Datasets:

betterMateusz
/

SAT_Writting_Reading_Assessment_Question_Bank

id stringlengths 8 8	passage stringlengths 67 918	question stringclasses 21 values	choice_A stringlengths 2 206	choice_B stringlengths 2 210	choice_C stringlengths 2 258	choice_D stringlengths 2 122	correct_answer stringclasses 4 values	rationale stringlengths 356 2.6k	difficulty stringclasses 3 values	domain stringclasses 2 values
fa7a89f1	Studying how workload affects productivity, Maryam Kouchaki and colleagues found that people who chose to do relatively easy tasks ﬁrst were less ______ compared to those who did hard tasks ﬁrst. Finishing easy tasks gave participants a sense of accomplishment, but those who tackled hard tasks ﬁrst actually became more skilled and productive workers over time.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	secretive	eﬃcient	outgoing	unsympathetic	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion about Kouchaki and colleagues’ research into how workload affects productivity. In context, “eﬃcient” means effective or well organized. The text indicates that, according to Kouchaki and colleagues’ research, people who worked on hard tasks ﬁrst were “more skilled and productive” than those who did easy tasks ﬁrst. This context conveys the idea that despite their sense of accomplishment, the people who chose to do the easy tasks ﬁrst were less eﬃcient or productive than those who tackled hard tasks ﬁrst. Choice A is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that workers who do easy tasks ﬁrst are less “secretive,” or uncommunicative or silent, than those who do hard tasks ﬁrst. Rather, the text suggests that people are less skillful or eﬃcient if they tackle easy tasks before the hard ones. Choice C is incorrect because “outgoing” means openly friendly, which wouldn’t make sense in this context. The text focuses on Kouchaki and colleagues’ research in which people who worked on hard tasks ﬁrst were “more skilled and productive” than those who did easy tasks ﬁrst and were therefore less eﬃcient. Choice D is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that workers who do easy tasks ﬁrst are less “unsympathetic,” or insensitive or unkind, than those who do hard tasks ﬁrst. Rather, the text suggests that people are less skillful or eﬃcient if they tackle easy tasks before the hard ones.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
dddfa043	Before the Erie Canal was completed in 1825, transporting goods by wagon between New York City and the Midwest took up to forty-ﬁve days and cost one hundred dollars per ton. By linking the Hudson River to Lake ______ canal reduced transport time to nine days and cut costs to six dollars per ton.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	Erie; the	Erie (the	Erie, the	Erie: the	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary phrase and a main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the introductory supplementary phrase (“By linking the Hudson River to Lake Erie”), which identiﬁes how the canal reduced transport time, and the main clause (“the canal reduced transport time to nine days and cut costs to six dollars per ton”). Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between a supplementary phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the canal...ton”). Choice B is incorrect because an open parenthesis can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between a supplementary phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the canal...ton”). Choice D is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between an introductory supplementary phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the canal...ton”).	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
59209b6d	Based on genetic evidence, archaeologists have generally agreed that reindeer domestication began in the eleventh century CE. However, since uncovering fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia, ______ may have begun much earlier.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	researcher Robert Losey has argued that domestication	researcher Robert Losey’s argument is that domestication	domestication, researcher Robert Losey has argued,	the argument researcher Robert Losey has made is that domestication	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modiﬁer placement. This choice makes the noun phrase “researcher Robert Losey” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “since…Siberia.” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that researcher Robert Losey—and not another noun in the sentence—is who uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the noun phrase “researcher Robert Losey’s argument” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “argument” is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the noun “domestication” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “domestication” is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the noun phrase “the argument” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “argument” is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
96e5da01	The alga species Chlorella vulgaris is very eﬃcient at making oxygen. For this reason, scientists are currently exploring ways to use this species in space. C. vulgaris might be used, for example, to build future biological air exchange systems that ______ oxygen for astronauts.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	are producing	produced	produce	have produced	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. Simple present tense verbs can be used to describe actions that tend to occur, including in a hypothetical or future scenario. In this case, the simple present tense verb “produce” indicates what the air exchange systems might be able to do in the future (produce oxygen for astronauts). Choice A is incorrect. The present progressive tense verb “are producing” suggests that the oxygen is currently being produced, not that it might be produced in the future. Choice B is incorrect because the past tense verb “produced” suggests that the oxygen was produced in the past, not that it might be produced in the future. Choice D is incorrect because the present perfect tense verb “have produced” suggests that the oxygen has been produced from a point in the past up to the present, not that it might be produced in the future.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
b13378c8	Early in the Great Migration of 1910–1970, which involved the mass migration of Black people from the southern to the northern United States, political activist and Chicago Defender writer Fannie Barrier Williams was instrumental in helping other Black women establish themselves in the North. Many women hoped for better employment opportunities in the North because, in the South, they faced much competition for domestic employment and men tended to get agricultural work. To aid with this transition, Barrier Williams helped secure job placement in the North for many women before they even began their journey.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To introduce and illustrate Barrier Williams’s integral role in supporting other Black women as their circumstances changed during part of the Great Migration	To establish that Barrier Williams used her professional connections to arrange employment for other Black women, including jobs with the Chicago Defender	To demonstrate that the factors that motivated the start of the Great Migration were different for Black women than they were for Black men	To provide an overview of the employment challenges faced by Black women in the agricultural and domestic spheres in	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the text’s purpose, which is to discuss the important role Barrier Williams played in supporting many other Black women as they relocated to the northern United States during the early years of the Great Migration. After introducing Barrier Williams, the text describes how she helped ﬁnd jobs for other Black women, who in many cases relocated in search of better employment prospects than the South could offer at the time. The text indicates that by doing so, she eased these women’s transition as their circumstances changed. Choice B is incorrect. Although the text mentions Barrier Williams’s work as a political activist and writer for the Chicago Defender, it doesn’t discuss any professional connections she made in these roles or indicate that she used any such connections in her work to secure employment for other Black women. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text discusses a factor that caused many women to relocate during the Great Migration, their diﬃculty ﬁnding employment in the South, the text doesn’t indicate that this factor motivated the start of the Great Migration. Moreover, the text doesn’t discuss the factors that motivated Black men to migrate. Choice D is incorrect. Although the text mentions the diﬃcult employment prospects for Black women in the domestic and agricultural sectors in the South during the Great Migration, the text’s main purpose isn’t to provide an overview of the employment challenges Black women faced in these sectors. Rather, it provides this	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
afd48140	In 1877, 85% of California’s railways were already controlled by the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad. The company further solidiﬁed its ______ in rail access to the state’s Paciﬁc coast when it completed the Sunset Route in 1883: running from Louisiana to Southern California, the route established the ﬁrst transcontinental rail line across the southern United States.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	dominance	creativity	insigniﬁcance	neutrality	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically and precisely completes the text’s discussion of the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad. As used in this context, "dominance" means the state of being more successful than others. The text states that the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad already controlled 85% of California’s railways in 1877, and that the Sunset Route it constructed in 1883 was the ﬁrst transcontinental rail line across the southern United States. Therefore, the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad would be more successful than other railroads in the area, and the construction of the Sunset Route would further solidify its dominance in rail access to California’s coast. Choice B is incorrect. Although the construction of the Sunset Route must have required some creativity, or use of imagination, the word "creativity" would not also encompass the fact that the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad already controlled 85% of California’s railways. The text is more focused on the railroad’s control of the ﬁeld and overall success rather than its imaginative thought processes. Choice C is incorrect because if the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad controlled the majority of California’s railways, it would not make sense to refer to its "insigniﬁcance," or the state of being unimportant. Rather, the opposite would be true. Choice D is incorrect because in context it would not make sense to refer to the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad’s "neutrality," or absence of strong opinion on a matter, since no opinions are mentioned. Nor would "neutrality" in the sense of impartiality in a conﬂict be a logical or precise choice since no conﬂict is explicitly described. There might be an implied conﬂict between the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad and other railroads doing business in California, but that is not a conﬂict in which the Southern Paciﬁc Railroad would take an impartial position.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
c91ef0f0	During the American Civil War, Thomas Morris Chester braved the front lines as a war correspondent for the Philadelphia Press. Amplifying the voices and experiences of Black soldiers ______ of particular importance to Chester, who later became an activist and lawyer during the postwar Reconstruction period.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	were	have been	are	was	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "was" agrees in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Gerunds such as "amplifying" are always singular. Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "were" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "have been" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "are" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying."	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
7ce4ee13	After immigrating from Mexico and obtaining U.S. citizenship, Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo entered politics, earning a reputation for being a fervent defender of Hispanic civil rights. In 1919 Larrazolo was elected governor of ______ in 1928 he became the nation’s ﬁrst Hispanic U.S. Senator.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	New Mexico and	New Mexico,	New Mexico, and	New Mexico	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and" to join the ﬁrst main clause ("In 1919 Larrazolo was elected governor of New Mexico") and the second main clause ("in 1928 he became the nation’s ﬁrst Hispanic US Senator"). Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
ff97fd53	In 1973, poet Miguel Algarín started inviting other writers who, like him, were Nuyorican—a term for New Yorkers of Puerto Rican heritage—to gather in his apartment to present their work. The gatherings were so well attended that Algarín soon had to rent space in a cafe to accommodate them. Thus, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe was born. Moving to a permanent location in 1981, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe expanded its original scope beyond the written word, hosting art exhibitions and musical performances as well. Half a century since its inception, it continues to foster emerging Nuyorican talent.	Which choice best describes the overall purpose of the text?	To explain what motivated Algarín to found the Nuyorican Poets Cafe	To situate the Nuyorican Poets Cafe within the cultural life of New York as a whole	To discuss why the Nuyorican Poets Cafe expanded its scope to include art and music	To provide an overview of the founding and mission of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe	D	Choice D is the best answer. The text presents a brief history of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, from how it got started in the ’70s, to its expansion in the ’80s, to its ongoing mission today. Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t the overall purpose. The text never mentions Algarín’s motivations. Choice B is incorrect. This isn’t the overall purpose. The text never discusses the cultural life of New York as a whole. Choice C is incorrect. This is too narrow. One sentence mentions that the Nuyorican Poets Cafe expanded its scope to include art and music, but this is only one point in the broader history of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which is the overall focus of the text.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
a2835734	Visual artist Gabriela Alemán states that the bold colors of comics, pop art, and Latinx culture have always fascinated her. This passion for the rich history and colors of her Latinx community translates into the ______ artworks she produces.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	vivid	unknown	deﬁnite	reserved	A	Choice A is the best answer. "Vivid" can mean "colorful" or "bright-colored." This deﬁnition ﬁts the context clues about Alemán’s fascination with and passion for bold colors. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. Nothing in the text indicates that Alemán’s artworks are "unknown." Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. "Deﬁnite" means "certain" or "decided." It wouldn’t make sense to describe artwork as "deﬁnite." Choice D is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. "Reserved" can either mean "slow to reveal emotions" or "booked." But the clues suggest that Alemán’s artworks are boldly colorful—almost the opposite of "reserved."	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
b7363ba2	Mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz used the metaphor of the “butterﬂy effect” to explain how seemingly minor events can have major impacts on future weather. According to Lorenz’s metaphor, the wind from a butterﬂy ﬂapping ______ in Brazil might eventually grow into a storm elsewhere across the globe.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	its wings	its wings’	it’s wing’s	it’s wings’	A	Choice A is the best answer. The conventions being tested are the use of possessive determiners and plural nouns. The singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings" correctly indicate that the butterﬂy has multiple wings. Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the plural noun "wings," not the plural possessive noun "wings’." Choice C is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings," not the contraction "it’s" and the singular possessive noun "wing’s." Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings," not the contraction "it’s" and the plural possessive noun "wings’."	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
0ff8477b	Food and the sensation of taste are central to Monique Truong’s novels. In The Book of Salt, for example, the exiled character of Bình connects to his native Saigon through the food he prepares, while in Bitter in the Mouth, the character of Linda ______ a form of synesthesia whereby the words she hears evoke tastes.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	experienced	had experienced	experiences	will be experiencing	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. In this choice, the present tense verb “experiences” is consistent with the other present tense verbs (e.g., “connects” and “prepares”) used to describe the events in Truong’s novels. Furthermore, it’s conventional to use the present tense when discussing a literary work. Choice A is incorrect because the past tense verb “experienced” isn’t consistent with the other present tense verbs used to describe the events in Truong’s novels. Choice B is incorrect because the past perfect tense verb “had experienced” isn’t consistent with the other present tense verbs used to describe the events in Truong’s novels. Choice D is incorrect because the future progressive tense verb “will be experiencing” isn’t consistent with the other present tense verbs used to describe the events in Truong’s novels.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
db2e480a	By the time Hawaiian king Kamehameha III ______ the throne, the number of longhorn cattle, ﬁrst introduced to the islands in 1793, had drastically increased, and so too had the need for paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) to manage the wild herds that then roamed throughout the volcanic terrain.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	ascended	will ascend	ascends	is ascending	A	Choice A is the best answer. "Ascended" is in the simple past tense. Since Kamehameha became king in the past, this makes the most sense. Choice B is incorrect. "Will ascend" is in the future tense, but we wouldn’t know about Kamehameha III’s ascent if it hadn’t happened yet. The information in the sentence, as well as the tense of other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past. Choice C is incorrect. "Ascends" is in the simple present tense. However, the information in the sentence, as well as the tense of other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past. Choice D is incorrect. "Is ascending" is in the continuous present tense, which we use to show that something is ongoing, but this doesn’t make sense here—the information in the sentence, as well as the tense of other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
48e4021d	The following text is from Holly Goldberg Sloan’s 2017 novel Short. More than two years ago my parents bought a piano from some people who were moving to Utah. Mom and Dad gave it to my brothers and me for Christmas. I had to act really happy because it was such a big present, but I pretty much hated the thing from the second it was carried into the hallway upstairs, which is right next to my bedroom. The piano glared at me. It was like a songbird in a cage. It wanted to be set free. ©2017 by Holly Goldberg Sloan	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	It explains why the narrator always wanted a piano close to her bedroom.	It establishes how the narrator feels about the piano.	It suggests that the narrator’s brothers are talented piano players.	It describes the event that led the narrator’s parents to buy a piano.	B	Choice B is the best answer because it best states the main purpose of the text, which is to establish the narrator’s feelings about the piano. The narrator reveals that she “had to act really happy” about the piano even though she “pretty much hated the thing” as soon as it was placed upstairs near her bedroom. The narrator also describes the piano as glaring at her and compares it to a caged bird that wants to be set free. These details establish the narrator’s feelings about the piano, suggesting that it makes her uneasy. Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that the narrator hated having the piano upstairs right next to her bedroom, not that she wanted a piano to be close to her bedroom. Choice C is incorrect because the only information provided in the text about the narrator’s brothers is that they were given the piano along with the narrator. Choice D is incorrect because the text does not describe the event that led the narrator’s parents to buy the piano from the people moving to Utah. Instead, the text focuses on the narrator’s feelings about the piano after it was given to her and her brothers.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
c06af4d8	Sociologist Alton Okinaka sits on the review board tasked with adding new sites to the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places, which includes Pi‘ilanihale Heiau and the ‘Ōpaeka‘a Road Bridge. Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions ______ all historical designations must be approved by a group of nine other experts from the ﬁelds of architecture, archaeology, history, and Hawaiian culture.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	single-handedly, however;	single-handedly; however,	single-handedly, however,	single-handedly however	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary word or phrase between two main clauses. This choice correctly uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb “however” from the preceding main clause (“Okinaka doesn’t…single-handedly”) and a semicolon to join the next main clause (“all…culture”) to the rest of the sentence. Further, placing the semicolon after “however” correctly indicates that the information in the preceding main clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-handedly) is contrary to what might be assumed from the information in the previous sentence (Okinaka sits on the review board that adds new sites to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places). Choice B is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “single-handedly” and the comma after “however” illogically indicates that the information in the next main clause (all historical designations must be approved by a group of experts) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-handedly). Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Commas can’t be used in this way to punctuate a supplementary word or phrase between two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
