SAT Verbal 14

Rent control restrictions on small apartment owners may unfortunately ---- rather than alleviate housing problems.

• resolve

• diminish

• castigate

• minimize

• exacerbate

Answer explanation

Rather than alleviating or easing problems, rent control may worsen or exacerbate them. The signal words “rather than” indicate that the missing word must be an antonym or near antonym for “alleviate.” You can immediately eliminate resolve, diminish and minimize, which make no sense in the context.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In the light of Dickens’s description of the lively, even ---- dance parties of his time, Sharp’s approach to country dancing may seem too formal, suggesting more ---- than is necessary.

• sophisticated...expertise

• rowdy...decorum

• prudish...propriety

• lewd...ribaldry

• enjoyable...vitality

Answer explanation

This sentence sets up a contrast between Dickens’s image of country dancing and Sharp’s. Dickens views country dances as “lively, even (something).” In this context, even acts as an intensifier: it points up just how very lively these country dances could get. The first missing word must be a synonym for very lively. Look at the first word of each answer choice. Sophisticated, prudish, and lewd are highly unlikely choices as synonyms for very lively. You can immediately eliminate Choices A, C, and D. Enjoyable also seems an unlikely choice: liveliness, carried to an extreme, does not by definition become more enjoyable. Consider the second word in Choice B. Sharp’s image of dancing is excessively formal. It is not rowdy. It suggests more decorum and propriety than the behavior Dickens described. The correct answer is Choice B.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The heretofore peaceful natives, seeking ---- the treachery of their supposed allies, became, ---- according to their perspective, embittered and vindictive.

• acquiescence in...understandably

• magnanimity towards...logically

• evidence of...impartially

• retribution for...justifiably

• exoneration of...ironically

Answer explanation

Given treachery on the part of their allies, it is likely that the natives would seek vengeance or retribution. It is also likely that they would feel justified in doing so. Test the first word in each answer choice. Betrayed natives who have become bitter would be unlikely to seek acquiescence (agreement), magnanimity (generosity of spirit; nobility of mind), or exoneration (vindication). You can immediately rule out Choices A, B, and E.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Complaining that he couldn’t hear hardly anything, he asked Dr. Brown, the otologist, whether he should get a hearing aid.

• Complaining that he couldn’t hear hardly anything,

• Complaining that he couldn’t hardly hear anything,

• He complained that he couldn’t hear hardly anything,

• Complaining that he could hear hardly anything,

• Because he couldn’t hear hardly anything,

Answer explanation

Choice D corrects the double negative found in the other four choices. Note that, grammatically, hardly is considered a negative word. Choice C, in addition, creates a run-on sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Shakespeare wrote many plays, they are now being presented on public television.

• Shakespeare wrote many plays, they are now being presented on public television.

• Shakespeare wrote many plays, and they have been presented on public television.

• Shakespeare wrote many plays, which public television has now presented.

• The many plays of Shakespeare have now been presented on public television.

• Shakespeare wrote many plays; they are now being presented on public television.

Answer explanation

Comma splice. Choices B, C, and D change the meaning of the original sentence. They indicate that the plays have already been presented; the original sentence states that these plays are being presented at the present time. Choice E corrects the comma splice without altering the meaning of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Many alcoholics attempt to conceal their problem from their fellow workers, but invariably failing to keep their secret.

• but invariably failing to keep their secret

• but they invariably fail to keep their secret

• but fail, invariably, to keep their secret

• who invariably fail to keep their secret

• who they invariably fail to keep their secret from

Answer explanation

Error in parallelism. In Choice A, the conjunction but should be followed by a clause to parallel the clause in the first half of the sentence. Choice B provides such a clause. The awkward placement of the word invariably in Choice C makes the sentence very unclear. The use of who in Choices D and E leads to ambiguity because it may be taken to refer to workers.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

Upon considering the facts of the case, the solution was obvious; consequently, Holmes sent for the police.

• Upon considering

• When considering

• Considering

• In consideration of

• When he considered

Answer explanation

Error in modification and word order. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because of the dangling participle considering. Choice D is unidiomatic.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Familiar with the terrain from previous visits, the explorer’s search for the abandoned mine site was a success.

• the explorer’s search for the abandoned mine site was a success

• the success of the explorer’s search for the abandoned mine site was assured

• the explorer succeeded in finding the abandoned mine site

• te search by the explorer for the abandoned mine site was successful

• the explorer in his search for the abandoned mine site was a success

Answer explanation

In Choices A, B, and D, the modifier familiar is dangling. The wording in Choice E suggests that the explorer was a success, whereas the original sentence states that the search was a success—a somewhat different meaning. Choice C corrects the error and retains the original meaning of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Economic conditions demand not only cutting wages and prices but also to reduce inflation-raised tax rates.

• not only cutting wages and prices but also to reduce

• we not only cut wages and prices but also reduce

• to not only cut wages and prices but also to reduce

• not only to cut wages and prices but also to reduce

• not only a cut in wages and prices but also to reduce

Answer explanation

Choices A, C, and E do not maintain parallel structure. Choice B corrects this weakness. The infinitive to cut cannot be an object of demand, as in Choice D; a noun clause like the one in Choice B corrects this error.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

He interviewed several candidates who he thought had the experience and qualifications he required.

• who he thought

• whom he thought

• of whom he thought

• he thought who

• which he thought

Answer explanation

Choice A is correct because the subject of the verb had must be who, not whom. Which in Choice E should not be used to refer to a person.

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A