The SAT Gauntlet: Questions,
Answers, and Expert Rationales
SECTION 1: READING (Questions 1-5)
Passage 1: Literature
This passage is adapted from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813). In this scene, Mr. Collins,
a pompous clergyman, visits the Bennet family.
Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by
education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an
illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely
kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in
which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it
was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and
the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had
recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and
the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling
with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector,
made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.
1. The passage primarily serves to
(A) describe a character's background and disposition
(B) narrate a specific event in the character's life
, (C) argue against the character's religious views
(D) compare the character to his father
2. As used in line 6, "subjected" most nearly means
(A) exposed
(B) subjugated
(C) suggested
(D) influenced
3. The author’s attitude toward Mr. Collins can best be described as
(A) sympathetic
(B) admiring
(C) mocking
(D) neutral
4. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
(A) Lines 1-2 ("Mr. Collins...society")
(B) Lines 6-8 ("but it...prosperity")
(C) Lines 10-12 ("and the respect...rector")
(D) Lines 12-13 ("made him...humility")
5. The description of Mr. Collins as a "mixture of pride and obsequiousness" (line 13) serves
primarily to
(A) illustrate a contradiction in his personality
(B) highlight his confusion regarding his social status
(C) suggest he is a complex and deep thinker
, (D) praise his ability to adapt to different social situations
SECTION 2: WRITING & LANGUAGE (Questions 6-11)
Passage 2: History/Social Science
The following passage is about the development of the modern library.
The modern library is a far cry from its ancient predecessors. The Library of Alexandria, [6] for
example, was a monumental repository of scrolls, but its purpose was primarily preservation.
[7] The library as a public institution for community learning and engagement is a relatively
recent invention. The advent of the printing press in the 15th century was a watershed moment,
democratizing knowledge and making books more accessible. However, it wasn't until the 19th
century that the idea of a tax-supported, free public library gained widespread traction in the
United States, [8] even though they were championed by figures like Andrew Carnegie.
The digital age has presented libraries with both a challenge and an opportunity. As information
becomes increasingly available online, the role of the physical library has shifted. [9] To remain
relevant, many libraries have reinvented themselves as community hubs, offering not just
books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy. [10] This evolution
ensures that libraries will continue to serve as essential pillars of an informed society, [11] not
redundant.
6.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) for instance,
(C) such as,
(D) consequently,
, 7. Which choice most effectively sets up the information that follows in the paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The library as a concept has existed for millennia.
(C) The library's evolution is a reflection of societal changes.
(D) The primary function of a library has always been to lend books.
8.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) despite being
(C) but they were
(D) and they were
9.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) To remain relevant, many libraries have been reinventing themselves as community hubs,
offering not just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
(C) To remain relevant, many libraries are reinventing themselves as community hubs, offering
not just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
(D) To remain relevant, many libraries reinvent themselves as community hubs, offering not
just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
10. At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:
"For example, the public library in Chattanooga, Tennessee, now features a '4th Floor'
makerspace with a wide array of high-tech equipment."
Should the writer add this sentence here?
(A) Yes, because it provides a specific example to support the previous claim.
(B) Yes, because it introduces a new argument about technology.
Answers, and Expert Rationales
SECTION 1: READING (Questions 1-5)
Passage 1: Literature
This passage is adapted from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813). In this scene, Mr. Collins,
a pompous clergyman, visits the Bennet family.
Mr. Collins was not a sensible man, and the deficiency of nature had been but little assisted by
education or society; the greatest part of his life having been spent under the guidance of an
illiterate and miserly father; and though he belonged to one of the universities, he had merely
kept the necessary terms, without forming at it any useful acquaintance. The subjection in
which his father had brought him up had given him originally great humility of manner; but it
was now a good deal counteracted by the self-conceit of a weak head, living in retirement, and
the consequential feelings of early and unexpected prosperity. A fortunate chance had
recommended him to Lady Catherine de Bourgh when the living of Hunsford was vacant; and
the respect which he felt for her high rank, and his veneration for her as his patroness, mingling
with a very good opinion of himself, of his authority as a clergyman, and his right as a rector,
made him altogether a mixture of pride and obsequiousness, self-importance and humility.
1. The passage primarily serves to
(A) describe a character's background and disposition
(B) narrate a specific event in the character's life
, (C) argue against the character's religious views
(D) compare the character to his father
2. As used in line 6, "subjected" most nearly means
(A) exposed
(B) subjugated
(C) suggested
(D) influenced
3. The author’s attitude toward Mr. Collins can best be described as
(A) sympathetic
(B) admiring
(C) mocking
(D) neutral
4. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
(A) Lines 1-2 ("Mr. Collins...society")
(B) Lines 6-8 ("but it...prosperity")
(C) Lines 10-12 ("and the respect...rector")
(D) Lines 12-13 ("made him...humility")
5. The description of Mr. Collins as a "mixture of pride and obsequiousness" (line 13) serves
primarily to
(A) illustrate a contradiction in his personality
(B) highlight his confusion regarding his social status
(C) suggest he is a complex and deep thinker
, (D) praise his ability to adapt to different social situations
SECTION 2: WRITING & LANGUAGE (Questions 6-11)
Passage 2: History/Social Science
The following passage is about the development of the modern library.
The modern library is a far cry from its ancient predecessors. The Library of Alexandria, [6] for
example, was a monumental repository of scrolls, but its purpose was primarily preservation.
[7] The library as a public institution for community learning and engagement is a relatively
recent invention. The advent of the printing press in the 15th century was a watershed moment,
democratizing knowledge and making books more accessible. However, it wasn't until the 19th
century that the idea of a tax-supported, free public library gained widespread traction in the
United States, [8] even though they were championed by figures like Andrew Carnegie.
The digital age has presented libraries with both a challenge and an opportunity. As information
becomes increasingly available online, the role of the physical library has shifted. [9] To remain
relevant, many libraries have reinvented themselves as community hubs, offering not just
books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy. [10] This evolution
ensures that libraries will continue to serve as essential pillars of an informed society, [11] not
redundant.
6.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) for instance,
(C) such as,
(D) consequently,
, 7. Which choice most effectively sets up the information that follows in the paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The library as a concept has existed for millennia.
(C) The library's evolution is a reflection of societal changes.
(D) The primary function of a library has always been to lend books.
8.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) despite being
(C) but they were
(D) and they were
9.
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) To remain relevant, many libraries have been reinventing themselves as community hubs,
offering not just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
(C) To remain relevant, many libraries are reinventing themselves as community hubs, offering
not just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
(D) To remain relevant, many libraries reinvent themselves as community hubs, offering not
just books, but also 3D printers, recording studios, and classes on digital literacy.
10. At this point, the writer is considering adding the following sentence:
"For example, the public library in Chattanooga, Tennessee, now features a '4th Floor'
makerspace with a wide array of high-tech equipment."
Should the writer add this sentence here?
(A) Yes, because it provides a specific example to support the previous claim.
(B) Yes, because it introduces a new argument about technology.