bcc91b1e	The spacecraft OSIRIS-REx brieﬂy made contact with the asteroid 101955 Bennu in 2020. NASA scientist Daniella DellaGiustina reports that despite facing the unexpected obstacle of a surface mostly covered in boulders, OSIRIS-REx successfully ______ a sample of the surface, gathering pieces of it to bring back to Earth.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	attached	collected	followed	replaced	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft’s contact with the asteroid 101955 Bennu. In this context, “collected” means acquired and took away. The text indicates that although the boulders on the asteroid’s surface caused some unforeseen problems, OSIRIS-REx was able to gather a sample to return to Earth. This context suggests that OSIRIS-REx successfully collected a sample of 101955 Bennu. Choice A is incorrect because in this context “attached” means connected or aﬃxed. The text indicates that OSIRIS-REx gathered pieces of 101955 Bennu to bring to Earth; it doesn’t suggest that the spacecraft attached anything to the asteroid. Choice C is incorrect because in this context “followed” means tracked or traveled behind and the text discusses OSIRIS- REx’s brief encounter with 101955 Bennu during which the spacecraft gathered a sample to bring to Earth. The text doesn’t suggest that the spacecraft tracked the sample, and it’s not clear what it would mean for the spacecraft to travel behind the sample it collected. Choice D is incorrect because in this context “replaced” means put back or returned. The text indicates that OSIRIS-REx gathered pieces of 101955 Bennu to bring to Earth but doesn’t suggest that anything was returned to the asteroid.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
37e5c794	Despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, ______ they are made from nonrenewable petroleum, and most do not biodegrade in landﬁlls.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	there are two problems associated with commercial plastics:	two problems are associated with commercial plastics:	commercial plastics’ two associated problems are that	commercial plastics have two associated problems:	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modiﬁer placement. This choice ensures that the modifying phrase “despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce” appears immediately before the noun it modiﬁes, “commercial plastics,” clearly establishing that the commercial plastics—and not another noun in the sentence—are being described as cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the function word “there” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically and confusingly suggests that “there” is cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the noun “two problems” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “problems” are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modiﬁer. The placement of the noun phrase “commercial plastics’ two associated problems” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “problems” are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
1d971f75	Photographer Ansel Adams’s landscape portraits are iconic pieces of American art. However, many of the ______ of landscapes were intended not as art but as marketing; a concessions company at Yosemite National Park had hired Adams to take pictures of the park for restaurant menus and brochures.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	photographer’s early photo’s	photographers early photo’s	photographer’s early photos	photographers early photos	C	Choice C is the best answer. There’s only one photographer (Adams), and the photos are his, so the singular possessive "photographer’s" is correct. There’s more than one photo, and nothing belongs to the photos, so the simple plural "photos" is correct. Choice A is incorrect. This choice uses the singular possessive "photo’s," which isn’t correct. There’s more than one photo, and they don’t possess anything, so the noun should be the simple plural "photos." Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses the simple plural "photographers" and the singular possessive "photo’s," which aren’t correct. There’s only one photographer (Adams) and there’s more than one photo. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses the simple plural "photographers," which isn’t correct. There’s only one photographer (Adams).	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
6f5fc289	The following text is adapted from Charles Dickens’s 1854 novel Hard Times. Coketown is a ﬁctional town in England. [Coketown] contained several large streets all very like one another, and many small streets still more like one another, inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and tomorrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To emphasize the uniformity of both the town and the people who live there	To explain the limited work opportunities available to the town’s residents	To reveal how the predictability of the town makes it easy for people lose track of time	To argue that the simplicity of life in the town makes it a pleasant place to live	A	Choice A is the best answer. The author describes Coketown as having streets that are all very similar and residents who live similarly and do the same work. This repetition of similarities emphasizes how everything in Coketown is alike. Choice B is incorrect. While the text mentions that all the residents “do the same work,” it never explains what that work is or why everyone does it. Besides, the idea that they all do the same work is just one of several similarities among the townspeople described in the text. Choice C is incorrect. While the last sentence states that “every day was the same as yesterday and tomorrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next,” it never suggests that people actually “lose track of time.” This is also too narrow to be the main idea, since time is just one of many aspects of Coketown that the text describes as always being the same. Choice D is incorrect. The text never mentions whether life is simple in Coketown, and the town sounds as though it’s probably a pretty dull place to live, rather than a pleasant one.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
acb852e7	The following text is from the 1923 poem “Black Finger” by Angelina Weld Grimké, a Black American writer. A cypress is a type of evergreen tree. I have just seen a most beautiful thing, Slim and still, Against a gold, gold sky, A straight black cypress, Sensitive, Exquisite, A black ﬁnger Pointing upwards. Why, beautiful still ﬁnger, are you black? And why are you pointing upwards?	Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?	The speaker assesses a natural phenomenon, then questions the accuracy of her assessment.	The speaker describes a distinctive sight in nature, then ponders what meaning to attribute to that sight.	The speaker presents an outdoor scene, then considers a human behavior occurring within that scene.	The speaker examines her surroundings, then speculates about their inﬂuence on her emotional state.	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes the overall structure of the text. First, the speaker describes observing a “most beautiful” sight: a tree (“black cypress”) standing out from the golden sky behind it, looking like a person’s ﬁnger “pointing upwards” and appearing “sensitive” and “exquisite.” Then the speaker wonders about the image’s meaning, asking why the ﬁnger is black and why it’s pointing upward. Thus, the text moves from the speaker’s description of a distinctive sight in nature to her pondering about what meaning to attribute to that sight. Choice A is incorrect because the speaker assesses a natural sight—a “black cypress” tree standing “against a gold, gold sky” like a pointed ﬁnger—but doesn’t question the accuracy of her own assessment. Although she wonders why the ﬁnger, which is really a tree, is black and why it’s pointing, the speaker doesn’t suggest that her belief that the tree resembles a ﬁnger is wrong. Choice C is incorrect. Although the speaker describes seeing a “black cypress” tree standing “against a gold, gold sky” like a pointed ﬁnger, she wonders about that natural image (asking why the ﬁnger, which is really a tree, is black and why it’s pointing) and doesn’t give any indication that any people are present in the scene. Choice D is incorrect. Although the speaker examines and wonders about one thing in her surroundings—a “black cypress” tree standing “against a	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
f631132b	In the Here and Now Storybook (1921), educator Lucy Sprague Mitchell advanced the then controversial idea that books for very young children should imitate how they use language, since toddlers, who cannot yet grasp narrative or abstract ideas, seek reassurance in verbal repetition and naming. The most enduring example of this idea is Margaret Wise Brown’s 1947 picture book Goodnight Moon, in which a young rabbit names the objects in his room as he drifts off to sleep. Scholars note that the book’s emphasis on repetition, rhythm, and nonsense rhyme speaks directly to Mitchell’s inﬂuence.	Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?	The text outlines a debate between two authors of children’s literature and then traces how that debate shaped theories on early childhood education.	The text summarizes an argument about how children’s literature should be evaluated and then discusses a contrasting view on that subject.	The text lists the literary characteristics that are common to many classics of children’s literature and then indicates the narrative subjects that are most appropriate for young children.	The text presents a philosophy about what material is most suitable for children’s literature and then describes a book	D	Choice D is the best answer. The text starts by introducing Mitchell’s philosophy about using simple, repetitive language in books for young children. Then it describes a book inﬂuenced by that philosophy, Goodnight Moon. Choice A is incorrect. Although two authors are mentioned in the text, they both agree about the type of language that should be contained in books for young children. Choice B is incorrect. The text never discusses the evaluation of children’s literature. It does provide one view of how children’s books should be written, but never introduces a competing view. Choice C is incorrect. The text doesn’t mention “many classics of children’s literature.” Instead, it describes an educational theory and identiﬁes one example of a famous children’s book that was inﬂuenced by that theory.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
b74f676f	Classical composer Florence Price’s 1927 move to Chicago marked a turning point in her career. It was there that Price premiered her First Symphony—a piece that was praised for blending traditional Romantic motifs with aspects of Black folk music—and ______ supportive relationships with other Black artists.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	developing	developed	to develop	having developed	B	Choice B is the best answer. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb "premiered," and "Price" is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form "developed" in order to match "premiered." Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb "premiered," and "Price" is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form "developed" in order to match "premiered." Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb "premiered," and "Price" is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form "developed" in order to match "premiered." Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a verb form error. The missing verb is part of the same clause as the verb "premiered," and "Price" is the subject of both. So we need the past-tense form "developed" in order to match "premiered."	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
7d84fe2b	Particle physicists like Ayana Holloway Arce and Aida El-Khadra spend much of their time ______ what is invisible to the naked eye: using sophisticated technology, they closely examine the behavior of subatomic particles, the smallest detectable parts of matter.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	selecting	inspecting	creating	deciding	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the work of particle physicists. In this context, “inspecting” means viewing closely in order to examine. The text indicates that as particle physicists, Arce and El-Khadra’s work involves using advanced technology to “closely examine” subatomic particles. In other words, they use technology to inspect small parts of matter that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Choice A is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Arce and El-Khadra spend time “selecting,” or choosing, subatomic particles for some purpose; the text simply states that the particle physicists use advanced technology to see and study the behavior of those tiny parts of matter. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Arce and El-Khadra spend time “creating” subatomic particles, or bringing them into existence; the text simply states that the particle physicists use advanced technology to see and study the behavior of those tiny parts of matter. Choice D is incorrect. In this context, “deciding” would mean making a ﬁnal choice or judgment about something. It wouldn’t make sense to say that particle physicists get to choose what is and isn’t visible to the naked eye, especially when the text presents it as fact that subatomic particles are “the smallest detectable parts of matter” and would therefore be invisible. The text focuses on Arce and El-Khadra’s close observation of those particles, not on any decisions they might make.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
975b0602	A number of Indigenous politicians have been elected to the United States Congress since 2000 as members of the country’s two established political parties. In Canada and several Latin American countries, on the other hand, Indigenous people have formed their own political parties to advance candidates who will advocate for the interests of their communities. This movement has been particularly successful in Ecuador, where Guadalupe Llori, a member of the Indigenous party known as Pachakutik, was elected president of the National Assembly in 2021.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To trace the history of an Indigenous political movement and speculate about its future development	To argue that Indigenous politicians in the United States should form their own political party	To highlight two approaches to achieving political representation for Indigenous people	To consider how Indigenous politicians in the United States have inﬂuenced Indigenous politicians in Canada and Latin	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text, which is to illustrate two approaches that Indigenous politicians have taken to achieve political representation for their communities. The text begins by explaining that one approach is exempliﬁed by Indigenous politicians in the United States who, in an effort to ensure that the interests of their communities are represented in government, joined preexisting political parties and were subsequently elected to Congress. The text goes on to highlight a second approach adopted by Indigenous leaders in Canada and several Latin American countries: rather than joining established political parties, many Indigenous politicians in these countries have instead formed their own parties to promote candidates for oﬃce who support causes that are important to their communities. Choice A is incorrect because the text’s focus is on the contrasting approaches adopted by different Indigenous political movements in different countries; thus, it isn’t accurate to say that the text traces the history of one political movement. Moreover, the text only discusses examples from 2000 to 2021, a relatively short period of time; therefore, it provides very little in the way of discussion of larger historical developments, nor does it make any predictions about how these movements might continue to develop in the future. Choice B is incorrect because the text never urges Indigenous politicians in the US to alter their strategy of striving for representation through the established political parties, nor does it suggest that this strategy is inferior to that of Indigenous politicians in Canada and Latin America, who have formed their own parties. In fact, the text notes that both strategies have resulted in the election of Indigenous politicians to national governments. Choice D is incorrect because the text never suggests that Indigenous politicians in the US have inﬂuenced those in Canada and Latin America; instead, it stresses how Indigenous politicians’ approach toward achieving	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
84a7fbca	When Mexican-American archaeologist Zelia Maria Magdalena Nuttall published her 1886 research paper on sculptures found at the ancient Indigenous city of Teotihuacan in present-day Mexico, other researchers readily ______ her work as groundbreaking; this recognition stemmed from her convincing demonstration that the sculptures were much older than had previously been thought.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	acknowledged	ensured	denied	underestimated	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Nuttall’s 1886 research paper. In this context, “acknowledged” means recognized as having a certain status. The text indicates that other researchers recognized Nuttall’s work as groundbreaking because of its “convincing demonstration” related to the age of the ancient sculptures. In other words, the researchers recognized the groundbreaking status of Nuttall’s work. Choice B is incorrect because in this context, “ensured” would mean to have guaranteed or made sure something was the case. The text states that other researchers gave Nuttall’s work recognition after it was published, but there’s no indication that they contributed to the work or had any involvement that would have allowed them to make sure the work would be groundbreaking. Choice C is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that other researchers “denied,” or refused to admit or accept, that Nuttall’s work was groundbreaking; on the contrary, it indicates that researchers praised the work, recognizing it as groundbreaking due to its “convincing demonstration” related to the age of the ancient sculptures. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that other researchers “underestimated,” or undervalued, Nuttall’s work; on the contrary, it indicates that researchers praised the work, recognizing it as groundbreaking due to its “convincing demonstration” related to the age of the ancient sculptures.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
479c7e82	Although critics believed that customers would never agree to pay to pick their own produce on farms, such concerns didn’t ______ Booker T. Whatley’s efforts to promote the practice. Thanks in part to Whatley’s determined advocacy, farms that allow visitors to pick their own apples, pumpkins, and other produce can be found throughout the United States.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	enhance	hinder	misrepresent	aggravate	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Booker T. Whatley. In this context, “hinder” means hold back or obstruct. The text explains that Whatley encouraged farms to allow customers on site to pick their own produce for a fee. He did so despite critics’ concerns that the customers would never pay to do so. This context establishes that the critics’ concerns didn’t hinder Whatley’s efforts to promote the practice. Choice A is incorrect. The text indicates that critics’ skepticism of the idea that customers would pay to pick their own produce didn’t have some effect on Whatley’s promotion of the practice. The text illustrates this assertion by describing Whatley’s “determined advocacy” for the practice. This context suggests that critics’ concerns didn’t obstruct Whatley’s efforts, not that critics’ concerns didn’t “enhance,” or increase or improve, Whatley’s efforts. Choice C is incorrect because in this context, “misrepresent” would mean portray inaccurately, and the text includes no information relevant to the issue of how Whatley’s efforts were portrayed by critics of the practice of charging customers to pick their own produce. Choice D is incorrect. The text indicates that critics’ skepticism of the idea that customers would pay to pick their own produce didn’t have some effect on Whatley’s promotion of the practice. The text illustrates this assertion by describing Whatley’s “determined advocacy” for the practice. This context suggests that critics’ concerns didn’t obstruct Whatley’s efforts, not that critics’ concerns didn’t “aggravate,” or irritate or make more severe, Whatley’s efforts.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
47598085	Yawn contagion occurs when one individual yawns in response to another’s yawn. Studies of this behavior in primates have focused on populations in captivity, but biologist Elisabetta Palagi and her colleagues have shown that it can occur in wild primate populations as well. In their study, which focused on a wild population of gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) in Ethiopia, the researchers further reported that yawn contagion most commonly occurred in males and across different social groups instead of within a single social group.	Which choice best describes the function of the ﬁrst sentence in the text as a whole?	It deﬁnes a phenomenon that is discussed in the text.	It introduces a problem that is examined in the text.	It makes a claim that is challenged in the text.	It presents a hypothesis that is evaluated in the text.	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the ﬁrst sentence functions in the text as a whole. The ﬁrst sentence introduces what yawn contagion is, explaining that it occurs when an individual yawns in response to the yawn of another individual. The text goes on to describe Elisabetta Palagi and her colleagues’ study of this phenomenon in a wild population of gelada monkeys. According to the text, the study showed that wild primate populations experience yawn contagion and that the behavior occurs most commonly in male monkeys and across social groups. Thus, the function of the ﬁrst sentence is to deﬁne the phenomenon of yawn contagion that is discussed in the text. Choice B is incorrect. Although the ﬁrst sentence introduces the text’s discussion of yawn contagion, it doesn’t present this behavior, or anything else, as a problem. Choice C is incorrect because the ﬁrst sentence doesn’t present a claim but instead explains what yawn contagion is. Moreover, the text doesn’t challenge anything; it’s an informative text that describes the ﬁndings of a research study about yawning in wild primate populations. Choice D is incorrect. Although the text describes a scientiﬁc study, and most scientiﬁc studies are guided by a hypothesis, the text doesn’t say what Palagi and her colleagues’ hypothesis was; the text discusses their ﬁndings instead.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
19688783	The following text is from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables. Anne, an eleven-year-old girl, has come to live on a farm with a woman named Marilla in Nova Scotia, Canada. Anne reveled in the world of color about her. “Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it? Look at these maple branches. Don’t they give you a thrill—several thrills? I’m going to decorate my room with them.” “Messy things,” said Marilla, whose aesthetic sense was not noticeably developed. “You clutter up your room entirely too much with out-of-doors stuff, Anne. Bedrooms were made to sleep in.”	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To demonstrate that Anne has a newly developed appreciation of nature	To describe an argument that Anne and Marilla often have	To emphasize Marilla’s disapproval of how Anne has decorated her room	To show that Anne and Marilla have very different personalities	D	Choice D is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text. The text begins by noting that Anne “reveled in the world of color about her”—that is, she takes great delight in colorful things. It then relates a scene when she enthusiastically enters the house with autumn foliage and announces that she will decorate her room with it. The focus of the text then shifts to Marilla, who has an undeveloped “aesthetic sense,” or appreciation of beauty, as can be seen when she dismisses the maple leaves as “messy things” and criticizes Anne for cluttering her room with objects from outside. This episode thus illustrates that Anne and Marilla differ in their appreciation of beauty and, more generally, in their basic character: Anne is exuberant and joyful, while Marilla is stern and critical. Therefore, the purpose of the text is to show that Anne and Marilla have very different personalities. Choice A is incorrect because the text presents Anne’s appreciation of nature as a basic personality trait, not as a newfound enthusiasm, and never indicates how recently she developed that appreciation. Choice B is incorrect. Although the text portrays Anne and Marilla as having different personalities and attitudes toward natural beauty and home decoration, it doesn’t show them engaging in an argument about this difference or suggest that they often argue about it. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text does indicate that Marilla disapproves of how Anne plans to decorate her room, Marilla’s disapproval is a supporting detail that serves to develop her personality, which the text as a whole contrasts with Anne’s personality.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
066a3295	Researchers have found a nearly 164,000-year-old molar from a member of the archaic human species known as Denisovans in a cave in Laos, suggesting that Denisovans lived in a wider range of environments than indicated by earlier evidence. Before the discovery, Denisovans were thought to have lived only at high altitudes in relatively cold climates in what are now Russia and China, but the discovery of the tooth in Laos suggests that they may have lived at low altitudes in relatively warm climates in Southeast Asia as well.	Which choice best states the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?	It dismisses as untrue the research presented in the previous sentence.	It deﬁnes a term used in the description that follows in the rest of the sentence.	It emphasizes the main goal of the research introduced in the previous sentence.	It provides context that clariﬁes the signiﬁcance of the information that follows in the rest of the sentence.	D	Choice D is the best answer. The text describes how a new discovery expands our understanding of Denisovans. The underlined portion describes what we used to believe about Denisovans, which helps the reader understand the signiﬁcance of the discovery of the molar: it suggests that they lived in more places than we’d previously thought. Choice A is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t do this. Instead, it explains what we used to believe about Denisovans before the discovery—it doesn’t dismiss the new discovery as false. Choice B is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t do this. No term is deﬁned here. Choice C is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t do this. The text never tells us what the “goal” of the research was, just what its discovery was.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
6ea8c23f	In 2018, a team of researchers led by Dr. Caitlin Whalen compiled every available measurement of ocean mixing rates from the past two decades. With this novel data set, the team was able to determine how current-driven mixing varies across ______ and what impact it has on the distribution of heat and nutrients in the ocean.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	regions,	regions:	regions;	regions	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between coordinates in a sentence. The two elements "how…regions" and "what…ocean" work together as coordinates to complete the description of what the team was able to determine. Because there are only two coordinates in this case (as opposed to a series of three or more), no punctuation is needed between them. Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean." Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean." Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean."	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
49bbe4d7	For painter Jacob Lawrence, being ______ was an important part of the artistic process. Because he paid close attention to all the details of his Harlem neighborhood, Lawrence’s artwork captured nuances in the beauty and vitality of the Black experience during the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Migration.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	skeptical	observant	critical	conﬁdent	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Jacob Lawrence’s artistic process. In this context, “observant” means watchful and perceptive. The text emphasizes that the “close attention” Lawrence paid to “all the details” of his neighborhood allowed him to reﬂect subtle elements of “the beauty and vitality of the Black experience” in his artwork. This context indicates that being observant of his surroundings was an important part of Lawrence’s work as an artist. Choice A is incorrect because the text gives no indication that Lawrence was “skeptical,” or had an attitude of doubt in general or about particular things, let alone that skepticism was important to him as an artist. Rather than indicating that he was skeptical, the text focuses on how Lawrence paid careful attention to everything around him and reﬂected his observations in his artwork. Choice C is incorrect because the text gives no indication that Lawrence was “critical,” which in this context would mean inclined to criticize harshly or unfairly. Rather than indicating that Lawrence found fault in things, the text suggests that he paid careful attention to everything around him and that his artwork reﬂects this careful attention. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that Lawrence was “conﬁdent,” or self-assured. Rather than addressing how Lawrence felt about himself and how that feeling affected his artistic process, the text emphasizes the careful attention Lawrence paid to everything around him—attention that allowed him to capture subtle elements of a particular place and time in his artwork.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
adf210e7	The haiku-like poems of Tomas Tranströmer, which present nature- and dream-inﬂuenced images in crisp, spare language, have earned the Swedish poet praise from leading contemporary ______ them Nigerian American essayist and novelist Teju Cole, who has written that Tranströmer’s works “contain a luminous simplicity.”	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	writers. Among	writers among	writers; among	writers, among	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“The haiku-like…writers”) and the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”) that speciﬁes a contemporary writer who has praised Tomas Tranströmer’s haiku-like poems. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “among.” Choice B is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause and the supplementary phrase with appropriate punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“The haiku-like… writers”) and the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”).	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
eef91a50	Nine months before Rosa Parks made history by refusing to comply with the segregated seating policy on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, a ﬁfteen-year-old Montgomery girl named Claudette Colvin was arrested for the same ______ to some historians, Colvin’s arrest led to Parks’s action and eventually to the desegregation of Montgomery’s bus system.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	offense. According	offense, according	offense according	offense and according	A	Choice A is the best answer. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are both independent clauses. Separating them with a period and turning them into their own sentences is the only grammatically correct choice among the provided options. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a comma splice error, which is a punctuation error that occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are both independent clauses, so they need to be either joined by a semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or separated by a period. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are both independent clauses, so they need to be either joined by a semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or separated by a period. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are independent clauses, so we would need to put a comma before the coordinating conjunction “and” to join them properly.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
cb526866	The recent discovery of a carved wooden ﬁgure dating to around 2,000 years ago in a ditch in England was truly surprising. Wooden objects ______ survive for so long due to their high susceptibility to rot, but archaeologists suspect layers of sediment in the ditch preserved the ﬁgure by creating an oxygen-free environment.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	sturdily	carelessly	rarely	simply	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the discovery of a carved wooden ﬁgure dating to around 2,000 years ago. In this context, “rarely” means infrequently. The text states that the discovery of the ﬁgure was “truly surprising” and notes that wooden objects are highly prone to rot. This context conveys the idea that wooden objects infrequently survive for as long as the carved ﬁgure has survived. Choice A is incorrect because “sturdily” means strongly, which wouldn’t make sense in context. If wooden objects in general could strongly survive for long periods of time, then the discovery of a wooden ﬁgure that’s around 2,000 years old wouldn’t be surprising. Choice B is incorrect because “carelessly” means accidentally. The text conveys the idea that wooden objects in general don’t survive for very long because they rot, not that wooden objects in general accidentally survive despite this. Choice D is incorrect because the text conveys the idea that wooden objects in general don’t survive for very long because they rot, not that wooden objects in general “simply,” or merely, survive for long periods of time. If wooden objects in general could merely survive for as long as the ﬁgure has survived, then the discovery of the ﬁgure wouldn’t have been surprising.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
e5da61f1	The following text is adapted from Charles Chesnutt’s 1899 short story “Mars Jeems’s Nightmare.” The narrator and his wife have recently moved to the southern United States, and Julius is their carriage driver. Julius [was] very useful when we moved to our new residence. He had a thorough knowledge of the neighborhood, was familiar with the roads and the watercourses, knew the qualities of the various soils and what they would produce, and where the best hunting and ﬁshing were to be had. He was a marvelous hand in the management of horses and dogs.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To compare the narrator’s reaction to a new home with his wife’s reaction	To give an example of Julius’s knowledge about soil	To show that the narrator and Julius often hunt and ﬁsh together	To explain different ways in which Julius was helpful	D	Choice D is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text, which is to explain different ways in which Julius was helpful. The text begins with the narrator stating that Julius was very helpful to him and his wife when they moved to their new residence. The narrator then provides a list of examples to illustrate Julius’s helpfulness. For instance, the narrator states that Julius was familiar with the neighborhood’s roads, which suggests that he was helpful in navigating them, and that Julius helped manage the horses and dogs. The text’s many examples of Julius’s usefulness reinforce just how helpful he was and in how many different ways. Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t portray either the narrator’s or his wife’s reaction to their new home. Rather, the text focuses on how Julius was useful to the narrator and his wife in their new home. Choice B is incorrect. Although the text states that Julius was knowledgeable about the soil, this is one of several supporting details that illustrate how helpful Julius was. Moreover, the text merely states that Julius was knowledgeable about soil; it doesn’t provide an example of that knowledge. Choice C is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest the frequency with which the narrator and Julius hunted and ﬁshed together. In fact, it’s unclear from the text whether the narrator and Julius hunted and ﬁshed together at all. The text merely indicates that Julius knew the best places to hunt and ﬁsh—a detail that supports the text’s main purpose by conveying Julius’s usefulness.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
576b2c70	A member of the Cherokee Nation, Mary Golda Ross is renowned for her contributions to NASA’s Planetary Flight Handbook, which ______ detailed mathematical guidance for missions to Mars and Venus.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	provided	having provided	to provide	providing	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of ﬁnite verbs in a relative clause. Relative clauses, such as the one beginning with “which,” require a ﬁnite verb, a verb that can function as the main verb of a clause. This choice correctly supplies the clause with the ﬁnite past tense verb “provided.” Choice B is incorrect because the non-ﬁnite participle “having provided” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice C is incorrect because the non-ﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to provide” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice D is incorrect because the non-ﬁnite participle “providing” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
790fc366	Using satellite remote sensing, Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, director of NASA’s Harvest Africa initiative, gathers important data on crop health. Nakalembe doesn’t just compile the ______ she also shares her ﬁndings with African farmers, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about managing critical food crops.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	information, though;	information, though,	information; though	information though,	A	Choice A is the best answer. This choice uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses ("Nakalembe doesn’t just… though" and "she also shares..."). This choice also appropriately includes "though" in the ﬁrst clause, where it logically belongs. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but." "Though" is a transition word, but it’s not a coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. A semicolon can only be used to link two independent clauses. However, if "though" is included in the second clause, it turns the second clause into a dependent clause, so a semicolon can’t be used after "information." Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but."	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
9d73c9eb	Osage Nation citizen Randy Tinker-Smith produced and directed the ballet Wahzhazhe, which vividly chronicles Osage history and culture. Telling Osage stories through ballet is ______ choice because two of the foremost ballet dancers of the twentieth century were Osage: sisters Maria and Marjorie Tallchief.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	a suitable	a determined	an arbitrary	an unpredictable	A	Choice A is the best answer. “Suitable” means “appropriate for a particular purpose.” Since the text indicates that two of the best ballet dancers of the twentieth century were Osage, we can infer that the author believes that ballet is a very suitable artform for telling Osage stories. Choice B is incorrect. The text never suggests that Tinker-Smith’s choice was determined. That would imply that Tinker- Smith initially faced some kind of obstacle or opposition, and nothing like that is mentioned in the passage. Choice C is incorrect. The text implies the opposite of this. “Arbitrary” means “based on random choice or whim rather than reason.” But the text does give us a good reason behind the choice to tell Osage stories through ballet: two of the best ballet dancers of the twentieth century were Osage. Choice D is incorrect. The text never suggests that Tinker-Smith’s choice was “unpredictable.” Rather, the fact that two of the best ballet dancers of the twentieth century were Osage makes ballet especially appropriate for telling Osage stories.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
2903a041	Using NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Mercedes López-Morales and colleagues measured the wavelengths of light traveling through the atmosphere of WASP-39b, an exoplanet, or planet outside our solar system. Different molecules absorb different wavelengths of light, and the wavelength measurements showed the presence of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in WASP-39b’s atmosphere. This ﬁnding not only offers the ﬁrst decisive evidence of CO₂ in the atmosphere of an exoplanet but also illustrates the potential for future scientiﬁc breakthroughs held by the JWST.	Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?	It discusses a method used by some researchers, then states why an alternative method is superior to it.	It describes how researchers made a scientiﬁc discovery, then explains the importance of that discovery.	It outlines the steps taken in a scientiﬁc study, then presents a hypothesis based on that study.	It examines how a group of scientists reached a conclusion, then shows how other scientists have challenged that	B	Choice B is the best answer. The text begins by describing how the researchers used the JWST to detect CO₂ in WASP-39b’s atmosphere. Then the text discusses the signiﬁcance of this ﬁnding, both as the ﬁrst evidence of CO₂ in an exoplanet’s atmosphere and as an illustration of the JWST’s potential for making new discoveries in general. Choice A is incorrect. The text doesn’t compare two different methods, but rather focuses on one study that used the JWST. Choice C is incorrect. The text doesn’t present a hypothesis, but rather reports on the ﬁndings of a study. Choice D is incorrect. The text doesn’t mention any scientists challenging the conclusion reached by López-Morales and colleagues.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
cdbbbf94	As British scientist Peter Whibberley has observed, “the Earth is not a very good timekeeper.” Earth’s slightly irregular rotation rate means that measurements of time must be periodically adjusted. Speciﬁcally, an extra “leap second” (the 86,401st second of the day) is ______ time based on the planet’s rotation lags a full nine-tenths of a second behind time kept by precise atomic clocks.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	added, whenever	added; whenever	added. Whenever	added whenever	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a verb and a preposition. When, as in this case, a verb (“is added”) is immediately followed by a preposition (“whenever”), no punctuation is needed. Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition. Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
22a41819	Rejecting the premise that the literary magazine Ebony and Topaz (1927) should present a uniﬁed vision of Black American identity, editor Charles S. Johnson fostered his contributors’ diverse perspectives by promoting their authorial autonomy. Johnson’s self-effacement diverged from the editorial stances of W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke, whose decisions for their publications were more ______.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	proﬁcient	dogmatic	ambiguous	unpretentious	B	Choice B is the best answer. A person who is "dogmatic" believes strongly that their principles and opinions are true. Because Du Bois and Locke are implied to have one "uniﬁed vision" of Black American identity that they prioritize over the "diverse perspectives" of different writers, they can be described as dogmatic. Choice A is incorrect. "Proﬁcient" means "skilled." Du Bois and Locke are contrasted with Johnson, but nothing in the text suggests that Johnson was not skilled at making editorial decisions. Based on the text, the three editors just have different styles; they’re not necessarily more or less skilled. Choice C is incorrect. "Ambiguous" means "unclear" or "open to multiple interpretations." However, it’s actually Johnson who encouraged multiple interpretations ("diverse perspectives"). Since Du Bois and Locke are said to "diverge" from Johnson, we can assume that the views they published were not ambiguous, but instead clear and ﬁrm (a "uniﬁed vision"). Choice D is incorrect. "Unpretentious" means "not trying to impress others with greater skill or importance than is actually possessed." Du Bois and Locke are contrasted with Johnson, but nothing in the text suggests that Johnson is pretentious (trying to impress others).	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
6fece68e	Emperor Ashoka ruled the Maurya Empire in South Asia from roughly 270 to 232 BCE. He is known for enforcing a moral code called the Law of Piety, which established the sanctity of animal ______ the just treatment of the elderly, and the abolition of the slave trade.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	life	life;	life:	life,	D	Choice D is the best answer. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the ﬁrst item in a list of three things. We must use a comma to separate the ﬁrst two items in the list, just as a comma is used to separate "the just treatment of the elderly" and "the abolition of the slave trade." Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the ﬁrst item in a list of three things. To appropriately format the list, we need punctuation to separate each item. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the ﬁrst item in a list of three things. While semicolons are sometimes used to separate list items, this list uses commas to separate the other list items, and lists must use the same punctuation throughout. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the ﬁrst item in a list of three things. While colons can be used to introduce lists, they can’t be used to separate items within a list.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
