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PSAT 8/9 Reading & Writing Practice: Information & Ideas

SAT Practice Test
PSAT 8/9
English

PSAT 8/9 Reading & Writing Practice: Information & Ideas

Question 1

Honeybees are remarkable insects that play a vital role in our food system. When a bee finds a good source of flowers with nectar, it returns to the hive and performs a special movement called a waggle dance. This dance tells other bees exactly where to find the flowers by showing the direction and distance from the hive. The bee moves in a figure-eight pattern, and the angle of its dance indicates which way to fly relative to the sun. The longer the bee waggles, the farther away the flowers are located. Through this complex communication system, thousands of bees can quickly share information about the best feeding spots without using any words or sounds.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A. Honeybees have developed an effective system that helps them gather food more efficiently than other insects.
B. The waggle dance shows other bees which direction to fly by indicating an angle relative to the sun.
C. Honeybees use a special dance to communicate the location of food sources to other bees in their hive.
D. Honeybees perform a figure-eight pattern when they return to the hive after finding flowers.

Question 2

Rosa Parks became known as the 'Mother of the Civil Rights Movement' after her arrest on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama. Parks, an African American seamstress and NAACP secretary, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger as required by the city's segregation laws. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, during which African Americans refused to ride city buses for 381 days. The boycott ended when the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. Parks later explained that she was not physically tired that day but 'tired of giving in' to unjust treatment. Her courageous act inspired similar protests across the South and helped launch the modern civil rights movement.
Which quotation from the text best supports the claim that Rosa Parks's action was motivated by a desire for justice rather than physical fatigue?
A. 'Parks later explained that she was not physically tired that day but "tired of giving in" to unjust treatment.'
B. 'Parks, an African American seamstress and NAACP secretary, refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger'
C. 'Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, during which African Americans refused to ride city buses for 381 days.'
D. 'The boycott ended when the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.'

Question 3

Public libraries have adapted significantly to changing technology and community needs. While books remain important, modern libraries offer computer access, job search assistance, and meeting spaces for community groups. Many libraries now provide free WiFi, allowing students without home internet to complete homework assignments. Some libraries have created 'maker spaces' with 3D printers and other technology tools. Library staff members teach classes on topics ranging from basic computer skills to resume writing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many libraries expanded their digital collections and offered curbside pickup services. These changes demonstrate that libraries continue to serve as vital community resources by providing services that many people cannot access elsewhere.
Based on the text, what can most reasonably be inferred about modern public libraries?
A. They are the only vital community resource for people who lack technology at home.
B. They have replaced books with technology as their primary focus.
C. Technology has adapted to meet the changing needs of library users.
D. They respond to community needs by offering services beyond traditional book lending.

Question 4

The practice of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has applications far beyond creating decorative objects. Engineers have adapted origami principles to design solar panels for spacecraft that fold compactly for launch and unfold once in space. Medical researchers use origami-inspired techniques to create stents—small devices that can be folded small, inserted into blood vessels, and then expanded to keep vessels open. Designers apply origami concepts to create furniture that folds flat for easy storage and transportation. The mathematical principles underlying origami have even helped scientists understand how proteins fold in the human body. While origami began as an artistic tradition in Japan centuries ago, its geometric principles now influence fields ranging from aerospace engineering to medicine.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A. It compares the difficulty of creating traditional origami with engineering applications.
B. It traces the historical development of origami from ancient Japan to modern times.
C. It presents a debate about whether origami should be considered art or science.
D. It introduces an art form and then explains how its principles are used in various practical applications.

Question 5

A researcher studying butterfly migration patterns collected data on the Painted Lady butterfly across four different regions. The researcher recorded the average distance traveled by butterflies during their spring migration and the percentage that successfully completed the journey:
Region A: Average distance 800 miles, 72% completion rate Region B: Average distance 1,200 miles, 58% completion rate Region C: Average distance 600 miles, 81% completion rate Region D: Average distance 1,000 miles, 65% completion rate
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the claim that longer migration distances are associated with lower completion rates?
A. Region D had a completion rate of 65%, which falls between the rates for Regions A and C.
B. Region C butterflies traveled the shortest distance (600 miles) and had the highest completion rate (81%), while Region B butterflies traveled the longest distance (1,200 miles) and had the lowest completion rate (58%).
C. Region A butterflies traveled 800 miles with a 72% completion rate.
D. Butterflies that traveled longer distances had higher completion rates than those traveling shorter distances.

