SAT ELA Exam 5 (Full Module 2)

Although the study’s conclusion was cautiously phrased, several commentators later cited it in ways that seemed to _____ the certainty of its findings beyond what the authors themselves had claimed.

A legal historian observes that the statute was introduced with broad language meant to apply across jurisdictions. Yet court records show that judges in different regions interpreted the statute’s key terms differently, producing sharply divergent results.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Researchers initially proposed that the decline in the fish population resulted primarily from rising water temperatures. Later surveys, however, found that spawning rates had already begun to fall before the sharpest temperature increases occurred.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

The committee described its recommendation as _____, noting that it would likely need revision once more complete data from smaller districts became available.

Text 1 explains that many amphibian species begin breeding earlier in years when spring temperatures rise sooner than usual. Text 2 reports that in wetlands with unusually low water levels, breeding schedules changed little even in years with early warming.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

A survey of several large transit systems found that stations with more frequent service saw larger increases in ridership after fare reductions were introduced. The authors note, however, that the systems in the survey all operated in densely populated cities with extensive bus connections.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

A review of shipping records found that several deliveries had remained in regional depots for days before stores reported empty shelves. This evidence is most consistent with the conclusion that?

The passage argues that disagreements can arise even when readers examine the same wording, because the dispute often concerns what that wording should be understood to mean. The author then analyzes one disputed phrase from an early court decision and explains why two judges read it differently.

The discussion of the disputed phrase mainly serves to?

Early reports described the river’s course as essentially unchanged for centuries. Later surveys, however, showed that the river had shifted significantly after several major floods.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the two sentences?

Because the newly uncovered correspondence matches dates, locations, and events already documented in the official archive, it appears to _____ rather than undermine the accepted account.

Although the report’s conclusions were presented cautiously, several news articles later seemed to _____ the certainty of the findings by describing the results as definitive rather than preliminary.

A historian explains that the new regulation was written in broad terms intended to apply uniformly across regions and to create a more consistent standard of administration. Yet surviving records show that local officials interpreted several key provisions differently, with some enforcing them narrowly and others applying them much more broadly. As a result, the regulation produced sharply varied outcomes from place to place, suggesting that its historical significance lies not only in what it formally stated but also in how it was unevenly interpreted and enforced in practice.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Researchers initially suggested that the decline in the marsh bird population resulted primarily from habitat loss due to rising sea levels. Later data, however, showed that nesting success had already fallen significantly before the most severe shoreline changes occurred.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

Because the commission had not yet received complete survey data from several remote districts, it described its recommendation as _____ and subject to revision once additional results became available.

Text 1 explains that many butterfly species emerge earlier in years when spring temperatures rise sooner than usual. Text 2 notes, however, that in alpine regions with unusually persistent snow cover, emergence dates changed little even during early-warming years.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

A study of reading interventions found substantial score gains among students in several large metropolitan districts. The authors note, however, that all of the participating districts had unusually low student-teacher ratios and extensive after-school staffing support.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

A review of freight logs found that large quantities of goods remained in transfer hubs for days before retailers began reporting shortages on store shelves. This pattern suggests that the problem was not simply that too few goods had been produced, but that products were not reaching stores efficiently.

This evidence is most consistent with the conclusion that?

The passage argues that disagreement often arises not because readers have access to different evidence but because they assign different meanings to the same words. The author then examines a phrase from an early statute and explains why two judges reached opposing conclusions about what it required.

The discussion of the phrase mainly serves to

Because the newly discovered correspondence matches dates, locations, and sequences of events already established by other records, it appears to _____ rather than challenge the accepted account.

Although the new insulation standards were expected to raise construction costs slightly, architects argued that the changes would ultimately _____ long-term energy expenses for building owners.

A historian notes that the expedition failed to establish a permanent settlement, secured few lasting political advantages, and produced little immediate evidence of success by the standards its sponsors had hoped for. The historian argues, however, that the expedition later proved important for a different reason: its detailed coastal charts were widely copied by later navigators and helped reshape how subsequent voyages were planned, mapped, and carried out. In this view, the expedition’s historical significance lies less in its immediate results than in the practical influence its mapping methods had on later exploration.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Researchers initially proposed that the rise in algae growth resulted primarily from warmer summer temperatures. Later measurements, however, showed that nutrient runoff had increased sharply before the warmest years on record.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

Because the commission had not yet received data from several rural districts, it described its recommendation as _____ and subject to revision once those figures were available.

Text 1 explains that many insects emerge earlier in spring when seasonal temperatures rise sooner than usual. Text 2 reports that in forested areas where snowpack remained unusually deep, emergence dates changed little even during early-warming years.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

A study of literacy interventions found strong reading gains among students in several suburban districts. The authors note, however, that the participating districts all had unusually low student-teacher ratios and extensive after-school staffing support.

Which choice best describes the function of the second sentence?

A review of shipping logs found that large numbers of goods remained in transfer facilities for days before retailers reported empty shelves. This evidence is most consistent with the conclusion that

The passage argues that disagreement often arises not because readers confront different evidence but because they assign different meanings to the same words. The author then examines a phrase from an early statute and explains why two judges reached opposing conclusions about what it required. The discussion of the phrase mainly serves to