; there is no indication that Aunt
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Sylvie speaks with a distinctive regional dialect. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEVUN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something even. The passage does refer to the darkness that accompanies evening, and some authors use darkness to create ominous foreshadowing. However, for Aunt Sylvie the evening is a smoothing and softening force; the author does not refer to her pronunciation of the word in an ominous or scary way. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEVUN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something level or even. A misconception is something that people wrongly believe to be true. The narrator of the passage does not suggest that Aunt Sylvies pronunciation of the word evening has anything to do with a misconception of some kind. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEVUN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something level or even. A contrary personality is one that does not conform to what is expected. Although Aunt Sylvie seems to pronounce the word evening in a different way from most people, the narrator does not refer to her pronunciation as evidence that she typically does not conform to what is expected. There is no suggestion that Aunt Sylvie is a contrary personality.
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The last sentence of the passage suggests that Sy lv ie felt a house should be a (A) shelter from darkness and danger (B) defense against unwelcom e v isitors (C) m y sterious and adv enturous place (D) rem inder of the cabin of a ship (E) part of the world outdoors
A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer E : Choice (E) is correct. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. Houses are meant to be shelters from the natural environment, but Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the world outdoors, not separate from it. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. Houses are meant to be shelters from the natural environment and may provide shelter from darkness and danger. However, instead of feeling that a house should shelter one from darkness and danger, Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the world outdoors. The narrator does not address the idea of danger but he or she specifically states that Sylvie enjoyed sitting in darkness. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the world outdoors, not separate from it. Nothing in the passage suggests that Sylvie was concerned about unwelcome visitors. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's
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in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the world outdoors, not separate from it. A home could be a place of mystery and adventure, but the narrator describes Sylvie as enjoying the evening in her house because of its tendency to smooth, to soften; it is unlikely that such evenings would involve the excitement and risk of an adventure. Nothing in the passage suggests that Sylvie felt a house should be a mysterious and adventurous place. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator mentions a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. The narrator compares Sylvie to a mermaid in a ships cabin to suggest that just as the mermaid would want the cabin to feel like the sea, Sylvie wanted her house to feel like it was part of the world outdoors. The narrator does not suggest that Sylvie wanted her home to be similar in any way to the cabin of a ship.
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Some people boast of hav ing a six th sense, professing to know or see things that others cannot. Fortune-tellers, mind readers, and my stics all lay claim to this power, and, in so doing, elicit widespread fascination in others, especially book publishers and telev ision producers. The questionable field of parapsy chology is of course founded on the belief that at least some people actually possess this my sterious power. But to me, the real my stery is why so many fortunetellers choose to work the phones on telev ision psy chic hotlines instead of becoming insanely wealthy stock traders on Wall Street.
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The author im plies that the people (line 1 ) are (A) m av ericks (B) dilettantes (C) oracles (D) charlatans (E) pragm atists
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A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer D : Choice (D) is correct. A charlatan is a person who claims to have a skill or knowledge that he or she does not possess. In line 1 the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. The author then suggests that if these people really had the powers they claim to have, they would use those powers to make money on Wall Street. The author strongly implies that people who call themselves psychics are charlatans; he or she suggests that they are claiming to have certain skills that they do not have. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. A maverick is an individual who does not go along with the expectations of a group or party. In line 1 the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. It is possible that a maverick would claim to have skills she or he does not really possess, but being a maverick is not directly related to possessing or not possessing certain skills. The author does not suggest that people who falsely claim to have a sixth sense also reject the expectations of a group or party. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. A dilettante is a person who has a shallow or superficial interest in an activity or branch of knowledge. In line 1 the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. Dilettantes do not have a deep knowledge of a field, so it is possible that they would claim to have skills they do not actually possess. However, the author of the passage does not suggest that fortune-tellers and psychics lack a deep knowledge of the field of parapsychology; the author is skeptical about these people because they falsely claim to have special powers, not because he or she is concerned about the shallowness of their knowledge of parapsychology. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. An oracle is a prophet or someone through whom a deity is believed to speak. In line 1 the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. Those who believe that psychics and https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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read minds or tell fortunes. Those who believe that psychics and fortune-tellers actually have the powers they say they possess might consider these people to be oracles. However, the author does not believe that psychics and fortune-tellers really have special powers he or she suggests that if these people really had the powers they claim to have they would use those powers to make money on Wall Street, not to work the phones on television psychic hotlines. Rather than suggesting that psychics and fortune-tellers are oracles, the author suggests that they are charlatans. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. A pragmatist is a person who takes a practical, or matter-of-fact, approach to problems. In line 1 the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. Nowhere in the passage does the author suggest that psychics and fortune-tellers take a practical approach to problems. Further, a practical person would be unlikely to claim to have skills she or he does not really possess. Rather than suggesting that they are pragmatists, the author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers are charlatans.
