If you are reading this in an email you received from me, do not click the link to sat.collegeboard.org below. Use the link to my website that is farther down on the email.
http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day?questionId=20140324&oq=1 (This link takes you to today’s question. If you use my archive, you will see the question related to my SAT explanation for that date.)
The answer is B. The right answer will always be consistent with the topic of the sentence. This sentence sounds like a topic sentence for a paragraph that will describe the Red Tail Angels and the missions they flew that always successfully protected bombers. The main point of the paragraph would be that the Angels never allowed one of the bombers to be shot down. So, before looking at the answers, let’s predict a word or phrase that is consistent with their amazing record. I also thought of significant and notable. Even words like unique and special would work. Now let’s look at the answers. Only Answer B, distinction, is consistent with our prediction. It made me think of the Angels’ distinguished record which probably set it above all other fighter pilot groups.
I wonder if the ACT folks have something new for us this morning.
ACT Question of the Day: Use your “back” button to return to my website after reading the ACT Question of the Day.
No, they don’t have anything new. In fact, I’m thinking Ms. Sennett’s hat is getting pretty worn out by now! I’ve seen this question at least a dozen times in the last year. C’mon ACT guys, get some new questions.
The answer is C. As with all best answers, it could be inserted into the passage without adding or disagreeing with anything we are told. It would fit perfectly around lines 24-5. The other answers either add to or disagree with the passage. Throw them out and move on to the next question.
Thought for the day:
Florence Nightingale once said, “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.” To me an “excuse” is a rationalization people use to help justify their behavior. It makes them feel better about something they did. However, it doesn’t change what they did or any consequence related to their decision. Improving your test scores takes commitment and time. You are going to need to put other activities aside. Many of them will be a lot more fun and interesting than preparing for the SAT and/or ACT. When deciding what to do, ask yourself, “Which one will reap a greater reward one, five, or even ten years from now?” Let’s get to work.
Have a productive week.
Bob Alexander, the “SAT and ACT Wizard”
