SAT Reading and Writing (Standard English Conventions)

French philosopher Rene Descartes doubted whether he could prove his own existence. Eventually, he found proof in his famous phrase "I think, therefore I am." The ____ complexity: only those who exist would be able to ponder their existence.

• phrases' simplicity masks its

• phrases simplicity masks their

• phrase's simplicity masks their

• phrase's simplicity masks its

Despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, _____ they are made from nonrenewable petroleum, and most do not biodegrade in landfills.

• there are two problems associated with commercial plastics

• two problems are associated with commercial plastics

• commercial plastics have two associated problems:

• commercial plastics' two associated problems are that

Author Madeline L'Engle, _____ to create a suspenseful tone that draws the reader in, begins her novel

A Wrinke in Time with descriptions of "wraithlike shadows" and "the frenzied lashing of the wind."

• looks

• looking

• looked

• is looking

BOUNDARIES (GRAMMAR)

Human-made (synthetic) fibers used in clothes and many other consumer products are more durable than most natural plant ______ the manufacture of synthetic fibers requires toxic chemical solvents that can pollute air and water. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? 

• fibers, 

• fibers but

• fibers 

• fibers, but

MAIN IDEA

The following text is adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel The Secret Garden. Mary, a young girl, recently found an overgrown hidden garden. 

Mary was an odd, determined little person, and now she had something interesting to be determined about, she was very much absorbed, indeed. She worked and dug and pulled up weeds steadily, only becoming more pleased with her work every hour instead of tiring of it. It seemed to her like a fascinating sort of play. 

Which choice best states the main idea of the text? 

• Mary hides in the garden to avoid doing her chores. 

• Mary feels very satisfied when she’s taking care of the garden.

• Mary is clearing out the garden to create a space to play. 

• Mary is getting bored with pulling up so many weeds in the garden.