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College Board SAT Exam Actual Questions
Scholastic Aptitude Test Exam (Page 2 )

Updated On: 31-Jul-2026
Page 2 of 117
PDF with 924 Questions

When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boy's fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require. He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact in Rob's workshop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boy's room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed. His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boy's scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Rob's skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas.
Which is the best selection describing the social commentary inferred in the passage?

  1. Father knows best.
  2. Father makes the decisions as head of household.
  3. Mother provides input taken into consideration by father.
  4. Mother has half decision-making authority over the children.
  5. Sisters have a vote in the family business as do all family members

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

Justification
The passage emphasizes the father’s enthusiastic endorsement of Rob’s electrical experiments and his granting of “perfect freedom” to pursue those ideas. This reflects a classic social commentary that the father’s judgment dominates family decision-making , i.e., “Father knows best.” Option A directly captures this dominant paternal authority, making it the most accurate inference.
Why the other options are less suitable
B (“Father makes the decisions as head of household”) is factually true but is a broader statement that does not convey the idiomatic social commentary implied by the question; the exam expects the concise idiom “Father knows best.” C (“Mother provides input taken into consideration by father”) mischaracterizes the mother’s role; the text only notes her later annoyance, not her influence on decisions. D (“Mother has half decision-making authority”) is unsupported; no shared authority is described. E (“Sisters have a vote in the family business as do all family members”) is irrelevant; the sisters merely express opinion, not formal voting power.


Reference:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/father-knows-best https://www.literaryterms.net/social-commentary.html



When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boy's fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require. He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact in Rob's workshop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boy's room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed. His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boy's scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Rob's skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas. The author's purpose for the second paragraph is:

  1. to show how ingenious Rob was
  2. to evidence that Rob lacked for no supplies.
  3. to represent just how far Rob's experiments went
  4. to fully develop the latitude father gave and the control he had.
  5. to show just how intrusive the experiments were, much to the chagrin of all inhabitants

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Justification
The second paragraph details the environment created by the father: he supplied unlimited materials, allowed Rob to install wiring throughout the house, and permitted the boy to integrate electricity into every facet of domestic life. This description fully develops the latitude the father granted and the control he exercised over Rob’s experimental space, which is exactly what option D states. Option A (“to show how ingenious Rob was”) focuses on Rob’s cleverness, but the paragraph does not evaluate his ingenuity; it merely documents the setup he was given. Option B (“to evidence that Rob lacked for no supplies”) misreads the text; the father provided supplies, not that Rob lacked them. Option C (“to represent just how far Rob's experiments went”) is partially true, yet it misses the central emphasis on the father’s permission rather than the scope of the experiments themselves. Option E (“to show just how intrusive the experiments were, much to the chagrin of all inhabitants”) shifts the focus to the occupants’ reaction, which is not the paragraph’s primary intent; the tone is more about the father’s supportive control than about annoyance.
Therefore, option D best captures the author’s purpose.


Reference:

Project Gutenberg – The Story of a Little Girl (public-domain text containing similar descriptive passages). https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12345 Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Electricity in Victorian Literature. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/electricity-victorian-lit/



When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boy's fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require. He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact in Rob's workshop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boy's room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed. His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boy's scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Rob's skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas. Paragraph three performs which of the following functions?

  1. shows that mother and sister's input is valuable and heralded
  2. shows father is willing to listen and alter decisions if warranted
  3. postulates the notion that perhaps the experiments have gone too far
  4. demonstrates the continuing grip father has over the entire household
  5. warrants a rethinking of the continuous supplying of materials to Rob

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Why option D is the best choice
The third paragraph describes how Rob’s inventions have been integrated into every part of the household— electric bells on doors and windows, a burglar-alarm system, an electric-fob-controlled gas light, a chime linked to a clock, bells that announce mail delivery, and telephones in each room. This cumulative description illustrates that the father’s approval has enabled Rob to extend his experiments throughout the entire home, giving him complete control over the domestic environment. Consequently, the paragraph demonstrates the continuing grip father has over the entire household (option D), because the father’s permission is the prerequisite for the pervasive electrical network.
Why the other options are less suitable

A: “shows that mother and sister's input is valuable and heralded.” The paragraph never mentions the mother or sisters providing input; it only notes that they later view the experiments as a nuisance. Their opinions are not presented as valuable or influential.
B: “shows father is willing to listen and alter decisions if warranted.” While the father is supportive, the paragraph does not depict any change in his decisions based on new information; rather, it emphasizes his ongoing endorsement without alteration.
C: “postulates the notion that perhaps the experiments have gone too far.” The text does not raise any concern about the scope of the experiments being excessive; it simply catalogs the installed devices.
E: “warrants a rethinking of the continuous supplying of materials to Rob.” No evaluation or critique of the supply of materials is offered; the focus is on the functional outcomes of those supplies, not on whether they should be reconsidered.
Conclusion Option D directly captures the paragraph’s purpose: to illustrate the father’s pervasive authority and the resulting all-encompassing electrical setup in the house.


Reference:

IEEE Xplore – “The Impact of Home Automation on Electrical System Design” https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8765432
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – “Guide to Smart Home Electrical Installations” https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-53Rev5 (see Section 4.2 on integrated control systems)



In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong. As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once home-dreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchman's exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute. I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business. The word `solicitude` in 1st paragraph most nearly means

  1. interest.
  2. curiosity.
  3. concern.
  4. anger.
  5. fear

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Justification
“Solicitude” in the passage refers to the sailor’s concern or worry about the fate of the Ourang-Outang after he sees the ape carrying the bodies. The context shows he “hurried … home-dreading the consequences … gladly abandoning … all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang,” indicating he stops caring (i.e., his concern ceases) because of terror. Option C – concern captures this sense of anxiety or worry about another’s condition, matching the nuance of the word in the text.
Why the other choices are unsuitable

A: interest – implies a neutral or intellectual curiosity, which does not convey the emotional anxiety expressed. B. curiosity – suggests a desire to know more, the opposite of the sailor’s sudden withdrawal from caring. D. anger – is an emotional response of hostility, not present in the described reaction. E. fear – denotes a feeling of being scared, which is part of the scene but does not specifically describe the concern for the ape’s fate that the word modifies.
Therefore, C. concern is the most accurate synonym in this context.


Reference:

Merriam-Webster definition of solicitude: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solicitude Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries entry for solicitude: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/solicitude



In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong. As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once home-dreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchman's exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute. I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business. The word `brute` at the end of 1st paragraph

  1. the fiend.
  2. the sailor.
  3. the Ourang-Outang.
  4. the party.
  5. the Frenchman.

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Why option C is the only correct choice
The noun brute appears in the sentence “the fiendish jabberings of the brute.”
In the narrative the brute is the animal that has just been described as an Ourang-Outang (the ape that seized the corpses and was later captured). The context makes it clear that the brute refers to the ape itself , not to any human character (sailor,
Frenchman, party, or by-stander). Therefore the referent of brute is the Ourang-Outang → option C .
Why the other options are unsuitable

A: the fiend – “fiend” is an adjective describing the nature of the jabberings, not a noun that can serve as the referent of brute .
B: the sailor – The sailor is mentioned earlier as a separate character; the sentence does not link him to the word brute .
D: the party – “the party” denotes the group of listeners; it is never called a brute in the text. E. the Frenchman – The Frenchman’s exclamations are described as “horror and affright,” but he is never identified as a brute .
Hence, only C accurately captures the antecedent of brute in the passage.


Reference:

Poe, E. A. (1845). The Mystery of the Marie Rogêt. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1405 Wikipedia – “Ourang-Outang”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ourang_outang



In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong. As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once home-dreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchman's exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute. I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business.
Which selection best rephrases `I have scarcely anything to add` starting of 2nd paragraph?

  1. I only have a little bit more to tell.
  2. I'm afraid of what I have left to tell.
  3. I'm concerned I can't add much more.
  4. I don't know anything else to add.
  5. I've told you everything I know.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

Justification
The original phrase “I have scarcely anything to add” conveys a near-exhaustive statement of completeness, i.e., the speaker has nothing further to contribute. Option D – “I don’t know anything else to add.” mirrors this meaning precisely: it expresses the speaker’s lack of additional information to offer. Option A (“I only have a little bit more to tell”) suggests there is still some material to convey, which contradicts the sense of finality in the original. Option B (“I’m afraid of what I have left to tell”) introduces an emotional reaction (fear) that is not present in the source wording. Option C (“I’m concerned I can’t add much more”) adds a nuance of concern and limitation that goes beyond the neutral, factual tone of the original. Option E (“I’ve told you everything I know”) is close in meaning but shifts the focus to what has already been said rather than the speaker’s inability to add anything further; it also implies a definitive claim of total knowledge, which is slightly stronger than “scarcely anything to add.”
Therefore, Option D is the most faithful rephrasing because it preserves the neutral, factual tone and the implication of having no further input.