0a04cac5	The following text is adapted from Jane Austen’s 1814 novel Mansﬁeld Park. The speaker, Tom, is considering staging a play at home with a group of his friends and family. We mean nothing but a little amusement among ourselves, just to vary the scene, and exercise our powers in something new. We want no audience, no publicity. We may be trusted, I think, in choosing some play most perfectly unexceptionable; and I can conceive no greater harm or danger to any of us in conversing in the elegant written language of some respectable author than in chattering in words of our own.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To offer Tom’s assurance that the play will be inoffensive and involve only a small number of people	To clarify that the play will not be performed in the manner Tom had originally intended	To elaborate on the idea that the people around Tom lack the skills to successfully stage a play	To assert that Tom believes the group performing the play will be able to successfully promote it	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately portrays the main purpose of the text. At the beginning of the text, Tom asserts that he and the other people staging the play are doing so only for “a little amusement among ourselves” and aren’t interested in attracting an audience or any attention with the production. Then, Tom promises that the play they chose is modest and appropriate, and he further reasons that using the well-written prose of “some respectable author” is better than using their own words. Overall, the main purpose of the text is to convey Tom’s promise that the play will be inoffensive and involve only a few people. Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t indicate that Tom had earlier intentions for the play’s performance or that anything has changed since the group ﬁrst decided to stage a play. Instead, the text focuses on how harmless the entire endeavor will be. Choice C is incorrect. Although Tom mentions that using the words of a “respectable author” will be better than using their own words, he never addresses the idea that the people around him generally aren’t skilled enough to stage a play. Choice D is incorrect because in the text Tom speciﬁcally says that they “want no audience, no publicity,” which indicates that they don’t plan on promoting the play at all.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
ad046778	To humans, it does not appear that the golden orb-weaver spider uses camouﬂage to capture its ______ the brightly colored arachnid seems to wait conspicuously in the center of its large circular web for insects to approach. Researcher Po Peng of the University of Melbourne has explained that the spider’s distinctive coloration may in fact be part of its appeal.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	prey, rather,	prey rather,	prey, rather;	prey; rather,	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. The semicolon is correctly used to join the ﬁrst main clause (“To humans…prey”) and the second main clause (“rather… approach”). Further, the comma after the adverb “rather” is correctly used to separate the adverb from the main clause (“the brightly…approach”) it modiﬁes, logically indicating that the information in this clause (how the spider’s behavior appears to humans) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (how the spider’s behavior does not appear to humans). Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without appropriate punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. Placing the comma between the ﬁrst main clause “To humans…prey” and the adverb “rather” illogically indicates that the information in the ﬁrst main clause is contrary to what came before, which doesn’t make sense in this context.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
9f737b2a	In Death Valley National Park’s Racetrack Playa, a ﬂat, dry lakebed, are 162 rocks—some weighing less than a pound but others almost 700 pounds—that move periodically from place to place, seemingly of their own volition. Racetrack-like trails in the ______ mysterious migration.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	playas sediment mark the rock’s	playa’s sediment mark the rocks	playa’s sediment mark the rocks’	playas’ sediment mark the rocks’	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of plural and possessive nouns. The singular possessive noun “playa’s” and the plural possessive noun “rocks’” correctly indicate that the sediment is that of one playa (the Racetrack Playa) and that there are multiple rocks that have mysteriously migrated across the sediment. Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun “playa’s” and the plural possessive noun “rocks’,” not the plural noun “playas” and the singular possessive noun “rock’s.” Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the plural possessive noun “rocks’,” not the plural noun “rocks.” Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun “playa’s,” not the plural possessive noun “playas’.”	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
2b085bc6	The following text is adapted from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s 1902 novel The Sport of the Gods. Joe and some of his family members have recently moved to New York City. [Joe] was wild with enthusiasm and with a desire to be a part of all that the metropolis meant. In the evening he saw the young fellows passing by dressed in their spruce clothes, and he wondered with a sort of envy where they could be going. Back home there had been no place much worth going to, except church and one or two people’s houses.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	It illustrates a character’s reaction to a new environment.	It explains why a character has traveled to a city.	It compares a character’s thoughts about an event at two different times of day.	It presents a character feeling regret over leaving home.	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text. The narrator describes how Joe responds to being in “the metropolis”: he’s excited and “wild with enthusiasm.” He also envies the young fellows who walk by because, dressed as they are, they look as if they have somewhere special to go. The text contrasts this new place with the place Joe comes from, where apparently there wasn’t as much to do. Thus, the main purpose of the text is to illustrate Joe’s reaction to a new environment. Choice B is incorrect because the text makes no reference to why Joe has moved. The narrator indicates that Joe is enthusiastic about being in a city, but there’s no explanation provided for the move. Choice C is incorrect because the text makes no reference to how Joe thinks about an event. The narrator describes young men passing by in the evening and then recalls places worth going to at home—church and a few people’s houses—but there’s no explicit comparison made nor is a time of day mentioned for these events back home. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t support the idea that Joe feels regret over leaving home. Instead, Joe is described as “wild with enthusiasm” at being in the city. Joe’s home is mentioned, but only to compare it unfavorably with the city.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
4a90a978	In 1990, California native and researcher Ellen Ochoa left her position as chief of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at a NASA research center ______ the space agency’s astronaut training program.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	to join	is joining	joined	joins	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of nonﬁnite verb forms in a sentence. The nonﬁnite to- inﬁnitive verb "to join" is correctly used to form a subordinate clause that expresses why Ochoa left her position (to join the training program). Choice B is incorrect because the ﬁnite verb "is joining" can’t be used in this way to indicate Ochoa’s action of joining the training program. A conjunction such as "and" would be needed to coordinate "is joining" with the previous ﬁnite verb, "left." Choice C is incorrect because the ﬁnite verb "joined" can’t be used in this way to indicate Ochoa’s action of joining the training program. A conjunction such as "and" would be needed to coordinate "joined" with the previous ﬁnite verb, "left." Choice D is incorrect because the ﬁnite verb "joins" can’t be used in this way to indicate Ochoa’s action of joining the training program. A conjunction such as "and" would be needed to coordinate "joins" with the previous ﬁnite verb, "left."	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
aab74a3b	Researcher Lin Zhi developed a process for increasing the tensile strength—measured in gigapascals, or GPa—of silkworm ______ dissolving and reweaving the silk in a solution of iron metal ions, zinc, and sugar, Zhi increased the amount of force required to stretch it from approximately 0.5 GPa to 2 GPa.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	silk, by	silk by	silk and by	silk. By	D	Choice D is the best answer. The independent clauses "researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" can be grammatically separated by a period. They can stand alone as sentences, and this is the only choice that lets them do that. Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with punctuation like a period or a semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and." A comma alone isn’t enough. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with punctuation like a period or a semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and." Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. The coordinating conjunction "and" isn’t enough to link them by itself. We need a comma, too.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
79fe7550	Researcher Haesung Jung led a 2020 study showing that individual acts of kindness can ______ prosocial behavior across a larger group. Jung and her team found that bystanders who witness a helpful act become more likely to offer help to someone else, and in doing so, can inspire still others to act.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	require	remember	foster	discourage	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Jung and her team’s study of acts of kindness. In this context, “foster” means encourage or promote the development of. The text indicates that Jung and her team found that seeing a helpful (or prosocial) act makes a bystander more likely to help someone else, which can in turn inspire additional people to help others. That is, the team showed that single acts of kindness can foster additional prosocial acts across a group. Choice A is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Jung and her team found that single acts of kindness “require,” or depend on or make obligatory, broader prosocial (or helpful) behavior across a group. There’s no suggestion in the text that individual acts of kindness can only occur if other prosocial acts have already occurred, and the text indicates only that an act of kindness can inspire additional helpful acts, not that it necessarily will do so. Choice B is incorrect because the text focuses on a possible direct effect of individual acts of kindness, or single helpful actions, and it wouldn’t make sense to suggest that actions can “remember,” or hold a memory of, something. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t indicate that Jung and her team found that single acts of kindness can “discourage,” or hinder, prosocial (or helpful) behavior across a group. On the contrary, the text states that Jung and her team found that seeing a helpful act makes a bystander more likely to help someone else, which can in turn inspire even more people to help others.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
21d95d1d	Ofelia Zepeda’s contributions to the ﬁeld of linguistics are ______: her many accomplishments include working as a linguistics professor and bilingual poet, authoring the ﬁrst Tohono O’odham grammar book, and co-founding the American Indian Language Development Institute.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	pragmatic	controversial	extensive	universal	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of how Ofelia Zepeda has contributed to the ﬁeld of linguistics. As used in this context, “extensive” means having a wide or considerable extent. The text indicates that Zepeda’s many accomplishments in linguistics are varied, including teaching linguistics, writing poetry in more than one language, creating a grammar book, and co-founding a language institute. This context supports the idea that Zepeda’s contributions to the ﬁeld are extensive. Choice A is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s accomplishments as examples to support the claim made in the ﬁrst part of the sentence. It wouldn’t make sense to say that achievements as a professor, poet and author, and co- founder of a language institute demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions in her ﬁeld are “pragmatic,” or related to practical matters and not involving intellectual or artistic matters. Choice B is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s accomplishments as a professor, poet and author, and co-founder of a language institute as examples to support the claim made in the ﬁrst part of the sentence. There’s no reason to believe that the positive achievements listed demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions in her ﬁeld are “controversial,” or have caused disputes and opposing viewpoints. Choice D is incorrect because in this context, “universal” would mean including or covering everything in a group. The sentence presents Zepeda’s accomplishments as examples to support the claim made in the ﬁrst part of the sentence, and it wouldn’t make sense to say that these speciﬁc achievements—particularly as the author of a grammar book speciﬁc to the Tohono O’odham language—demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions relate to everything in the ﬁeld of linguistics.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
c468db1c	A group of ecologists led by Axel Mithöfer at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany examined the defensive responses of two varieties of the sweet potato ______ TN57, which is known for its insect resistance, and TN66, which is much more susceptible to pests.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	plant.	plant;	plant	plant:	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A group…plant”) and the supplementary element (“TN57…pests”) and to introduce the following elaboration on the speciﬁc varieties of sweet potato plants that were examined. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “TN57.” Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“A group…plant”) and the supplementary element (“TN57…pests”). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element that explains or ampliﬁes the information in the preceding clause. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A group...plant”) and the supplementary element (“TN57...pests”) with appropriate punctuation.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
e13171c4	Historians Tiya Miles and Roy E. Finkenbine have both documented the assistance Indigenous peoples gave to Black freedom seekers leaving the South before the US Civil War. Much of the historical evidence of this help comes from Indigenous oral traditions and from autobiographies written by the freedom seekers. One such narrative is Jermain Loguen’s autobiography, which tells about how Neshnabé (Potawatomi) villagers offered him food, lodging, and directions during his 1835 journey from Tennessee to Canada.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence?	It provides an example of an autobiography that describes help given by an Indigenous people to a Black freedom seeker.	It shows why Loguen decided to write in great detail about his experiences traveling from Tennessee to Canada in his autobiography.	It argues that autobiographies are particularly important sources of information about geography in the United States before the Civil War.	It suggests that most historians believe that Neshnabé villagers were more successful in assisting freedom seekers than	A	Choice A is the best answer. The previous sentence broadly mentions "autobiographies written by the freedom seekers." This sentence identiﬁes Loguen’s autobiography as a speciﬁc example. Choice B is incorrect. The sentence never explains why Loguen chose to write about his experiences. Choice C is incorrect. The previous sentence identiﬁes autobiographies as useful sources of historical information about a speciﬁc topic, but not for "information about geography." The underlined sentence provides details of one autobiography as an example of a source of information about that speciﬁc topic (interactions between Indigenous people and Black freedom seekers). Choice D is incorrect. The text never discusses other speciﬁc people who helped freedom seekers, and therefore can’t make a comparison between the Neshnabé and anyone else.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
8d53e7a0	Slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo’s debut novel The Poet X, winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, is composed of ______ protagonist, ﬁfteen-year-old Xiomara Batista.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	poems putatively written by the novel’s	poem’s putatively written by the novel’s	poem’s putatively written by the novels’	poems putatively written by the novels’	A	Choice A is the best answer. Nothing belongs to the “poems” in the sentence, so it should not be possessive—just a simple plural noun. The protagonist does belong to the novel—it’s the protagonist of the novel—so “novel” needs to be a singular possessive noun. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This choice uses the singular possessive “poem’s,” but the text indicates that it should be the simple plural “poems”: there is more than one poem, and nothing belongs to the poems. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This choice uses the singular possessive “poem’s,” but the text indicates that it should be the simple plural “poems”: there is more than one poem, and nothing belongs to the poems. This choice also uses the plural possessive “novels’,” which is incorrect because there is only one novel. Choice D is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This choice uses the plural possessive “novels’,” which is incorrect because there is only one novel, so it should be the singular possessive “novel’s.” .	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
94eb800d	For a 2020 exhibition, photographer and neurobiologist Okunola Jeyifous ______ a series of new images based on a series of alphabet posters from the 1970s known as the “Black ABCs,” which featured Black children from Chicago. Jeyifous photographed the now-adult models and layered the photos over magniﬁed images of the models’ cells, resulting in what he called “micro and macro portraiture.”	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	validated	created	challenged	restored	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically and precisely completes the text’s discussion of Jeyifous’s series of images for the 2020 exhibition. In this context, “created” means produced. The text explains that Jeyifous, a photographer and neurobiologist, photographed adults who had appeared as children in posters from the 1970s, then combined those photographs with magniﬁed images of the adults’ cells—a process that resulted in what he called “micro and macro portraiture.” This context suggests that Jeyifous drew on his dual interests in photography and neurobiology to produce the images for display in the exhibition. Choice A is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that Jeyifous “validated,” or corroborated, the series of images. The text describes Jeyifous’s process for composing the images but doesn’t describe Jeyifous making an effort to evaluate the images for their artistic or scientiﬁc legitimacy. Choice C is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that Jeyifous “challenged,” or disputed, an aspect of the images; rather, the focus of the text is on the inspiration behind the images and the method Jeyifous used to achieve them. Choice D is incorrect because the text indicates that Jeyifous made the images himself using a combination of photography and magniﬁed pictures of cells, not that he “restored,” or reconditioned, the images from a deteriorated state.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
c0e1b70a	The following text is adapted from Etsu Inagaki Sugimoto’s 1925 memoir A Daughter of the Samurai. As a young woman, Sugimoto moved from feudal Japan to the United States. The standards of my own and my adopted country differed so widely in some ways, and my love for both lands was so sincere, that sometimes I had an odd feeling of standing upon a cloud in space, and gazing with measuring eyes upon two separate worlds. At ﬁrst I was continually trying to explain, by Japanese standards, all the queer things that came every day before my surprised eyes; for no one seemed to know the origin or signiﬁcance of even the most familiar customs, nor why they existed and were followed.	Which choice best describes the main purpose of the text?	To convey the narrator’s experience of observing and making sense of differences between two cultures she embraces	To establish the narrator’s hope of forming connections with new companions by sharing customs she learned as a child	To reveal the narrator’s recognition that she is hesitant to ask questions about certain aspects of a culture she is newly encountering	To emphasize the narrator’s wonder at discovering that the physical distance between two countries is greater than she	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text. The narrator asserts that she loves both her “own” country (Japan) and her “adopted country” (the United States) even though the two countries differ “widely.” She also indicates that, at ﬁrst, she would try to explain unfamiliar experiences that she had in the United States using the standards ingrained in her from growing up in Japan. Thus, the main purpose of the text is to convey the narrator’s experience of observing and making sense of the differences between two cultures she embraces. Choice B is incorrect because the text makes no reference to possible companions. Although the text does indicate that the narrator sometimes used the cultural framework she acquired growing up in Japan to explain some experiences she’s had, there is no suggestion that this was in service of making friends. And although “no one seemed to know” strongly implies that the narrator has interacted with other people in the United States, there is no indication that these conversations involved her discussing Japanese customs. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that the narrator was hesitant to ask questions. In fact, the narrator indicates that “no one seemed to know the origin” of various customs, which provides evidence that, rather than being hesitant, she sought information from several people. Choice D is incorrect because the text makes no reference to the physical distance between Japan and the United States. Although the narrator indicates that the two countries differ “widely” and likens them to “two separate worlds,” these descriptions relate to cultural aspects of the countries and the narrator’s feelings about the two countries, not the physical distance between them.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
