Free SAT Section 1: Critical Reading Exam Braindumps (page: 13)

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In his politics, Aristotle characterizes Plato's support of collectivism as ______ and ______ the unity of the city; not only would it be difficult to institute and enforce, but the absence of private property would lead to bickering among the citizens.

  1. commendable . . deleterious to
  2. controversial . . essential to
  3. impractical . . detrimental to
  4. divisive . . indifferent toward
  5. unattainable . . supportive of

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

The two words in this answer choice nicely paraphrase the two points made later in the sentence:
"impractical" = "difficult to institute, " and "detrimental to . . . unity" ="lead[ing] to bickering"



The bright coloration of American coot chicks is an anomaly: although colorful plumage is usually ______ to newborn birds because it may attract predators, among this species it appears to be ______, because parents are more likely to notice and care for brightly-colored offspring.

  1. pernicious . . fatal
  2. dangerous . . unnecessary
  3. deleterious . . favorable
  4. beneficial . . advantageous
  5. detrimental . . helpful

Answer(s): E

Explanation:

The words "anomaly" and "although" both suggest that the second half of the sentence is built around a contrast between the role colorful plumage usually plays among birds and the role it actually plays in this particular species. Thus, the two words we want must be nearly opposite in meaning, as the two words in choice E .are.



Unlike the American worker, who expects to work for several different firms during his or her career, until recently the Japanese worker regarded employment as ______ commitment.

  1. a lifetime
  2. a significant
  3. a bilateral
  4. an economic
  5. a moral

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The word "Unlike" shows us that the two halves of the sentence will contrast with one another. The idea of a "lifetime" commitment nicely contrasts with the idea of changing jobs several times.



Andre's gift for music seemed to be ______; both his mother and grandfather before him had been famed concert pianists.

  1. simulated
  2. innate
  3. accidental
  4. inexplicable
  5. prodigious

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

If musical talent runs in Andre's family, then it would be logical to consider his gift inborn, inherited, or "innate."






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