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Quiz Session - Attempts With Random Questions

SAT Exam Questions

Page 1 of 20

1.

Every year a mother measured her son’s height to see how many inches he grew in a year’s time. She recorded the following changes each year: 3.5”, 1.0”, 1.25”, 2.25” and x.

What would the value of x equal if the son’s average height increase is 1.75”?

  • 0.75”

  • 1.50”

  • 1.25”

  • 0.50”

  • 0.15”

Correct answer: 0.75”

If the average height increase is 1.75”, then (3.5” + 1.0” + 1.25” + 2.25” + x) ÷ 5 = 1.75”.

Now, solve: 

(8” + x) ÷ 5 = 1.75”

1.6” + x/5 = 1.75”

x/5 = 0.15”

x = 0.75”

2.

If m + (1/2)n – 2t = d(f), what is the value of d when m = 8, n = 18, t = 1/2, and f = 4?

  • 4

  • -2

  • 1

  • 6

  • -3

Correct answer: 4

Here is the equation you are given: m + (1/2)n – 2t = d(f).

Now, substitute the values you are given for m, n, t and f: 8 + (1/2)(18) – 2(1/2) = d(4).

Then, solve: 8 + 9 – 1 = 4d; 16 = 4d; d = 4.

3.

If t is quadrupled and then increased by 8, the result is 56. What does t equal?

  • 12

  • 8

  • 4

  • 16

  • 24

Correct answer: 12

To solve the question, you will need to set it up as an equation:

4t + 8 = 56.

Then solve:

4t + 8 = 56

4t = 48

t = 48 ÷ 4

t = 12

4.

Two watermelons were picked from the garden. The first watermelon weighed 8 1/4 pounds, and the second watermelon weighed 9 3/8 pounds. What was the total weight of the two watermelons?

  • 17 5/8 pounds

  • 17 1/8 pounds

  • 18 1/4 pounds

  • 56 5/8 pounds

  • 56 1/8 pounds

Correct answer: 17 5/8 pounds

In order to solve this problem, add the two fractional amounts together. To do this, you will need to get the same denominator for each fraction. So, change 1/4 to 2/8. Then, sum the numbers:

8 2/8 + 9 3/8 = 17 5/8 pounds.

5.

In regard to the following equations, for what values of x and y are both true? 

x + 8 = 3y 

3x – 6 = 4y

  • x = 10 and y = 6

  • x = 6 and y = -10

  • x = 5 and y = 3

  • x = -10 and y = 3

  • x = 4 and y = -6

Correct answer: x = 10 and y = 6

In order to solve this question, you start by eliminating one of the variables. To do this, you need to make one of the variables cancel out the other.

If you multiply the first equation by -3 you can eliminate x:

-3(x + 8 = 3y) = -3x – 24 = -9y.

Now, you can add the two equations:

(-3x – 24 = -9y) + (3x – 6 = 4y), which gives you:

-24 + 9y = 4y + 6; 9y = 4y + 30; 5y = 30; y = 6.

Substituting y = 6 into the original equation gives you:

x + 8 = 3(6).

Now, solve for x:

x + 8 = 18; x = 10.

Thus, x = 10 and y = 6.

6.

Identify the word that would best complete the following sentence. 

Because we have _______ orders for cupcakes, we will purchase less sugar and flour.

  • fewer

  • additional

  • added

  • supplementary

  • further

Because we have fewer orders for cupcakes, we will purchase less sugar and flour.

The key words in this sentence are “purchase less.” Those two words should inform you that they are baking less; thus, they have fewer orders. 

The other answer options all indicate that they should buy more sugar and flour, not less.

7.

Which of the following has the smallest value if t = 8?

  • (t – 3)(t – 1)

  • (t – 2)(t + 1)

  • (t – 1)(t – 2)

  • (t + 1)(t + 1)

  • (t + 2)(t – 2)

Correct answer: (t – 3)(t – 1)

This question is looking for the expression that has the smallest value when t = 8.

Thus, you can easily eliminate some of the options as they are adding, and you are looking for the smallest value, not the greatest. 

There are two options that are subtracting within both sets of parentheses:

(t – 3)(t – 1) and (t – 1)(t – 2).

