SAT For Dummies. Ron Woldoff

The second paragraph of the passage (Lines 20–27) is the only one to deal directly with philosophy. The author gives an example of balance in math, with positive numbers requiring the existence of negative numbers. The author also states that “[t]he true, the good, and the beautiful all have their opposite partners” (Lines 26–27). Put those two ideas together — as the author does in paragraph two — and you arrive at Choice (B). The other choices are all the sort of vague statement that philosophers love to debate, but only Choice (B) is justified in the passage.

      5 C. The explanation for the answer to Question 25 points you to the second paragraph, where the concept of balance is illustrated with examples from both math and philosophy. Choice (C) combines these ideas and is the correct answer.

      6 A. The balanced garden of paragraph one (Lines 1–19) is similar to Choices (B) and (C) — both examples of visual symmetry. The passage also discusses balanced actions (Line 22: “an equal and opposite reaction”), so Choice (D) doesn’t work. You’re left with Choice (A). A forest doesn’t necessarily grow in a balanced, patterned way, so it’s not an example of symmetry.

      7 C. Antimass is called “nonexistent” in Line 34, but the passage states that “the need for balance is so strong … that one day antimass will be found” (Lines 31–33). Sounds like Choice (C)! The prize for runner-up goes to Choice (A), because antimatter balances out matter. However, Choice (C) addresses the balance issue directly, so it’s a better answer.

      8 D. The passage explains that by the time the existence of antimatter was proved experimentally, it had already been predicted mathematically because of a fundamental quality of Nature — its tendency to be balanced. Therefore, Choice (D) is your answer.

      9 A. Lines 40–41 describe the way in which scientists put ideas together (“interpreting a mathematical treatment”) to reach a “conclusion,” or judgment. Choice (A) is your answer.

      10 A. The last paragraph talks about the lack of balance sometimes found in Nature and goes on to say that if balanced pairs don’t exist now, “at some earlier time or in some other physical state the balance once did exist” (Lines 52–54). Therefore, Nature tends toward balance, and anything unbalanced now was balanced at some point or is balanced in some other way. This is why Choice (A) is the correct answer.

       Questions 32–42 are based on the following passages.

      Passage 1 discusses the relationship between geography and human culture. Passage 2 is an excerpt from The Secret Life of Dust by Hannah Holmes (Wiley). The author addresses climate change. (Note: An oviraptor is a type of dinosaur. Mount Pinatubo was a volcano that erupted in 1991.)

      Passage 1

      Passage 2

      32. Based on the statements in the first paragraph (Lines 1–12) of Passage 1, which position would that author most likely support?

      (A) History is intertwined with geography.

      (B) Human beings shape their environment, not the other way around.

      (C) Climate and prosperity are completely unrelated.

(D) Dramatic climate changes always cause dramatic cultural shifts.

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

      (A) Lines 1–4 (“Human … physical world”)

      (B) Lines 6–7 (“The earth’s climate … history”)

      (C) Lines 8–10 (“Today’s fertile soil … ruins”)

      (D) Lines 10–12 (“as the fall of the … ninth century illustrates”)

      34. In the context of Line 8, what is the best definition of “shifts”?

      (A) transfers

      (B) modifications

      (C) swings

      (D) adjustments

      35. The example of the Mayan civilization serves to

      (A) emphasize the importance of water conservation

      (B) exemplify how history and climate are related

      (C) show that no empire is immune to climate change

      (D) reveal how human behavior influences climate

      36. Which of the following best expresses the meaning of this statement: “Modern science has in some sense inherited the mantle of ancient seers” (Lines 16–18)?

      (A) Much scientific knowledge is as imprecise as magic.

      (B) Scientific knowledge isn’t accessible to ordinary people.

      (C) Science attempts to predict future events.

      (D) Scientists today are expected to understand the past.

      37. The author mentions Mt. Toba (Line 30)

      (A) as an example of human endurance in the face of climate change

      (B) to warn of the dangers of natural forces

      (C) to show that volcanoes can do damage

      (D) as an illustration of the way human behavior changes when climate changes

      38. The author of Passage 2 mentions the oviraptor (Line 48) to show

      (A) the difference between human and animal responses to changes in climate

      (B) how living creatures adapt to changes in climates

      (C) a species that became extinct because of climate shifts

      (D) an example of something that lived during a warm period

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

      (A) Lines 42–44 (“But decade … constant motion”)

      (B) Lines 45–46 (“On a grand … abnormal”)

      (C) Lines 46–47 (“Though most … steamier”)

      (D) Lines 48–50 (“When the oviraptor … on average”)

      40. Compared to the authors of Passage 1, the author of Passage 2

      (A) describes volcanic eruptions as more important factors in climate change

      (B) believes that climate change has less effect on human behavior

      (C) is more concerned with humans’ effect on climate than the effect of climate on humans

      (D) sees climate as having greater historical importance

      41. Evidence from both passages supports the idea that

      (A) climate change is inevitable

      (B) human beings cannot withstand radical climate changes

      (C) human activity affects climate

      (D) climate changes very little

      42. The title that best fits both passages is

      (A) Global Warming

      (B) Natural Climate Change

      (C) Volcanoes and Climate

(D) Human Effects on Climate

Passage IV Answers

      1 A. Lines 1 through 4 make