SAT Practice: Reading Comprehension

The nature reserve, owned and operated by the Royal Society, is located in Minsmere, Suffolk. Intended primarily to aid in bird conservation, the environment is favorable for bird nesting and breeding, and includes a diverse variety of habitats such as marshes, grasslands, and forest areas. [1] Guests of the reserve can access a visitor center and spot many species of birds on an extensive network of footpaths and trails. [2]

At Point [1], the writer is considering adding the following sentence:

Over 15,000 curious bird-lovers travel to the reserve each month during birding season.

Should the writer make this addition here?

• A. Yes, because it provides both relevant information and a transition to the following sentence.

• Yes, because the sentence reinforces the paragraph's main point.

• No, because it blurs the paragraph's focus by adding irrelevant information.

• No, because it includes information that has already been stated elsewhere in the paragraph.

The nature reserve, owned and operated by the Royal Society, is located in Minsmere, Suffolk. Intended primarily to aid in bird conservation, the environment is favorable for bird nesting and breeding, and includes a diverse variety of habitats such as marshes, grasslands, and forest areas. [1] Guests of the reserve can access a visitor center and spot many species of birds on an extensive network of footpaths and trails. [2]

The writer is considering concluding this paragraph with the following sentence:

Many bird conservation sites around the world are experiencing funding problems due to lack of public support and private donations.

Should the writer make this addition here?

• Yes, because the sentence provides a satisfactory conclusion to the preceding paragraph.

• Yes, because the sentence provides evidence to support a relevant claim.

• C. No, because the sentence provides a level of detail that is inconsistent with the rest of the paragraph.

• This sentence should not be added, because it adds completely new information aboutother bird reserves and their funding problems; this opens an entirely new line of reasoning andfails to conclude the paragraph, which has been focused on a single nature reserve - and nomention of funding or finances has been raised until this point. This eliminates Choices A and B.Furthermore, Choice C can be eliminated: the problem is that the sentence veers off-topic,failing to effectively conclude the paragraph; furthermore, there's no problem with the "level ofdetail" in the new sentence, because the it maintains a similar level of detail to the rest of the paragraph.

Edgar Rice Burroughs, who lived from 1875 to 1950, was an American writer known for his works in the adventure and science-fiction genres.While many of his stories and characters have faded into obscurity over the past century, he will probably always remain in the public eye as the creator of Tarzan, the famous "man raised by apes" who became a cultural icon. [3] Though many literary critics of the past and present have not exactly respected Burroughs' work for its stylistic merits, there can be no doubt that his adventures have had a great impact upon popular culture at large, and on a smaller scale, upon the imaginations of his readers, both young and old. [4]

The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of Sentence 3. Should the writer make this change?

• Yes, because it interrupts the flow of the paragraph.

• Yes, because it contains a negative tone that is not consistent with the rest of the paragraph.

• No, because it offers an effective and informative counterpoint to the rest of the sentence.

• No, because introduces a relevant supporting example.

Edgar Rice Burroughs, who lived from 1875 to 1950, was an American writer known for his works in the adventure and science-fiction genres.While many of his stories and characters have faded into obscurity over the past century, he will probably always remain in the public eye as the creator of Tarzan, the famous "man raised by apes" who became a cultural icon. [3] Though many literary critics of the past and present have not exactly respected Burroughs' work for its stylistic merits, there can be no doubt that his adventures have had a great impact upon popular culture at large, and on a smaller scale, upon the imaginations of his readers, both young and old. [4]

The writer is considering concluding this paragraph with the following sentence:

After a long and successful life, Burroughs' final resting place was his ranch in California, fittingly named "Tarzana,"which has since become a residential neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles.

Should the writer make this addition here?

• Yes, because it provides evidence that supports a relevant claim within the paragraph.

• Yes, because it provides an interesting conclusion to Burroughs' life story that ties back to information presented earlier in the paragraph.

• No, because it fails to provide evidence for the paragraph's central claim.

• No, because it does not fit with the style and tone of the preceding paragraph.