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The tone of the authors com m ent in the last sentence (But . . . Street) is m ost accurately described as (A) sardonic (B) baffled (C) condescending (D) didactic (E) pensiv e A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer A : Choice (A) is correct. To be sardonic is to be humorous with a mocking or skeptical tone. The author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones on television . . . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall Street. This sentence humorously demonstrates the author's point that so-called psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers. The authors tone is most accurately described as sardonic. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. To be baffled is to be confused or puzzled. The author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the
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actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones on television . . . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall Street. The author is not actually confused about why fortune-tellers are not working on Wall Street; he or she refers to the mystery to humorously demonstrate his or her point that so-called psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. To be condescending is to look down on others in a patronizing or haughty way. The author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense. The author mocks so-called psychics with a humorous comment about working the phones instead of making money on Wall Street because he or she is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology. Skeptical people can be condescending, especially if they believe they are right and others are wrong. However, the author's tone in the last sentence is not primarily one of condescension; the author does not strongly suggest that so-called psychics are beneath him or her. Instead, the author adopts a mocking tone to humorously demonstrate his or her point that so-called psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers. The authors tone is more sardonic than condescending. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to be didactic is to teach or moralize excessively. The author suggests that psychics and fortunetellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones . . . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall Street. The author does not offer readers any instruction or extensively discuss any moral observations; rather, in the last sentence the author simply uses mocking humor to demonstrate his or her point that socalled psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. To be pensive is to be dreamily thoughtful, sometimes in a sad way. The author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones . . . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall Street. The author is not sincerely wondering why fortune-tellers do not work on Wall Street, and his or her tone is not dreamily thoughtful. Rather, the authors tone is mocking; the last sentence humorously demonstrates the author's point that so-called psychics
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humorously demonstrates the author's point that so-called psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers.
These passages are adapted from observations made by two twentiethcentury historians on how nationsand peoplemake use of their sense of their own history.
Passage 1 Although when we use the word history we instinctiv ely think of the past, this is an error, for history is actually a bridge connecting the past with the present and pointing the road to the future. This fact Daniel Webster ex pressed many y ears ago in memorable nautical terms: . . . when the mariner has tossed for many day s in thick weather, and on an unknown sea, he naturally av ails himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glances of the sun, to take his latitude and ascertain how far the elements hav e driv en him from his true course. Webster here indicates one of the cardinal utilities of history . Since humanity is alway s more or less storm-driv en, history serv es as a crucial nav igational instrument for the nations which, tossed as they are by wind and current, would be lost in confusion if they could not identify their position. History enables bewildered bodies of human beings to grasp their relationship with their past, and helps them chart their immediate forward course. And it does more than this. By giv ing people a sense of continuity in all their efforts, red-flagging error, and chronicling immortal worth, it confers on them a consciousness of unity , a realization of the v alue of indiv idual achiev ement, and a comprehension of the importance of planned effort, as contrasted with aimless drifting. Modern people, especially when harried and perplex ed by the sweep of ev ents, peer earnestly into history for some illumination of their predicament and prospects, ev en though they may only read magazine articles or listen to the radio or telev ision. And when great ev ents rouse people to their most responsible temper, and fierce national ordeals awaken them to a new sense of their capacities, they turn readily to the writing of history , for they wish to instruct, and to its reading, for they want to learn. It was no accident that the First World War fostered such an interest in history that for a time the number of books in English dev oted to history ex ceeded the titles in fiction.
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Passage 2 The historian has much to answer for. History that is, written history and the ex amples it prov ideshas made and unmade nations, giv en courage to the oppressed and undermined the oppressor, has justified aggression and ov erridden law. After Germany s defeat of France in 1 87 0, a French historian ex claimed with unwilling admiration that the nineteenth-century Germans used their history as a means toward unity and a weapon of war; but that the story of his own country as written by his compatriots
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the story of his own country as written by his compatriots had taught the French people abov e all to hate one another. Past heroism breeds future heroism, past cowardice the cowardice of the future. History tends to repeat itself by a process of almost deliberate imitation. We hav e been told what to ex pect of ourselv es and, by ex pecting, we do it. But what is this motiv ating force? What is written history ? The nineteenth-century English historian Froude sonorously hailed it as a v oice forev er sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. Written history is, in fact, nothing of the kind; it is the fragmentary record of the often inex plicable actions of innumerable bewildered human beings set down and interpreted according to their own limitations by other human beings, equally bewildered. The tribunal of history judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judges. But only a minority of people are able to recognize this fact, and, of that minority , only a minority will act upon it. The rest of us will go through life with a silt of moral and political prejudice washing about the brainall deriv ed directly and indirectly , by way of tex tbooks and propaganda and theaters and the marketplace, from historical writings. It used to be said that history should be written without prejudice, that the historian must not step aside to draw a moral. The first cannot be done; the second should not. Historians should alway s draw morals. If the accurate, judicious and highly trained scholars fail to do so, the unscrupulous and unqualified will do it for them, and the deluded public will listen gaping to false but more emphatic prophets. Historians who neglect the education of the public are responsible for the v illainous stuff to which the public will go instead. A nation does not create the historians it deserv es; the historians are far more likely to create the nation.