a60b0004	Scholarly discussions of gender in Shakespeare’s comedies often celebrate the rebellion of the playwright’s characters against the rigid expectations ______ by Elizabethan society. Most of the comedies end in marriage, with characters returning to their socially dictated gender roles after previously defying them, but there are some notable exceptions.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	interjected	committed	illustrated	prescribed	D	Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of gender roles in Shakespeare’s comedies. As used in this context, “prescribed” would mean laid down as rules. The text indicates that the characters in the comedies often defy gender roles that are “socially dictated” (even if most characters do return to those roles eventually) and that scholars have been very interested in these acts of deﬁance. This context indicates that what the characters are rebelling against are standards of behavior prescribed by the society of the time. Choice A is incorrect because saying that expectations about gender were “interjected,” or suddenly inserted between other things, wouldn’t make sense in context. There’s no suggestion in the text that the issue of gender roles was inserted between other things or was an interruption in a larger discussion. Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that Shakespeare depicts characters rebelling against expectations about gender that have been “socially dictated,” not expectations that society has “committed,” or carried out, entrusted, or promised. Choice C is incorrect because the text indicates that Shakespeare depicts characters rebelling against expectations about gender that have been “socially dictated,” not expectations that have been “illustrated,” or clariﬁed with examples. Although it’s possible for expectations about gender roles to be illustrated, there’s nothing in the text to indicate that characters in Shakespeare’s comedies rebel against illustrations of gender expectations.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
59e41600	Why are Rome’s famous concrete structures, such as the Colosseum, still standing after 2,000-plus years, when modern concrete may not even last for ﬁfty? Scientists ______ that the secret to Roman concrete’s durability was its unique blend of ingredients, which included volcanic ash and seawater.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	explain	having explained	explaining	to explain	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. The main clause of a sentence requires a ﬁnite (tensed) verb, and this choice supplies the ﬁnite present tense verb “explain” to indicate what the scientists do. Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonﬁnite participle “having explained” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonﬁnite participle “explaining” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to explain” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
cd2ce51f	Like the 1945 play it reimagines—Federico García Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba—Marcus Gardley’s 2014 play The House That Will Not Stand prominently features women. In both plays, the all-female cast ______ an array of female characters, including a strong mother and several daughters dealing with individual struggles.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	engulfs	encourages	comprises	provokes	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Gardley’s play. In this context, “comprises” means constitutes or makes up the totality of, and the text indicates that The House That Will Not Stand had an “all-female cast” that stands in some relationship to “an array of female characters” in the play. Because all cast members are female, the characters must be played by these female cast members; therefore the cast constitutes, or comprises, the collection of characters. Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “engulfs” would mean encloses or overwhelms, and although it is fairly common to describe an actor as embodying (or personifying realistically) a character, there is nothing in the text to suggest that the cast members enclosed or overwhelmed the characters they played. Choice B is incorrect because in this context, “encourages” would mean inspires with courage or hope. Although the text does mention “a strong mother and several daughters dealing with individual struggles,” which might suggest that there are moments of encouragement among the characters during the play, there is nothing to suggest that the cast members encouraged the characters they portrayed. Choice D is incorrect because, in this context, “provokes” would mean instigates or incites to anger. Nothing in the text addresses provocation or what it might mean for actors to provoke the characters they are playing.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
67667d72	Humans were long thought to have begun occupying the Peruvian settlement of Machu Picchu between 1440 and 1450 CE. However, a team led by anthropologist Dr. Richard Burger used accelerator mass spectrometry to uncover evidence that it was occupied ______ 1420 CE, according to Burger, humans were likely inhabiting the area.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	earlier. In	earlier, in	earlier, which in	earlier in	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“However...earlier”) and another (“In...area”). The supplementary phrase “in 1420 CE” modiﬁes “humans,” the subject of the third sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Moreover, the subordinating conjunction “which” creates a confusing and illogical sentence that suggests that the supplementary phrase beginning with “in” modiﬁes the previous information (“However...earlier”) rather than the information that follows. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“However...earlier” and “in...area”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
de2c2f57	Text 1 The fossil record suggests that mammoths went extinct around 11 thousand years (kyr) ago. In a 2021 study of environmental DNA (eDNA)—genetic material shed into the environment by organisms—in the Arctic, Yucheng Wang and colleagues found mammoth eDNA in sedimentary layers formed millennia later, around 4 kyr ago. To account for this discrepancy, Joshua H. Miller and Carl Simpson proposed that arctic temperatures could preserve a mammoth carcass on the surface, allowing it to leach DNA into the environment, for several thousand years. Text 2 Wang and colleagues concede that eDNA contains DNA from both living organisms and carcasses, but for DNA to leach from remains over several millennia requires that the remains be perpetually on the surface. Scavengers and weathering in the Arctic, however, are likely to break down surface remains well before a thousand years have passed.	Which choice best describes how Text 1 and Text 2 relate to each other?	Text 1 discusses two approaches to studying mammoth extinction without advocating for either, whereas Text 2 advocates for one approach over the other.	Text 1 presents ﬁndings by Wang and colleagues and gives another research team’s attempt to explain those ﬁndings, whereas Text 2 provides additional detail that calls that explanation into question.	Text 1 describes Wang and colleagues’ study and a critique of their methodology, whereas Text 2 offers additional details showing that methodology to be sound.	Text 1 argues that new research has undermined the standard view of when mammoths went extinct, whereas Text 2	B	Choice B is the best answer. Text 1 introduces Wang and colleagues’ study and its surprising results, and then mentions Miller and Simpson’s hypothesis as a possible way to explain them. Text 2, however, challenges Miller and Simpson’s hypothesis by pointing out the diﬃculties of preserving mammoth carcasses on the surface for thousands of years: “scavengers and weathering” are the additional details that complicate the Miller/Simpson hypothesis. Choice A is incorrect. Neither text compares two different approaches for studying mammoth extinction. Text 1 describes one study and one hypothesis pertaining to it. Text 2 critiques that hypothesis. Choice C is incorrect. Text 1 does not describe a critique of Wang and colleagues’ methodology, but rather an interpretation of their results by Miller and Simpson. Text 2 does not offer additional details showing that methodology to be sound, but rather casts doubt on the Miller/Simpson explanation. Choice D is incorrect. Both components mentioned here (the new “undermining” research and the theory for	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
0d402146	US traﬃc signals didn’t always contain the familiar three lights (red, yellow, and green). Traﬃc lights only ______ red and green lights until the three-light traﬃc signal was developed in the 1920s.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	avoided	featured	appreciated	disregarded	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of traﬃc signals. As used in this context, “featured” means had as a characteristic or part. The text indicates that although US traﬃc signals have lights of three different colors (red, yellow, and green), this wasn’t the case until the 1920s, when the three-light signal was ﬁrst developed. Before then, the text suggests, traﬃc signals had fewer lights (as indicated by the word “only” in the second sentence). This context supports the idea that before the 1920s, traﬃc signals featured only red and green lights. Choice A is incorrect because “avoided” means kept away from someone or something or prevented something from occurring, neither of which would make sense in context. The text doesn’t discuss keeping away from someone or something but instead focuses on what US traﬃc signals look like. The text states that they didn’t have lights of three different colors until the three-light signal was developed in the 1920s. Choice C is incorrect because “appreciated” means admired or increased in value, neither of which would make sense in context. The text focuses solely on the fact that US traﬃc signals have contained lights of three colors only since the three-light signal was developed in the 1920s. The text doesn’t mention how this characteristic or traﬃc signals in general are perceived or what their value is. Moreover, the blank portion of the text describes “traﬃc signals,” which are lifeless objects and therefore unable to admire or increase the value of something. Choice D is incorrect because “disregarded” means ignored or treated something as unworthy of notice, neither of which would make sense in context. The text doesn’t discuss how people react to traﬃc signals; rather, it addresses the idea that US traﬃc signals have contained lights of three colors only since the three-light signal was developed in the 1920s. Moreover, the blank portion of the text describes “traﬃc signals,” which are lifeless objects and therefore unable to ignore or treat something in a particular manner.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
d75d57a0	While many video game creators strive to make their graphics ever more ______ others look to the past, developing titles with visuals inspired by the “8-bit” games of the 1980s and 1990s. (The term “8-bit” refers to a console whose processor could only handle eight bits of data at once.)	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	lifelike but	lifelike	lifelike,	lifelike, but	C	Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subordinate clause and a main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause (“While…lifelike”) and the main clause (“others look to the past”). Choice A is incorrect because it results in an incomplete sentence with no main clause. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause (“While…lifelike”) and the main clause (“others…past”). Choice D is incorrect because it results in an incomplete sentence with no main clause.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
ac9a3a26	According to historian Vicki L. Ruiz, Mexican American women made crucial contributions to the labor movement during World War II. At the time, food processing companies entered into contracts to supply United States armed forces with canned goods. Increased production quotas conferred greater bargaining power on the companies’ employees, many of whom were Mexican American women: employees insisted on more favorable beneﬁts, and employers, who were anxious to fulﬁll the contracts, complied. Thus, labor activism became a platform for Mexican American women to assert their agency.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?	It elaborates on a claim about labor relations in a particular industry made earlier in the text.	It offers an example of a trend in the World War II–era economy discussed earlier in the text.	It notes a possible exception to the historical narrative of labor activism sketched earlier in the text.	It provides further details about the identities of the workers discussed earlier in the text.	A	Choice A is the best answer because it best describes how the underlined portion functions in the text as a whole. The text says that the increased production quotas of food processing companies during World War II enabled employees to make better bargains in exchange for their labor. The underlined portion presents an example of this increased bargaining power: employees requested more favorable beneﬁts, and employers complied because they were under pressure to fulﬁll the demanding terms of their contracts. Thus, the underlined portion of the text elaborates on a claim about labor relations in a particular industry (food processing) made earlier in the text. Choice B is incorrect because there is no indication in the text that the economic factors that inﬂuenced food processing also inﬂuenced other parts of the economy; thus, the bargaining described in the underlined portion of the text cannot be called an example of a trend. Choice C is incorrect because the underlined portion supports the historical narrative of labor activism in food processing that is sketched in the text, instead of noting an exception to that narrative. Choice D is incorrect because while the underlined portion does discuss the demands that workers made in exchange for their labor, it does not discuss the identities of the workers.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
31d0bd9a	The parasitic dodder plant increases its reproductive success by ﬂowering at the same time as the host plant it has latched onto. In 2020, Jianqiang Wu and his colleagues determined that the tiny dodder achieves this ______ with its host by absorbing and utilizing a protein the host produces when it is about to ﬂower.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	synchronization	hibernation	prediction	moderation	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of a relationship between the dodder plant and its host plant. As used in this context, “synchronization” means the act of things happening at the same time. The text indicates that the dodder and its host plant ﬂower in unison and that this synchronization occurs because the dodder makes use of a protein produced by the host shortly before ﬂowering. Choice B is incorrect because referring to “hibernation,” or the state of being dormant or inactive, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text focuses on something the dodder plant actively engages in—making use of a protein and producing ﬂowers. Choice C is incorrect because stating that the dodder plant and its host engage together in “prediction,” or the act of declaring or indicating something in advance, wouldn’t make sense in context. Rather than indicating that the dodder plant and its host plant make a prediction about ﬂowering activity, the text suggests that the host produces a protein as part of its regular ﬂowering process and that the dodder then absorbs and uses that protein to ﬂower at the same time. Choice D is incorrect because referring to “moderation,” or the act of causing something to become less intense or extreme, wouldn’t make sense in context. Although the text states that the dodder plant absorbs and uses a protein made by its host plant, it doesn’t suggest that the dodder lessens the host plant’s ﬂowering activity; the two plants simply ﬂower in unison.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
f4166aae	In addition to being an accomplished psychologist himself, Francis Cecil Sumner was a ______ increasing the opportunity for Black students to study psychology, helping to found the psychology department at Howard University, a historically Black university, in 1930.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	proponent of	supplement to	beneﬁciary of	distraction for	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Francis Cecil Sumner. As used in this context, “proponent of” means supporter of. The text says that Sumner helped to found the psychology department at historically Black Howard University in 1930. This is evidence that Sumner supported increasing the opportunity for Black students to study psychology. Choice B is incorrect because the phrase “supplement to,” or addition to, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text discusses Sumner’s efforts to increase the number of Black psychology students, but it doesn’t make sense to describe him as an addition to his efforts. Choice C is incorrect because Sumner was already an accomplished psychologist himself when he helped to found the Howard University psychology department. While Black students were the beneﬁciaries of his efforts— that is, they received help because of his efforts—it wouldn’t make sense in this context to describe Sumner as a “beneﬁciary of” opportunities, because he was the one doing the helping. Choice D is incorrect because founding a psychology department at Howard University wouldn’t be a “distraction for” Sumner’s aim to increase the opportunity for Black students to study psychology—that is, it wouldn’t be something that draws Sumner’s attention away from that goal, but rather the opposite.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
ca47273b	Biologist Jane Edgeloe and colleagues have located what is believed to be the largest individual plant in the world in the Shark Bay area of Australia. The plant is a type of seagrass called Posidonia australis, and it ______ approximately 200 square kilometers.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	acknowledges	produces	spans	advances	C	Choice C is the best answer. “Spans” means “extends over a distance of” or “encompasses.” Since we’re talking about the world’s largest plant, it makes sense to say that it “spans” about 200 square kilometers. Choice A is incorrect. “Acknowledges” means “recognizes” or “admits the truth of.” Either way, it doesn’t make sense here: a plant can’t “acknowledge” a distance. Choice B is incorrect. “Produces” can mean “makes,” “causes,” or “presents.” But none of those deﬁnitions make sense here: a plant can’t make, cause, or present a distance. Choice D is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. “Advances” means “moves forward” or “progresses.” But the plant isn’t necessarily moving forward. Rather, the text suggests that it already covers a distance of 200 square kilometers.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
5a278f24	The work of molecular biophysicist Enrique M. De La Cruz is known for ______ traditional boundaries between academic disciplines. The university laboratory that De La Cruz runs includes engineers, biologists, chemists, and physicists, and the research the lab produces makes use of insights and techniques from all those ﬁelds.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	epitomizing	transcending	anticipating	reinforcing	B	Choice B is the best answer. Based on the text, we’re looking for a word that means something similar to "mak[ing] use of insights and techniques from all those ﬁelds." "Transcending" means "going beyond," so "transcending traditional boundaries" would mean crossing into all those various ﬁelds of research, which is exactly the meaning we want. Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t a logical word choice. Based on the text, we’re looking for a word that means something similar to "mak[ing] use of insights and techniques from all those ﬁelds." To "epitomize" means to "be a perfect example of," so "epitomizing traditional boundaries" would mean the opposite of what we want: keeping the ﬁelds of research separate. Choice C is incorrect. This isn’t a logical word choice. Based on the text, we’re looking for a word that means something similar to "mak[ing] use of insights and techniques from all those ﬁelds." "Anticipating" means "expecting" or "waiting for," and would result in a confusing sentence with an unclear meaning. Choice D is incorrect. This isn’t a logical word choice. Based on the text, we’re looking for a word that means something similar to "mak[ing] use of insights and techniques from all those ﬁelds." "Reinforcing traditional boundaries" would mean the opposite: keeping the ﬁelds of research separate.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
a06c434d	The work of Kiowa painter T.C. Cannon derives its power in part from the tension among his ______ inﬂuences: classic European portraiture, with its realistic treatment of faces; the American pop art movement, with its vivid colors; and ﬂatstyle, the intertribal painting style that rejects the effect of depth typically achieved through shading and perspective.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	complementary	unknown	disparate	interchangeable	C	Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the artistic styles that have inﬂuenced Cannon’s work. As used in this context, “disparate” means distinct or dissimilar. The text indicates that a tension exists among the styles that have inﬂuenced Cannon’s work and goes on to describe how those styles differ: classic European portraiture favors realism, American pop art uses vivid colors, and intertribal ﬂatstyle rejects the use of shading and perspective to achieve depth. This context suggests that the styles that have inﬂuenced Cannon’s work are disparate. Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that there is a tension among the inﬂuences on Cannon’s artwork, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that the inﬂuences are “complementary,” or that they complete one another or make up for one another’s deﬁciencies. Choice B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to characterize Cannon’s inﬂuences as “unknown,” or not familiar; it’s clear that the inﬂuences are known because the text goes on to list them. Choice D is incorrect because the text indicates that there is a tension among the inﬂuences on Cannon’s work, not that they are “interchangeable,” or capable of being used in one another’s place.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
91fbd59d	Award-winning cinematographer James Wong Howe was known for his innovative ﬁlming techniques. While ﬁlming a boxing match for the movie Body and Soul ______ Howe had a handheld camera operator wear roller skates. This allowed the operator to move smoothly around actors in a boxing ring, creating an immersive experience for viewers.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	(1947), and	(1947),	(1947) and	(1947)	B	Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary element and a main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase (“While...1947”), which indicates when the action occurred, and the main clause (“Howe had a handheld camera operator wear roller skates”). Choice A is incorrect because a comma paired with the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between the supplementary element (“While…1947”) and the main clause (“Howe…skates”). Choice C is incorrect because the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join the supplementary element (“While…1947”) and the main clause (“Howe…skates”). Choice D is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary element and the main clause with appropriate punctuation.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
