Generated with Monsha

Save this resource to edit, expand, or export it, or create more resources for free.

SAT Reading and Writing Practice Test - Full Set

SAT Practice Test
SAT
English

SAT Reading and Writing Practice Test - Full Set

Question 1

Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild's concept of 'emotional labor' describes the process by which service workers manage their feelings to create a publicly observable facial and bodily display. Flight attendants, for example, are trained to maintain a cheerful demeanor even when dealing with difficult passengers. This management of emotions, Hochschild argues, can lead to a sense of estrangement from one's true feelings, as workers must constantly suppress authentic emotional responses in favor of those deemed appropriate by their employers. The consequences extend beyond the workplace, potentially affecting workers' personal relationships and overall psychological well-being.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A. Emotional labor requires workers to regulate their emotions in ways that can cause psychological consequences both at work and in their personal lives.
B. Flight attendants are required to maintain positive attitudes when interacting with passengers, regardless of their personal feelings.
C. Arlie Russell Hochschild was the first sociologist to study how workers in various professions manage their emotional responses.
D. Service industry employers train workers to display specific emotions that may not reflect how the workers genuinely feel.

Question 2

The following text is from Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel Jane Eyre. Jane, a governess, is describing her employer's estate. A splendid Midsummer shone over England: skies so pure, suns so radiant as were then seen in long succession, seldom favour even singly, our wave-girt land. It was as if a band of Italian days had come from the South, like a flock of glorious passenger birds, and lighted to rest them on the cliffs of Albion. The hay was all got in; the fields round Thornfield were green and shorn; the roads white and baked; the trees were in their dark prime; hedge and wood, full-leaved and deeply tinted, contrasted well with the sunny hue of the cleared meadows between.
As used in the text, what does the word 'favour' most nearly mean?
A. Prefer
B. Approve
C. Bless
D. Support

Question 3

The ancient city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan, was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom from the 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE. _____ intricate water management system allowed the Nabataeans to thrive in the desert environment, collecting and storing water from seasonal floods through a network of dams, cisterns, and channels.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. It's
B. Its'
C. Their
D. Its

Question 4

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
  • Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903.
  • She won a second Nobel Prize in 1911, making her the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.
  • Her first Nobel Prize was in Physics, shared with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel.
  • Her second Nobel Prize was in Chemistry, awarded solely to her.
  • She conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity and discovered the elements polonium and radium.
The student wants to emphasize Marie Curie's unique achievement in winning Nobel Prizes. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A. Marie Curie conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity that led to her winning two Nobel Prizes during her career.
B. Marie Curie won her first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, which she shared with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel.
C. Marie Curie was the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences, receiving the Physics prize in 1903 and the Chemistry prize in 1911.
D. In 1911, Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry solely for her work on radioactivity and discovery of polonium and radium.

Question 5

Researchers studying the African savanna elephant have discovered that these animals use seismic communication to convey information across long distances. When an elephant vocalizes or moves, it generates vibrations that travel through the ground. Other elephants can detect these vibrations through specialized receptors in their feet and trunks, allowing them to perceive warnings about predators or locate distant water sources. This form of communication is particularly effective in the savanna environment, where visual and acoustic signals may be blocked by vegetation or overwhelmed by ambient noise. Scientists estimate that elephants can detect seismic signals from up to 10 kilometers away.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the claim that seismic communication provides elephants with significant survival advantages?
A. The specialized receptors in elephant feet contain sensory cells similar to those found in the ears of many mammal species.
B. Elephant herds that effectively use seismic communication have higher rates of successfully avoiding predators and finding water during droughts.
C. Elephants produce seismic signals with frequencies between 15 and 35 Hz, which travel efficiently through compact soil.
D. Young elephants learn to interpret seismic signals by observing the responses of adult herd members to ground vibrations.

Question 6

Text 1 The rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare has been met with enthusiasm by many medical professionals who see it as a tool to enhance diagnostic accuracy. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of medical data more quickly than human physicians, potentially identifying patterns that might be missed in traditional examinations. Proponents argue that AI will allow doctors to focus on patient care while machines handle data analysis.
Text 2 While AI shows promise in healthcare, physician Dr. Atul Gawande cautions against overreliance on algorithmic decision-making. In his view, medicine requires not just pattern recognition but also nuanced judgment about individual patients' values, preferences, and circumstances—elements that cannot be easily quantified or programmed into an algorithm. The human element of medical practice, Gawande suggests, remains irreplaceable.
Based on the texts, how would Gawande (Text 2) most likely respond to the argument presented in Text 1?
A. He would argue that AI algorithms are not yet sophisticated enough to process medical data with the speed and accuracy described in Text 1.
B. He would acknowledge AI's analytical capabilities while maintaining that medical practice requires human judgment about factors that algorithms cannot adequately address.
C. He would contend that the patterns identified by AI systems are less reliable than those detected through traditional medical examinations.
D. He would agree that AI will allow physicians to focus more on patient care by reducing the time spent on data analysis.