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The author of each passage argues that people use their nations history as a way to (A) bring about harm ony am ong disparate groups (B) settle disputes ov er im portant precedents (C) m ake decisions about future actions (D) influence citizens of other nations (E) create m y ths fostering patriotism A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. The author of Passage 1 indicates that the history of a nation should be used to point the road to the future, and that history allows human beings to . . . chart their immediate forward course. Similarly, the author of Passage 2 argues that the future behavior of a nation is shaped by its past: Past heroism breeds future heroism, past cowardice the cowardice of the future. For both authors, history impacts future actions. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 1 writes that https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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Choice (A) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 1 writes that history gives people a sense of continuity or a consciousness of unity he or she implies that history can create a sense of shared identity among peoplehowever, the author does not mention disparate groups or a sense of harmony. The author of Passage 2 acknowledges that the history of a particular nation provides examples for its future actions, but he or she also does not address harmony among different groups. Neither author suggests that people use history to achieve harmony among disparate groups. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. Both authors strongly argue that people use their nations history to guide them in their future actions; the author of Passage 1 states that a nations history is also the road to the future, and the author of Passage 2 asserts that a nations future behavior is shaped by its past. Neither author suggests that people use history to settle disputes over important precedentsthat is, to resolve disagreements about conventions established by long practice or by earlier events. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. Both authors suggest that a nations future is shaped by its own past. The author of Passage 1 states that history helps people grasp their relationship with their past, and helps them chart their immediate forward course, and the author of Passage 2 points out that we have been told what to expect of ourselves and by expecting it, we do it. These points of view do not indicate that history is used by one nation to influence the citizens of another nation. Rather, both authors suggest that people use their own history to understand themselves and to create their own future. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. Neither of the authors argues that history is used to create myths that promote patriotism. The author of Passage 1 explains that history is used as a tool (a crucial navigational instrument) for determining future actions and as a means for establishing a sense of national identity. The author of Passage 2 explains that history tends to repeat itself and that people create a future that imitates the past. There is no discussion of myths in either passage.
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The prim ary purpose of Passage 1 is to (A) define what is m eant by the term history in Western culture (B) draw a parallel between collectiv e and indiv idual histories (C) describe the benefits of hav ing a sense of history (D) clarify m isconceptions about history (E) justify the publics interest in history A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is to describe the ways in which having a sense of history is beneficial for a nation and its people. As the author points out, people use history as a tool for determining their future. He or she states that history gives people a sense of identity and continuity, and that it also gives people a consciousness of unity and a realization of the value of individual achievement. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is not to define the term history but to describe the benefits of having a sense of history. The author describes history as a bridge connecting the past with the present and pointing the road to the future; he or she does not suggest that this description is a definition of history, but rather uses the description to introduce the idea that history can serve as a crucial navigational instrument, helping people shape their future actions. The author also indicates that other benefits of history include giving people a sense of identity and unity. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 does not compare collective and individual histories. Rather, the primary purpose of Passage 1 is to describe how a sense of history can be beneficial for nations and their people. According to the author, when people are faced with national ordeals they turn to history to determine their future actions and to acquire a sense of identity and unity, using history as a crucial navigational instrument. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 is not concerned with clarifying misconceptions about history; he or she does not even mention any such misconceptions. Rather, the primary purpose of Passage 1 is to describe how a sense of history can be beneficial for nations and their people. The author asserts that history serves as a guide for future actions (a critical navigational instrument) and gives people a sense of identity and unity. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is not to justify the publics interest in history. The term justify suggests that others have a negative opinion about public interest in history, and that the author is trying to prove the rightness or reasonableness of the publics interest; but the author does not indicate that anyone thinks the publics interest is negative in any way or that he or she needs to defend this interest. Instead, the author simply asserts that having a sense of history is beneficial to nations and their people: history serves as a guide for determining peoples future actions and gives people a sense of identity and unity. https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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gives people a sense of identity and unity.
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The author of Passage 2 would m ost likely argue that a nations history differs from a crucial nav igational instrum ent (line 1 3 , Passage 1 ) in that history (A) m ay offer flawed, ev en m isleading, direction (B) is not easily understood by ev ery head of state (C) helps to prom ote em barrassm ent, ev en sham e (D) offers little guidance on certain national issues (E) m ust be studied in the context of a society s v alues A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer A : Choice (A) is correct. The author of Passage 1 compares history to a navigational instrument that offers people accurate directions for moving forward. The author of Passage 2, however, argues that Written history has limitations: it is the fragmentary record of the often inexplicable actions of . . . human beings and is set down and interpreted . . . by other human beings. In other words, peoples actions sometimes cannot be fully understood or explained, but the people who write history try to explain these actions. The author states that these writers may only know part of the story and can only offer their own interpretation of what happened; as a result, written history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a useful navigational instrument. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. Nowhere does the author of Passage 2 suggest that heads of state do not easily understand history, so he or she would probably not argue that this is a reason history differs from a crucial navigational instrument. Instead, the author would likely argue that Written history is not a necessary instrument for steering people in the right direction (as the author of Passage 1 believes) because it provides only a fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. The author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a useful navigational instrument. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 does mention that past cowardice [breeds] the cowardice of the future, but he or she is referring to the way history can either give courage to or oppress people; the author does not address the idea that history promotes embarrassment or shame, so there is no reason to believe he or she would argue that history differs from a crucial navigational instrument for this reason. In contrast to Passage 1, in which the author suggests that history steers people in the right direction, the author of Passage 2 indicates that Written history provides only a fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. The author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a useful or necessary navigational instrument. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 would probably not argue that history differs from a crucial navigational instrument because it offers little guidance on some national issuesthe author suggests that nations do find guidance in Written history, calling it a motivating force that has made and unmade nations. Rather, the author would likely argue that history may not be a necessary navigational instrument because the guidance history offers may be flawed or misleading; history provides only a fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. It may be true that history is best studied in the context of a societys values, but the author of Passage 2 does not discuss this idea and there is no reason to believe that he or she would argue that history differs from a crucial navigational instrument for this reason. In contrast to Passage 1, in which the author suggests that history steers people in the right direction, the author of Passage 2 indicates that Written history provides only a fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. The author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a necessary navigational instrument.