df46a2ee	The following text is from Joseph Conrad’s 1907 novel The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale. Mr. Verloc is navigating the London streets on his way to a meeting. Before reaching Knightsbridge, Mr. Verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare, uproarious with the traﬃc of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift ﬂow of hansoms [horse-drawn carriages]. Under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an Embassy. And Mr. Verloc, steady like a rock—a soft kind of rock—marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described as private.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole?	It qualiﬁes an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.	It emphasizes an internal struggle Mr. Verloc experiences.	It contrasts Mr. Verloc with his surroundings.	It reveals a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds.	A	Choice A is the best answer. The underline phrase qualiﬁes (meaning adds limits or conditions to) the description of Mr. Verloc as “steady like a rock,” adding that he is a “soft” rock. Choice B is incorrect. In fact, the passage never mentions Mr. Verloc experiencing any internal struggles. Choice C is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t contrast Mr. Verloc with his surroundings, but is instead modifying the description of him as a rock. Choice D is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t reveal a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds: instead, it further describes his character for the reader.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
29c9be28	To survive when water is scarce, embryos inside African turquoise killiﬁsh eggs ______ a dormant state known as diapause. In this state, embryonic development is paused for as long as two years—longer than the life span of an adult killiﬁsh.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	enter	to enter	having entered	entering	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is ﬁnite and nonﬁnite verb forms within a sentence. A main clause requires a ﬁnite verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, “embryos”), and this choice supplies the clause with the ﬁnite present tense verb “enter” to indicate how the embryos achieve diapause. Choice B is incorrect because the nonﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to enter” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice C is incorrect because the nonﬁnite participle “having entered” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice D is incorrect because the nonﬁnite participle “entering” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
f4fd123c	The African Games Co-production Market, one of over 180 annual international conferences supporting video game development, ______ the growth of the African gaming industry by helping start-up studios in Africa ﬁnd partners.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	promote	are promoting	promotes	have promoted	C	Choice C is the best answer. The subject of the sentence is “The African Games Co-production Market.” That’s one market, so it’s a singular noun, which means it needs a singular verb. “Promotes” is the only singular verb among the choices. Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-verb agreement error. The subject “The African Games Co-production Market” is singular, but the verb “promote” is plural. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-verb agreement error. The subject “The African Games Co-production Market” is singular, but the verb “are promoting” is plural. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-verb agreement error. The subject “The African Games Co-production Market” is singular, but the verb “have promoted” is plural.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
b4d29611	Michelene Pesantubbee, a historian and citizen of the Choctaw Nation, has identiﬁed a dilemma inherent to research on the status of women in her tribe during the 1600s and 1700s: the primary sources from that era, travel narratives and other accounts by male European colonizers, underestimate the degree of power conferred on Choctaw women by their traditional roles in political, civic, and ceremonial life. Pesantubbee argues that the Choctaw oral tradition and ﬁndings from archaeological sites in the tribe’s homeland supplement the written record by providing crucial insights into those roles.	Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?	It details the shortcomings of certain historical sources, then argues that research should avoid those sources altogether.	It describes a problem that arises in research on a particular topic, then sketches a historian’s approach to addressing that problem.	It lists the advantages of a particular research method, then acknowledges a historian’s criticism of that method.	It characterizes a particular topic as especially challenging to research, then suggests a related topic for historians to	B	Choice B is the best answer. The text begins by stating a problem with research on the status of Choctaw women in the 1600s and 1700s: written primary sources underestimate the power they had in their traditional roles. Then it presents one historian’s solution: looking to oral tradition and archeological ﬁndings for more insight into these roles. Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The text never says that research should avoid written primary sources, just that research should also use oral tradition and archeological sites as sources. Choice C is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The text never mentions the advantages of using written primary sources. Choice D is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The text never says that the status of Choctaw women during the 1600s and 1700s is too challenging to research. And it doesn’t mention any other topics to research instead.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
fff4c7f4	American poet Emily Dickinson wrote many of her poems on scraps of paper, but she also took steps to collect these works. From 1858 to around 1864, for example, she copied more than 800 of ______ into forty homemade booklets (known as fascicles).	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	them	this	that	it	A	Choice A is the best answer. The pronoun "them" agrees with the plural antecedents "poems" and "works." Choice B is incorrect. "This" is a singular pronoun, but its antecedents, "poems" and "works," are plural. Choice C is incorrect. "That" is a singular pronoun, but its antecedents, "poems" and "works," are plural. Choice D is incorrect. "It" is a singular pronoun, but its antecedents, "poems" and "works," are plural.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
e38b3e4f	The radiation that ______ during the decay of radioactive atomic nuclei is known as gamma radiation.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	occurs	have occurred	occur	are occurring	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "occurs" agrees in number with the singular subject "radiation." Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "have occurred" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "radiation." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "occur" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "radiation." Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "are occurring" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "radiation."	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
1fbf276a	Interruptions in the supply chain for microchips used in personal electronics have challenged an economist’s assertion that retailers can expect robust growth in sales of those devices in the coming months. The delays are unlikely to ______ her projection entirely but will almost certainly extend its time frame.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	dispute	withdraw	underscore	invalidate	D	Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the economist’s claim about sales of personal electronic devices. In this context, “invalidate” most nearly means nullify or make invalid. The text indicates that interruptions in the supply of microchips for personal electronics “have challenged” the economist’s claim that sales of personal electronics will show strong growth in the coming months. The text goes on to clarify the effect of the delays on the economist’s projection, stating that the delays are very likely to extend the time frame over which the projected growth in sales will occur. This context suggests that the delays are unlikely to invalidate the economist’s projection entirely—the delays will probably alter the time frame of the projection, not nullify it or make it invalid. Choice A is incorrect because saying that the delays are unlikely to “dispute,” or argue against, the economist’s projection wouldn’t make sense. Since the delays are an inanimate circumstance, they couldn’t argue against a prediction about the sales of personal electronics. Choice B is incorrect because saying that the delays are unlikely to “withdraw,” or remove from consideration, the economist’s projection wouldn’t make sense. Although the economist could withdraw her projection because of the delays, the delays themselves couldn’t withdraw her projection since they’re an inanimate circumstance and thus can’t choose to remove something from consideration. Choice C is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that the delays will “underscore,” or emphasize, the economist’s projection. Instead, the text suggests that the delays are likely to extend the time frame of the economist’s projection but not to undermine the projection entirely.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
2c50ed1a	Text 1 Literary scholars have struggled with the vastness of Nigerian writer Wole Soyinka’s collective works of drama (spanning over 20 plays in total). It is best, however, to understand Soyinka’s body of work as a dramatist chronologically. Soyinka’s progression as a playwright can be considered to fall into three periods, with each one representing a particular thematic and stylistic cohesion: the 1960s, the two decades between 1970 and 1990, and lastly, from roughly 1990 onwards. Text 2 It is tempting to impose a linear sense of order on the expanse of Wole Soyinka’s body of work as a dramatist. However, critics who have considered Soyinka’s plays to ﬁt neatly into three phases overlook potential commonalities in Soyinka’s work that span across these phases. Additionally, this view may discount signiﬁcant differences in the styles and content of plays written around the same time.	Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the study of Soyinka’s works of drama?	While the author of Text 1 believes that thinking about Soyinka’s works of theater in phases is useful, the author of Text 2 views such an approach as limiting.	Although the author of Text 1 claims that Soyinka’s style as a dramatist has evolved over time, the author of Text 2 argues that Soyinka’s style has remained consistent throughout his career.	The author of Text 1 considers Soyinka’s plays to showcase his strongest writing, whereas the author of Text 2 believes that Soyinka’s poetry is where he is most skilled.	The author of Text 1 argues that Soyinka’s early plays were his most politically charged, whereas the author of Text 2	A	Choice A is the best answer. The author of Text 1 states that Soyinka’s progression as a playwright can be considered to fall into three periods, implying that this is a helpful way to understand his works. The author of Text 2, on the other hand, challenges this view and says that it overlooks potential commonalities and differences in Soyinka’s work across what Text 1 calls distinctive stylistic phases. Choice B is incorrect. This choice overstates the central claim of Text 2. The author of Text 2 argues against the chronological progression supported in Text 1, but does not go so far as to say that Soyinka’s style remained consistent. In fact, Text 2 points out “signiﬁcant differences in styles and content” among Soyinka’s plays. Choice C is incorrect. Neither of the texts mention Soyinka’s poetry, nor do they rank his dramatic writing relative to his other work. Choice D is incorrect.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
ca50de52	“How lifelike are they?” Many computer animators prioritize this question as they strive to create ever more realistic environments and lighting. Generally, while characters in computer-animated ﬁlms appear highly exaggerated, environments and lighting are carefully engineered to mimic reality. But some animators, such as Pixar’s Sanjay Patel, are focused on a different question. Rather than asking ﬁrst whether the environments and lighting they’re creating are convincingly lifelike, Patel and others are asking whether these elements reﬂect their ﬁlms’ unique stories.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined question in the text as a whole?	It reﬂects a primary goal that many computer animators have for certain components of the animations they produce.	It represents a concern of computer animators who are more interested in creating unique backgrounds and lighting effects than realistic ones.	It conveys the uncertainty among many computer animators about how to create realistic animations using current technology.	It illustrates a reaction that audiences typically have to the appearance of characters created by computer animators.	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the function of the underlined question in the text as a whole. The text begins with the underlined question, “How lifelike are they?” The text then explains that many computer animators pose this question about the environments and lighting that they create for animated ﬁlms, striving for realistic animation of those components even if the characters themselves aren’t portrayed in realistic terms. The focus of the text then shifts to describe how some animators strive to create environments and lighting that reﬂect the ﬁlm’s unique stories rather than making them appear realistic. Therefore, the function of the underlined question is to reﬂect a primary goal that many computer animators have for certain components of the animations they produce. Choice B is incorrect because, as the text makes clear, the underlined question is one posed by computer animators who wish to create realistic backgrounds and lighting effects, not by those who, instead, wish to create effects that reﬂect ﬁlms’ unique stories and aren’t necessarily realistic; this latter group of animators is discussed later in the text. Choice C is incorrect. As the text explains, many computer animators strive for realistic environments and lighting, while others do not; this difference of approach relates to whether these components should be realistic, not to how realism can be achieved using current technology, and the text never suggests that animators are uncertain how to achieve it. Choice D is incorrect because the underlined question pertains to the perspective of computer animators, not the audience, and the text never considers audience’s reactions to characters in animated ﬁlms.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
d073983d	Known for her massive photorealistic paintings of African American ﬁgures ﬂoating or swimming in pools, Calida Garcia ______ was the logical choice to design the book cover for Ta-Nehisi Coates’s The Water Dancer, a novel about an African American man who can travel great distances through water.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	Rawles—	Rawles:	Rawles,	Rawles	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in this case, a subject (“Calida Garcia Rawles”) is immediately followed by a verb (“was”), no punctuation is needed. Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb.	Medium	Standard_English_Conventions
333b2b65	While one requires oxygen and one does ______ and anaerobic respiration are both forms of cellular respiration—that is, they are processes by which cells break down glucose to use as energy.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	not aerobic	not. Aerobic	not, aerobic	not; aerobic	C	Choice C is the best answer. A comma is the appropriate way to link the dependent clause “While...not” and the independent clause that follows. Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. “While...not” is a dependent clause, which must be separated from the independent clause that follows with some sort of punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a sentence fragment. “While one requires oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it can’t stand alone as a complete sentence. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “While one requires oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it can’t be linked to the clause that follows with a semicolon.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
a3761c7e	Physicist Joseph Weber performed ______ work in gravitational wave research in the 1960s and 1970s, conducting key experiments that scientists later used as the basis for their own investigations that led to the ﬁrst veriﬁed detection of a gravitational wave in 2015.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	foundational	supplementary	repetitive	ineffective	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of physicist Joseph Webster’s research on gravitational waves. In this context “foundational” means the basis on which something else develops. The text indicates that Webster’s experiments in the 1960s and 1970s were earlier than, and “key” to, the work of later scientists in the ﬁeld; thus, Webster’s work was foundational to the later scientists’ experiments and the eventual detection of a gravitational wave in 2015. Choice B is incorrect because the text does not suggest that Webster’s work was supplementary, or an additional element of an existing, larger project, but rather it was “the basis for” later experiments. Choice C is incorrect because the text does not assert that Webster’s work was repetitive, or involved doing something the same way many times. Rather, the text indicates that Webster’s work formed the basis for later investigations in the ﬁeld of gravitational wave research. Choice D is incorrect because the text does not state that Webster’s work was ineffective, or failed to produce the desired outcome. Rather, the text strongly implies that Webster’s work was productive and extremely important to later work in the ﬁeld of gravitational wave research.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
d8d1ecaa	Business researcher Melanie Brucks and colleagues found that remote video conference meetings may be less conducive to brainstorming than in-person meetings are. The researchers suspect that video meeting participants are focused on staring at the speaker on the screen and don’t allow their eyes or mind to wander as much, which may ultimately ______ creativity.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	recommend	criticize	impede	construct	C	Choice C is the best answer. The ﬁrst sentence tells us that video meetings are “less conducive to” (meaning less good for) brainstorming. This suggests that the video meeting participants’ focus is bad for their creativity. “Impede” means “delay” or “prevent,” which works perfectly in this context. Choice A is incorrect. This choice is too positive to ﬁt the context. The ﬁrst sentence tells us that video meetings are “less conducive to” (meaning less good for) brainstorming. This suggests that the video meeting participants’ focus is bad for their creativity. Choice B is incorrect. This choice doesn’t make sense. The participants’ intense focus on the screen is the subject of the missing verb. It wouldn’t make sense to say that their over-focusing “criticizes” their creativity. Choice D is incorrect. “Construct” means “build” or “make,” which is too positive to ﬁt the context. The ﬁrst sentence tells us that video meetings are “less conducive to” (meaning less good for) brainstorming. This suggests that the video meeting participants’ focus is bad for their creativity.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
590f0ad2	Industrial activity is often assumed to be a threat to wildlife, but that isn’t always so. Consider the silver-studded blue butterﬂy (Plebejus argus): as forest growth has reduced grasslands in northern Germany, many of these butterﬂies have left meadow habitats and are now thriving in active limestone quarries. In a survey of multiple active quarries and patches of maintained grassland, an ecologist found silver-studded blue butterﬂies in 100% of the quarries but only 57% of the grassland patches. Moreover, butterﬂy populations in the quarries were four times larger than those in the meadows.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?	It challenges a common assumption about the species under investigation in the research referred to in the text.	It introduces discussion of a speciﬁc example that supports the general claim made in the previous sentence.	It suggests that a certain species should be included in additional studies like the one mentioned later in the text.	It provides a deﬁnition for an unfamiliar term that is central to the main argument in the text.	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the underlined portion functions in the text as a whole. The ﬁrst sentence presents the general claim that industrial activity is not always a threat to wildlife. The underlined portion of the sentence that follows suggests that the silver-studded blue butterﬂy is an example of wildlife thriving in areas of industrial activity: active limestone quarries. Thus, the function of the underlined portion is to introduce a speciﬁc example in support of the general claim in the previous sentence. Choice A is incorrect. Although the ﬁrst sentence indicates that “industrial activity is often assumed” to harm wildlife, in the case of the silver-studded blue butterﬂy the text mentions neither an assumption about this species nor any challenge to such an assumption. Choice C is incorrect because the text mentions only one study: the “survey.” Additional studies are not mentioned in the text. Choice D is incorrect because neither the underlined portion nor any other portion of the text provides a deﬁnition for any of the terms used in the text’s argument.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
3daf126e	A model created by biologist Luis Valente predicts that the rate of speciation—the rate at which new species form—on an isolated island located approximately 5,000 kilometers from the nearest mainland ______ triple the rate of speciation on an island only 500 kilometers from the mainland.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	being	to be	to have been	will be	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is ﬁnite and nonﬁnite verb forms within a sentence. Relative clauses, such as the one beginning with “that,” require a ﬁnite verb, a verb that can function as the main verb of a clause. This choice correctly supplies the clause with the ﬁnite future tense verb “will be.” Choice A is incorrect because the nonﬁnite participle “being” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice B is incorrect because the nonﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to be” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice C is incorrect because the nonﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to have been” doesn’t supply the clause with a ﬁnite verb.	Hard	Standard_English_Conventions
