Scoring Your Paper SAT Practice Test #2 – Answer Explanation

1) Solve x² - 12x + 20 = 0

2) If 5x + 6 = 3x − 2, what is the value of x?

3) Evaluate 3.5 + 2.8 - 1.75

4) A person saves $60 per week. How much do they save in 9 weeks?

5) Solve for x in the equation 3x + 5 = 2x − 7.

6) Two numbers are in the ratio 2:5. If the smaller number is 18, what is the larger number?

7) If 2x + y = 5 and x − y = 1, what is the solution for x and y?

8) The ratio of the sides of a triangle is 6:8:10. If the perimeter is 48 cm, what is the length of the shortest side?

9) What is 0.45 × 0.06?

10) What is 6.75 - 2.45?

11) Simplify 3/5 ÷ 4/7

12) The following data set shows the ages of participants in a workshop: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60. What is the interquartile range (IQR)?

13) The following table shows the monthly rainfall (in mm) for 6 months. What is the range of rainfall?

14) A piece of wire is cut into three parts in the ratio 2:5:7. If the longest part is 35 cm, what is the total length of the wire?

15) Solve x² + 2x - 15 = 0

16) The diameter of a circle is 18 units. What is its area? (Use π = 3.14)

17) Factor x²+7x+12

18) Solve 3x² + 10x + 3 = 0

19) A rectangular prism has a length of 10 units, a width of 6 units, and a height of 4 units. What is its diagonal?

20) If x:y:z=2:3:4 and x=8, what is z?

21) A car travels 180 miles in 2.5 hours. What is the average speed?

22) The scatterplot shows the relationship between study hours and test scores. The points form a straight line with a slope of 0. What does this indicate?

23) A cone has a base radius of 5 units and a slant height of 13 units. What is its lateral surface area? (Use π = 3.14)

24) Solve for x in the equation 7x + 2 = 4x − 10.

25) A bag contains coins in the ratio 1:2:3. If there are 18 coins in the largest group, how many coins are in the bag?

26) A rectangle has a diagonal of 17 units and a width of 8 units. What is its length?

27) What is 3/4 × (2.5 + 1/2)?

28) Simplify 7/8 - 1/3

29) Simplify 5(x²−2x)−3(x²+x−4)

30) Two pipes fill a tank in the ratio 4:3. If the first pipe can fill the tank in 12 minutes, how long will it take the second pipe to fill the tank?

31) Simplify 4x(x−2)−3(x²−2x+1)

32) A sphere has a radius of 6 units. What is its volume? (Use π = 3.14)

33) The table shows the weights (in pounds) of bags of flour. What is the mode?

34) Evaluate If x=−3, evaluate 4x²−5x+7

35) What is the mean number of books sold from the table: 18, 20, 22, 24?

36) What is the median number of customers visiting a store if the data set is: 100, 120, 150, 110, 130, 140, 160?

37) Evaluate If x=4, evaluate x³−3x²+2x−7

38) Solve x² - 10x + 24 = 0

39) What is the solution to the system of equations: x + 2y = 10, 3x − y = 5

40) A trapezoid has bases of 10 units and 14 units, with a height of 6 units. What is its area?

41) A train goes 420 miles at 70 mph. How long does the trip take?

42) Solve x² + x - 12 = 0

43) What is the value of x in 2x − 4 = 4x + 2?

44) A man walks at a speed of 4 km/h for 3 hours. How far will he walk if his speed increases in the ratio 4:5 for another 2 hours?

45) If x + 9 = 21, what is x?

46) Factor x³−4x²−7x+10

47) A recipe uses 2 cups of milk for 16 muffins. How much milk is needed for 24 muffins?

48) Solve x² + 6x + 5 = 0

1) The scientist examines biodiversity. “The loss of keystone species disrupts ecosystems, causing food web imbalances and threatening human agriculture,” she explains.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

2) The scientist examines biodiversity. “Protecting biodiversity is not just an environmental issue—it is a necessity for human survival,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

3) The scientist examines renewable energy. “Renewable energy offers a path forward to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

4) The author discusses climate change. “The relentless march of rising seas threatens to engulf entire communities, leaving families with nowhere to go and nothing to call home,” she writes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

5) The sociologist examines urban planning. “Rapid urbanization is a double-edged sword—it drives economic development but often leads to overcrowding and infrastructure strain,” he writes.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

6) The sociologist examines cultural exchange. “The melodies of different cultures, blending in harmony, weave a rich and colorful tapestry of human connection,” he notes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

7) The historian discusses public health. “Widespread vaccination campaigns cause a dramatic decrease in disease outbreaks, improving community health and economic productivity,” she explains.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

8) The economist examines automation. “Automation increases efficiency, but it also causes job displacement, requiring retraining programs to mitigate its impact,” he argues.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

9) The historian discusses labor movements. “The legacy of these reforms reminds us that collective action remains a powerful tool for change,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

10) The historian discusses vaccination campaigns. “Contrary to the belief that vaccination rates have little impact, history shows they drastically reduce disease outbreaks and save lives,” she notes.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

11) The scientist examines biodiversity loss. “The silent forests, once teeming with life, now stand as haunting reminders of humanity’s disregard for nature,” she writes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

12) The sociologist examines urban planning. “Poor urban planning leads to traffic congestion, which in turn increases pollution and decreases residents’ quality of life,” he argues.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

13) The scientist discusses renewable energy. “Contrary to the assumption that renewable energy is unreliable, advancements in storage technology now make it a dependable alternative,” she states.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

14) The scientist examines automation. “Automation is a double-edged sword—it improves efficiency but displaces many workers,” she explains.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

15) The author reflects on education reform. “Standardized testing is a double-edged sword—it provides measurable data but often limits creative teaching approaches,” she notes.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

16) The historian discusses labor movements. “The struggle for fair wages and safe working conditions defined the labor movements of the early 20th century,” she begins.

