Sat 2015 Practice Test #1 Answer Explanations

Choice C is the best answer
because the colon signals that the other 
factor that contributed to the early thaw is about to be provided. 
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a sentence that deviates 
from grammatical standards: a semicolon should be used to separate 
two independent clauses, but in choice A the second clause only has 
a subject, not a verb. Choice B is incorrect because it is unnecessarily 
wordy. Choice D is incorrect because “being” is unnecessary and 
creates an incoherent clause. 
QUESTION 17 
Choice C is the best answer
because it provides the correct 
preposition (“of”) and relative pronoun (“which”) that together create a 
dependent clause following the comma. 
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because each results in a comma 
splice. Two independent clauses cannot be joined with only a comma. 
QUESTION 18 
Choice A is the best answer
because the verb tense is consistent with 
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and “drifted.” 
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because each utilizes a verb tense 
that is not consistent with the preceding past tense verbs in the 
sentence. 
QUESTION 19 
Choice D is the best answer
because “their” is the possessive form of 
a plural noun. In this case, the noun is plural: “snow and ice.” 
Choices A and B are incorrect because the possessive pronoun must 
refer to a plural noun, “snow and ice,” rather than a singular noun. 
Choice C is incorrect because “there” would result in an incoherent 
sentence. 
QUESTION 20 
Choice D is the best answer.
The preceding sentences in the paragraph 
have established that a darker surface of soot-covered snow leads to 
more melting because this darker surface absorbs heat, whereas a 
ZKLWHUVXUIDFHIUHHRIVRRWZRXOGGHưHFWKHDW$VWKHSDVVDJHSRLQWV
RXWH[SRVHGODQGDQGZDWHUDUHDOVRGDUNDQGFDQQRWGHưHFWKHDWWKH
ZD\LFHDQGVQRZFDQ2QO\FKRLFH'UHưHFWVWKHVHOIUHLQIRUFLQJF\FOH
that the preceding sentences already imply. 

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Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the information each 
provides fails to support the previous claim that the “result” of the soot 
“is a self-reinforcing cycle.” 
QUESTION 21