SAT Prep Quiz – Section 8: Verbal Practice

1. During the Fourth of July weekend in 1947, about six million people crowded onto the beach and into the amusements at Coney Island, "America's Playground," in Brooklyn, New York.

During the Fourth of July weekend in 1947,

It was the Fourth of July weekend in 1947 that

The Fourth of July weekend that occurred in 1947 was when

The Fourth of July weekend in 1947,

Occurring in 1947

The correct answer is "During the Fourth of July weekend in 1947" because it provides the specific timeframe in which the events described in the sentence took place.

Explanation

The correct answer is "During the Fourth of July weekend in 1947" because it provides the specific timeframe in which the events described in the sentence took place.

2. A recently published history of comic books reveal that Batman was begun as an experiment but became an institution.

Recently published history of comic books reveal that Batman was begun as an experiment

Recently published history of comic books reveals that Batman began as an experiment

Recent published history of comic books revealed that Batman, who began as an experiment

History of comic books, recently published, revealing Batman first began as an experiment

History of comic books having been recently published, it reveals how Batman began as an experiment

The correct answer is "recently published history of comic books reveals that Batman began as an experiment." This answer accurately states that a recently published history of comic books reveals that Batman started as an experiment.

Explanation

The correct answer is "recently published history of comic books reveals that Batman began as an experiment." This answer accurately states that a recently published history of comic books reveals that Batman started as an experiment.

3. The Amazon River carries more water than the water carried in any of the world's other rivers.

The water carried in any of the world’s other rivers

The water elsewhere in the world’s rivers

Any other river in the world

All rivers in the world

Any of the world’s rivers elsewhere

The given correct answer, "any other river in the world," suggests that the Amazon River carries more water than any of the other rivers in the world. This means that when compared to all the rivers in the world, the Amazon River has the highest volume of water flow.

Explanation

The given correct answer, "any other river in the world," suggests that the Amazon River carries more water than any of the other rivers in the world. This means that when compared to all the rivers in the world, the Amazon River has the highest volume of water flow.

4. Because fiscal problems will force some cities to lay off firefighters, and so the state legislature must decide whether to provide those cities with financial aid.

Firefighters, and so

Firefighters is a matter

Firefighters,

Firefighters; then

Firefighters; this is a problem

The given correct answer is "firefighters." The explanation for this answer is not available.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "firefighters." The explanation for this answer is not available.

5. The same analysts who once favored public-opinion polls now see them as hampering representative government.

The same analysts who once favored public opinion polls now see them

The same analysts which were once in favor of public-opinion polls now have come to see them

Public-opinion polls, once favored by analysts, but now seen by these same analysts

As for favoring public-opinion polls, the same analysts now see them

Analysts once were in favor of public-opinion polls, which these same analysts now see

The sentence states that the analysts who used to support public opinion polls have changed their view and now see them as hindering representative government.

Explanation

The sentence states that the analysts who used to support public opinion polls have changed their view and now see them as hindering representative government.

6. The owners of stadiums that bear the names of now bankrupt companies have a problem what to do about the names.

What to do about the names

What they should do about the names

Deciding what to do about those names

To decide as to whether the names should stay

Should they change those names or not

The correct answer suggests that the owners of stadiums that bear the names of bankrupt companies are facing a problem and need to make a decision about what to do with those names. They are in the process of deciding or determining the appropriate course of action regarding the names.

Explanation

The correct answer suggests that the owners of stadiums that bear the names of bankrupt companies are facing a problem and need to make a decision about what to do with those names. They are in the process of deciding or determining the appropriate course of action regarding the names.

7. The old maxim "Let the buyer beware" suggests that as a buyer we are responsible for inspecting merchandise for flaws before paying for it.

As a buyer we are responsible

As a buyer it is their responsibility

The buyer is the responsible one

Buyers are responsible

Buyers are to be the ones responsible

The answer suggests that buyers have the responsibility to inspect merchandise for flaws before paying for it. This means that it is up to the buyers to ensure that they thoroughly examine the product and identify any potential issues or defects before making a purchase.

Explanation

The answer suggests that buyers have the responsibility to inspect merchandise for flaws before paying for it. This means that it is up to the buyers to ensure that they thoroughly examine the product and identify any potential issues or defects before making a purchase.

8. A discovery in New Jersey actually contributed to the early economic development of America and, in 1714, a worker uncovered a green rock containing copper.

America and, in 1714, a worker uncovered

America when, in 1714, a worker uncovered

America, thus, in 1714, a worker uncovered

America, that being a worker in 1714 uncovering

America, it was in 1714 a worker uncovered

In 1714, a worker in America uncovered a green rock containing copper. This discovery in New Jersey contributed to the early economic development of America.

