Scholastic Assessment English Test

Mary despised her grandmother's strict discipline as a child, but as she grew older, she began to appreciate it. This suggests that Mary initially did not like the strict rules and regulations imposed on her, but over time, she recognized the value and importance of discipline in her life.

The word "acrid" means having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell. In this context, Virgil's mouth is stinging and burning, indicating that the taste is very unpleasant. Therefore, he hurries to the kitchen for water to wash away the dish's acrid taste.

The author assumes that the "meaning" mentioned in the opening paragraph is culturally determined. This means that the interpretation or understanding of the meaning of something is influenced by the culture or society in which it is being perceived. The author suggests that different cultures may have different interpretations or understandings of the meaning of something, indicating that meaning is not universal or fixed, but rather shaped by cultural context.

The most difficult expression of art to interpret would be a single text produced by a previously unknown society. This is because it is a completely unfamiliar and potentially unique form of art, making it challenging to decipher its meaning and context without any prior knowledge or understanding of the society that created it.

The author responds to the question posed in lines 3-9 by illustrating his point within a particular context.

The statements in lines 59-65 serve a function similar to the key or legend of a map because they provide important information that helps to understand and interpret the passage, just like a key or legend provides important information to understand and interpret a map.

The sentence in which "difficult" appears suggests that the author believes the word to be an understatement.

This folktale is best described as an appreciation of the folktale as a means of communicating values because it highlights the importance of the folktale in conveying moral lessons and cultural values to the audience. The story serves as a medium through which these values are communicated and understood by the listeners.

The phrase "porcupine women of this world" suggests that these individuals are like porcupines, who have quills for protection. Just as porcupines may not adequately plan for their own needs because they rely on their quills for defense, the "porcupine women" in this context are likely to be individuals who do not adequately plan for their own needs because they rely on others for support and assistance. This implies that they may not take the necessary steps to ensure their own well-being and instead rely on others to take care of them.

The author discusses Tanaina culture from the perspective of an informed outsider. This suggests that the author is knowledgeable about the Tanaina culture but is not a part of it. They may have conducted research or have personal experiences that have given them insight into the culture. This perspective allows the author to provide an objective view of the culture and share their understanding with others.

The correct answer is "predilection for . . atypical". This is because the sentence states that other seabirds customarily nest in colonies on ocean cliffs and islands, while the marbled murrelet nests in forests many miles from the sea. This behavior is considered "atypical" or not typical for seabirds, indicating a preference or predilection for nesting in a different habitat.

The correct answer suggests that the author's analysis of the folktale provides insight into Tanaina beliefs regarding the establishment of a binding contract through a verbal exchange. This implies that in Tanaina culture, verbal agreements hold significance and can be considered legally binding. The analysis of the folktale likely explores the cultural values and norms surrounding contracts and agreements in the Tanaina community.

Mozart's death has been a subject of mystery for a long time. Many physicians have suggested various possibilities for the cause of his death, including poisoning, malnutrition, kidney disease, and heart failure. The word "demise" accurately describes Mozart's death, and "mystery" accurately describes the unknown cause of his death.

The word "reticent" means being quiet or reserved, not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. In the given context, it suggests that the children were initially quiet or hesitant, but as the morning progressed, they became more comfortable and started laughing and talking eagerly.

In lines 83-87, the description of the porcupine woman emphasizes the contrast between her initial goal and her current situation. The passage suggests that the porcupine woman had a specific goal or plan in mind, but her actual circumstances or reality turned out to be different. This is evident from the mention of her "original goal" and the phrase "her actual situation." The emphasis on the original goal and the actual situation highlights the disconnect between her initial intentions and the current state of affairs.

Oren missed the play's overarching significance, focusing instead on details so minor that they would best be described as "picayune." This means that Oren was overly concerned with insignificant or trivial details, completely overlooking the bigger and more important aspects of the play.

This folktale is best described as a warning about ill-conceived assent because it serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of making hasty or uninformed decisions. The story likely highlights the dangers of blindly agreeing to something without fully understanding the implications or considering the potential risks involved. By presenting a negative outcome resulting from ill-conceived consent, the folktale aims to caution individuals against making similar mistakes in their own lives.

The final paragraph suggests that the bear path poses a new peril for the porcupine woman. This can be inferred from the mention of the bear path being "a shortcut that led to danger" and the description of the porcupine woman's fear and hesitation in crossing it. The author emphasizes that the bear path is a new danger that the porcupine woman has not encountered before, indicating that it poses a new peril for her.

The author's argument suggests that reading a text does not guarantee understanding it. This implies that there may be other factors or skills required to fully comprehend a literary text, such as contextual knowledge, critical analysis, or interpretation. The statement aligns with the idea that simply reading a text is not sufficient for complete understanding.