SAT Mock Test 1

Note. The answers to the following MCQs can be viewed by clicking here. The answer key will open in a separate window.

Module 2

Questions 28–36

Question 28

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

1. Glaciers increase in size during colder months.
2. Rising temperatures are causing glaciers to lose ice more rapidly.
3. Researchers disagree about the causes of glacier loss.
4. Stable glaciers exist only in extremely cold regions.

Question 29

Which choice best describes the author’s explanation?

1. It identifies a reason the dialogue feels realistic.
2. It compares the playwright to other dramatists.
3. It criticizes the playwright’s use of characterization.
4. It summarizes the plot of the play.

Question 30

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

1. to
2. for
3. by
4. although

Question 31

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

1. in contrast,
2. specifically,
3. indeed,
4. otherwise,

Question 32
Text 1

Text 2
Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

1. Text 2 refutes the historical evidence presented in Text 1.
2. Text 1 and Text 2 offer competing interpretations of science fiction.
3. Text 1 discusses literature, while Text 2 discusses scientific research.
4. Text 2 expands upon an argument introduced in Text 1.

Question 33

The following sentence contains an underlined portion.

Which choice best improves the sentence?

1. studying marine ecosystems and pollution’s effects on them
2. studying marine ecosystems and how pollution affects them
3. marine ecosystems and pollution affecting them
4. marine ecosystems and the effects pollution has affected them

Question 34

Which choice best describes the role of the semicolon?

1. It separates two closely related independent clauses.
2. It introduces a list of examples.
3. It connects a dependent clause to an independent clause.
4. It indicates omitted words in a quotation.

Question 35

Which finding would most directly strengthen the researchers’ argument?

1. Articles available without subscription fees are cited more frequently.
2. Scientific journals often require lengthy review processes.
3. Researchers prefer publishing in traditional journals.
4. Some audiences find scientific studies difficult to understand.

Question 36

Which choice best explains why the archaeologist documented the artifacts?

1. To prepare the artifacts for public display
2. To preserve important contextual information
3. To reduce the cost of the excavation
4. To compare the artifacts with modern objects

Questions 37–46

Question 37

The following sentence is from a student’s essay:

As used in the sentence, what does the word "affordable" most nearly mean?

1. efficient
2. accessible
3. inexpensive
4. experimental

Question 38

Which choice best states the professor’s purpose?

1. To encourage students to evaluate original evidence independently
2. To reduce the amount of reading assigned in the course
3. To compare historical and scientific methods
4. To demonstrate that summaries are always inaccurate

Question 39
The following sentence contains an underlined portion.

1. debated the proposal thoroughly before reaching their final decision
2. thoroughly debated the proposal before reaching their final decision
3. debated thoroughly the proposal before reaching their final decision
4. debated the proposal before reaching thoroughly their final decision

Question 40

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

1. consequently,
2. nevertheless,
3. similarly,
4. instead,

Question 41

The following text is adapted from a science article:

Which choice best describes the organization of the sentence?

1. It explains a process by identifying a cause and effect relationship.
2. It compares two competing scientific theories.
3. It presents a sequence of historical events.
4. It defines a technical term through contrast.

Question 42
Text 1

Text 2
Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

1. Text 1 and Text 2 provide different explanations for the same phenomenon.
2. Text 1 disproves the argument presented in Text 2.
3. Text 2 summarizes the evidence discussed in Text 1.
4. Text 1 and Text 2 discuss unrelated historical topics.

Question 43

The following sentence is from a student’s draft:

Which choice best combines the sentences?

1. Discovering a new species of insect, international attention was attracted by the scientist.
2. The scientist discovered a new species of insect, attracting international attention.
3. The scientist discovered a new species of insect attracted international attention.
4. A new species of insect discovered by the scientist and attracted international attention.

Question 44

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

1. to
2. for
3. while
4. unless

Question 45

Which finding would most directly support the researchers’ conclusion?

1. Frequent fiction readers often score higher on tests measuring emotional understanding.
2. Fiction books are available in a wide variety of genres.
3. Some readers prefer nonfiction because it provides factual information.
4. Libraries have increased funding for fiction collections.

Question 46

Which choice best explains why the bridge was redesigned?

1. Inspectors preferred modern architectural styles.
2. Structural problems had been discovered.
3. The bridge was too expensive to maintain.
4. Engineers wanted to shorten construction time.

Questions 47–54

Question 47

Which choice best describes the author’s explanation?

1. It identifies the source of the novelist’s descriptive detail.
2. It criticizes the novelist’s reliance on memory.
3. It compares rural and urban settings in literature.
4. It summarizes the plot of the novelist’s work.

Question 48
The following sentence contains an underlined portion.

Which choice best improves the sentence?

1. analyzed the data carefully and reached evidence-supported conclusions
2. carefully analyzed the data and reached conclusions supported by evidence
3. analyzed carefully the data and reached conclusions by evidence support
4. analyzing the data carefully and conclusions supported by evidence were reached

Question 49

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

1. As a result,
2. Nevertheless,
3. Meanwhile,
4. Otherwise,

Question 50
Text 1

Text 2
Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

1. Text 1 and Text 2 present contrasting predictions about artificial intelligence.
2. Text 1 focuses on transportation, while Text 2 focuses on education.
3. Text 2 provides evidence proving the claims in Text 1.
4. Text 1 and Text 2 both argue that employment will remain unchanged.

Question 51

The following sentence is from a student’s draft:

Which choice best describes the purpose of the sentence?

1. To explain the effects of photography on documentation
2. To criticize photographers for altering images
3. To compare photography with painting techniques
4. To summarize the history of modern journalism

Question 52

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

1. where
2. which
3. because
4. although

Question 53

The following sentence contains an underlined portion.

Which choice best maintains parallel structure?

1. communicate clearly, work efficiently, and cooperate effectively
2. communicating clearly, work efficiently, and cooperation effectively
3. communicate clearly, efficiently working, and cooperate effectively
4. clear communication, efficient work, and cooperate effectively

Question 54

Which choice best states the scientist’s perspective?

1. Scientific theories should never be questioned.
2. New evidence can justify changing scientific conclusions.
3. Scientific research depends entirely on personal opinion.
4. Researchers should avoid publishing uncertain findings.