NEW HARD SAT

There are two main ways to study the effectiveness of a new medication: clinical trials and observational studies. Clinical trials involve giving the medication to a group of volunteers and comparing their outcomes to a control group that receives a placebo. This allows for strong control over variables, but it may not reflect real-world use of the medication. Observational studies, on the other hand, follow people who are already taking the medication and track their health outcomes. This can provide insights into real-world use, but it's harder to control for other factors that might affect health.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

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  A) Observational studies of a new medication are more likely to provide accurate results than clinical trials if the two studies have conflicting findings.

• B) Studying the effects of a new medication through both clinical trials and observational studies can lead to contrasting results that may be difficult to reconcile.

• C) A new medication can be effectively studied through clinical trials and observational studies, but each approach has limitations that could influence the validity of the conclusions.

• D) Conflicting results between clinical trials and observational studies suggest that both types of research might have had methodological flaws.

The following excerpt is from a historical account of a political rally: 

A sea of faces stretched as far as the eye could see, a cacophony of voices chanting slogans and waving signs. One particularly impassioned young woman held aloft a banner emblazoned with the words "Term Limits Now!" while others nearby waved signs demanding "Lower Taxes!"  On a makeshift stage, a group of suited figures stood perplexed. "Can someone decipher what the people truly want from all this noise?" muttered one man to another, adjusting his spectacles. "They seem unified in their fervor, yet their demands appear contradictory."

Based on the text, how does the speaker on stage respond to the crowd?

• A) The speaker on stage expresses frustration with the crowd's noise despite claiming to understand their desires.

• B) The speaker on stage attempts to address the crowd even though they haven't requested him to speak.

• C) The speaker on stage displays empathy for the crowd's demands despite finding them confusing.

• D) The speaker on stage emphasizes the crowd's unified appearance even though their messages are clearly varied.

To analyze the internal structure of beehives, researchers traditionally relied on dissecting them after removing them from the hive location. This destructive method, while providing detailed information, eliminates the possibility of studying the same hive over time. In their recent research, however, Dr. Amelia Wang and her team successfully employed high-resolution ultrasound technology to create intricate 3D models of beehives within their natural setting. Unlike dissection, ultrasound technology allows for the observation of  ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

• A) a single hive over a prolonged period.

• B) multiple hives simultaneously.

• C) hives located in difficult-to-reach areas.

• D) the internal structure at a much higher magnification.

Certain orchid species thrive in rainforests despite requiring bright, indirect sunlight for photosynthesis. However, the dense foliage of the rainforest canopy can block most sunlight from reaching the forest floor. Researchers Michael Greenwood and Alice Chang observed several Bulbophyllum orchids growing on the undersides of broad leaves in a Costa Rican rainforest. To evaluate the benefit of this positioning, they compared the chlorophyll content (a pigment essential for photosynthesis) of B. odoratum leaves growing directly on branches versus those growing on the undersides of leaves.  They found that leaves on the undersides had 30% more chlorophyll compared to those on branches, suggesting that...

Which choice most logically completes the text?

• A) B. odoratum is one of the few orchid species that can survive on the undersides of leaves.

• B) Broad leaves in rainforests block all sunlight, hindering photosynthesis in orchids.

• C) B. odoratum growing on the undersides of leaves experience filtered sunlight, promoting chlorophyll production.

• D) Broad leaves in rainforests provide essential nutrients for B. odoratum growth.

Diagnosing rare diseases often relies on a combination of experience and intuition honed by years of medical practice. However, a recent study developed a machine-learning algorithm trained on a massive dataset of medical records and patient scans. The algorithm achieved comparable accuracy to experienced physicians in identifying rare diseases. Some doctors expressed concern about being replaced by AI, but the researchers argued this is unlikely.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers’ claim?

• A) In the researchers’ study, the algorithm was able to diagnose rare diseases much faster than doctors could.

• B) In the researchers’ study, neither the algorithm nor the doctors were able to accurately diagnose all the cases presented.

• C) A survey of doctors showed that diagnosing rare diseases takes significant time away from other important tasks that only human doctors can perform. (correct)

• D) A survey of doctors showed limited training in rare disease diagnosis exists in some medical schools.

Broccoli is a valuable source of vitamins and minerals, but its tough cell walls can make it difficult to digest, potentially leading to bloating and discomfort. Researchers at the University of California, Davis investigated whether steaming broccoli with the addition of a specific enzyme (bromelain) could improve its digestibility. Their study found that broccoli florets treated with bromelain during steaming showed a significant breakdown of cell wall components compared to untreated florets.

Which finding from the broccoli study would most directly support the researchers’ claim?

• A) Broccoli steamed with bromelain contained significantly more vitamins and minerals than untreated broccoli.

• B) Analysis of steamed broccoli with bromelain revealed the presence of a specific enzyme known to break down cell walls.

• C) Steamed broccoli with bromelain showed a significant decrease in cell wall components compared to untreated broccoli. (correct)

• D) Both treated and untreated broccoli displayed a similar breakdown of cell wall components after being boiled for an extended period.

As a graduate student in archaeology, David Kim led a research team that unearthed artifacts from a previously unknown Mayan civilization. Their findings challenged the long-held belief that the Maya were a ______ society with a uniform culture. The artifacts revealed significant cultural and artistic variations within different Mayan city-states.

Which word best completes the text

• A) Evolving

• B) Diverse

• C) Monolithic

• D) Developed

Nestled deep within the Amazon rainforest, the Yanomami people have lived a relatively _____ life for centuries. This isolation has meant limited contact with the outside world and a unique cultural identity. However, recent deforestation has begun to encroach on their territory, threatening their traditional way of life.

Which word best completes the text?

• A) urbanized 

• B) secluded

• C) nomadic 

• D) assimilated

The publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 sparked a firestorm of debate within the environmental movement. While many activists focused on preserving pristine wilderness areas, Carson's book highlighted the dangers of pesticides and the interconnectedness of all ecosystems. Even though some environmentalists questioned the accuracy of her data, Carson's work ultimately played a key role in raising awareness about environmental pollution.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

• A) It highlights a weakness in Carson's argument against the use of pesticides.

• B) It clarifies Carson's specific area of focus within the broader environmental movement. (correct)

• C) It suggests that some environmentalists initially dismissed Carson's work entirely.

• D) It emphasizes the positive impact of Silent Spring on environmental awareness.

The peppered moth, Biston betularia, once existed primarily in a light-colored form in pre-industrial England. However, with the rise of air pollution during the Industrial Revolution, the bark of trees became darkened with soot. This environmental change made the lighter colored moths more visible to predators, leading to increased predation.  The darker colored moths, previously a rare variant, became better camouflaged and their population thrived. This is a classic example of industrial melanism, where pollution selects for specific traits in a population.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence in the overall structure of the text?

• A) It identifies a factor that causes environmental changes and promotes species adaptation.

• B) It presents a surprising fact about the peppered moth population in England.

• C) It offers an alternative explanation for the color variation in peppered moths.

• D) It states a hypothesis about the impact of pollution on moth coloration.