Answer Key 6: The Toughest Sentences
234 MCGRAW-HILL’S SAT
Concept Review 6
- Complicated or ambiguous logical structure.
- Abstract nouns are nouns that represent ideas,
quantities, or qualities; that is, they represent
things that cannot be directly perceived. - The lack (abstract noun) of interest (abstract noun)
among the voters (concrete noun) ensured that the
referendum (abstract noun) about the new play-
ground (concrete noun) could sneak through, even
though it contained some objectionable clauses (ab-
stract noun). - It is common to find people who believe in ghosts.
- The council blocked every motion.
6. Despite the easeof the climb, the explorers were
beginning to believe that the trek would soon be-
cometreacherous.(or some similar words)
Despite the arduousnessof the climb, the explor-
ers were beginning to believe that the trek would
soon become easier.(or some similar words)
7. Far from being passiveon the issue of gun control,
Will has pontificatedon the issue for many years.
(or some similar words)
Far from being consistenton the issue of gun con-
trol, Will has equivocatedon the issue for many
years. (or some similar words)
SAT Practice 6
- A What would follow a hasty evacuationof a
country’s troops? A feeling of being overwhelmed
and defeated, most likely. This feeling of weak-
ness,we are told, is just as exaggeratedas the sense
of power just prior to the withdrawal.
inviolability=invincibility;erratic=irregular;hyste-
ria=irrational and exaggerated emotion; omnipo-
tence=supreme power; arbitrary=based on whim
and random power; resolution=determination - C If their detractors(critics) believe that they
onlyrehash old and discredited theories,then they
are suggesting that they do not really speak out for
change.
admonish=reprimand;censor=eliminate objec-
tionable material; advocate=speak in favor of;
caricature=exaggerate comically; hinder=get in
the way of - B If his associates did not continue to support
him, they must have abandonedhim. If he har-
boredanimosityfor them, he must have criticized
them.
disparaged= criticized harshly; endorsement=
show of support; excoriated=criticized harshly;
exonerated=proved innocent; denunciation=con-
demnation;extolled=praised highly; venerated=
honored - C Despiteindicates contrast. Gregariousnessis
sociability. Its opposite is solitude, reclusiveness,
orprivacy. - D Ifpublic censureis like death,politicians must
not like it. They must never openly adopta widely
unpopular opinion.
conform=do what is expected; espouse=adopt
publicly;manipulate=take control of- A Cogencyispersuasivenessandanimationis
liveliness.Tobelieis to misrepresent,so he must
nothave a reputation for being lively and persua-
sive, so people must think he’s dull.
tepid = dull, lukewarm; incisive = keen and
thoughtful; versatile = well-rounded; fluent =
smooth, flowing - E The first word must mean something like re-
duction to its essence,and the second word must
mean something like essence.
barrenness=starkness;capriciousness=whimsy,
randomness;digressiveness=tendency to go off
topic; precariousness = danger; conciseness =
brevity;poignancy=sharpness of feeling - C If they resistit, then they want to prevent its
effects on him, or at least minimizeits effects on
them.
initiate=begin;distort=twist;palliate=make less
severe;enhance=make better - B Despiteindicates irony. If there is literature de-
bunking the theory of ESP,it would be ironic if the
publicfailed to developa critical and rational
awareness of the subject. What would make it
even more ironic is if the literature were plentiful.
vivid=full of vibrant imagery; pervade=fill com-
pletely;voluminous=plentiful;elude=escape cap-
ture or understanding; provocative=tending to
elicit strong reactions; captivate=capture;am-
biguous=unclear;perplex=confuse;incompre-
hensible=beyond understanding