Let’s solve (t – 3)(t – 1) first: (8 – 3)(8 – 1) = 5 × 7 = 35.

Now, let’s solve (t – 1)(t – 2): (8 – 1)(8 – 2) = 7 × 6 = 42.

The option with the smallest value is (t – 3)(t – 1).

8.

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Which of the following conjunctive adverbs would best introduce sentence 5?

  • Unfortunately

  • Next

  • In addition

  • First

  • Furthermore

Correct answer: Unfortunately

If you read sentence 5 in its entirety, you will find that it is no longer uncommon for businesses to partake in unethical business practices; thus, “unfortunately” would be the best conjunctive adverb to use.

“In addition” and “Furthermore” are used when providing additional information, and “First” and “Next” are used to represent items in a sequence.

9.

Read the passage then answer the following question.

The following passage, describing teaching, is an excerpt from “Education Articles” website (www.edarticle.com) and should be used to answer the question that follows.

Which of the following best describes the author’s tone?

  • Anxious

  • Enthusiastic

  • Excited

  • Delirious

  • Impartial

Correct answer: Anxious

The passage’s first paragraph informs the reader as to how the author is feeling by the following statements: “lump fills my throat” and “apprehensiveness”; thus, the author must be feeling anxious or nervous. The first paragraph also informs the reader that the author is “excited to teach writing again,” but it is quickly diminished by her statement “but at the same time apprehensiveness boggles my mind;” thus, you can eliminate excited, enthusiastic, and delirious.

10.

Read the sentence below. Then determine which of the answer choices is an error in diction, usage, idiom or grammar.

“A handsome and wealthy” man, William George “was” a spokesman “before” he retired as a millionaire “upon the winning” of the lottery.

  • was

  • A handsome and wealthy

  • before

  • upon the winning

  • No error

Correct answer: was

In this sentence, two past actions are mentioned: “was” and “before.” The first past action, “was,” should be indicated by past perfect tense and be replaced with “had been.” 

The answer choice, “A handsome and wealthy,” contains two adjectives as part of an appositive phrase modifying the subject, and is used appropriately. The answer choice “upon the winning” is idiomatically correct.

11.

Which list correctly shows the numbers listed below in order from least to greatest?

5.2, -2.3, 12/13, -2/5, 0.35

  • -2.3, -2/5, 0.35, 12/13, 5.2

  • -2.3, -2/5, 12/13, 0.35, 5.2

  • -2.3, -2/5, 0.35, 5.2, 12/13

  • -2/5, -2.3, 0.35, 12/13, 5.2

  • -2/5, -2.3, 12/13, 0.35, 5.2

Correct answer: -2.3, -2/5, 0.35, 12/13, 5.2

In order to place the numbers in order, it would be best to convert the fractions to decimals: 12/13 = 0.92 and -2/5 = -0.4.

Now, you can place the numbers in order, remembering that -0.4 is greater than -2.3: -2.3, -2/5, 0.35, 12/13, 5.2.

12.

Read the sentence below. Then choose the option that represents the best way to write the quoted portion of the sentence.

Cracked or damaged drinking glasses can be “hazardous they can” break and cause you to cut your hand or mouth.

  • hazardous. They can

  • hazardous they can

  • hazardous they could

  • hazardous, they can

  • hazardous, however they can

Correct answer: hazardous. They can

Cracked or damaged drinking glasses can be hazardous. They can break and cause you to cut your hand or mouth. The original sentence is a run-on and requires the two independent clauses to be split into two separate sentences.

13.

What is 294,501 rounded to the nearest thousand?

  • 295,000

  • 294,000

  • 294,500

  • 290,000

  • 300,000

Correct answer: 295,000

You can eliminate 294,500 as it is rounded to the nearest hundred. You can eliminate 290,000 as it is rounded to the nearest ten thousand. You can also eliminate 300,000 as it is rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. To round 294,501 to the nearest thousand, you must look at the digit in the hundreds place. The digit is a 5. If the digit is 5 or greater, round up.

Thus, you need to round the digit in the thousands place up from a 4 to a 5: 295,000.

14.

Read the passage then answer the following question.