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In line 2 6 , the sweep of ev ents m ost directly refers to ev ents that happen (A) secretly and rem ain undisclosed (B) routinely and appear unim portant (C) swiftly and seem ov erwhelm ing (D) accidentally and inspire im prov em ents (E) predictably and confirm expectations A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. In Passage 1 the author declares that the sweep of events leaves people harried and perplexed. This suggests that the author is referring to events that happen so fast or so swiftly that they leave people overwhelmed or confused. According to the author, it is in this context that people often examine history in order to learn from it. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. Nothing in the passage suggests that the phrase the sweep of events refers to secret and undisclosed events. Rather, when the author of Passage 1 mentions the sweep of events he or she is referring to things happening so fast that they leave people harried and perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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people harried and perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The author suggests that such fast-moving events often cause people to examine history in order to learn from it. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 uses the phrase the sweep of events to describe events that are not routine or unimportant. The author is referring to things happening so fast that they leave people harried and perplexed; it is unlikely that commonplace, insignificant events would cause people to feel overwhelmed and confused. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 suggests that the sweep of events can cause people to peer earnestly into history, but he or she does not discuss any improvements that may result from such behavior and does not indicate whether the events are happening accidentally. Instead, the author uses the phrase to refer to things happening so fast that they leave people harried and perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The author suggests that such fast-moving events often cause people to examine history in order to learn from it. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 uses the phrase the sweep of events to describe events that most likely are not predictable. The author is referring to things happening so fast that they leave people harried and perplexed; it is unlikely that predictable eventsevents that can be foreseenthat confirm peoples expectations would cause people to feel overwhelmed and confused.
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The author of Passage 1 assum es that historians function as (A) wise and respected policy m akers (B) strict and disciplined instructors (C) adv enturous and articulate explorers (D) knowledgeable and indispensable guides (E) carefree and im petuous speculators A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer D : Choice (D) is correct. The author of Passage 1 states that writers of history instruct others. He or she also indicates that the accounts historians write [serve] as a crucial navigational instrument that can help people chart their immediate forward course and can provide a sense of continuity and national unity. Clearly, the author assumes that historians are knowledgeable and indispensible guides.
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Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. Nowhere in Passage 1 does the author suggest that historians are policy makers, wise and respected or otherwise. Rather, he or she seems to assume that historians are knowledgeable (they instruct others) and that they are indispensible guides (they produce written accounts that [serve] as a crucial navigational instrument). Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 does indicate that historians write history to instruct others, but nowhere in the passage does he or she suggest that historians are strict and disciplined instructors. Rather, the author seems to assume that historians are knowledgeable and indispensible guideshe or she asserts that the written accounts historians produce [serve] as a crucial navigational instrument. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 refers to Daniel Websters metaphor of an explorer (a mariner) [taking] his latitude as he crosses unknown seas, a metaphor that illustrates the idea that people use history as a crucial navigational instrument. The author does not suggest that historians are explorers. Rather, he or she simply assumes that historians are knowledgeable (they instruct others) and that they are indispensible guides (they produce the written accounts that serve as a navigational instrument). Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. Nowhere in Passage 1 does the author suggest that historians are carefree and impetuous speculators, or people who make sudden, impulsive guesses without knowing facts. On the contrary, the author seems to assume that historians are knowledgeablethey instruct others and likely rely on facts rather than making guesses. He or she also assumes that historians are indispensible guides, since they produce written accounts that [serve] as a crucial navigational instrument for people and nations.
