SAT Comprehension

The quotation from Victor Hugo that appears early in Passage 1 serves primarily to

• address possible doubts about Dirksen's own background and expertise.

• outline traditional ideals that will make Dirksen's argument more appealing to a broad audience.

• set forward a broad principle that Dirksen then relates to an initiative that he supports.

• call attention to a source that motivated the struggle against racial prejudice.

According to Dirksen in Passage 1, which of the following can be linked to the history of racial discrimination in the United States?

• Unwise Legislative compromises

• Conditions accepted by the nation's founders.

• False impressions of conditions in other countries.

• Misconceptions about the goals and abilities of minority groups.

In Passage 2, Chisholm indicates that one stereotype about women is that

• women should not be allowed to occupy certain positions of authority.

• women possess interpersonal skills that are inferior to those of men.

• women's work responsibilities should mostly involve manual labor.

• women have prevented men from succeeding in administrative jobs.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 41 - 43 (" If she .............. type?")

• Lines 45 - 49 ("Why is it ...................... Congress?")

• Lines 71- 72 ("More ............... female")

• Lines 77 - 80 ("Only ................ Representatives")

As used in line 72, "occupy" most nearly means

• overtake.

• monopolize.

• revel in.

• possess.

As used in line 98, "insensitive" most nearly means

• unreflecting.

• tough.

• violent.

• disloyal.

Chisholm in Passage 2 would most likely respond to the remarks on African Americans in lines 19 - 37 by pointing out that

• social progress for African Americans will necessarily be accompanied by progress for other groups that have faced discrimination.

• advocates for African American rights do not see many clear historical precedents for their efforts.

• improvements in the education of African Americans have not coincided with improvements in the education of women.

• high-achieving African Americans are by no means immune to gender-based discrimination.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 58 - 61 (" But the truth ............. black")

• Lines 64 - 64 ("But it ................ exists")

• Lines 86 - 88 ("This was ............... with it")

• Lines 92 -95 (" As in ............. overnight")

The primary purpose of each passage is to

• address and refute criticisms of new initiatives that will end specific forms of oppression.

• challenge the common historical understanding of ethnicity-related conflict in the United States.

• demonstrate the urgency of an issue to a seemingly hostile audience.

• offer a logical defense of a measure in support of a specific social group.

Which choice best summarizes the relationship between the two passages?

• Passage 2 passionately addresses a form of social inequality that is not directly mentioned anywhere in Passage 1.

• Passage 2 proposes a measure that would serve as a complete replacement for a measure discussed in Passage 1.

• Passage 2 takes a personal approach to an issue that is presented without emotion in Passage 1.

• Passage 2 indicates the unlikelihood of achieving the social changes envisioned in Passage 1.