New York City SHSAT 2017

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1
composed of “almost pure calcium carbonate.”

D
Paragraph 2 outlines the relationship between the coral and the algae. The animals are described as “partners” that “coexist
in a mutually beneficial relationship” (lines 16–17). “Cooperative” (D) is the choice that best summarizes this subsea
partnership.

23.


F


Paragraph 3 discusses the issue that scientists find “puzzling.” Lines 27–28 indicate that scientists find the “transformation of
coral reefs into islands” a mystery. Choice (F) summarizes the issue. Wrong choice (J) is a distortion—the passage talks
about islands, not “great land masses.”

24.


D


Where is volcanic activity mentioned? The last few lines of the passage discuss volcanic activity as one possible way in
which reefs are transformed into islands. Specifically, we’re told that reefs are transformed into “atolls, or ring-shaped reef
islands” (lines 41–42), making (D) the correct answer.

25.


J


The passage states that the popular perception of coral islands “is not always entirely justified...from sea level”—that is, on
the surface. “Beneath the waves,” however, coral islands are “fantastic and very beautiful” (lines 6–7). (F)’s “totally
inaccurate” is too sweeping. Nothing in paragraph 3 suggests that (G)’s “fringing reefs” are aesthetically displeasing. (H)
distorts the last sentence of paragraph 2; the author never suggests that divers are waging a disinformation campaign about
coral islands. As for (J), nothing here suggests that scientists are trying to dispel the romantic image of coral islands.

26.


E


Passage II is a social sciences passage about immigration into the United States. Paragraph 1 introduces the topic, focusing on
a period of massive immigration between 1880 and 1910. Paragraph 2 tells us that there were two main aid organizations
helping these immigrants assimilate to the United States. Paragraph 3 describes the approach of the Daughters of the
American Revolution—encouraging immigrants to adapt to mainstream U.S. culture. Paragraph 4 portrays the contrasting
approach of “settlement houses”—providing vital services and promoting a respect for the immigrants’ original cultures.

The passage starts off talking about immigration around the turn of the century. But in paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, the author gets
even more specific, highlighting the contrasting efforts of two immigrant aid organizations. Choice (E) fits the focus best.
Choices (A) and (D) are too broad—the passage isn’t just about immigration in general—it’s about a specific period and two
specific ideas about assimilating immigrants. (B) only relates to paragraph 4. (C) is wrong because the passage doesn’t
recommend one way of assimilating immigrants—it just describes two concepts that occurred in the past.

27.


H


Paragraph 1 states that “few immigrants of this period found life in America easy,” because they “lived in slum conditions”
(F), were “exploited by their employers” (G), and “trapped at poverty level” (J). And paragraph 3 implies that groups like

28.

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