18
The author of Passage 2 would m ost likely consider the num ber (line 3 5, Passage 1 ) an exam ple of the (A) appetite for history that m akes the public v ulnerable to irresponsible historians
(B) dem and for history books that m akes unscrupulous historians wealthy (C) interest in history that leads readers to ov erestim ate their own expertise (D) need for heroic figures whose stories prov ide inspiration (E) tendency of history texts to proliferate during wartim e A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Correct Answer A : Choice (A) is correct. The author of Passage 1 states that the First World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other words, there was a very large number of books about history. The author of Passage 2 states that some historians are false . . . prophets who produce villainous stuff to which the public will go he or she clearly feels strongly that some historians are very irresponsible (unlike the historians who are judicious and highly trained scholars) and is concerned that the writing they produce may harm the public. He or she probably would consider the great number of history books produced after WWI to be evidence of the publics appetite for history, an appetite that leaves the public vulnerable to irresponsible historians. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other words, there was a very large number of books about history. The author of Passage 2 does suggest that some historians are unscrupulous, or unprincipledsome are false . . . prophets who produce villainous stuffbut he or she does not discuss the wealth that historians acquire when there is a demand for history books. Rather, the author is concerned about the potential for the written history produced by such irresponsible historians to mislead people; he or she probably would consider the great number of history books produced after WWI to be evidence of the publics appetite for history, an appetite that leaves the public vulnerable to irresponsible historians. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other words, there was a very large number of books about history. The author of Passage 2 probably would cite this great number of history books as an example of the publics interest in history. However, he or she suggests that some historians, not readers, may overestimate their own expertisesome historians are unscrupulous and unqualified. The author is concerned that the publics appetite for history leaves them vulnerable to these unqualified and irresponsible historians. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other words, there was a very large number of books about history. The author of Passage 2 states that history is capable of giving courage
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author of Passage 2 states that history is capable of giving courage to the oppressed and can [breed] future heroism, but he or she focuses on the need for written history, not the need for the heroic figuresthe real peoplewhose stories are sometimes featured in written history. Rather than arguing that the great number of history books produced after WWI is an example of the need for heroic figures, the author probably would consider the number of books to be evidence of the publics appetite for history, an appetite that leaves the public vulnerable to certain unqualified and irresponsible historians who produce villainous stuff. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. It is the author of Passage 1, not the author of Passage 2, who discusses the tendency of history texts to proliferate, or increase in number, during wartime; the author of Passage 1 asserts that great events cause people to turn readily to the writing of history, and mentions the great number of books about history produced after the First World War. The author of Passage 2 does not address the number of texts produced during wartime, but rather focuses on the large amount of history written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians. He or she probably would consider the number of history books produced after WWI to be evidence of the publics ongoing appetite for history, an appetite that leaves the public vulnerable to such irresponsible historians.
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The prim ary purpose of Passage 2 is to (A) present a strongly held opinion (B) describe the m ethodology of a historian (C) analy ze a fam ous historians work (D) defend a widely held point of v iew (E) discredit the v alidity of a project A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer A : Choice (A) is correct. The primary purpose of Passage 2 is to express the authors strongly held opinion about written history. According to the author, history should be written by judicious and highly trained scholars whose aim is to educate the public but is often written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians who neglect the education of the public and are responsible for the villainous stuff to which the public will go instead. The author is concerned because historians have great influence (the historians are far more likely to create the nation). The authors view would certainly not be shared by everyone, but it is clear from the tone of the passage that the author firmly believes it; thus, it is a strongly held opinion. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 does not describe the
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methodology of a historian, or the procedures that historians follow. Instead, the authors primary purpose is to express his or her strongly held opinion about written history. According to the author, history should be written by judicious and highly trained scholars whose aim is to educate the public but is often written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians who neglect the education of the public and are responsible for the villainous stuff to which the public will go instead. The author is concerned because historians have great influence (the historians are far more likely to create the nation). Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 briefly mentions a French historian and the historian Froude, but he or she does not analyze the work of these historians or any other famous historian. The author only refers to Froudes definition of written historya voice that proclaims the laws of right and wrongin order to introduce his or her own opposite opinion about written history and the responsibility of historians. The author believes that history should be written by judicious and highly trained scholars whose aim is to educate the public but is often written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians who neglect the education of the public and are responsible for the villainous stuff to which the public will go instead. The author is concerned because historians have great influence (the historians are far more likely to create the nation). Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. Although the author of Passage 2 argues his or her own point of view about written history and the responsibility of historians, he or she does not suggest that this is a widely held point of view; in fact, the author refers to someone who does not share his or her point of viewthe English historian Froude. Rather, the authors primary purpose is to present his or her strongly held opinion that history should be written by judicious and highly trained scholars whose aim is to educate the public but is often written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians who neglect the education of the public and are responsible for the villainous stuff to which the public will go instead. The author is concerned because historians have great influence (the historians are far more likely to create the nation). Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 does not refer tolet alone discredit the validity ofany specific project. Instead, his or her primary purpose is to present his or her strongly held opinion about written history in general. The author believes that history should be written by judicious and highly trained scholars whose aim is to educate the public but is often written by unscrupulous and unqualified historians who neglect the education of the public and are responsible for the villainous stuff to which the public will go instead. The author is concerned because historians have great https://satonlinecourse.collegeboard.org/SR/showExamAnswerExplanation.do?fromPage=examscorereport&assessmentResultId=10951175&assessmentLoc
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instead. The author is concerned because historians have great influence (the historians are far more likely to create the nation).
