Practice Test 5
, 1 1
Reading Test
65 MINUTES, 52 QUESTIONS
Turn to Section 1 of your answer sheet to answer the questions in this section.
DIRECTIONS
Each passage or pair of passages below is followed by a number of questions. After reading
each passage or pair, choose the best answer to each question based on what is stated or
implied in the passage or passages and in any accompanying graphics (such as a table or
graph).
Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage. foot in France, all for us French men and women, who
are nothing to you?”
The passage that follows is adapted from a 1907 novel that
“Sport, Madame la Comtesse, sport,” asserted Lord
follows the actions of an English baronet who, using a secret
30 Antony, with his jovial, loud and pleasant voice; “we
identity, leads a group of wealthy Englishmen in daring
are a nation of sportsmen, you know, and just now it is
rescues of members of the French aristocracy during the
the fashion to pull the hare from between the teeth of
Reign of Terror.
the hound.”
Sir Andrew’s face had become almost transfigured. “Ah, no, no, not sport only, Monsieur . . . you have
His eyes shone with enthusiasm; hero-worship, love, 35 a more noble motive, I am sure, for the good work you
admiration for his leader seemed literally to glow upon do.”
Line his face. “The Scarlet Pimpernel, Mademoiselle,” he “Faith, Madame, I would like you to find it then . . .
5 said at last “is the name of a humble English wayside as for me, I vow, I love the game, for this is the finest
flower; but it is also the name chosen to hide the sport I have yet encountered.—Hair-breadth escapes . . .
identity of the best and bravest man in all the world, so 40 the devil’s own risks!—Tally ho!—and away we go!”
that he may better succeed in accomplishing the noble But the Comtesse shook her head, still
task he has set himself to do.” incredulously. To her it seemed preposterous that
10 “Ah, yes,” here interposed Comtesse’s son, “I have these young men and their great leader, all of them
heard speak of this Scarlet Pimpernel. They say in Paris rich, probably wellborn, and young, should for
that every time a royalist escapes to England that devil, 45 no other motive than sport, run the terrible risks,
the Public Prosecutor, receives a paper with that little which she knew they were constantly doing. Their
flower designated in red upon it. . . . Yes?” nationality, once they had set foot in France, would
15 “Yes, that is so,” assented Lord Antony. be no safeguard to them. Anyone found harboring
“Then he will have received one such paper to- or assisting suspected royalists would be ruthlessly
day?” 50 condemned and summarily executed, whatever his
“Undoubtedly.” nationality. And this band of young Englishmen had,
“Oh! I wonder what he will say!” said Suzanne, to her own knowledge, bearded the implacable and
20 merrily. “I have heard that the picture of that little red bloodthirsty tribunal of the Revolution, within the very
flower is the only thing that frightens him.” walls of Paris itself, and had snatched away condemned
“Ah, monsieur,” sighed the Comtesse, “it all sounds 55 victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine.
like a romance, and I cannot understand it all.” With a shudder, she recalled the events of the last few
“Why should you try, Madame?”
25 “But, tell me, why should you and your leader
spend your money and risk your lives when you set CONTINUE
2 | For more free content, visit PrincetonReview.com
, 1 1
days, her escape from Paris with her two children, all 2
three of them hidden beneath the hood of a rickety Based on the information in the passage, it can be
cart, and lying amidst a heap of turnips and cabbages, inferred that the when the Comtesse escaped, the people
60 not daring to breathe, whilst the mob howled outside. in the nearby crowd did not approach her cart because
It had all occurred in such a miraculous way;
A) the cart was moving too quickly.
she and her husband had been placed on the list of
“suspected persons,” which meant that their trial and B) they feared arrest and death by guillotine.
death were but a matter of days—of hours, perhaps. C) the woman driving the cart was known to be
65 Then came the hope of salvation; the mysterious violent.
epistle, signed with the enigmatical scarlet device;
D) they were afraid of contracting a disease.
the clear, peremptory directions; the parting from the
Comte de Tournay, which had torn the poor wife’s
heart in two; the hope of reunion; the flight with her
3
70 two children; the covered cart; that awful hag driving
it, who looked like some horrible demon, with the Which choice provides the best evidence for the
ghastly trophy on her whip handle! answer to the previous question?
The Comtesse looked round at the quaint, old- A) Lines 51–55 (“And this . . . guillotine”)
fashioned English inn, the peace of this land of civil
B) Lines 65–70 (“Then came . . . children”)
75 and religious liberty. She closed her eyes to shut out the
haunting vision of that West Barricade, and of the mob C) Lines 70–72 (“the covered . . . handle”)
retreating panic-stricken when the old hag spoke of the D) Lines 75–78 (“She . . . plague”)
plague.
Every moment under that cart she expected
80 recognition, arrest, herself and her children tried and 4
condemned, and these young Englishmen, under the
As used in line 14, “designated” most nearly means
guidance of their brave and mysterious leader, had
risked their lives to save them all. A) budgeted.
And all only for sport? The Comtesse’s eyes as she B) chosen.
85 sought those of Sir Andrew plainly told him that she C) classed.
thought that he at any rate rescued his fellowmen from
terrible and unmerited death, through a higher and D) illustrated.
nobler motive than his friend would have her believe.
5
1 In context, the phrase “pull the hare from between the
The passage as a whole is primarily concerned with teeth of the hound” (lines 32–33) refers chiefly to
A) considering the reasons behind a set of exploits. A) dangerous English hunting customs.
B) examining the causes of a revolution. B) plans to avenge the deaths of innocent
C) comparing the self-confidence of two different men. Englishmen.
D) questioning the ruthlessness of a government. C) delivering members of the French aristocracy
from harm.
D) the cruelty of French nobles toward
revolutionaries.
CONTINUE
Practice Test 5 | 3
, 1 1
6 9
Which choice provides the best evidence for the Lines 73–78 provide a contrast between
answer to the previous question? A) tranquility and turmoil.
A) Lines 37–40 (“Faith . . . go”) B) traditionalism and modernity.
B) Lines 46–48 (“Their nationality . . . them”) C) freedom and ignorance.
C) Lines 48–51 (“Anyone . . . nationality”) D) austerity and hysteria.
D) Lines 61–64 (“It had . . . perhaps”)
10
7 The use of italics in line 86 primarily serves to
In lines 41–46, the Comtesse is best described as emphasize a perceived distinction between
A) critical. A) the reasons behind one man’s actions and those
B) anxious. behind his companions’ actions.
C) relieved. B) the effectiveness of two different methods of
carrying out the same plan.
D) perplexed.
C) honest, noble motivations for rescue and rescue
for monetary gain.
8 D) a desire for adventure and a desire for public
admiration and praise.
As used in line 52, “bearded” most nearly means
A) camouflaged.
B) braved.
C) embellished.
D) masked.
CONTINUE
4 | For more free content, visit PrincetonReview.com
, 1 1
Reading Test
65 MINUTES, 52 QUESTIONS
Turn to Section 1 of your answer sheet to answer the questions in this section.
DIRECTIONS
Each passage or pair of passages below is followed by a number of questions. After reading
each passage or pair, choose the best answer to each question based on what is stated or
implied in the passage or passages and in any accompanying graphics (such as a table or
graph).
Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage. foot in France, all for us French men and women, who
are nothing to you?”
The passage that follows is adapted from a 1907 novel that
“Sport, Madame la Comtesse, sport,” asserted Lord
follows the actions of an English baronet who, using a secret
30 Antony, with his jovial, loud and pleasant voice; “we
identity, leads a group of wealthy Englishmen in daring
are a nation of sportsmen, you know, and just now it is
rescues of members of the French aristocracy during the
the fashion to pull the hare from between the teeth of
Reign of Terror.
the hound.”
Sir Andrew’s face had become almost transfigured. “Ah, no, no, not sport only, Monsieur . . . you have
His eyes shone with enthusiasm; hero-worship, love, 35 a more noble motive, I am sure, for the good work you
admiration for his leader seemed literally to glow upon do.”
Line his face. “The Scarlet Pimpernel, Mademoiselle,” he “Faith, Madame, I would like you to find it then . . .
5 said at last “is the name of a humble English wayside as for me, I vow, I love the game, for this is the finest
flower; but it is also the name chosen to hide the sport I have yet encountered.—Hair-breadth escapes . . .
identity of the best and bravest man in all the world, so 40 the devil’s own risks!—Tally ho!—and away we go!”
that he may better succeed in accomplishing the noble But the Comtesse shook her head, still
task he has set himself to do.” incredulously. To her it seemed preposterous that
10 “Ah, yes,” here interposed Comtesse’s son, “I have these young men and their great leader, all of them
heard speak of this Scarlet Pimpernel. They say in Paris rich, probably wellborn, and young, should for
that every time a royalist escapes to England that devil, 45 no other motive than sport, run the terrible risks,
the Public Prosecutor, receives a paper with that little which she knew they were constantly doing. Their
flower designated in red upon it. . . . Yes?” nationality, once they had set foot in France, would
15 “Yes, that is so,” assented Lord Antony. be no safeguard to them. Anyone found harboring
“Then he will have received one such paper to- or assisting suspected royalists would be ruthlessly
day?” 50 condemned and summarily executed, whatever his
“Undoubtedly.” nationality. And this band of young Englishmen had,
“Oh! I wonder what he will say!” said Suzanne, to her own knowledge, bearded the implacable and
20 merrily. “I have heard that the picture of that little red bloodthirsty tribunal of the Revolution, within the very
flower is the only thing that frightens him.” walls of Paris itself, and had snatched away condemned
“Ah, monsieur,” sighed the Comtesse, “it all sounds 55 victims, almost from the very foot of the guillotine.
