http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day?src=R&questionId=20130102
Hey, that’s a pretty good explanation by the SAT test writers! Get focused on the topic and you can figure it out.
Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind that they don’t tell you. First, always predict words for the blanks before you pick answers. You can tell the architect wanted to “use” his visions and “use” the requests of his client. You don’t even have to come up with fancy words for your predictions; they are just intended to get you on track so that you avoid getting attracted to wrong answers (distractors). Only answer A has synonyms for “use” in both blanks.
Second, you should look for synonyms for SAT Sentence Completion questions. The first column of answers has maintain and preserve; so, it is very likely one of them is the right answer. In the second column, accommodating and incorporating mean about the same thing; so, one of them is most likely going to be right. Look!! Answer A has both of the synonyms: maintain and accommodating. There’s your answer. You know the SAT folks don’t like me to teach you this strategy. Just keep in mind, only do this when you are having a hard time with a two-blank Sentence Completion question.
Let’s take a look at the ACT question.
This is a rare ACT question in that the answer is “Cannot be determined.” The ACT test writer gives you one reason it cannot be determined–you have no idea what the height is; you only know the base so you can’t do any calculations! More importantly they don’t even tell you the base is 10 inches! They just tell you units. Units could be feet or meters! No calculations in inches is possible.
I hope my SAT and ACT Question of the Day explanations are helpful and, if so, you are spreading the word.
If you are getting ready for the SAT or ACT this spring, I hope to meet you in one of my classes, on my DVD set, or on the Internet.
The Wizard
