section one

PSAT
Practice Test 1

5. D Category: Two-Blank
Difficulty: Medium
Strategic Advice: Comparative expressions give you a clue that the words in the
blanks will contrast with each other.
Getting to the Answer: Since the sentence begins with the word though, the two
blanks will have contrasting meanings. The only two words that directly contrast
are
conservative and progressive, choice (D).
(A) While at first glance they may seem to fit, unwavering and contemporary are
not opposite in meaning, and cannot be correct.
(B) Gratuitous, or unnecessary, does not directly contrast with humble, and does
not make sense in the context of the first blank ( gratuitous beliefs).
(C) Audacious, or bold, is not the opposite of domestic.
(E) Staunch and derisive do not contrast with each other.
gratuitous: unnecessary or unwarranted; unearned
audacious: recklessly daring; bold
staunch: steadfast; true
derisive: jeering; mocking
6. D Category: One-Blank
Difficulty: Medium
Strategic Advice: When a question revolves almost entirely around vocabulary,
make a prediction and then eliminate choices that you know have a different
meaning.
Getting to the Answer: To avoid libel, the editor would have to make sure that
the periodical did not contain any material falsely defaming anyone s reputation
or character. To accomplish this, the editor would need to edit aggressively, ve
ry
similar to (D).
(A) Duplicating the periodical would not remove the possibility of libel.
(B) To befriend a periodical makes no sense.
(C) A periodical cannot be offended.
(E) Informing the periodical would not help it obey libel laws.
expurgate: to remove objectionable material
7. E Category: One-Blank
Difficulty: High
Strategic Advice: Making a prediction before you view the choices will help you
overcome difficult vocabulary. Remember, you can always use elimination if you re
stumped.
Getting to the Answer: If the works of Plato and Socrates aid in the clarificatio
n
of those of Salt and Shelley, they help to predict some part of the later works.
Predict is a synonym for presage, (E).
(A) If the works of Plato and Socrates aid in the clarification of the later works
,
they would not debunk, or discredit, them as well.
(B) Neutralizing works would not make them easier to understand.
(C) To flummox, or to confuse, is the opposite of clarify.
(D) Rescinding, or taking back, the works of Shelley and Salt makes no sense in
context.
flummox: to perplex; confuse
rescind: to repeal or annul; make void