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In line 54 , sounding m ost nearly m eans (A) m easuring (B) greeting (C) proclaim ing (D) fathom ing (E) exam ining A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. In lines 53-55 the author of Passage 2 refers to an historian, Froude, who stated that written history is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. In this context, the term sounding most nearly means proclaiming, or declaring or making known; Froude means that written history is a permanent record that proclaims or makes known certain truths (laws). Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. In lines 53-55 the author of Passage 2 refers to an historian, Froude, who stated that written history is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. In this context, it does not make sense to suggest that the term sounding most nearly means measuring, or taking measurements; it is not clear how written history could measure anything. Rather, the term most nearly means proclaiming, or declaring. Froude means that written history is a permanent record that declares certain truths. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. In lines 53-55 the author of Passage 2 refers to an historian, Froude, who stated that written history is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. In this context, the term sounding does not mean greeting, or addressing with kind wishes upon meeting; it does not really make sense to suggest that written history greets laws of right and wrong over time. Rather, the term most nearly means proclaiming, or declaring. Froude means that written history is a permanent record that declares certain truths. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In lines 53-55 the author of Passage 2 refers to an historian, Froude, who stated that written history is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. In this context, it does not make sense to suggest that the term
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sounding most nearly means fathoming, or understanding or grasping; it is not clear how written history could understand anything. Rather, the term most nearly means proclaiming, or declaring. Froude means that written history is a permanent record that declares certain truths. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. In lines 53-55 the author of Passage 2 refers to an historian, Froude, who stated that written history is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. Some writers of history might examine, or inspect closely, ideas of what is right and what is wrong, and people who read history might be concerned with examining such ideas; however, it does not make sense to say that written history itself perpetuallyforeverinspects anything. In line 54 the term sounding most nearly means proclaiming, or declaring. Froude means that written history is a permanent record that declares certain truths.
21
The author of Passage 1 would m ost likely characterize the tribunal of history m entioned in line 6 0, Passage 2 as (A) detached and uninform ed (B) div isiv e and dem anding (C) objectiv e and illum inating (D) v ast and m y sterious (E) conv entional and superficial A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer C : Choice (C) is correct. A tribunal is a group or body that acts judicially or makes some sort of judgment. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the tribunal of history, he or she refers to historians attempt to explain and describe past events; the author feels that collectively, their work judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judgesthat is, written history does not necessarily present reliable judgments. The author of Passage 1, however, asserts that when great events rouse people to their most responsible temper many historians turn to the writing of history, for they wish to instruct, and suggests that written history can help people understand their predicaments and prospects. He or she seems to think historians are reliable and produce works that can help people understand things, so he or she would likely characterize the tribunal of history as objective (dealing with facts without distortion from personal feelings or interpretations) and illuminating (causing things to become clear). Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. A tribunal is a group or body that acts judicially or makes some sort of judgment. When the author of
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Passage 2 mentions the tribunal of history, he or she refers to historians attempt to explain and describe past events; the author feels that collectively, written history judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judgesthat is, written history does not necessarily present reliable judgments. The author of Passage 1, however, asserts that many historians turn to the writing of history, for they wish to instruct, and suggests that written history can help people understand their predicaments and prospects. It is unlikely that he or she would characterize written history as detached, or aloof, because the historians who write it want to instruct and help people. Further, the author of Passage 1 seems to think that historians are knowledgeable, so he or she would not characterize their work as uninformed. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. A tribunal is a group or body that acts judicially or makes some sort of judgment. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the tribunal of history, he or she refers to historians attempt to explain and describe past events; the author feels that collectively, written history judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judgesthat is, written history does not necessarily present reliable judgments. The author of Passage 1 might characterize written history as demanding, or requiring much effort; he or she does not comment on the difficulty of the task one way or the other. But it is unlikely that the author of Passage 1 would characterize historians work as divisive, or causing disunity; on the contrary, he or she suggests that history gives people a sense of unity. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. A tribunal is a group or body that acts judicially or makes some sort of judgment. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the tribunal of history, he or she refers to historians attempt to explain and describe past events; the author feels that collectively, written history judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judgesthat is, written history does not necessarily present reliable judgments. The author of Passage 1 might say that historians work is vast, or very great in extent or range, since there is a great deal of historical writing in existence. However, he or she suggests that history can help people understand things in their own lives (illumination of their predicaments and prospects), and it is unlikely that history would be able to provide this illumination if it were mysterious, or difficult to comprehend. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. A tribunal is a group or body that acts judicially or makes some sort of judgment. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the tribunal of history, he or she refers to historians attempt to explain and describe past events; the author feels that collectively, written history judges about as fairly as any random batch of court judgesthat is, written history does not
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necessarily present reliable judgments. The author of Passage 1, however, asserts that many historians turn to the writing of history, for they wish to instruct, and suggests that written history can help people understand their predicaments and prospects. It is unlikely that he or she would characterize historians work as superficial, or concerned only with what is obvious, if it has the ability to help people understand puzzling things in their own lives and give them a consciousness of unity. Further, nothing in Passage 1 suggests that the author would characterize written history as conventional, or lacking originality.
