The SAT
®
Practice
Test 8
#
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
These answer explanations are for students taking the
digital SAT in nondigital format.
© 2025 College Board. College Board, SAT, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of College Board.
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
Reading and Writing
Module 1
(33 questions)
QUESTION 1
Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of Juarez. In this context, “important” means marked by significant
work or consequence. The text indicates that Juarez, who was the first president
of Mexico from an Indigenous community, became a certain kind of figure in
Mexico’s history. It then supports that claim by describing some of the “many
significant accomplishments” from Juarez’s long tenure in office. This context
conveys that Juarez is a significant and consequential figure in Mexico’s history.
Choice A is incorrect because the text focuses on Juarez’s role as the first
president of Mexico from an Indigenous community and on his many major
accomplishments during his lengthy time in office; nothing in the text suggests
that Juarez was “unpredictable,” or tended to behave in ways that couldn’t be
predicted. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Juarez
was a particularly “secretive” figure, or that he tended to keep things private or
hidden from others. Instead, the text focuses on things that are known about
Juarez: that he was the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous community,
that he had a lengthy tenure, and that his many major accomplishments included
consolidating the national government’s authority and advancing Indigenous
rights. Choice D is incorrect because the text focuses on the idea that Juarez,
who was the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous community, had many
major accomplishments during his lengthy time in office. Rather than suggesting
that Juarez was an “ordinary,” or common and typical, figure in Mexico’s history,
this context conveys that Juarez was instead a notable figure.
QUESTION 2
Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of the research that Lopes-Ferreira and her colleagues are conducting
on the stingray species Potamotrygon rex. As used in this context, “a substantial”
effect means an effect that is sizable or noteworthy. The text indicates that the
2 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
researchers are seeking to determine whether there are “considerable variations”
in the potency of stingray venom that are associated with variation in the
stingrays’ age and sex. This context suggests that the researchers want to find
out whether stingray age and sex have a substantial effect on venom toxicity.
Choice A is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text that suggests that the
researchers have been studying whether the stingrays’ age and sex have “a
disconcerting,” or an unsettling and disturbing, effect on the stingrays’ venom.
The text indicates that the researchers wish to determine if stingray age and sex
cause large variations in the toxicity of stingray venom, not if the effect of age and
sex is disconcerting. Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that
researchers want to find out whether differences in stingray age and sex produce
differences in stingray venom, not that the researchers want to find out whether
age and sex have “an acceptable,” or a satisfactory, effect on venom. The text
makes no mention of what would make an effect on venom toxicity acceptable
and gives no indication that the researchers are interested in that question.
Choice C is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context for the
researchers to be looking for “an imperceptible,” or an unnoticeable, effect of age
and sex on stingray venom. The text says that the researchers are trying to
determine if there are “considerable variations” in venom toxicity linked to age and
sex, not that the researchers are trying to find effects that they can’t perceive.
QUESTION 3
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of how kelp forests help marine animals. In this context, “tranquil”
means free from disturbance, or calm. The text indicates that ocean currents are
powerful and make it difficult for marine animals to hide from predators and that
kelp forests slow currents down to create calmer areas. In other words, kelp
forests create a more tranquil environment.
Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that kelp forests provide shelter
for marine animals, meaning they create environments that are safer, not more
“dangerous.” Choice C is incorrect because the text discusses how kelp forests
affect currents in the ocean, and it isn’t clear how an ocean environment could be
“imaginative,” or full of imagination. Choice D is incorrect because the text
indicates that kelp forests create a calm and safe environment, and an
environment that is “surprising” would be characterized by unexpected
occurrences, not calmness.
QUESTION 4
Choice C is the best answer because it logically and precisely completes the
text’s discussion of The Mule Bone, a play that Zora Neale Hurston and Langston
Hughes wrote together. In this context, “collaboration” means working together
with someone to write a literary work. The text indicates that most writers prefer
to work alone and that working together destroyed the friendship between
Hurston and Hughes. This establishes that The Mule Bone is a relatively rare
example of collaboration in literature.
3 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, “characterization” would mean a
literary work’s portrayal of characters’ psychological experiences and
motivations, but the text doesn’t discuss characterization in The Mule Bone
specifically or in collaborative works more generally. Choice B is incorrect
because in this context, “interpretation” would mean the explanation of a literary
work’s meaning or significance, but the text doesn’t discuss how readers or critics
have interpreted The Mule Bone; instead, the text discusses how the play was
written collaboratively and how the writing process affected the two authors.
