All about the PSAT
Vocabulary:
Set 1 & 2
Math
Reading
Writing
100
The PSAT is comprised of three primary sections which are
What is Reading, Writing & Language, and Math
100
Rigid, structured, and firm are antonyms for this SAT term.
What is Malleable?
100
Section 4 - #3 According to the Department of Agriculture, consuming 100 grams of banana provides 0.15 milligram of zinc. Which of the following is closest to the number of milligrams of zinc provided by 140 grams of banana? A) 0.15 B) 0.21 C) 0.25 D) 0.93
What is B? Choice B is correct. Since 0.15 milligrams (mg) of zinc is provided by 100 grams (g) of banana, the number of mg of zinc provided by 140 g of banana can be found by solving for x in the proportion 0.15 mg 100 g 140 g = x . Cross multiplying gives 100x = 140(0.15), or x = 0.21 mg. Choice A is incorrect because 0.15 milligrams is the amount of zinc in 100 grams of banana, not in 140 grams. Choices C and D are incorrect and likely the result of calculation errors.
100
Section 1 #9 As used in line 89, “vindicated” most nearly means A) avenged. B) set free. C) defended against. D) proven right.
What is D? Choice D is the best answer. Lines 88-89 state “He laughed— that bitter Falvo laugh—ha!—like he’d just been vindicated.” “Vindicated” means to be justified or proven correct, which is apt in this context because by running himself into sickness and exhaustion, Mosher had proven correct Falvo’s belief that Mosher might overdo it. Choice A is incorrect because “avenged” means to exact vengeance or satisfaction. Choices B and C are incorrect because in this passage no one is either set free or defended against; rather, Falvo is simply proven correct that Mosher might push too hard in the time trial.
100
Section 2 - #5 Each caffetteria functions as a social hub in its neighborhood, and the way in which most patrons consume their coffee 5 contribute to this fact. Few caffetteria patrons sit at tables, since most coffeehouses in Italy charge a premium for table service, A) NO CHANGE B) contributes C) contributing D) which contributes
What is B Question 5 Choice B is the best answer because the singular present tense verb “contributes” agrees with the singular noun “way” and is consistent with the previous verb in the sentence, “functions.” Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “contribute” doesn’t agree in number with the singular noun “way.” Choice C is incorrect because it offers a participle instead of the basic present tense verb needed for the clause. Choice D is incorrect; the pronoun “which” is unnecessary since a clause isn’t being introduced.
200
The PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10 are highly relevant to your future success because they focus on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. They’ll measure: •What you learn in _____ __________ •What you need to succeed in ________
What is high school and college
200
Antonyms for this SAT term include humble, modest, and meek.
What is egocentric?
200
Section 4 #1 A high school counselor conducted a study over 16 consecutive quarters to determine the number of students with part-time jobs. Each student in the 2014 graduating class is surveyed once per quarter for all four years of high school. During which of the following periods is the increase in the number of students with part-time jobs largest? A) Quarters 4 through 6 B) Quarters 7 through 10 C) Quarters 11 through 14 D) Quarters 13 through 16
What is B? Choice B is correct. Looking at the graph, it can be concluded that there is an increase of fewer than 10 students during quarters 4 through 6, quarters 11 through 14, and quarters 13 through 16. There is an increase of more than 20 students during quarters 7 through 10. Therefore, of the four ranges given in the answer choices, the greatest increase in the number of students occurs during quarters 7 through 10. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. There is an increase of fewer than 10 students during quarters 4 through 6, quarters 11 through 14, and quarters 13 through 16. There is an increase of more than 20 students during quarters 7 through 10. Therefore, the greatest increase in the number of students does not occur in the ranges given in choices A, C, and D.
200
Section 1 #11 As used in line 20,“put” most nearly means A) imposed. B) placed. C) incited. D) stated.