Question 6

Desert plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in extremely dry conditions. The saguaro cactus, native to the Sonoran Desert, can absorb and store large amounts of water in its thick, accordion-like stem. During rare rainstorms, the cactus expands to hold the water, which it then uses slowly over many months. The plant's widespread, shallow root system allows it to quickly collect water from a large area when rain falls. Additionally, the saguaro has a waxy coating on its surface that prevents water from evaporating in the intense desert heat. Unlike most plants that have leaves, the saguaro has spines, which protect it from animals seeking moisture and create small pockets of shade that reduce water loss.
Based on the text, what can most reasonably be inferred about the saguaro cactus's survival strategy?
A. It has developed multiple features that work together to maximize water collection and minimize water loss.
B. It is better adapted to desert conditions than any other plant species.
C. It relies mainly on its spines to protect against the desert environment.
D. It depends primarily on frequent rainfall rather than water storage to survive.

Question 7

The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 transformed European society in profound ways. Before the printing press, books were copied by hand, making them extremely expensive and rare. Only wealthy individuals and institutions like monasteries could afford to own books. Gutenberg's press used movable metal type that could be rearranged and reused, making it possible to produce books much faster and cheaper than ever before. Within 50 years, printing presses spread across Europe, and millions of books had been printed. This increased availability of books meant that more people could learn to read and access information. Ideas could spread more quickly across different regions and countries. The printing press played a crucial role in major historical movements including the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation.
What is the main idea of the text?
A. The printing press allowed more people to learn to read than ever before.
B. Before Gutenberg's invention, only monasteries and wealthy people could own books.
C. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440 using movable metal type.
D. Gutenberg's printing press revolutionized society by making books more accessible and enabling the rapid spread of knowledge.

Question 8

In Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women (1868), the character Jo March dreams of becoming a writer despite the limited opportunities available to women in the 19th century. Jo submits stories to newspapers under a pen name and eventually earns money from her writing. When a publisher suggests she write more conventional, romantic stories, Jo initially resists, preferring to write adventurous tales. However, she eventually compromises, writing stories that sell well while continuing to work on her more personal writing projects in private. Throughout the novel, Jo struggles between her desire for creative freedom and the practical need to earn money. Her journey reflects the challenges faced by women writers of that era who sought both artistic expression and financial independence.
Which quotation from the text best supports the idea that Jo March balanced her artistic goals with practical considerations?
A. 'When a publisher suggests she write more conventional, romantic stories, Jo initially resists, preferring to write adventurous tales.'
B. 'However, she eventually compromises, writing stories that sell well while continuing to work on her more personal writing projects in private.'
C. 'Her journey reflects the challenges faced by women writers of that era who sought both artistic expression and financial independence.'
D. 'Jo March dreams of becoming a writer despite the limited opportunities available to women in the 19th century.'

Question 9

School uniforms have become increasingly common in public schools across the United States. Supporters argue that uniforms reduce distractions in the classroom by eliminating competition over fashionable clothing. Some studies suggest that schools with uniform policies see improvements in student attendance and behavior. Proponents also claim that uniforms promote equality among students from different economic backgrounds since expensive designer clothes are no longer visible. However, critics point out that uniforms can be costly for families who must purchase specific items from approved vendors. Additionally, some educators worry that uniform policies restrict students' ability to express their individual identities during an important developmental period. Research on whether uniforms actually improve academic achievement has produced mixed results, with some studies showing small gains and others finding no significant effect.
Based on the text, what can be reasonably inferred about the debate over school uniforms?
A. School uniforms clearly provide more benefits than drawbacks for most students.
B. Most public schools in the United States have already adopted uniform policies.
C. Critics of school uniforms are wrong because research proves uniforms improve academic achievement.
D. There are valid points on both sides of the issue, and research has not definitively resolved the debate.

Question 10

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy stored in sugars. During this process, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through tiny openings in their leaves called stomata. At the same time, they absorb water from the soil through their roots. Inside special structures called chloroplasts, which contain the green pigment chlorophyll, light energy is used to combine carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose, a type of sugar. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this reaction and exits through the stomata. Plants use the glucose they produce as food for growth and energy. This process is essential not only for plants but also for animal life, as it produces the oxygen that animals need to breathe and forms the base of most food chains.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A. Photosynthesis is a vital process in which plants convert sunlight into energy while producing oxygen that supports animal life.
B. Photosynthesis is the only process that allows life to exist on Earth.
C. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which allows plants to produce glucose from sunlight.
D. Photosynthesis requires plants to take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil.