
SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
n
READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
3 SAT PRACTICE TEST #3 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
QUESTION 2
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of Nuttall’s 1886 research paper. In this context, “acknowledged”
means recognized as having a certain status. The text indicates that other
researchers recognized Nuttall’s work as groundbreaking because of its
“convincing demonstration” related to the age of the ancient sculptures. In other
words, the researchers recognized the groundbreaking status of Nuttall’s work.
Choice B is incorrect because in this context, “ensured” would mean to have
guaranteed or made sure something was the case. The text states that other
researchers gave Nuttall’s work recognition after it was published, but there’s
no indication that they contributed to the work or had any involvement that
would have allowed them to make sure the work would be groundbreaking.
Choice C is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that other researchers
“denied,” or refused to admit or accept, that Nuttall’s work was groundbreaking;
on the contrary, it indicates that researchers praised the work, recognizing it
as groundbreaking due to its “convincing demonstration” related to the age of
the ancient sculptures. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest
that other researchers “underestimated,” or undervalued, Nuttall’s work; on
the contrary, it indicates that researchers praised the work, recognizing it as
groundbreaking due to its “convincing demonstration” related to the age of the
ancient sculptures.
QUESTION 3
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of self-government among the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. In this
context, “implement” means to carry out or put into effect. The text states that
the National Council generates laws, while the principal chief and cabinet officials
are responsible for “devising policies and administering services in accordance
with” those laws. This context suggests that the principal chief and cabinet
officials implement the laws: they put the laws into effect by creating policies and
administering services that accord with those laws.
Choice B is incorrect because “presume” in this context would mean to assume
based on incomplete information, and the text does not suggest that the principal
chief and cabinet officials either made assumptions about the content of the laws
or had incomplete information about them. Choice C is incorrect because in this
context “improvise” would mean to create something without preparation, and the
text does not suggest that the principal chief and cabinet officials create policies
and administer services without advance preparation. Choice D is incorrect
because nothing in the text suggests that the principal chief and cabinet officials
“mimic,” or imitate, the laws generated by the National Council. To mimic laws
would mean to generate new laws that are imitations of existing laws, but the text
indicates that the National Council, not the principal chief and cabinet officials,
is responsible for generating laws. Instead of generating laws, the principal chief
and cabinet officials put laws into effect by “devising policies and administering
services in accordance with” the laws.
n