What is D? What is Choice D is the best answer. Lines 17-20 state that in 2011, 117 of 193 surveyed countries were identified as electoral democracies but that only 69 of 167 countries were labeled as such in 1989. Then those statistics are further explained by being “put another way” (line 20), or stated another way. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because to “put” the statistics in lines 17-20 “another way” means to explain or state them another way, not to inflict something on someone by will or force (“impose”), physically set something up (“place”), or encourage or arouse (“incite”).
200
Section #2 - 9 Indeed, many Italian coffee enthusiasts agree that there is only one 9 correct way to make coffee: this involves filtering water through freshly ground coffee beans at specific temperatures and pressures, which produces the concentrated form of coffee known as espresso. A) NO CHANGE B) correct and proper C) properly correct D) appropriate and correct
What is A? Choice A is the best answer because the adjective “correct” is clear and concise. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they all include redundant words. “Correct,” “proper,” “properly,” and “appropriate” all convey the same idea, and any combination of these words should not be used together.
300
PSAT, SAT, and AP exams are all created by the company known as the ___________ _________.
What is the College Board?
300
After the diners left the restaurant the waitress was excited to find that they left her a 20% __________________ for her excellent service!
What is gratuity?
300
Section 3 -#3 Which of the following ordered pairs (xy), satisfies both equations yx2+3x−4? xy −4 and x=y -4? A) (0, −4) B) (2, 6) C) (3, 14) D) (5, 9)
What is B? Choice B is correct. The equation x = y − 4 can be rewritten as y = x + 4. Substituting x + 4 for y in the other equation gives x + 4 = x2 + 3x − 4, which can be rewritten as x2 + 2x − 8 = 0. Since −4 and 2 are the two numbers whose sum is −2 and whose product is −8, they are the solutions to the equation x2 + 2x − 8 = 0. From the equation y = x + 4, it follows that the solutions of the system are (−4, 0) and (2, 6). Therefore, of the given choices, (2, 6) is the correct answer. Choices A and C are incorrect because each of these ordered pairs satisfies the quadratic equation but not the linear equation. Choice D is incorrect because this ordered pair satisfies the linear equation but not the quadratic equation.
300
Section 1 #12 As used in line 31,“held out” most nearly means A)resisted B)awaited C)avoided D)offered.
What is D? Choice D is the best answer. Lines 30-31 explain that one way democracy was supported around the world was that “Western governments and activists encouraged dissent and held out rewards for reform.” In this context, the rewards being “held out”(line 31) means the rewards being offered. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the rewards being “held out” by Western governments and activists refer to the rewards being offered, not that those rewards were being resisted, awaited, or avoided.
300
Section 2- #10 An espresso mixed with frothed and steamed milk 10 is a cappuccino: for example, while an espresso with just a dollop of steamed milk on top is a caffè macchiato.
What is D? Choice D is the best answer because two commas are necessary to set off a transitional phrase such as “for example” when it is used in the middle of a sentence. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they all include incorrect punctuation. When needed, commas should be used in pairs to set off transitions and cannot be partnered with colons or dashes.
400
If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before. The best way to prepare for the test is to: (Must have 2 out of 4 correct)
What is •Take challenging courses •Do your homework •Prepare for tests and quizzes •Ask and answer lots of questions
400
Oklahoma known as the State of Success is laden with beautiful trees, farms, and a ___________________ countryside.
What is bucolic
400
Section 4- #5 Which of the following statements about the relationship between the number of times at bat and the number of hits is true? A)As the number of times at bat increases, the number of hits decreases. B)As the number of times at bat increases, the number of hits increases. C)As the number of times at bat increases, the number of hits remains constant. D)As the number of times at bat decreases, the number of hits increases.
What is B? Choice B is correct. The line of best fit shown for the data has a positive slope. It can be concluded from this that higher values for the number of times at bat correspond to higher values for the number of hits. Therefore, as the number of times at bat increases, the number of hits increases. Choice A is incorrect because the number of hits increases, not decreases, as the number of times at bat increases. Choice C is incorrect because the number of hits increases as the number of times at bat increases. Choice D is incorrect because as the number of times at bat decreases, the number of hits decreases, not increases.
400
Section 1 -#4 In the context of the passage, “I shrugged” (line 23) and “‘Sure,’ I said” (line 28) mainly serve to show the narrator’s A) shyness. B) dismissiveness. C) dishonesty. D) hostility.
What is B? Choice B is the best answer. In the passage, the narrator, Mosher, shrugged after Falvo told him not to do anything stupid and then said “sure” when the coach warned him not to worry about the other runners, responses that both indicate that Mosher was ignoring the coach’s advice (or being dismissive of it). Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because when Mosher shrugs at or offers a one-word response to the coach’s advice, it can be inferred that he is simply ignoring it, not that he is a shy, dishonest, or hostile person.
400
Section 2- #23 In 1924, when jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong rehearsed with Fletcher Henderson’s band for the first time, he shocked Henderson by refusing to 23 bond with the score as written and playing notes at whatever volume he wanted. A) NO CHANGE B) emulate C)adhere to D) cohere with
What is C? Choice C is the best answer because in this context “adhere to” means to follow or to stick to, which is the right connotation when referring to a musical score. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they offer options that do not work connotatively when substituted into the sentence.
500
A __________ rank is a number between 1 and 99 that shows how you scored compared to other _________. It represents the percentage of students whose scores fall at or below your score.
What is percentile and students For example, a 10th-grade student in the 57th percentile scored higher than or equal to 57 percent of 10th-graders. You’ll see two percentiles:
500
Antonyms of these SAT terms mean chaos, disturbance, disorder.
What is halcyon?
500
Section 4- #11 The table shows the yearly salary, in dollars, of an employee at a company. Which of the following best describes the type of model that fits the data in the table? A)Linear, increasing by approximately$1,140 per yearB)Linear, increasing by approximately$1,245 per yearC)Exponential, increasing by approximately3% each yearD)Exponential, increasing by approximately9% each year
What is D? Choice D is correct. The range of Joseph’s bills is $193.12 – $145.30 = $47.82, which is greater than the range of Samuel’s bills, which is $188.99 – $149.23 = $39.76. The median of Joseph’s bills is $180.33, which is less than the median of Samuel’s bills, $181.27.
500
Section 1- # 13 Which choice best supports the claim that increased political openness is a widespread, global trend? A)Line 23 (“What ... transformation”) B)Lines 26-27 (“Poor ... standing”) C)Lines 41-42 (“In today’s ... exploded”) D)Lines 56-59 (“According... all”)
What is D? Choice D is the best answer. Lines 56-59 state that “according to one study of the world’s democratic electoral systems, Brunei may be the only country where ‘electoral politics has failed to put down any meaningful roots at all.’” These lines support the claim that there’s been a global trend toward political openness as they make clear that there’s only one country on Earth (Brunei) where such openness cannot be found. Choice A is incorrect because line 23 asks a question related to the proportion of democracies in the world but nothing about “political openness.” Choice B is incorrect because lines 26-27 explain one reason authoritarian regimes have failed. Choice C is incorrect because lines 41-42 address the factor of the modern media in politics.
500
Section 2- #42 Perhaps the real sign of welcome is Cleveland’s artist housing plan: homes will be sold to qualifying artists at prices similar to 41 an economy car. Cleveland may be doing the most to attract the creative class, but many other smaller cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Corvallis, Oregon; and Burlington, Vermont, are following 42 its lead. 43 A) NO CHANGE B) they’re C) it’s D) their
What is Choice A is the best answer because the singular possessive pronoun “its” agrees in number with the antecedent “Cleveland.” Choices B and C are incorrect because they are contractions, not possessive pronouns. Choice D is incorrect because it is a plural possessive pronoun. The correct answer needs to be singular to agree with the singular antecedent “Cleveland.”