2016SHSAT_English

Sample Test – verbalExplanations of Correct Answers AForm28. (J) The third paragraph describes a technique forseparating a food into its basic chemical constituents.Option J best summarizes the goal of this research.Options F, H, and K are not mentioned. Option G isincorrect because the researchers are developing artificialflavors, not artificial foods.29. (B) Lines 65-67 state that some flavors, includingstrawberry, are nearly impossible to duplicate. Thepassage says that chocolate flavor cannot be duplicatedbecause of its complexity. It is reasonable to infer thatstrawberry, like chocolate, is also more complex thanother natural flavors. Option B restates this inference.Options A and D may be true, but they do not answerthe question. Option C is unlikely, given that the use ofa gas chromatograph to duplicate flavors seems to be astandard procedure. Option E is contradicted by lines20-22.30. (H) The collection of aromas during food preparationis described in the third paragraph. For this kind of question,be sure to read every option to identify the one bestsupported by the passage. Option F is ruled out; odorlessfoods by definition do not have aromas. Options G and Jmight or might not be true, but the information in the passagedoes not support them one way or the other. OptionK cannot be concluded from the process as it is described.Option H is best. The odor of food as it is being preparedcan be captured to synthesize the food’s flavor.31. (D) Orange soda is mentioned in lines 54-58, followinga statement that some American consumers prefersynthetic flavors to natural flavors. Orange soda is mentionedas an example of this assertion, which is OptionD. Orange is a natural flavor, ruling out Option A, and ithas been successfully reproduced (lines 20-22), ruling outOption B. Orange soda is mentioned to compare naturaland artificial flavors, not to describe how orange flavoris reproduced, eliminating Option C. Option E does notanswer the question.32. (K) Some flavorists are concerned (“worry”) thatnatural flavorings will become scarce because many consumersprefer synthetic flavors (lines 58-62). Option Kexpresses this concern. Artificial flavors are less expensiveto produce than natural flavors (lines 60-62), contradictingOption F. Options G and H are not mentioned.Option J is contradicted by lines 63-64.Cassatt33. (D) The correct answer must encompass the mainpoints without being overly broad. Options A and B aredetails, not the main theme. Option E is too broad. Thepassage focuses on only one impressionist painter, MaryCassatt. Option C looks attractive, and while Cassatt isdepicted as an independent and confident woman, whichmight be considered traits of a feminist, that term is notused in the passage and requires an inference that is notsupported by the passage. Option D is best. The phrase“development as an artist” includes Cassatt’s background,education, artistic style, subject matter, and influence onthe art world.34. (G) The answer to this question is found directly inthe reading passage (lines 14-15). “Stifled” in this sensemeans repressed or held back. Option G restates thisidea. Option F is not true, and Option H does not explainwhy she left her studies. Cassatt had not yet decided tostudy with French Impressionists (Option J), so that cannotbe the reason. Option K is not mentioned.35. (C) The mother-child theme in Cassatt’s work is discussedin lines 45-48. It was first suggested by EdgarDegas, a fellow artist, which is Option C. The otheroptions are not mentioned in the passage.36. (G) The question asks for a description of Cassattbefore 1865. In 1865, she left the Pennsylvania Academyof Fine Arts to study in Europe. Option F cannot be correct;she was never interested in fashion and social standing.Options H, J, and K are descriptive of dates muchlater than 1865. Option G, “an independent thinker,” bestdescribes the young woman who left the social world ofthe upper classes and returned to Europe against herfather’s wishes.37. (E) This question requires you to read all of theoptions and choose the best one. Option A was true ofall impressionists, not just Cassatt. The passage providesno evidence that her friendship with Degas made herunusual (Option B). Option C is not true; by joining theimpressionists (called “outsiders” in line 24), she left, notremained in, the artistic mainstream of her day. Option Dis true of many artists, so it is not what made Cassattunusual. Option E is best. Lines 55-57 state, “As awoman and as an American, Cassatt stood virtually aloneamong the impressionist painters.” In other words, shewas unusual as a female American impressionist painter.61