Answer Explanations
SAT Practice Test #3
Section 1: Reading Test
QUESTION 1
Choice B is the best answer. In the passage, Lady Carlotta is
approached by the “imposingly attired lady” Mrs. Quabarl while
standing at a train station (lines 32-35). Mrs. Quabarl assumes Lady
Carlotta is her new nanny, Miss Hope: “You must be Miss Hope, the
governess I’ve come to meet” (lines 36-37). Lady Carlotta does not
correct Mrs. Quabarl’s mistake and replies, “Very well, if I must I must”
(line 39).
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage is not about a
woman weighing a job choice, seeking revenge on an acquaintance, or
disliking her new employer.
QUESTION 2
Choice C is the best answer. In lines 1-3, the narrator states that Lady
Carlotta “stepped out on to the platform of the small wayside station
and took a turn or two up and down its uninteresting length” in order
to “kill time.” In this context, Lady Carlotta was taking a “turn,” or a
short walk, along the platform while waiting for the train to leave the
station.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because in this context “turn” does
not mean slight movement, change in rotation, or course correction.
While Lady Carlotta may have had to rotate her body while moving
across the station, “took a turn” implies that Lady Carlotta took a short
walk along the platform’s length.
QUESTION 3
Choice A is the best answer. In lines 10-14, the narrator states that
some of Lady Carlotta’s acquaintances would often admonish, or
criticize, Lady Carlotta for meddling in or openly expressing her
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© 2018 The College Board. College Board and SAT are registered trademarks of the College Board.
,Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
suggest that other people viewed Lady Carlotta as tactful, ambitious,
or unfriendly.
QUESTION 4
Choice A is the best answer. In lines 10-14, the narrator states that
people often criticized Lady Carlotta and suggested that she not
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The fact that people often were critical of Lady Carlotta’s behavior
provides evidence that Lady Carlotta was outspoken.
Choices B, C, and D do not provide the best evidence that Lady
Carlotta was outspoken. Choices B, C, and D mention Lady Carlotta,
but do not specify how others view her.
QUESTION 5
Choice C is the best answer. Lines 4-10 establish that Lady Carlotta
intervened on the part of a struggling horse, the kind of behavior for
which, lines 10-14 indicate, she received “plentiful admonition” from
“certain of her acquaintances,” who believed that she should mind her
own business. Lines 14-22 indicate that Lady Carlotta had “only once . . .
put the doctrine of non-interference into practice,” and that was when
“one of its most eloquent exponents” had been “besieged for nearly
three hours in a small and extremely uncomfortable may-tree by an
angry boar-pig” while Lady Carlotta blithely ignored the other woman’s
hypocritical pleas for interference. This incident provides insight into
Lady Carlotta’s character and also evokes humor through language choice
(e.g., the droll understatement of “it is to be feared that [Lady Carlotta] lost
the friendship of the ultimately rescued lady”; lines 22-23) and the sense
that, narratively speaking, justice has been served.
Choice A is incorrect because nothing about the incident suggests
deception on Lady Carlotta’s part. Choice B is incorrect because
there is nothing subtle about Lady Carlotta leaving another woman
stuck in a tree for nearly three hours. Moreover, the passage does not
suggest that this was an act of cruelty on Lady Carlotta’s part; rather,
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woman stuck in a tree exactly what the woman had so often asked for:
noninterference. Choice D is incorrect because the passage indicates
that Lady Carlotta was acting consistently with her beliefs and only
invoked the doctrine to teach a hypocritical person a lesson.
QUESTION 6
Choice A is the best answer. The narrator explains that Mrs. Quabarl
told Lady Carlotta about the “nature of the charge” when she gave Lady
Carlotta details about the Quabarl children (line 53-61). Since Lady
Carlotta is pretending to be a governess, the term “charge” refers to her
responsibilities, or job duties, when caring for the Quabarl children.