fce80a36	In 2008 a complete set of ancient pessoi (glass game pieces) was uncovered from beneath a paving stone in modern-day Israel. Due to their small size, pessoi were easily misplaced, making a whole set a rare ﬁnd. This has led some experts to suggest that the set may have been buried intentionally; however, without clear evidence, archaeologists are left to ______ what happened.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	speculate about	dismiss	expand on	catalog	A	Choice A is the best answer. "Speculate" means "to form a theory or guess without any clear evidence." This makes sense because, due to the lack of "clear evidence," the archaeologists can only guess how the pessoi set might have come to be there. Choice B is incorrect. "Dismiss" can mean "send away" or "treat as unworthy of consideration." The text implies that the archaeologists are trying to ﬁgure out the truth—they wouldn’t "dismiss" what really happened. Choice C is incorrect. "Expand on" means "give more details about," but there aren’t any details to give. Without any "clear evidence," the archaeologists can’t give any more details. Choice D is incorrect. "Catalog" means "carefully record" or "make a list of." However, there’s no "clear evidence," so there’s no real information to "catalog."	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
b92c13fa	According to statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the best way to predict the amount of time a nonperishable entity (such as a building or a technology) will continue to exist is to examine how long it has survived so far. In this view, an item’s age is the strongest ______ how much longer it will last.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	uncertainty about	indicator of	motivation for	criticism of	B	Choice B is the best answer. “Indicator” means “something that shows or suggests,” which matches Taleb’s argument that an item’s age can suggest how much longer it will last. Choice A is incorrect. The passage tells us that examining an item’s age is the best way to predict how much longer it will last. Therefore, according to Taleb’s theory, an item’s age should add more certainty about how much longer it will last. Choice C is incorrect. A “motivation” is “a reason for doing.” Items don’t have feelings and motivations, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that their age is a motivation for how much longer they will last. Choice D is incorrect. “Criticism” can mean “describing faults or problems” or “an analysis of an artistic work.” Neither of these deﬁnitions makes sense here. An item’s age can’t criticize how much longer it will last.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
12bd5b75	With its towering, six-spired exterior of granitelike quartz monzonite, the Salt Lake Temple is one of the most instantly recognizable structures in the state of Utah. However, many people do not know that ______ built over the course of forty years, with construction beginning in 1853 and ending in 1893.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	it was	one was	they were	both were	A	Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun-antecedent agreement. The singular pronoun "it" agrees in number with the singular antecedent "the Salt Lake Temple." Choice B is incorrect because the singular pronoun "one" is ambiguous in this context; the resulting sentence leaves unclear whether there is only one Salt Lake temple or multiple. Choice C is incorrect because the plural pronoun "they" doesn’t agree in number with the singular antecedent "the Salt Lake Temple." Choice D is incorrect because the plural pronoun "both" doesn’t agree in number with the singular antecedent "the Salt Lake Temple."	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
fcc328c6	Streams and rivers carry soil and rocks from one location to another. But there is another way for these geological materials to move. Scientists call this process “aeolian transport.” In aeolian transport, winds move small particles of soil or rock over potentially great distances. Geologist Melisa Diaz and her team studied dust in Antarctica to ﬁnd out if it was moved by aeolian transport. They discovered that the dust matched geological material in Australia. Aeolian transport had carried it from one continent to another, across thousands of miles of open ocean.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?	It presents Melisa Diaz’s remarks about diﬃculties that her team encountered.	It introduces a scientiﬁc term that is used in the discussion that follows.	It emphasizes the surprising nature of the ﬁndings that are presented.	It explains the difference between two kinds of geological material.	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole. The ﬁrst two sentences introduce the idea that soil and rocks can be moved from one location to another by something other than rivers and streams. The underlined sentence then states that the term used by scientists to refer to this process is “aeolian transport.” The discussion that follows explains what aeolian transport is (the movement of small geological materials over potentially great distances by the wind) and describes an example of a study that found that dust particles had been moved by aeolian transport from Australia to Antarctica. Thus, the underlined portion introduces a scientiﬁc term that is used in the discussion that follows. Choice A is incorrect because the underlined portion of the text doesn’t present any remarks from Melisa Diaz, nor does it suggest that Diaz and her team encountered diﬃculties in their study. Instead, the phrase in quotation marks in the underlined portion simply presents a term that is used by scientists to refer to a speciﬁc process discussed in the text. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in either the underlined portion or the text as a whole suggests that the ﬁndings of the study presented in the text were surprising or unexpected. In fact, the text suggests that Diaz and her team wanted to see if aeolian transport could explain the appearance of certain geological materials in Antarctica, and their ﬁndings did indeed conﬁrm the involvement of aeolian transport. Choice D is incorrect. Although the ﬁrst sentence of the text mentions soil and rocks, which are two different kinds of geological material, the underlined portion doesn’t refer to these materials, nor does it explain the difference between them. Rather, the underlined portion introduces the scientiﬁc term “aeolian transport,” which is used in the discussion that follows.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
db4e3819	Midway through her 1968 jazz album A Monastic Trio, Alice Coltrane switches instruments, swapping the piano for the harp. With the same ﬂuid style that Coltrane was famous for on piano, she ______ her ﬁngers across the harp strings and creates a radiant sound.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	sweep	are sweeping	were sweeping	sweeps	D	Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "sweeps" agrees in number with the singular subject "she," which refers to Alice Coltrane. Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "sweep" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "she." Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "are sweeping" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "she." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "were sweeping" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "she."	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
a756aa95	The province of Xoconochco was situated on the Paciﬁc coast, hundreds of kilometers southeast of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire. Because Xoconochco’s location within the empire was so ______, cacao and other trade goods produced there could reach the capital only after a long overland journey.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	unobtrusive	concealed	approximate	peripheral	D	Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the location of the province of Xoconochco within the Aztec Empire. As used in this context, “peripheral” means situated toward the outer bounds rather than the center. The text indicates that Xoconochco was located on a coast, hundreds of kilometers away from the capital of the Aztec Empire. The text also states that trade between the province and the capital required “a long overland journey.” This context suggests that Xoconochco was situated toward an edge of the empire’s territory rather than near its center. Choice A is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context to refer to Xoconochco’s location within the Aztec Empire as “unobtrusive,” or not blatant or undesirably prominent; it’s not clear how a province’s physical location would or wouldn’t be blatant. Instead of focusing on how noticeable Xoconochco’s location was, the text emphasizes the province’s distance from the capital of the empire, pointing out that because of this distance trade between the two required “a long overland journey.” Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that the province of Xoconochco was located on a coast far from the capital of the Aztec Empire, not that it was “concealed,” or kept out of sight or hidden from view. Nothing in the text suggests that Xoconochco was actually hidden such that people couldn’t see it, and being hidden wouldn’t necessarily result in trade between the province and the capital requiring “a long overland journey.” Choice C is incorrect because to say that Xoconochco’s location within the Aztec Empire was “approximate” would mean that the location either wasn’t precisely correct or was close to some other location. Neither of these meanings would make sense in context because the text indicates that Xoconochco’s location is known and that it was far from the empire’s capital, so there’s no reason to characterize the location as either not precisely correct or close to another location.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
a1e0c981	In her book The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, author Maxine Hong Kingston examines themes ______ childhood, womanhood, and Chinese American identity by intertwining autobiography and mythology.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	of:	of	of—	of,	B	Choice B is the best answer. “Themes of childhood” is one noun phrase, with “themes of” implicitly carrying over to the other items on the list (“themes of childhood, [themes of] womanhood, and [themes of] Chinese American identity”). Choice A is incorrect. This choice inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. Also, “In her book…themes of” is not an independent clause, thanks to the dangling “of” at the end, so it can’t precede a colon. Choice C is incorrect. This choice inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. Also, “In her book…themes of” is not an independent clause, thanks to the dangling “of” at the end, so it can’t precede a single dash. Choice D is incorrect. This choice inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. “Themes of” implicitly carries over to each item on the list (“themes of childhood, [themes of] womanhood, and [themes of] Chinese American identity”), so we don’t want to use a comma to separate it.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
aa7fc89b	The following text is adapted from Susan Glaspell’s 1912 short story “‘Out There.’” An elderly shop owner is looking at a picture that he recently acquired and hopes to sell. It did seem that the picture failed to ﬁt in with the rest of the shop. A persuasive young fellow who claimed he was closing out his stock let the old man have it for what he called a song. It was only a little out-of-the-way store which subsisted chieﬂy on the framing of pictures. The old man looked around at his views of the city, his pictures of cats and dogs, his ﬂaming bits of landscape. “Don’t belong in here,” he fumed. And yet the old man was secretly proud of his acquisition. There was a hidden dignity in his scowling as he shuﬄed about pondering the least ridiculous place for the picture.	Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?	To reveal the shop owner’s conﬂicted feelings about the new picture	To convey the shop owner’s resentment of the person he got the new picture from	To describe the items that the shop owner most highly prizes	To explain differences between the new picture and other pictures in the shop	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text. The text begins by stating that the new picture “failed to ﬁt in” with the other items that the shop owner has. The text goes on to illustrate that point by describing the other pictures the shop owner has, indicating that the shop owner is fuming because he doesn’t think the new picture belongs in the store. In the second paragraph, however, the text indicates that the shop owner is “secretly proud of his acquisition.” The main purpose of the text is thus to reveal the shop owner’s conﬂicted feelings about the new picture. Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that the shop owner resents the young man who sold him the new picture; in fact, the text gives no indication of the owner’s feelings about the young man at all. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text indicates that the new picture is different from the other items in the shop, there’s no suggestion that the shop owner prizes either the new picture or the pictures of the city, pets, and landscapes more than he prizes any other items. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t describe what the new picture looks like; rather, the text identiﬁes some of the other kinds of images that the shop owner has and states that they’re different from the new picture without explaining how they’re different.	Medium	Craft_and_Structure
5336f2e4	The following text is adapted from Zora Neale Hurston’s 1921 short story “John Redding Goes to Sea.” John is a child who lives in a town in the woods. Perhaps ten-year-old John was puzzling to the folk there in the Florida woods for he was an imaginative child and fond of day-dreams. The St. John River ﬂowed a scarce three hundred feet from his back door. On its banks at this point grow numerous palms, luxuriant magnolias and bay trees. On the bosom of the stream ﬂoat millions of delicately colored hyacinths. [John Redding] loved to wander down to the water’s edge, and, casting in dry twigs, watch them sail away down stream to Jacksonville, the sea, the wide world and [he] wanted to follow them.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?	It provides an extended description of a location that John likes to visit.	It reveals that some residents of John’s town are confused by his behavior.	It illustrates the uniqueness of John’s imagination compared to the imaginations of other children.	It suggests that John longs to experience a larger life outside the Florida woods.	D	Choice D is the best answer because it accurately describes how the underlined sentence functions in the text as a whole. The text establishes that John has a strong imagination and then goes on to describe the St. John River near John’s home in the Florida woods. The underlined sentence depicts John sending twigs sailing down the river while he imagines them reaching “Jacksonville, the sea, the wide world,” where he wishes he could follow. This suggests that John longs to expand his life experiences beyond the Florida woods. Choice A is incorrect because the second and third sentences of the text provide an extended description of the riverbank where John likes to go, whereas the underlined sentence describes what John does at that location. Choice B is incorrect because the ﬁrst sentence of the text suggests that John’s behavior “was puzzling” to others around him, whereas the underlined sentence concerns the content of John’s imaginings. Choice C is incorrect because the underlined sentence elaborates on John’s imagination but doesn’t mention any other children to whom John could be compared.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
571cf537	The author’s claim about the relationship between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens is ______, as it fails to account for several recent archaeological discoveries. To be convincing, his argument would need to address recent ﬁnds of additional hominid fossils, such as the latest Denisovan specimens and Homo longi.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	disorienting	tenuous	nuanced	unoriginal	B	Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the author’s claim about the relationship between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. As used in this context, “tenuous” means lacking substance. The end of the ﬁrst sentence states that the author’s claim didn’t consider certain key pieces of evidence—“recent archaeological discoveries”—and is therefore weak. Choice A is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context to refer to the author’s claim as “disorienting,” or confusing. The text suggests that the author’s claim is insubstantial, not that it’s diﬃcult to grasp. Choice C is incorrect because referring to the claim as “nuanced,” or subtle, wouldn’t make sense in context. According to the text, the claim is incomplete because it didn’t consider certain key information about recent archaeological ﬁnds; it doesn’t suggest that what’s in the claim lacks precision. Choice D is incorrect because saying that the claim is “unoriginal,” or imitative, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text faults the claim because it doesn’t consider certain key information about recent archaeological ﬁnds; it doesn’t suggest that the author’s claim lacks originality.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure
4bed4658	In order to prevent nonnative ﬁsh species from moving freely between the Mediterranean and Red Seas, marine biologist Bella Galil has proposed that a saline lock system be installed along the Suez Canal in Egypt’s Great Bitter Lakes. The lock would increase the salinity of the lakes and ______ a natural barrier of water most marine creatures would be unable to cross.	Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?	creates	create	creating	created	B	Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of non-ﬁnite (untensed) verb forms in a sentence. The modal “would,” which indicates the future from a perspective in the past, should be accompanied by a non-ﬁnite plain form verb. In this choice, the non-ﬁnite plain form verb “create” is used correctly in conjunction with the non-ﬁnite plain form verb “increase” to describe what the lock would do. Choice A is incorrect because the ﬁnite present tense verb “creates” can’t be used in this way with the modal “would” to describe what the lock would do. Choice C is incorrect because the present participle “creating” can’t be used in this way with the modal “would” to describe what the lock would do. Choice D is incorrect because the ﬁnite past tense verb “created” can’t be used in this way with the modal “would” to describe what the lock would do.	Easy	Standard_English_Conventions
f7d58b53	Like other tribal nations, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation is self-governing; its National Council generates laws regulating aspects of community life such as land use and healthcare, while the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials ______ those laws by devising policies and administering services in accordance with them.	Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?	implement	presume	improvise	mimic	A	Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of self-government among the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. In this context, “implement” means to carry out or put into effect. The text states that the National Council generates laws, while the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials are responsible for “devising policies and administering services in accordance with” those laws. This context suggests that the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials implement the laws: they put the laws into effect by creating policies and administering services that accord with those laws. Choice B is incorrect because “presume” in this context would mean to assume based on incomplete information, and the text does not suggest that the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials either made assumptions about the content of the laws or had incomplete information about them. Choice C is incorrect because in this context “improvise” would mean to create something without preparation, and the text does not suggest that the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials create policies and administer services without advance preparation. Choice D is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials “mimic,” or imitate, the laws generated by the National Council. To mimic laws would mean to generate new laws that are imitations of existing laws, but the text indicates that the National Council, not the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials, is responsible for generating laws. Instead of generating laws, the principal chief and cabinet oﬃcials put laws into effect by “devising policies and administering services in accordance with” the laws.	Easy	Craft_and_Structure
aa5897b8	In Jane Austen’s novel Mansﬁeld Park, an almost imperceptible smile from potential suitor Henry Crawford causes the protagonist Fanny Price to blush; her embarrassment grows when she suspects that he is aware of it. This moment—in which Fanny not only infers Henry’s mental state through his gestures, but also infers that he is drawing inferences about her mental state—illustrates what literary scholar George Butte calls “deep intersubjectivity,” a technique for representing interactions between consciousnesses through which Austen’s novels derive much of their social and psychological drama.	Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?	It states a claim about Austen’s skill at representing psychological complexity that is reinforced by an example presented in the following sentence.	It advances an interpretation of an Austen protagonist who is contrasted with protagonists from other Austen novels cited in the following sentence.	It describes a recurring theme in Austen’s novels that is the focus of a literary scholar’s analysis summarized in the following sentence.	It provides a synopsis of an interaction in an Austen novel that illustrates a literary concept discussed in the following	D	Choice D is the best answer. The underlined sentence provides a concrete example to ground readers’ understanding of the “deep intersubjectivity” described in the next sentence as central to Austen’s work. Choice A is incorrect. There is no evaluation made of Austen’s skill in this sentence, and no examples are given in the following sentence. This choice essentially ﬂips the paragraph: it’s this ﬁrst sentence that provides an example. Choice B is incorrect. There are no other Austen protagonists mentioned in this passage, so this couldn’t be the answer. Choice C is incorrect. The underlined sentence doesn’t identify any “recurring theme,” but instead simply describes one interaction from one book. This interaction exempliﬁes the literary technique of “deep intersubjectivity” that is introduced in the next sentence.	Hard	Craft_and_Structure