22
In line 7 4 , gaping m ost directly em phasizes the (A) publics appetite for docum ented truths (B) audiences susceptibility to persuasion (C) scholars approach to conducting research (D) historians desire to entertain readers (E) readers preference for fam iliar explanations A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B : Choice (B) is correct. In the context of the last paragraph of Passage 2, the word gaping describes people gazing in openmouthed wonder. The reference to the deluded public [listening] gaping to false . . . prophets emphasizes the publics susceptibility to persuasion, or peoples vulnerability to being urged to accept a belief or position. The author of Passage 2 suggests that audiences may believe and be swayed by whatever even the unscrupulous and unqualified historians tell them; many people will be deluded by the villainous stuff these irresponsible historians produce. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. In the context of the last paragraph of Passage 2, the word gaping describes people gazing in openmouthed wonder. The peoples openmouthed wonder might be related to their appetite for history in general, but the author of Passage 2 is not describing people who are listening to documented truths. Rather, he or she describes people [listening] gaping to false . . . prophetsthat is, unscrupulous and unqualified historians. The word gaping emphasizes the idea that the publics wonder and awe leaves them susceptible to being swayed by irresponsible historians. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. In the context of the last paragraph of Passage 2, the word gaping describes people gazing in openmouthed wonder. The reference to the deluded public [listening] gaping to false . . . prophets does not emphasize anything about the way scholars conduct research; indeed, the author of
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Passage 2 does not discuss scholars approach to conducting research. Rather, he or she uses the word gaping to emphasize the idea that peoples wonder and awe leaves them susceptible to being swayed by unscrupulous and unqualified historians they listen to. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. In the context of the last paragraph of Passage 2, the word gaping describes people gazing in openmouthed wonder. The peoples openmouthed wonder might be related to their interest in what they are reading or listening to, but the author of Passage 2 is not describing historians or their desire to entertain readers. Rather, he or she describes people listening to false . . . prophets and uses the word gaping to emphasize the idea that peoples wonder and aweinspired by history itself, not the entertaining nature of the historianleaves them susceptible to being swayed by unscrupulous and unqualified historians. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. In the context of the last paragraph of Passage 2, the word gaping describes people gazing in openmouthed wonder. The reference to the deluded public [listening] gaping to false . . . prophets does not emphasize readers preference for familiar explanations. The author of Passage 2 seems to be talking about people learning new information presented by unscrupulous and unqualified historians, not about people encountering explanations that are already familiar to them, and he or she does not indicate that people prefer familiar explanations to new information. The author uses the word gaping to emphasize the idea that the peoples wonder and awe leaves them susceptible to being swayed by irresponsible historians.
23
The author of Passage 2 argues that written history often functions as a (A) useful description of docum ented facts (B) glorious com m em oration of past greatness (C) powerful m otiv ation for future reform s (D) dubious training in scholarly detachm ent (E) questionable m odel for future conduct A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer E : Choice (E) is correct. The author of Passage 2 refers to Froudes definition of history as a declaration of the laws of right and wrong for centuries to come, but he or she adds that Written history is, in fact, nothing of the kind. The author claims that written history is merely a fragmentary record of the often inexplicable actions of innumerable bewildered human beings, written and interpreted by people who are in turn limited by their own confusion. The author clearly believes that written history is often flawed and is therefore a
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questionable model for future conduct. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 suggests that history can be useful if written by judicious and highly trained scholars, but he or she does not indicate that written history often functions as a description of documented facts. The author suggests that historians provide their own interpretations of the inexplicable actions of innumerable bewildered human beings and asserts that some historians are unscrupulous and unqualified and produce villainous stuff. Clearly, the author believes that written history is not always a simple description of documented facts. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 might consider some written historyperhaps that written by judicious and highly trained scholarsto be a glorious commemoration of past greatness, but he or she does not argue that history often functions in this way. Instead of describing it as glorious, he or she focuses on the idea that written history is merely a fragmentary record of events written by people who can only interpret the past through their own limitations. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 does suggest that written history has some sort of influenceit has made and unmade nationsbut he or she also asserts that History tends to repeat itself, suggesting that written history often does not often bring about change. Nowhere in the passage does the author argue that written history provides motivation for future reforms. Instead, the author focuses on the idea that written history is merely a fragmentary record of events written by people who can only interpret the past through their own limitations. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. The author does not argue that written history functions as any sort of traininggood or badin scholarly detachment. Further, he or she suggests that scholars should not be detached: Historians should always draw morals and should not neglect the education of the public. Instead of arguing that written history provides scholarly training, the author focuses on the idea that written history is merely a fragmentary record of events written by people who can only interpret the past through their own limitations, and that some written history is villainous stuff.