The following passage, describing teaching, is an excerpt from “Education Articles” website (www.edarticle.com) and should be used to answer the question that follows.

From the passage, you can determine that the author is which of the following?

  • A teacher

  • A principal

  • A student

  • An administrator

  • A parent

Correct answer: A teacher

Sentence 5 informs the reader that the author of this passage is a fourth grade teacher. The passage also informs you that the author wishes that administration (“the top”) would do more; thus, the reader can infer that the author is not an administrator.

15.

Fifteen years ago, an average laptop cost $1,900. Today, the average laptop costs $760. By what percentage has the cost of the average laptop decreased?

  • 60%

  • 2.50%

  • 40%

  • 140%

  • 25%

Correct answer: 60%

In order to figure the percentage decrease, you will need to start by taking the difference between the two prices: $1,900 - $760 = $1,140.

Then, express it as a percentage of the original price: $1,140/$1,900 = n/100%; 1,900n = 114,000; n = 114,000/1,900, or 60%.

16.

Read the sentence below. Then choose the option that represents the best way to write the quoted portion of the sentence.

The mother’s plan is to send her son to “college if the college fund she started” is productive, there will be enough money to send him.

  • college. If the college fund she started

  • college if the college fund she started

  • college, if the college fund she started

  • college if the start for college funding

  • college; if the college she funded started

Correct answer: college. If the college fund she started

The mother’s plan is to send her son to college. If the college fund she started is productive, there will be enough money to send him. The sentence as written contains two independent clauses and requires you to break the sentence up into two sentences or use a semicolon. Since the option that uses a semicolon changes the meaning of the sentence (from “college fund she started” to “the college she funded”), you can eliminate it. Thus, the correct answer is the option that breaks up the sentences using a period.

17.

Read the passage then answer the following question.

The following passage, describing Japanese beetles, is an excerpt from Pestnet.com and should be used to answer the question that follows.

Which of the following best describes the function of the passage’s third sentence (“Originally native … hospitable climates.”)?

  • To inform the reader that Japanese beetles were accidentally introduced to America

  • To inform the reader that Japanese beetles are harmless to the climate

  • To indicate that the Japanese beetle will only survive in warm climates

  • To suggest that Japanese beetles are only found in Japan

  • To describe how Japanese beetles came to America

Correct answer: To inform the reader that Japanese beetles were accidentally introduced to America

The third sentence states “these beetles were unintentionally introduced to America;” thus, the reader can determine that they were accidentally introduced to America. 

The sentence states that the beetles thrive in warm climates, but it does not state that the beetles can only survive in warm climates. The sentence does not inform the reader on how the beetle came to America, only that it was done by accident. The sentence does not mention if the beetles are or are not harmless to the climate.

18.

Identify the word that would best complete the following sentence.

The man’s _______ of the mountain was completed in record time.

  • ascent

  • assent

  • expertise

  • remoteness

  • aloofness

The man’s ascent of the mountain was completed in record time.

From the information provided, you know that the man had to complete some type of action in record time; therefore, the only answer that could be true is ascent, which means to climb or scale. 

Assent means to give permission, expertise is knowledge, and remoteness and aloofness both indicate distance.

19.

Interest rates have increased by 19% over the past year. If last year’s interest rate was r, what is this year’s interest rate in terms of r?

  • 1.19r

  • 0.19r

  • 0.81r

  • 1.81r

  • 0.95r

Correct answer: 1.19r

Last year’s interest rate is equal to 100% of r.

This year’s price is 100% of r plus 19% of r.

Thus, (100% + 19%)r = r + 0.19r = 1.19r.

20.

Every 6 hours, 212 hotel rooms are booked. How many hotel rooms are booked in a 144-hour period?

  • 5,088 hotel rooms

  • 2,544 hotel rooms

  • 1,272 hotel rooms

  • 7,632 hotel rooms

  • 10,176 hotel rooms

Correct answer: 5,088 hotel rooms

In order to find out how many hotel rooms are booked in a 144-hour period, you will need to start by dividing:

144 ÷ 6 = 24.

Now you know how many 6-hour periods are in a 144-hour period, so all you need to do now is multiply to find the total number of hotel rooms booked:

24 × 212 = 5,088 hotel rooms.

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