Explanation

In 1714, a worker in America uncovered a green rock containing copper. This discovery in New Jersey contributed to the early economic development of America.

9. Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1990, over 719 hours in space were spent by Dr. Ellen Ochoa on three flights by 2001.

Over 719 hours in space were spent by Dr. Ellen Ochoa on three flights by 2001

By 2001, and on three flights, Dr. Ellen Ochoa spent over 719 hours in space

Three flights and 719 hours were spent by Dr. Ellen Ochoa in space by 2001

Dr. Ellen Ochoa, by 2001 spending over 719 hours in space on three flights

Dr. Ellen Ochoa had spent over 719 hours in space on three flights by 2001

This answer correctly states that Dr. Ellen Ochoa had spent over 719 hours in space on three flights by 2001. It uses the past perfect tense "had spent" to indicate that the action of spending hours in space occurred before the specified time of 2001.

Explanation

This answer correctly states that Dr. Ellen Ochoa had spent over 719 hours in space on three flights by 2001. It uses the past perfect tense "had spent" to indicate that the action of spending hours in space occurred before the specified time of 2001.

10. Dime novels, known in nineteenth-century England as "penny dreadfuls," flourished because increased mechanization of printing and increased literacy rates made production of large numbers of these books profitable.

And increased literacy rates made

With increased literacy rates also made

And also literacy rates increase and made

As well as increased literacy rates, making

And literacy rates increased, making

The given answer suggests that the increased literacy rates played a significant role in the flourishing of dime novels. The combination of increased literacy rates and the mechanization of printing made it profitable to produce large numbers of these books. This implies that more people were able to read and therefore there was a higher demand for these novels, leading to their success.

Explanation

The given answer suggests that the increased literacy rates played a significant role in the flourishing of dime novels. The combination of increased literacy rates and the mechanization of printing made it profitable to produce large numbers of these books. This implies that more people were able to read and therefore there was a higher demand for these novels, leading to their success.

11. Frequently on tour, a band called the Chieftains revered internationally as spirited performers of traditional Irish music.

Revered internationally as spirited performers

Revered internationally and they are spirited performers

Is revered internationally for its spirited performances

Is revered internationally as giving spirited performances

Are revered internationally as being spirited performers

The correct answer is "is revered internationally for its spirited performances." This answer accurately describes the band, the Chieftains, as being internationally revered for their spirited performances of traditional Irish music. The phrase "for its spirited performances" highlights the reason for their international reverence.

Explanation

The correct answer is "is revered internationally for its spirited performances." This answer accurately describes the band, the Chieftains, as being internationally revered for their spirited performances of traditional Irish music. The phrase "for its spirited performances" highlights the reason for their international reverence.

12. Sante Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States, its adobe architecture, spectacular setting, and clear, radiant light have long made it a magnet for artists.

Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States, its

Santa Fe, which is one of the oldest cities in the United States, its

Santa Fe, which is one of the oldest cities in the United States, has

Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States; its

Santa Fe, one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its

The correct answer is "Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States; its". This answer is correct because it accurately states that Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States and describes its unique qualities such as its adobe architecture, spectacular setting, and clear, radiant light that have attracted artists to the city.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States; its". This answer is correct because it accurately states that Santa Fe is one of the oldest cities in the United States and describes its unique qualities such as its adobe architecture, spectacular setting, and clear, radiant light that have attracted artists to the city.

13. Psychologists advise that before making any major changes in your life, a person needs to focus on one's goals.

Your life, a person needs to focus on one’s goals

Their life, a person needs to focus on their goals

Their lives, focus on the goals

One’s life, you should focus on your goals

Their lives, people should focus on their goals

Psychologists recommend that individuals should focus on their own goals before making any significant changes in their lives. This suggests that people should prioritize their personal aspirations and objectives in order to make informed decisions and achieve success in their endeavors.

Explanation

Psychologists recommend that individuals should focus on their own goals before making any significant changes in their lives. This suggests that people should prioritize their personal aspirations and objectives in order to make informed decisions and achieve success in their endeavors.

14. Some beaches are frequently contaminated by untreated sewage that flows into the ocean, which can last for several days.

Ocean, which can last for several days

Ocean that can last for several days

Ocean, it can last for several days

Ocean, while contamination can last several days

Ocean; the contamination can last for several days

The correct answer is "ocean; the contamination can last for several days". This answer correctly identifies that the contamination, not the ocean itself, can last for several days. It clarifies that the untreated sewage flowing into the ocean can cause contamination that persists for an extended period of time.

Explanation

The correct answer is "ocean; the contamination can last for several days". This answer correctly identifies that the contamination, not the ocean itself, can last for several days. It clarifies that the untreated sewage flowing into the ocean can cause contamination that persists for an extended period of time.

SAT Reading & Writing Quiz – Practice Questions