SAT Reading: Comprehension Quiz I

1. In line 5, "nature" most nearly means:

Ecosystem

Environment

Unity

Essence

Diversity

"Nature," in this context, refers to the intrinsic qualities of the concept of justice. Such qualities are the essence of justice

Explanation

"Nature," in this context, refers to the intrinsic qualities of the concept of justice. Such qualities are the essence of justice

2. On line 30, "stricken" most nearly means:

Buffetted

Hit

Surprised

Inflicted

Paraded

Because the man is "poverty" stricken, he is inflicted with poverty.

Explanation

Because the man is "poverty" stricken, he is inflicted with poverty.

3. How would the author most likely respond to the claim that the death penalty deters potential criminals from committing murder?

The death penalty is inhumane

It is always wrong to murder another human being, even in the form of social punishment

The death penalty is the most effective form of justice available

The death penalty is unfair because it affects certain socio-economic classes more than others

The death penalty cannot provide solace for those affected by a murderer

Answer this question using the "process of elimination." It could not be choices A, B, or D as they are all effectively in agreement and therefore could not be the one correct answer. Also, the author never stipulates or speculates that the effectiveness of the death penalty as a form of justice is actually positive or negative, so the answer could not be choice C. In addition, the author does not speak of any inhumanity or unfairness in regards to the death penalty. Thus, the answer is E, because the author does say that: "... the pain... can never equal..."

Explanation

Answer this question using the "process of elimination." It could not be choices A, B, or D as they are all effectively in agreement and therefore could not be the one correct answer. Also, the author never stipulates or speculates that the effectiveness of the death penalty as a form of justice is actually positive or negative, so the answer could not be choice C. In addition, the author does not speak of any inhumanity or unfairness in regards to the death penalty. Thus, the answer is E, because the author does say that: "... the pain... can never equal..."

4. Which of the following statements would the author of this passage most likely disagree with?

Justice is a difficult concept to define

It is sometimes difficult to choose a just course of action

Many people have flawed ideas regarding justice

Our criminal justice system provides true justice

You cannot always return injustice "in kind"

Because the author disagrees with the idea that even capital punishment can truly provide justice, he endorses the idea that criminal justice is not easily provided for

Explanation

Because the author disagrees with the idea that even capital punishment can truly provide justice, he endorses the idea that criminal justice is not easily provided for

5. Based on the paragraph beginning on line 27, the author would most likely agree that providing aid to the poor

Is a foolish endeavor

Results in a greater number of poor people

Is an unfair action

Cannot mend society's ills

Represents a form of social justice

The author implies on line 29 that social justice is achieved by helping the destitute man. He would therefore likely agree that providing aid to the poor is a form of justice as well.

Explanation

The author implies on line 29 that social justice is achieved by helping the destitute man. He would therefore likely agree that providing aid to the poor is a form of justice as well.

6. According to lines 6-26, why is retribution not the sole component of justice?

The pain of defeat can never be compromised

Punishment cannot suffice to mend some transgressions

Some people are simply evil

Most punishments are not strong enough to deter people from future crimes

It is difficult to assess what the correct punishment is for a crime

The purpose of the concluding lines of the second paragraph is that there is no equal retribution for some crimes. For example, even a executing a murderer will not bring back the victim. So, punishment cannot suffice to mend those transgressions.

Explanation

The purpose of the concluding lines of the second paragraph is that there is no equal retribution for some crimes. For example, even a executing a murderer will not bring back the victim. So, punishment cannot suffice to mend those transgressions.

7. The purpose of introducing the alligator in line 15 is to:

Present a character that most people are personally familiar with

Provide an example for a previously mentioned argument

Contrast the aforementioned example with an alternative point of view

Include a common symbol of justice

Create a tense and abrasive mood

Clearly, the example of the woman and alligator provides support for the idea that justice is not simply retribution, as previously stated.

Explanation

Clearly, the example of the woman and alligator provides support for the idea that justice is not simply retribution, as previously stated.

8. Why does the author not consider the passer-by in the third paragraph a "just" man?

He is unfair to the destitute man

He has malicious intent

He will not provide equal treatment to the man

He cannot recognize the right of the destitute to beg

He does not desire to help the man

The author does not claim that the passer-by has any contempt for the destitute man on the street. However, he does claim that the passer-by will not acknowledge the man's existence, and therefore will not help him, preventing him from giving the man justice.

Explanation

The author does not claim that the passer-by has any contempt for the destitute man on the street. However, he does claim that the passer-by will not acknowledge the man's existence, and therefore will not help him, preventing him from giving the man justice.

9. The word "endured" on line 22 most nearly means:

Survived

Celebrated

Incurred

Admonished

Continued

Because the meaning of the sentence is that the victim "endured" the pain, the only correct synonym would be "incurred," or received in kind.

Explanation

Because the meaning of the sentence is that the victim "endured" the pain, the only correct synonym would be "incurred," or received in kind.

10. In line 1, "observing" most nearly means:

Gathering data

Carefully watching

Taking note of

Monitoring and recording

Presiding over

Because he notices the use of the word "justice" in many of these media forms, he is basically "taking note of" the use of the word.

Explanation

Because he notices the use of the word "justice" in many of these media forms, he is basically "taking note of" the use of the word.

11. What is the distinction between fairness and justice, according to the author?

Fairness is equal compense, while justice is not

Fairness is just, and justice is fair

Fairness is a human endeavor and justice is a metaphysical quest

Fairness involves achievable goals while justice does not

Fairness regards parity while justice involves a remedy

Because the author speaks of fairness involving "equality of treatment," it can be implied that he is speaking of "parity," another word for equality.

Explanation

Because the author speaks of fairness involving "equality of treatment," it can be implied that he is speaking of "parity," another word for equality.

12. The author's perspective on justice is best described as

Fleeting

Reverent

Disparaging

Ambivalent

Pretentious

The author retains a respectful, or reverent, attitude towards justice throughout the passage.

Explanation

The author retains a respectful, or reverent, attitude towards justice throughout the passage.

13. Which of the following attempts at justice would the author consider arcane?

Providing welfare for citizens

Requiring treatment for the criminally insane

Forcing students to sign a pledge of academic honesty

Creating a support network for victims of domestic violence

Mandating the equal allotment of resources after a divorce

Choice E is the one nearest to the "archaic" form of "equal retribution" as discussed in the second paragraph. Choices A, B, C, and D are all non-examples of recompense.

Explanation

Choice E is the one nearest to the "archaic" form of "equal retribution" as discussed in the second paragraph. Choices A, B, C, and D are all non-examples of recompense.

14. Which of the following situations would the author find absolutely just?

A boy finds ten dollars on the ground and returns it to the owner

A church donates old clothes to the needy

A patron of a bar pays back his tab (bill)

A soccer player is ejected after playing too roughly

A mother nurses her child

Although the situations described in A, C, D, and E are certainly all fair, they all involve recompense whereas the situation described in B involves the idea of social justice, as previously discussed in the passage.

Explanation

Although the situations described in A, C, D, and E are certainly all fair, they all involve recompense whereas the situation described in B involves the idea of social justice, as previously discussed in the passage.