, ANSWER EXPLANATIONS̝_̝6$73UDFWLFH7HVW
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because in this context “charge”
does not mean attack, fee, or expense.
QUESTION 7
Choice A is the best answer. Lady Carlotta learns about Mrs. Quabarl’s
children Claude, Wilfrid, and Irene (lines 53-58). The narrator then
describes Mrs. Quabarl’s child Viola as “something or other else of a
mould equally commonplace among children of that class and type in
the twentieth century” (lines 58-61). This statement about Viola implies
that all of the Quabarl children have skills typical, or “of a mould
equally commonplace,” to other peers in their social class.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
indicate that all of the Quabarl children are unusually creative and
intelligent, hostile to the idea of having a governess, or more educated
than their peers.
QUESTION 8
Choice B is the best answer. In lines 62-69, Mrs. Quabarl explains
to Lady Carlotta that she wants her children to actively participate in
their education, and that Lady Carlotta should not create lessons that
UHTXLUHKHUFKLOGUHQWRVLPSO\PHPRUL]HKLVWRULFDOƮJXUHVDQGGDWHV
Mrs. Quabarl emphasizes an education centered on active engagement
when she states that her children should “not only be TAUGHT . . . but
INTERESTED in what they learn.”
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
suggest that Mrs. Quabarl favors an education that emphasizes
traditional values, artistic experimentation, or factual retention.
QUESTION 9
Choice B is the best answer. In lines 77-82, the narrator describes
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domineering, but easily “cowed and apologetic” when someone
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Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
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QUESTION 10
Choice D is the best answer. In lines 77-82, the narrator provides
evidence that Mrs. Quabarl appears imposing, or autocratic, but is
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are not seriously opposed. The least show of unexpected resistance
goes a long way towards rendering them cowed and apologetic.”
, Choices A, B, and C do not provide the best evidence that Mrs. Quabarl
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because they present Mrs. Quabarl’s opinions on railway companies
and education, and choice C is incorrect because it focuses on Lady
Carlotta, not Mrs. Quabarl.
QUESTION 11
Choice A is the best answer. While the author predominantly
supports the use of public transportation, in the third paragraph he
recognizes some limitations to the public transportation system: it
is a “depressing experience” (lines 25-26) and “underfunded, ill-
maintained, and ill-planned” (line 31).
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the third paragraph does
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provide an overview of a problem, or advocate ending the use of public
transportation.
QUESTION 12
Choice C is the best answer. The author notes that in North America
“hopping in a car almost always gets you to your destination more
quickly” (lines 32-34). This statement suggests that speed is one
advantage to driving in North America.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the author does not cite
environmental impact, convenience, or cost as advantages of driving in
North America.
QUESTION 13
Choice D is the best answer. In lines 32-34, the author provides
evidence that speed is one advantage to driving in North America,
because driving “almost always gets you to your destination more
quickly.”
Choices A, B, and C do not provide the best evidence that speed is
one advantage to driving in North America. Choices A and B are
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transportation. Choice C is incorrect because although these lines
mention North America, they focus on the disadvantages of public
transportation.
QUESTION 14
Choice B is the best answer. The author argues in the fourth
paragraph that public transportation “can be faster, more comfortable,
and cheaper than the private automobile” (lines 36-37) and provides
examples of fast and convenient public transportation systems.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they focus on points made
in the fourth paragraph rather than the paragraph’s central idea.
SAT Practice Test #3
Section 1: Reading Test
QUESTION 1
Choice B is the best answer. In the passage, Lady Carlotta is
approached by the “imposingly attired lady” Mrs. Quabarl while
standing at a train station (lines 32-35). Mrs. Quabarl assumes Lady
Carlotta is her new nanny, Miss Hope: “You must be Miss Hope, the
governess I’ve come to meet” (lines 36-37). Lady Carlotta does not
correct Mrs. Quabarl’s mistake and replies, “Very well, if I must I must”
(line 39).