Choice D is incorrect because in this context, “commercialization” would mean
writing a literary work in such a way as to ensure its commercial appeal, but the
text never discusses commercial appeal as a factor in the writing of The Mule
Bone specifically or the writing of collaborative works more generally.
QUESTION 5
Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of how Ofelia Zepeda has contributed to the field of linguistics. As
used in this context, “extensive” means having a wide or considerable extent. The
text indicates that Zepeda’s many accomplishments in linguistics are varied,
including teaching linguistics, writing poetry in more than one language, creating
a grammar book, and co-founding a language institute. This context supports the
idea that Zepeda’s contributions to the field are extensive.
Choice A is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s accomplishments
as examples to support the claim made in the first part of the sentence. It wouldn’t
make sense to say that achievements as a professor, poet and author, and
co-founder of a language institute demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions in her
field are “pragmatic,” or related to practical matters and not involving intellectual
or artistic matters. Choice B is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s
accomplishments as a professor, poet and author, and co-founder of a language
institute as examples to support the claim made in the first part of the sentence.
There’s no reason to believe that the positive achievements listed demonstrate
that Zepeda’s contributions in her field are “controversial,” or have caused
disputes and opposing viewpoints. Choice D is incorrect because in this context,
“universal” would mean including or covering everything in a group. The sentence
presents Zepeda’s accomplishments as examples to support the claim made in
the first part of the sentence, and it wouldn’t make sense to say that these
specific achievements—particularly as the author of a grammar book specific to
the Tohono O’odham language—demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions relate
to everything in the field of linguistics.
QUESTION 6
Choice C is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main
purpose of the text. The text states that archaeologists recently discovered a
well-preserved food shop, or thermopolium, in Pompeii, Italy. The text then further
describes the contents of the discovery and provides an example of what was
found. Thus, the overall purpose of the text is to present a recent archaeological
discovery.
4 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
®
Practice
Test 8
#
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
These answer explanations are for students taking the
digital SAT in nondigital format.
© 2025 College Board. College Board, SAT, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of College Board.
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
Reading and Writing
Module 1
(33 questions)
QUESTION 1
Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of Juarez. In this context, “important” means marked by significant
work or consequence. The text indicates that Juarez, who was the first president
of Mexico from an Indigenous community, became a certain kind of figure in
Mexico’s history. It then supports that claim by describing some of the “many
significant accomplishments” from Juarez’s long tenure in office. This context
conveys that Juarez is a significant and consequential figure in Mexico’s history.
Choice A is incorrect because the text focuses on Juarez’s role as the first
president of Mexico from an Indigenous community and on his many major
accomplishments during his lengthy time in office; nothing in the text suggests
that Juarez was “unpredictable,” or tended to behave in ways that couldn’t be
predicted. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Juarez
was a particularly “secretive” figure, or that he tended to keep things private or
hidden from others. Instead, the text focuses on things that are known about
Juarez: that he was the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous community,
that he had a lengthy tenure, and that his many major accomplishments included
consolidating the national government’s authority and advancing Indigenous
rights. Choice D is incorrect because the text focuses on the idea that Juarez,
who was the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous community, had many
major accomplishments during his lengthy time in office. Rather than suggesting
that Juarez was an “ordinary,” or common and typical, figure in Mexico’s history,
this context conveys that Juarez was instead a notable figure.
QUESTION 2
Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of the research that Lopes-Ferreira and her colleagues are conducting
on the stingray species Potamotrygon rex. As used in this context, “a substantial”
effect means an effect that is sizable or noteworthy. The text indicates that the
2 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
researchers are seeking to determine whether there are “considerable variations”
in the potency of stingray venom that are associated with variation in the
stingrays’ age and sex. This context suggests that the researchers want to find
out whether stingray age and sex have a substantial effect on venom toxicity.
Choice A is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text that suggests that the
researchers have been studying whether the stingrays’ age and sex have “a
disconcerting,” or an unsettling and disturbing, effect on the stingrays’ venom.