Question 7

The Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca _____ depicting various animals, plants, and geometric shapes, some stretching over 1,200 feet in length.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. culture the lines are
B. culture. The lines are
C. culture, the lines are
D. culture, the lines is

Question 8

In the 1960s, architect Paolo Soleri proposed the concept of 'arcology'—a fusion of architecture and ecology. _____ his vision, entire cities would be contained within massive, self-sustaining structures that minimize environmental impact by reducing urban sprawl, maximizing energy efficiency, and preserving surrounding wilderness areas.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. According to
B. Meanwhile,
C. For example,
D. However,

Question 9

Economist Elinor Ostrom's research on common-pool resources challenged the prevailing 'tragedy of the commons' theory, which predicted that shared resources would inevitably be depleted through individual self-interest. Ostrom studied communities around the world that successfully managed forests, fisheries, and irrigation systems collectively for generations. She identified key factors that enabled sustainable management: clearly defined boundaries, locally appropriate rules, participatory decision-making, effective monitoring, graduated sanctions for rule violations, and conflict resolution mechanisms. Her work demonstrated that communities could develop sophisticated institutional arrangements to govern shared resources without privatization or government control.
Based on the text, what can most reasonably be concluded about Ostrom's findings?
A. The tragedy of the commons occurs primarily in communities that lack government oversight of resource use.
B. Effective management of shared resources depends on specific institutional features rather than ownership structure alone.
C. Communities that share resources typically develop conflict resolution mechanisms before establishing usage rules.
D. Private ownership is less effective than collective management for ensuring the sustainability of natural resources.

Question 10

The following text is adapted from Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. Elizabeth Bennet is considering her sister Jane's temperament.
Your sweetness and disinterestedness are really angelic; I do not know what to say to you. I feel as if I had never done you justice, or loved you as you deserve. Jane's delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabeth was glad of it;—till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any satisfaction, she had rather be without a confidante.
According to the text, what is true about Jane?
A. She is unaware of what Lydia had said.
B. She believes Elizabeth has not been a supportive sister.
C. She is reluctant to discuss certain matters due to her principles.
D. She prefers to resolve conflicts without outside assistance.

Question 11

The phenomenon of bioluminescence, the production and emission of light by living organisms, occurs in a wide variety of marine species. While many bioluminescent organisms use this ability for attracting mates or prey, the anglerfish employs it in a unique way: a luminous lure extending from its head _____ unsuspecting prey in the dark ocean depths.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. attracts
B. attracting
C. attract
D. have attracted

Question 12

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
  • The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s centered in Harlem, New York.
  • The movement celebrated African American cultural expression through literature, music, and visual arts.
  • Langston Hughes was a prominent poet whose work explored themes of racial pride and social justice.
  • Zora Neale Hurston was an anthropologist and author who documented African American folklore.
  • Both Hughes and Hurston contributed to the movement by creating works that authentically represented African American experiences.
The student wants to emphasize a similarity between Hughes and Hurston. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A. The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American cultural expression through various artistic forms including literature and music.
B. Langston Hughes, a prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote about racial pride and social justice.
C. Both Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston contributed to the Harlem Renaissance by creating works that authentically represented African American experiences.
D. Anthropologist and author Zora Neale Hurston documented African American folklore during the Harlem Renaissance.

Question 13

Linguist John McWhorter argues that the grammatical complexity of a language tends to decrease as the number of adult learners increases. When adults learn a new language, they typically struggle with intricate grammatical features such as extensive case systems, elaborate verb conjugations, and gender agreement. As these adult learners come to outnumber native speakers in a language community—whether through trade, conquest, or migration—the language gradually simplifies. McWhorter points to examples like English, which lost much of its Germanic grammatical complexity following the Norman Conquest, and Persian, which simplified after centuries of being used as a lingua franca across diverse populations.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
A. It provides examples of languages that have become grammatically simpler over time.
B. It describes a mechanism that supports McWhorter's argument about language simplification.
C. It presents a counterargument to McWhorter's claim about grammatical complexity.
D. It introduces an alternative explanation for changes in language structure.

Question 14

Text 1 Many historians attribute the fall of the Western Roman Empire primarily to military factors, particularly the pressure from Germanic tribes crossing the Rhine and Danube rivers. The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE and by the Vandals in 455 CE demonstrated the empire's military vulnerability. By 476 CE, when the last Western Roman Emperor was deposed, Germanic military leaders had become the de facto rulers of the western territories.
Text 2 Historian Peter Heather emphasizes that Germanic invasions were themselves symptoms of deeper structural problems within the Roman Empire. In his analysis, chronic economic difficulties, an overextended military, political instability, and administrative inefficiency had weakened the empire from within. The Germanic migrations, rather than being the cause of Rome's fall, represented the final stage in a long process of imperial decline.
Based on the texts, how would Heather (Text 2) most likely respond to the view presented in Text 1?
A. He would maintain that while Germanic invasions contributed to Rome's collapse, they were enabled by pre-existing economic, political, and administrative weaknesses.
B. He would dispute the significance of the 410 and 455 CE attacks on Rome as indicators of military vulnerability.
C. He would agree that Germanic military pressure was the decisive factor in the Western Roman Empire's collapse.
D. He would argue that the deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor was less important than other political events.

Question 15

The discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter was one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. Unlike most royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, which had been looted in _____ remained remarkably intact, containing over 5,000 artifacts that provided unprecedented insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and material culture.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. antiquity, Tutankhamun's tomb
B. antiquity; Tutankhamun's tomb
C. antiquity. Tutankhamun's tomb
D. antiquity Tutankhamun's tomb

Question 16

Researchers have long debated the purpose of zebra stripes. _____ some scientists proposed that the stripes serve as camouflage in tall grasses, recent studies suggest they may actually function to deter biting flies, which are confused by the striped patterns and less likely to land on zebras than on solid-colored animals.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Similarly,
B. Therefore,
C. While
D. For instance,

Question 17

Recent archaeological evidence from the Paisley Caves in Oregon suggests that humans may have inhabited North America earlier than previously thought. Researchers discovered coprolites (fossilized feces) containing human DNA that carbon dating placed at approximately 14,300 years old. This finding challenges the Clovis First theory, which held that the Clovis people, who appeared around 13,000 years ago, were the first inhabitants of the Americas. The Paisley Caves evidence, combined with other pre-Clovis sites discovered in recent decades, suggests that the peopling of the Americas was a more complex and earlier process than the Clovis First model proposed.
Which finding from the text most directly challenges the Clovis First theory?
A. Multiple pre-Clovis sites have been discovered in recent decades.
B. The coprolites found in the Paisley Caves date to approximately 14,300 years ago.
C. The Paisley Caves are located in Oregon.
D. Human DNA was found in fossilized feces.

Question 18

The following text is from Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick. The narrator is describing the character Queequeg. This tattooing had been the work of a departed prophet and seer of his island, who, by those hieroglyphic marks, had written out on his body a complete theory of the heavens and the earth, and a mystical treatise on the art of attaining truth; so that Queequeg in his own proper person was a riddle to unfold; a wondrous work in one volume; but whose mysteries not even himself could read, though his own live heart beat against them; and these mysteries were therefore destined to moulder away with the living parchment whereon they were inscribed, and so be unsolved to the last.
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A. To describe the process by which a prophet created tattoos on Queequeg's body
B. To characterize Queequeg as possessing mysterious qualities that cannot be fully understood
C. To explain the cultural significance of tattooing practices in Queequeg's island society
D. To argue that traditional knowledge systems are often lost when they are not properly documented

Question 19

The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. Composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, _____ stretches for roughly 2,300 kilometers and covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers, making it visible from outer space.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. they
B. them
C. it
D. its

Question 20

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
  • Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
  • During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • Plants release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
  • The oxygen released by plants is essential for most animal life on Earth.
  • Approximately 70% of the world's oxygen is produced by ocean phytoplankton through photosynthesis.
The student wants to emphasize the importance of phytoplankton. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
A. Ocean phytoplankton produce approximately 70% of the world's oxygen through photosynthesis.
B. The oxygen produced through photosynthesis is essential for most animal life on Earth.
C. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as a byproduct.
D. Plants convert light energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

Question 21

Neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett's theory of constructed emotion challenges the classical view that emotions are universal, biological responses that arise automatically from specific brain circuits. Instead, Barrett argues that emotions are constructed in the moment by the brain's predictions based on past experiences, current bodily sensations, and immediate context. In her view, the same physical sensations—increased heart rate and rapid breathing—might be interpreted as anxiety before a presentation, excitement before a celebration, or exertion during exercise, depending on the situation and an individual's prior experiences. This theory suggests that emotions are not fixed categories but rather conceptual acts created by the brain to make sense of sensory inputs.
According to Barrett's theory, what role do past experiences play in emotional responses?
A. They activate specific brain circuits that automatically produce emotional responses.
B. They create universal emotional responses that are consistent across cultures and individuals.
C. They establish fixed categories of emotions that remain constant throughout a person's life.
D. They influence how the brain interprets physical sensations in specific contexts.

Question 22

Text 1 Urban planners generally advocate for mixed-use development, which combines residential, commercial, and sometimes industrial uses within the same area. This approach reduces automobile dependency by allowing people to live near where they work and shop. Studies show that residents of mixed-use neighborhoods drive less frequently and walk more than those in single-use residential suburbs, leading to reduced carbon emissions and improved public health outcomes.
Text 2 Architect Jan Gehl notes that while mixed-use development offers benefits, its success depends critically on design quality at the street level. In his observations of cities worldwide, developments that merely place different uses in proximity often fail to create vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. Successful mixed-use areas, Gehl argues, require careful attention to pedestrian-scale design elements: wide sidewalks, street-level shops with transparent facades, frequent building entrances, and comfortable public spaces that encourage social interaction.
Based on the texts, Gehl and the urban planners discussed in Text 1 would most likely agree with which statement?
A. Placing different uses in proximity is sufficient to create successful neighborhoods.
B. The primary goal of urban planning should be to reduce carbon emissions.
C. Single-use residential suburbs are preferable to mixed-use developments for public health.
D. Mixed-use development can be beneficial for creating walkable urban environments.

Question 23

The Roman aqueduct system was an engineering marvel that supplied water to cities throughout the empire. The Aqua Claudia, completed in 52 CE, _____ approximately 69 kilometers from its source in the Aniene River valley to Rome, delivering an estimated 190,000 cubic meters of water daily to the city's residents and public facilities.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. has extended
B. extended
C. extending
D. extends

Question 24

The extinction of megafauna—large animals weighing over 44 kilograms—at the end of the Pleistocene epoch has been attributed to various causes. _____ climate change theories point to the warming period following the last Ice Age, others emphasize human hunting pressure as newly arrived humans encountered naive prey species with no evolved fear responses to human predators.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Therefore,
B. While
C. Consequently,
D. For example,

Question 25

Philosopher Miranda Fricker introduced the concept of 'epistemic injustice' to describe situations where someone is wronged specifically in their capacity as a knower. One form, testimonial injustice, occurs when a speaker's credibility is unfairly deflated due to prejudice on the part of the hearer. For instance, medical studies have shown that women's and minorities' pain reports are systematically undertreated compared to those of white men, suggesting that healthcare providers may give less credence to these patients' testimony about their own bodily experiences. Fricker argues that such injustices harm not only by leading to poor outcomes (like inadequate pain management) but also by insulting the wronged person's status as a rational, trustworthy subject.
Based on the text, Fricker would most likely agree with which statement about testimonial injustice?
A. It causes harm both through its practical consequences and through the insult to the wronged person's standing as a knower.
B. It can be eliminated primarily by improving outcomes in areas like healthcare and criminal justice.
C. It is less morally serious than other forms of discrimination because it concerns beliefs rather than actions.
D. It occurs only when prejudice leads to measurably worse practical outcomes for the affected person.

Question 26

The following text is adapted from Frederick Douglass's 1852 speech 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?' Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A. It poses a series of rhetorical questions to highlight a contradiction between American ideals and the reality of slavery.
B. It presents a historical claim and then provides evidence from the Declaration of Independence to support it.
C. It acknowledges gratitude for American independence while respectfully requesting political reforms.
D. It describes the principles of American independence and explains how they apply to all citizens equally.

Question 27

Marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle has spent over seven decades studying ocean _____ pioneering the use of underwater habitats for extended research missions and advocating tirelessly for the establishment of marine protected areas to preserve ocean ecosystems.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. ecosystems. She
B. ecosystems,
C. ecosystems;
D. ecosystems, and