PRACTICE TEST 1 EXPLANATIONS
Section 1: Reading
1. C The key to this question is the phrase the passage as a whole. Choice (A) describes the
purpose of a section of a passage, but it is too specific and does not describe the purpose of
the passage as a whole. Therefore, (A) is incorrect. Similarly, while the speakers briefly
discuss the Shrewsbury School, the discussion occupies very little space, and is not the
main point of the passage. Therefore, (B) is incorrect. Because the passage focuses on
Carton, it is accurate to say that its purpose is to reveal his character. Therefore, (C) is
correct. Because there is no evidence in the passage that Stryver has exploited Carton, (D)
cannot be correct.
2. B Because Stryver describes Carton as sound in the first paragraph, (A) is incorrect.
Mercurial means “subject to sudden changes.” Because Carton rapidly changes from
growling to laughing to crying, (B) accurately describes him. Carton’s luck is never
described as bad, so (C) is incorrect. Because there is no indication that Carton does not
notice the things occurring around him, (D) does not describe Carton. Choice (B) is the
correct answer.
3. A In the previous question, it is clear that Carton’s personality and emotional state are
somewhat easily changeable, so the correct answer for this question needs to reflect that
theme. The quote in line 10, Up one minute and down the next, accurately illustrates the
idea that Carton is mercurial; therefore, the answer must be (A). None of the other answer
choices are relevant.
4. D In the paragraph in question, in spirits describes Carton, and the paragraph says that carton
is up one minute and down the next. Because despondency means “depression,” spirits
must mean the opposite of depression, like happiness. Choices (A), (B), and (C) all mean
things other than happiness. Only jubilation is the opposite of despondency. Therefore, (D)
is correct.
5. A In the paragraph in question, Stryver calls Carton unmotivated and lame, so it is clear that
Stryver dislikes Carton’s behavior. Therefore, (A) is correct. Because Carton and Stryver
are friends, it is clear that the description should not be taken literally; Stryver does not
want to literally push Carton into the fireplace. Therefore, (B) is wrong. Similarly, the
phrase the old Sydney Carton has nothing to do with Carton’s actual age but rather is a term
of endearment. Thus, (C) is incorrect. Because Stryver and Carton are presented as school
friends, and there is no reason to believe Stryver ever bullied Sydney at school, (D) should
be eliminated.
6. A Two lines after the paragraph in question, Carton explicitly states that he does not find Miss
Manette pretty. Because incredulity means “disbelief,” (A) is a good description of
Carton’s attitude and the correct answer. Because Carton says that she is not attractive and
