SAT Preparation Class

Many intellectual histories of the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s rely heavily on essays and other explicitly ideological works as primary sources, a tendency that can overrepresent the perspectives of a small number of thinkers, most of whom were male. Historian Ashley D. Farmer has shown that expanding the array of primary sources to encompass more types of print material—including political cartoons, advertisements, and artwork—leads to a much better understanding of the movement and the crucial and diverse roles that Black women played in shaping it.

Which choice best describes the main idea of the text?

• Before Farmer’s research, historians had largely ignored the intellectual dimensions of the Black Power movement.

• Farmer’s methods and research have enriched the historical understanding of the Black Power movement and Black women’s contributions to it.

• Other historians of the Black Power movement have criticized Farmer’s use of unconventional primary sources.

• The figures in the Black Power movement whom historians tend to cite would have agreed with Farmer’s conclusions about women’s roles in the movement.

Answer explanation

This best describes the main idea of the text. The text starts by saying that historians of the Black Power movement are too reliant on openly ideological works, which were written mostly by men, as sources. The text then describes Farmer’s research: she has shown that including other kinds of sources leads to a better understanding of the Black Power movement and the role Black women played in it.

The following text is adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1883 novel Treasure Island. Bill is a sailor staying at the Admiral Benbow, an inn run by the narrator’s parents.

Every day when [Bill] came back from his stroll he would ask if any seafaring men had gone by along the road. At first we thought it was the want of company of his own kind that made him ask this question, but at last we began to see he was desirous to avoid them. When a seaman did [stay] at the Admiral Benbow (as now and then some did) he would look in at him through the curtained door before he entered the parlor; and he was always sure to be as silent as a mouse when any such was present.

According to the text, why does Bill regularly ask about “seafaring men”?

• He isn’t sure that other guests at the inn will be welcoming of sailors.

• He’s trying to secure a job as part of the crew on a new ship.

• He’s hoping to find an old friend and fellow sailor.

• He doesn’t want to encounter any other sailor unexpectedly.

Answer explanation

This is the best choice. The narrator says that, at first, they thought Bill asked regularly about other seafarers because he wanted their company, but eventually they realized that Bill actually wanted to avoid them.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• The Arctic was a dangerous and unwelcoming place.

• Early explorers were motivated by irrational and complex desires.

• Explorers in the 20th century were mostly scientists.

• Modern people no longer value exploration.

Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?

• Critical and skeptical

• Awe-inspired and reflective

• Detached and analytical

• Humorous and casual

The phrase "not always rational" in line 3 suggests that the explorers' motivations were:

• Based entirely on scientific reasoning

• Logical and straightforward

• Driven by emotion and impulse

• Influenced by fear

According to the passage, what continues to affect readers today about the explorers’ stories?

• Their scientific achievements

• Their criticism of society

• The emotional weight of their failures

• The amazement and disbelief their stories evoke

What is the central idea of the passage?

• Mr. Darcy is a rude and uneducated man.

• Mr. Darcy is respected but disliked due to his cold demeanor.

• Mr. Darcy's social background excuses his behavior.

• Mr. Darcy is misunderstood and actually very friendly.

Answer explanation

The central idea is that Darcy, while intelligent and well-bred, comes across as prideful and unfriendly, which causes social discomfort.

Which sentence best supports the idea that Mr. Darcy is disliked?

• “He was clever.”

• “He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious”

• “His manners, though well-bred, were not inviting.”

• “He was continually giving offense.”

Answer explanation

This statement directly shows that people around Darcy were offended by him, summarizing the effect of his personality.

What is the central theme of this passage?

• The importance of punctuality in nature

• A poetic depiction of dawn’s interconnectedness

• The scientific explanation of water currents and mist

• The habits of riverbank birds

Answer explanation

The passage emphasizes dawn’s aesthetic interplay of motion, light, and sound—pointing to interconnectedness and poetic beauty.

Which detail best supports the idea of “natural choreography”?

• Water glides imperceptibly over smooth stones

• Birds begin their songs with gentle urgency

• Mist glimmers in the sun’s first rays

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Each detail (water’s motion, mist, bird song) conveys harmonious, choreographed movement supporting the theme.