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage is not about a
woman weighing a job choice, seeking revenge on an acquaintance, or
disliking her new employer.
QUESTION 2
Choice C is the best answer. In lines 1-3, the narrator states that Lady
Carlotta “stepped out on to the platform of the small wayside station
and took a turn or two up and down its uninteresting length” in order
to “kill time.” In this context, Lady Carlotta was taking a “turn,” or a
short walk, along the platform while waiting for the train to leave the
station.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because in this context “turn” does
not mean slight movement, change in rotation, or course correction.
While Lady Carlotta may have had to rotate her body while moving
across the station, “took a turn” implies that Lady Carlotta took a short
walk along the platform’s length.
QUESTION 3
Choice A is the best answer. In lines 10-14, the narrator states that
some of Lady Carlotta’s acquaintances would often admonish, or
criticize, Lady Carlotta for meddling in or openly expressing her
RSLQLRQRQRWKHUSHRSOHŞVDƬDLUV
© 2018 The College Board. College Board and SAT are registered trademarks of the College Board.
,Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
suggest that other people viewed Lady Carlotta as tactful, ambitious,
or unfriendly.
QUESTION 4
Choice A is the best answer. In lines 10-14, the narrator states that
people often criticized Lady Carlotta and suggested that she not
LQWHUIHUHLQRWKHUSHRSOHŞVDƬDLUVZKLFKZHUHŠQRQHRIKHUEXVLQHVVš
The fact that people often were critical of Lady Carlotta’s behavior
provides evidence that Lady Carlotta was outspoken.
Choices B, C, and D do not provide the best evidence that Lady
Carlotta was outspoken. Choices B, C, and D mention Lady Carlotta,
but do not specify how others view her.
QUESTION 5
Choice C is the best answer. Lines 4-10 establish that Lady Carlotta
intervened on the part of a struggling horse, the kind of behavior for
which, lines 10-14 indicate, she received “plentiful admonition” from
“certain of her acquaintances,” who believed that she should mind her
own business. Lines 14-22 indicate that Lady Carlotta had “only once . . .
put the doctrine of non-interference into practice,” and that was when
“one of its most eloquent exponents” had been “besieged for nearly
three hours in a small and extremely uncomfortable may-tree by an
angry boar-pig” while Lady Carlotta blithely ignored the other woman’s
hypocritical pleas for interference. This incident provides insight into
Lady Carlotta’s character and also evokes humor through language choice
(e.g., the droll understatement of “it is to be feared that [Lady Carlotta] lost
the friendship of the ultimately rescued lady”; lines 22-23) and the sense
that, narratively speaking, justice has been served.
Choice A is incorrect because nothing about the incident suggests
deception on Lady Carlotta’s part. Choice B is incorrect because
there is nothing subtle about Lady Carlotta leaving another woman
stuck in a tree for nearly three hours. Moreover, the passage does not
suggest that this was an act of cruelty on Lady Carlotta’s part; rather,
WKHSDVVDJHVXJJHVWVWKDW/DG\&DUORWWDZDVMXVWLƮHGLQJLYLQJWKH
woman stuck in a tree exactly what the woman had so often asked for:
noninterference. Choice D is incorrect because the passage indicates
that Lady Carlotta was acting consistently with her beliefs and only
invoked the doctrine to teach a hypocritical person a lesson.
QUESTION 6
Choice A is the best answer. The narrator explains that Mrs. Quabarl
told Lady Carlotta about the “nature of the charge” when she gave Lady
Carlotta details about the Quabarl children (line 53-61). Since Lady
Carlotta is pretending to be a governess, the term “charge” refers to her
responsibilities, or job duties, when caring for the Quabarl children.
, ANSWER EXPLANATIONS̝_̝6$73UDFWLFH7HVW
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because in this context “charge”
does not mean attack, fee, or expense.