like a romance, and I cannot understand it all.” With a shudder, she recalled the events of the last few
“Why should you try, Madame?”
25 “But, tell me, why should you and your leader
spend your money and risk your lives when you set CONTINUE
2 | For more free content, visit PrincetonReview.com
, 1 1
days, her escape from Paris with her two children, all 2
three of them hidden beneath the hood of a rickety Based on the information in the passage, it can be
cart, and lying amidst a heap of turnips and cabbages, inferred that the when the Comtesse escaped, the people
60 not daring to breathe, whilst the mob howled outside. in the nearby crowd did not approach her cart because
It had all occurred in such a miraculous way;
A) the cart was moving too quickly.
she and her husband had been placed on the list of
“suspected persons,” which meant that their trial and B) they feared arrest and death by guillotine.
death were but a matter of days—of hours, perhaps. C) the woman driving the cart was known to be
65 Then came the hope of salvation; the mysterious violent.
epistle, signed with the enigmatical scarlet device;
D) they were afraid of contracting a disease.
the clear, peremptory directions; the parting from the
Comte de Tournay, which had torn the poor wife’s
heart in two; the hope of reunion; the flight with her
3
70 two children; the covered cart; that awful hag driving
it, who looked like some horrible demon, with the Which choice provides the best evidence for the
ghastly trophy on her whip handle! answer to the previous question?
The Comtesse looked round at the quaint, old- A) Lines 51–55 (“And this . . . guillotine”)
fashioned English inn, the peace of this land of civil
B) Lines 65–70 (“Then came . . . children”)
75 and religious liberty. She closed her eyes to shut out the
haunting vision of that West Barricade, and of the mob C) Lines 70–72 (“the covered . . . handle”)
retreating panic-stricken when the old hag spoke of the D) Lines 75–78 (“She . . . plague”)
plague.
Every moment under that cart she expected
80 recognition, arrest, herself and her children tried and 4
condemned, and these young Englishmen, under the
As used in line 14, “designated” most nearly means
guidance of their brave and mysterious leader, had
risked their lives to save them all. A) budgeted.
And all only for sport? The Comtesse’s eyes as she B) chosen.
85 sought those of Sir Andrew plainly told him that she C) classed.
thought that he at any rate rescued his fellowmen from
terrible and unmerited death, through a higher and D) illustrated.
nobler motive than his friend would have her believe.
5
1 In context, the phrase “pull the hare from between the
The passage as a whole is primarily concerned with teeth of the hound” (lines 32–33) refers chiefly to
A) considering the reasons behind a set of exploits. A) dangerous English hunting customs.
B) examining the causes of a revolution. B) plans to avenge the deaths of innocent
C) comparing the self-confidence of two different men. Englishmen.
D) questioning the ruthlessness of a government. C) delivering members of the French aristocracy
from harm.
D) the cruelty of French nobles toward
revolutionaries.
CONTINUE
Practice Test 5 | 3
, 1 1
6 9
Which choice provides the best evidence for the Lines 73–78 provide a contrast between
answer to the previous question? A) tranquility and turmoil.
A) Lines 37–40 (“Faith . . . go”) B) traditionalism and modernity.
B) Lines 46–48 (“Their nationality . . . them”) C) freedom and ignorance.
C) Lines 48–51 (“Anyone . . . nationality”) D) austerity and hysteria.
D) Lines 61–64 (“It had . . . perhaps”)
10
7 The use of italics in line 86 primarily serves to
In lines 41–46, the Comtesse is best described as emphasize a perceived distinction between
A) critical. A) the reasons behind one man’s actions and those
B) anxious. behind his companions’ actions.
C) relieved. B) the effectiveness of two different methods of
carrying out the same plan.
D) perplexed.
C) honest, noble motivations for rescue and rescue
for monetary gain.
8 D) a desire for adventure and a desire for public
admiration and praise.
As used in line 52, “bearded” most nearly means
A) camouflaged.
B) braved.
C) embellished.
D) masked.
CONTINUE
4 | For more free content, visit PrincetonReview.com