End of preview. Expand in Dataset Viewer.

Dataset Card for SAT Reading and Writing Dataset

This dataset card aims to be a base template for the SAT Reading and Writing Dataset, optimized for use with Hugging Face's datasets library.

Dataset Details

Dataset Description

This dataset contains SAT Reading and Writing assessment questions sourced from the College Board's SAT Suite Question Bank, intended for use in training and evaluating Language Models like LLMs.

Curated by: College Board
License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Dataset Sources

Repository: College Board SAT Suite Question Bank

Uses

Direct Use

The dataset can be used for SAT exam preparation and educational purposes. It is suitable for training and evaluating Language Models for SAT-style reading comprehension and writing tasks.

Dataset Structure

The dataset contains questions with passages, choices, correct answers, and rationales, making it ideal for training and evaluating Language Models on SAT-style reading comprehension and writing tasks.

Dataset Creation

Curation Rationale

The dataset was created to provide a resource for students preparing for the SAT exam and for researchers and developers working on Natural Language Processing tasks related to standardized testing.

Source Data

Data Collection and Processing

The questions were extracted from the College Board SAT Suite Question Bank using automated scraping and filtering processes.

Who are the source data producers?

The College Board is the producer of the source data.

Bias, Risks, and Limitations

Users should be aware of the limitations of using this dataset for predicting SAT scores and should use it in conjunction with other resources for a comprehensive SAT preparation.

Recommendations

Users should use this dataset as a supplementary resource for SAT exam preparation and as a benchmark for evaluating the performance of Language Models on SAT-style reading comprehension and writing tasks.

Citation

APA: College Board. SAT Reading and Writing Dataset. Retrieved from College Board SAT Suite Question Bank

Downloads last month: 59

Size of downloaded dataset files:

346 kB

Size of the auto-converted Parquet files:

346 kB

Number of rows:

397

Models trained or fine-tuned on betterMateusz/SAT_Writting_Reading_Assessment_Question_Bank

betterMateusz/Llama-2-7b-SAT

Text Generation • Updated Mar 26, 2024 • 5