The text indicates that the researchers wish to determine if stingray age and sex
cause large variations in the toxicity of stingray venom, not if the effect of age and
sex is disconcerting. Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that
researchers want to find out whether differences in stingray age and sex produce
differences in stingray venom, not that the researchers want to find out whether
age and sex have “an acceptable,” or a satisfactory, effect on venom. The text
makes no mention of what would make an effect on venom toxicity acceptable
and gives no indication that the researchers are interested in that question.
Choice C is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context for the
researchers to be looking for “an imperceptible,” or an unnoticeable, effect of age
and sex on stingray venom. The text says that the researchers are trying to
determine if there are “considerable variations” in venom toxicity linked to age and
sex, not that the researchers are trying to find effects that they can’t perceive.
QUESTION 3
Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of how kelp forests help marine animals. In this context, “tranquil”
means free from disturbance, or calm. The text indicates that ocean currents are
powerful and make it difficult for marine animals to hide from predators and that
kelp forests slow currents down to create calmer areas. In other words, kelp
forests create a more tranquil environment.
Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that kelp forests provide shelter
for marine animals, meaning they create environments that are safer, not more
“dangerous.” Choice C is incorrect because the text discusses how kelp forests
affect currents in the ocean, and it isn’t clear how an ocean environment could be
“imaginative,” or full of imagination. Choice D is incorrect because the text
indicates that kelp forests create a calm and safe environment, and an
environment that is “surprising” would be characterized by unexpected
occurrences, not calmness.
QUESTION 4
Choice C is the best answer because it logically and precisely completes the
text’s discussion of The Mule Bone, a play that Zora Neale Hurston and Langston
Hughes wrote together. In this context, “collaboration” means working together
with someone to write a literary work. The text indicates that most writers prefer
to work alone and that working together destroyed the friendship between
Hurston and Hughes. This establishes that The Mule Bone is a relatively rare
example of collaboration in literature.
3 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
, SAT ANSWER EXPLANATIONS n READING AND WRITING: MODULE 1
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, “characterization” would mean a
literary work’s portrayal of characters’ psychological experiences and
motivations, but the text doesn’t discuss characterization in The Mule Bone
specifically or in collaborative works more generally. Choice B is incorrect
because in this context, “interpretation” would mean the explanation of a literary
work’s meaning or significance, but the text doesn’t discuss how readers or critics
have interpreted The Mule Bone; instead, the text discusses how the play was
written collaboratively and how the writing process affected the two authors.
Choice D is incorrect because in this context, “commercialization” would mean
writing a literary work in such a way as to ensure its commercial appeal, but the
text never discusses commercial appeal as a factor in the writing of The Mule
Bone specifically or the writing of collaborative works more generally.
QUESTION 5
Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of how Ofelia Zepeda has contributed to the field of linguistics. As
used in this context, “extensive” means having a wide or considerable extent. The
text indicates that Zepeda’s many accomplishments in linguistics are varied,
including teaching linguistics, writing poetry in more than one language, creating
a grammar book, and co-founding a language institute. This context supports the
idea that Zepeda’s contributions to the field are extensive.
Choice A is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s accomplishments
as examples to support the claim made in the first part of the sentence. It wouldn’t
make sense to say that achievements as a professor, poet and author, and
co-founder of a language institute demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions in her
field are “pragmatic,” or related to practical matters and not involving intellectual
or artistic matters. Choice B is incorrect because the sentence presents Zepeda’s
accomplishments as a professor, poet and author, and co-founder of a language
institute as examples to support the claim made in the first part of the sentence.
There’s no reason to believe that the positive achievements listed demonstrate
that Zepeda’s contributions in her field are “controversial,” or have caused
disputes and opposing viewpoints. Choice D is incorrect because in this context,
“universal” would mean including or covering everything in a group. The sentence
presents Zepeda’s accomplishments as examples to support the claim made in
the first part of the sentence, and it wouldn’t make sense to say that these
specific achievements—particularly as the author of a grammar book specific to
the Tohono O’odham language—demonstrate that Zepeda’s contributions relate
to everything in the field of linguistics.
QUESTION 6
Choice C is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main
purpose of the text. The text states that archaeologists recently discovered a
well-preserved food shop, or thermopolium, in Pompeii, Italy. The text then further
describes the contents of the discovery and provides an example of what was
found. Thus, the overall purpose of the text is to present a recent archaeological
discovery.
4 SAT PRACTICE TEST #8 ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