24
The m inority (line 6 1 , Passage 2 ) would m ost likely v iew the sense of continuity m entioned in line 1 9 , Passage 1 with (A) disdain for its political im plications
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(B) am biv alence about its popular appeal (C) curiosity about its future effects (D) appreciation of its short-term adv antages (E) skepticism about its accuracy A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer E : Choice (E) is correct. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the minority, he or she is referring to a small number of people who realize that written history is not always a fair judgepeople who know that written history is a fragmentary record of peoples interpretations of events. These people would likely view the sense of continuity mentioned in Passage 1a sense of uninterrupted connection people get when they grasp their relationship with the past after turning to historywith skepticism. The sense of continuity is based on history; the minority understands that written history may contain flaws and inaccuracies, so those people likely would doubt the accuracy of the sense of continuity. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the minority, he or she is referring to a small number of people who realize that written history is not always a fair judgepeople who know that written history is a fragmentary record of peoples interpretations of events. The sense of continuity mentioned in Passage 1 refers to the sense of uninterrupted connection people get when they grasp their relationship with the past after turning to history. There is no suggestion that a feeling of connection to the past would have any political implications, so there is no reason to believe that the minority would view the sense of continuity with disdain for this reason. Rather, the minority would likely be concerned about the accuracy of the written history that supposedly leads to the sense of continuity. Explanation for Incorrect Answer B : Choice (B) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the minority, he or she is referring to a small number of people who realize that written history is not always a fair judgepeople who know that written history is a fragmentary record of peoples interpretations of events. The sense of continuity mentioned in Passage 1 refers to the sense of uninterrupted connection people get when they grasp their relationship with the past after turning to history. The author of Passage 1 suggests that many people experience this sense of continuity, so he or she might attribute to it a certain popular appeal. But it is doubtful that the minority would have ambivalent, or contradictory, feelings about it; rather, the minority would probably have only negative feelings about a sense of continuity based on written history that may contain flaws and inaccuracies.
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Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the minority, he or she is referring to a small number of people who realize that written history is not always a fair judgepeople who know that written history is a fragmentary record of peoples interpretations of events. The sense of continuity mentioned in Passage 1 refers to the sense of uninterrupted connection people get when they grasp their relationship with the past after turning to history. There is no discussion in Passage 1 of the future effects of the sense of continuity, and there is no reason to believe that the minority would be curious about or interested in the future effects. It is more likely that the minority would simply be skeptical because the sense of continuity is based on written history that may contain flaws and inaccuracies. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 2 mentions the minority, he or she is referring to a small number of people who realize that written history is not always a fair judgepeople who know that written history is a fragmentary record of peoples interpretations of events. The sense of continuity mentioned in Passage 1 refers to the sense of uninterrupted connection people get when they grasp their relationship with the past after turning to history. It is unlikely that the minority would appreciate the sense of continuity or its advantages. It is more likely that the minority would simply be skeptical of a feeling based on potentially flawed information.
25
The author of Passage 1 and the author of Passage 2 differ m ost strongly on which topic? (A) The appeal of history (B) The reliability of historians (C) The im pact of tum ultuous ev ents (D) The dearth of accessible historical docum ents (E) The relev ance of the past to the present A NSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Explanation for Correct Answer B : Choice (B) is correct. The author of Passage 1 argues that people should rely on historians to guide and enlighten them, and to provide them with a sense of continuity and a consciousness of unity. In contrast, the author of Passage 2 argues that it is impossible for historians to write without prejudice and that some written history is produced by unscrupulous and unqualified historians. While the author of Passage 1 suggests that historians are reliable and can help people chart their immediate forward course, the author of Passage 2 suggests that some historians are unreliable and produce
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villainous stuff to which the public will go. Explanation for Incorrect Answer A : Choice (A) is incorrect. Both authors seem to agree that history is appealing to the public. The author of Passage 1 asserts that Modern people . . . peer earnestly into history and that when great events rouse people . . . they turn to [historys] reading, for they want to learn. The author of Passage 2 states that people listen gaping to historianshe or she laments that the appeal of history leads people to listen both to judicious and highly trained scholars and to false . . . prophets. Explanation for Incorrect Answer C : Choice (C) is incorrect. Both authors suggest that tumultuous events have an impact on people and nations. The author of Passage 1 points out that when Modern people feel harried and perplexed by the sweep of events they look to history for illumination of their predicament and prospectsthey turn to history for guidance in tumultuous times. The author of Passage 2 acknowledges that tumultuous events can impact a nations self-identity: Past heroism breeds future heroism, past cowardice the cowardice of the future. Explanation for Incorrect Answer D : Choice (D) is incorrect. Neither author suggests that there is a dearth, or lack, of accessible historical documents; on the contrary, both authors suggest that there is a large amount of written history available to the public. The author of Passage 1 refers to the example of the great number of books . . . devoted to history produced shortly after the First World War. The author of Passage 2 suggests that people go through life affected by historical writings, and that these writings also influence the textbooks and propaganda and theaters and the marketplace that people experience. Explanation for Incorrect Answer E : Choice (E) is incorrect. Both authors suggest that the past is relevant to the present. The author of Passage 1 declares that the past can help people identify their position in the present and argues that the past and the present connect to point the road to the future. The author of Passage 2 also suggests relevance when he or she indicates that examining the past directly affects the present: looking to the past tells us what to expect of ourselves and, by expecting, we do it.
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