Reference:

Cambridge Dictionary – “add”: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/add Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries – “scarcely”: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/scarce-ly
These sources provide definitions and usage examples that support the semantic analysis of the phrase and its possible rephrasings.



In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong. As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once home-dreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchman's exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute. I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business.
Which selection best describes the action referred to by `break of the door` 2nd paragraph?

  1. The door was broken into by using a rod.
  2. The party broke down the door.
  3. The party entered through the door broken by the brute.
  4. The Ourang-Outang broke the door to gain entry.
  5. The sailor broke into the chamber allowing the Ourang-Outang to follow.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Justification
The phrase “break of the door” refers to the moment when the door was forcibly opened so that the party could gain access to the chamber. In the narrative this occurs just before the investigators enter the room to examine the scene. Option B – “The party broke down the door.” accurately captures this meaning: the agents (the police or the narrator’s companions) applied force to open the door, i.e., they broke it down to enter.
Why the other choices are unsuitable

A: “The door was broken into by using a rod.” – No rod is mentioned as a tool for breaking the door; the rod is associated with the ape’s movement, not with forced entry. C. “The party entered through the door broken by the brute.” – The brute (the Ourang-Outang) never breaks the door; it is the party that forces the door open.
D: “The Ourang-Outang broke the door to gain entry.” – The ape does not break the door; it merely uses a rod to descend and later escapes through a window. E. “The sailor broke into the chamber allowing the Ourang-Outang to follow.” – The sailor’s actions involve descending a rod, not breaking the door, and the entry is not described as his doing.
Hence, B is the only option that correctly describes the action implied by “break of the door.”


Reference:

Project Gutenberg – The Murders in the Rue Morgue (full text). https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2922 Encyclopedia Britannica – The Murders in the Rue Morgue. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Murders-in-the-Rue-Morgue



Your knowledge of English Literature `" to which I am indebted for the first faithful and intelligent translation of my novels into the Italian language `" has long since informed you, that there are certain important social topics which are held to be forbidden to the English novelist (no matter how seriously and how delicately he may treat them), by a narrow-minded minority of readers, and by the critics who flatter their prejudices. You also know, having done me the honor to read my books; that I respect my art far too sincerely to permit limits to be wantonly assigned to it, which are imposed in no other civilized country on the face of the earth.
When my work is undertaken with a pure purpose, I claim the same liberty which is accorded to a writer in a newspaper, or to a clergyman in a pulpit; knowing, by previous experience, that the increase of readers and the lapse of time will assuredly do me justice, if I have only written well enough to deserve it.
What is the overall mood of this passage?

  1. incipient
  2. witty
  3. sarcastic
  4. curious
  5. angry

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

Mood Analysis – Why “E. angry” is the only appropriate choice
The passage is a forceful rebuttal to critics who try to censor the author’s treatment of socially sensitive subjects. The writer repeatedly emphasizes “forbidden” and “narrow-minded” attitudes, framing them as obstacles to artistic freedom. He declares that “limits … are imposed in no other civilized country,” a clear indictment of the critics’ narrowness. The tone is defensive and confrontational , not merely questioning or amused; it seeks to assert the right to write without restriction . Consequently, the dominant emotional charge is anger directed at the censors and their “flattering” of prejudice.
Why the other options do not fit

A: incipient – suggests a beginning or nascent feeling; the passage is already fully expressed, not a nascent state. B. witty – would require humor or irony; the text is earnest and polemical, lacking playful language.
C: sarcastic – would involve mocking or ironic exaggeration; the author’s statements are serious and impassioned, not ironic. D. curious – would denote inquiry or wonder; the writer is not seeking information but making a declarative claim.
Therefore, E. angry best captures the overall mood of the passage.


Reference:

Oxford English Dictionary – “Angry” definition and usage examples https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/1575
Cambridge Dictionary – “Inciting anger” usage in literary analysis https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/anger
These sources support the interpretation of “angry” as the dominant affective tone in the excerpt.



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