QUESTION 7
Choice A is the best answer. Lady Carlotta learns about Mrs. Quabarl’s
children Claude, Wilfrid, and Irene (lines 53-58). The narrator then
describes Mrs. Quabarl’s child Viola as “something or other else of a
mould equally commonplace among children of that class and type in
the twentieth century” (lines 58-61). This statement about Viola implies
that all of the Quabarl children have skills typical, or “of a mould
equally commonplace,” to other peers in their social class.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
indicate that all of the Quabarl children are unusually creative and
intelligent, hostile to the idea of having a governess, or more educated
than their peers.
QUESTION 8
Choice B is the best answer. In lines 62-69, Mrs. Quabarl explains
to Lady Carlotta that she wants her children to actively participate in
their education, and that Lady Carlotta should not create lessons that
UHTXLUHKHUFKLOGUHQWRVLPSO\PHPRUL]HKLVWRULFDOƮJXUHVDQGGDWHV
Mrs. Quabarl emphasizes an education centered on active engagement
when she states that her children should “not only be TAUGHT . . . but
INTERESTED in what they learn.”
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
suggest that Mrs. Quabarl favors an education that emphasizes
traditional values, artistic experimentation, or factual retention.
QUESTION 9
Choice B is the best answer. In lines 77-82, the narrator describes
0UV4XDEDUODVDSSHDULQJŠPDJQLƮFHQWDQGDXWRFUDWLFšRURXWZDUGO\
domineering, but easily “cowed and apologetic” when someone
FKDOOHQJHVRUGHƮHVKHUDXWKRULW\
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the narrator does not
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QUESTION 10
Choice D is the best answer. In lines 77-82, the narrator provides
evidence that Mrs. Quabarl appears imposing, or autocratic, but is
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Š6KHZDVRQHRIWKRVHLPSHUIHFWO\VHOI
DVVXUHGLQGLYLGXDOVZKRDUHPDJQLƮFHQWDQGDXWRFUDWLFDVORQJDVWKH\
are not seriously opposed. The least show of unexpected resistance
goes a long way towards rendering them cowed and apologetic.”
, Choices A, B, and C do not provide the best evidence that Mrs. Quabarl
DSSHDUVLPSRVLQJEXWLVHDVLO\GHƮHG&KRLFHV$DQG%DUHLQFRUUHFW
because they present Mrs. Quabarl’s opinions on railway companies
and education, and choice C is incorrect because it focuses on Lady
Carlotta, not Mrs. Quabarl.
QUESTION 11
Choice A is the best answer. While the author predominantly
supports the use of public transportation, in the third paragraph he
recognizes some limitations to the public transportation system: it
is a “depressing experience” (lines 25-26) and “underfunded, ill-
maintained, and ill-planned” (line 31).
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the third paragraph does
QRWH[SDQGXSRQDQDUJXPHQWPDGHLQWKHƮUVWWZRSDUDJUDSKV
provide an overview of a problem, or advocate ending the use of public
transportation.
QUESTION 12
Choice C is the best answer. The author notes that in North America
“hopping in a car almost always gets you to your destination more
quickly” (lines 32-34). This statement suggests that speed is one
advantage to driving in North America.
Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the author does not cite
environmental impact, convenience, or cost as advantages of driving in
North America.
QUESTION 13
Choice D is the best answer. In lines 32-34, the author provides
evidence that speed is one advantage to driving in North America,
because driving “almost always gets you to your destination more
quickly.”
Choices A, B, and C do not provide the best evidence that speed is
one advantage to driving in North America. Choices A and B are
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transportation. Choice C is incorrect because although these lines
mention North America, they focus on the disadvantages of public
transportation.
QUESTION 14
Choice B is the best answer. The author argues in the fourth
paragraph that public transportation “can be faster, more comfortable,
and cheaper than the private automobile” (lines 36-37) and provides
examples of fast and convenient public transportation systems.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they focus on points made
in the fourth paragraph rather than the paragraph’s central idea.