What is the function of the first sentence of the passage?

17) The historian discusses labor reform. “The clamor of machinery drowned out the pleas of exhausted workers, their bodies worn down by endless hours in dangerous conditions,” she notes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

18) The economist examines automation. “While critics argue that automation leads solely to job losses, data suggests it also creates opportunities for higher-skilled employment,” he explains.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

19) The author discusses climate change. “The consequences of climate change are no longer hypothetical; they are unfolding in real-time,” she begins.

What is the function of the first sentence of the passage?

20) The economist discusses income inequality. “A child goes to bed hungry, their potential stifled not by lack of talent, but by the crushing weight of poverty,” he writes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

21) The economist examines income inequality. “Addressing income inequality is essential for creating a fairer, more stable society,” he concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

22) The sociologist examines cultural exchange. “Cultural exchange can be a double-edged sword—it promotes mutual understanding but sometimes challenges traditional values,” he argues.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

23) The historian discusses vaccination campaigns. “The success of these campaigns demonstrates the power of collective action to improve public health,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

24) The economist discusses globalization. “Trade liberalization acts as a double-edged sword—it lowers consumer prices but can harm domestic industries,” he writes.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

25) The sociologist discusses social media. “Social media is a double-edged sword—it fosters connectivity but also spreads misinformation,” she explains.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

26) The scientist discusses renewable energy. “Renewable energy adoption is a double-edged sword—it reduces emissions but can be expensive to implement initially,” she explains.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

27) The sociologist reflects on urban planning. “By adopting innovative planning strategies, cities can overcome these challenges and create more sustainable futures,” he concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

28) The historian discusses labor movements. “While some claim unions disrupt businesses, history shows they have been crucial in securing fair wages and safer conditions for workers,” she argues.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

29) The sociologist examines urban inequality. “In the shadow of gleaming skyscrapers, families huddle in overcrowded apartments, struggling to make ends meet,” he describes.

How does the author use language to evoke an emotional response?

30) The sociologist reflects on cultural exchange. “Interacting with diverse cultures fosters innovation by exposing individuals to new perspectives and ideas,” he states.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

31) The sociologist examines urban planning. “Cities are growing at unprecedented rates, challenging their ability to provide sustainable living environments,” he begins.

What is the function of the first sentence of the passage?

32) The scientist reflects on climate resilience. “By investing in adaptation, we can safeguard communities and ensure a more resilient future,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

33) The economist examines income inequality. “Concentrated wealth reduces social trust, leading to increased societal divisions and reduced economic stability,” he notes.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

34) The scientist examines biodiversity. “Biodiversity is the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems, providing countless benefits to humanity,” she begins.

What is the function of the first sentence of the passage?

35) The author discusses climate change. “While many believe climate change is a distant problem, the evidence shows its effects are already being felt globally,” she states.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

36) The author discusses climate change. “Only through immediate and collective action can we mitigate the worst effects of climate change,” she concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

37) The author discusses globalization. “Globalization is a double-edged sword—it fosters economic growth but also deepens inequality in some regions,” she explains.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

38) The author discusses climate change. “Rising greenhouse gas emissions cause global temperatures to increase, which leads to more frequent and severe weather events,” she explains.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

39) The scientist discusses climate resilience. “Many assume climate adaptation measures are too costly, but research shows they save billions in disaster recovery and prevention,” she states.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

40) The scientist discusses renewable energy. “Switching to renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps slow global warming and its harmful effects,” she explains.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

41) The scientist examines biodiversity. “Many assume ecosystems can adapt to species loss, but research shows that the extinction of key species often causes widespread imbalance,” she explains.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

42) The historian reflects on industrialization. “Industrialization was a double-edged sword—it advanced technology and production but often exploited workers,” she notes.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

43) The sociologist examines urban planning. “Contrary to the belief that urban growth is inherently beneficial, unchecked expansion often leads to serious challenges like congestion and pollution,” he writes.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

44) The sociologist discusses cultural exchange. “While some argue that cultural exchange dilutes traditions, evidence suggests it enriches societies by fostering innovation and collaboration,” he writes.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

45) The sociologist discusses cultural exchange. “Through cultural exchange, societies can foster mutual understanding and build bridges across divides,” he concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

46) The economist analyzes automation. “With the right investments in workforce retraining, we can harness automation’s benefits while minimizing its costs,” he concludes.

What role does the concluding sentence play in the passage?

47) The economist discusses income inequality. “Redistribution policies can be a double-edged sword—they reduce inequality but may discourage economic productivity,” he writes.

What does the phrase “a double-edged sword” suggest in the context of the passage?

48) The economist examines income inequality. “Contrary to the belief that income inequality is a natural and inevitable phenomenon, studies show it can be mitigated through policy interventions,” he states.

How does the passage challenge common beliefs or assumptions?

49) The historian discusses labor reforms. “Unsafe working conditions caused widespread injuries and deaths, prompting workers to demand reforms through unionization,” she states.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?

50) The scientist discusses climate resilience. “Investing in climate adaptation reduces the impact of extreme weather, protecting vulnerable communities from devastation,” she explains.

How does the author use cause-and-effect reasoning in their argument?