Vocabulary
Double Jeopardy
PSAT Vocabulary Practice
As the storm clouds gathered over the city, the mayor’s tone became ominous, warning citizens to stay indoors and prepare for possible flooding.
What does the word “ominous” most nearly mean?
A. Cheerful or friendly
B. Threatening or alarming
C. Confusing or uncertain
D. Peaceful or calm
B. Threatening or alarming
Explanation:
The context “storm clouds gathered” and “warning citizens to stay indoors” show that ominous describes something dangerous or threatening that might happen soon.
Describe Odysseus's leadership.
A. He was unaware of the crew's plotting.
B. He trusted his crew to follow his orders in his absence.
C. He abandoned his crew in their time of need.
D. He actively participated in the slaughter of the cattle.
What is Odysseus was unaware of the crew's plotting. The passage shows that while Odysseus was praying and subsequently fell asleep, Eurylochus convinced the crew to slaughter the cattle. Odysseus’s absence and the fact that he was sleeping suggest that he was unaware of their dire hunger or their plans to kill the cattle.
Identify the subject in 'Odysseus prays to the gods.'
Odysseus
Aquatic
Etymology:
From Latin aqua “water.”
Question:
Based on the etymology, what does aquatic most likely describe?
A. Something related to land
B. Something related to water
C. Something that grows underground
D. Something that moves quickly
B. Something related to water
Read the following section of the passage.
“‘Father Zeus! the rest of you blissful gods who never die—
punish them all, that crew of Laertes’ son Odysseus—
what an outrage! They, they killed my cattle,
the great joy of my heart …day in, day out,
when I climbed the starry skies and when I wheeled
back down from the heights to touch the earth once more.
Unless they pay me back in blood for the butchery of my herds,
[62] down I go to the House of Death and blaze among the dead!’”
How does Helios’ perspective affect the meaning of the text? (R.1.1)
A. by only mourning the loss of his cattle
B. by vocalizing his desire to punish the men
C. by being willing to compromise with the men
D. by begging Odysseus to hold his men accountable
B is correct- This answer recognizes the critical piece in the excerpt that is used to create a threatening tone and a worried mood.
Define 'in medias res' as it applies to epic poetry.
In the middle
Odysseus and his crew land on which island?
Helios' island
Correct this sentence: 'Odysseus and his men was tired.'
were
Chronicle
Etymology:
From Greek khronos “time.”
Question:
Based on the etymology, what does chronicle most likely mean?
A. To record events in order of time
B. To hide something from the past
C. To tell a story out of sequence
D. To imagine the future
A. To record events in order of time
Read the following section of the passage.
“Round she spun,
reeling under the impact, filled with reeking brimstone,
shipmates pitching out of her, bobbing round like seahawks
swept along by the whitecaps past the trim black hull—
[103] and the god cut short their journey home forever. “
How does the author’s use of simile contribute to the mood? (R.3.1)
A. The comparison of panic and nostalgia creates a somber mood.
B. The comparison of temptation and guilt creates a conflicted mood.
C. The comparison of destruction and recklessness creates a tense mood.
D. The comparison of exhaustion and perseverance creates a hopeful mood
C is Correct- This answer correctly identifies the elements compared in the simile. The imagery of shipmates being "bobbing round like seahawks swept along by the whitecaps" suggests chaos and loss of control, contributing to a sense of destruction and recklessness.
“But when the sea’s fury had spent its rage, I was left bereft, alone upon a broken plank, the cries of my men fading into the wind. The waves had taken all that I loved, and only the endless horizon remained.”
Based on the context of the excerpt, what does the word “bereft” most nearly mean?
A. Angry
B. Deprived or lacking something
C. Exhausted
D. Confused
B. Deprived or lacking something
Explanation:
The phrase “alone upon a broken plank” and “the waves had taken all that I loved” show loss and emptiness, helping readers infer that bereft means deprived or left without something important.
How does Zeus respond to Helios' threat?
A. He reassures Helios that the guilty will be punished.
B. He ignores Helios' plea and does nothing.
C. He tells Helios to take matters into his own hands.
D. He immediately strikes Odysseus' ship with a lightning bolt
A- Correct- Zeus insists that Helios continue shining and promises that he will punish the guilty ones by hitting their ship with a lightning bolt.
Use a semicolon correctly: 'Odysseus is clever he survives.'
Clever; he
Read the etymology of the word libation.
Libation
Noun
late Middle English: from Latin libatio(n- ), from libare ‘pour as an offering’.
Based on the etymology, what is the meaning of libation as used in line 39 of the poem? (V.1.2)
A. Tribute
B. Donation
C. Mistakes
D. Combination
A is correct- Correct because "tribute" aligns with the concept of making an offering, which is consistent with the etymology and usage in the poem.
How does the men's struggle to give in to temptation develop Odysseus as an epic hero? (R.1.4)
A. It shows Odysseus’s unwavering loyalty to the gods.
B. It shows the men’s inability to see Odysseus as a leader.
C. It shows Odysseus’s intelligence in choosing to not eat the cattle.
D. It shows the men’s trust in the gods to provide for them when hungry.
A - Correct -Odysseus does not eat the cattle, which shows that he is different from the other men, who are not loyal and do not listen to Helios when he says do not eat the cattle. This strengthens the relationship between Odysseus and the gods.
“For many days we drifted upon the open sea, our sails torn and our food gone. My men groaned under the weight of hunger and sorrow, each wave bringing new affliction to weary hearts. Even the strongest among us bowed their heads, praying for mercy from the gods.”
Based on the context of the excerpt, what does the word “affliction” most nearly mean?
A. Strength or courage
B. Suffering or pain
C. Treasure or wealth
D. Rest or comfort
B. Suffering or pain
Explanation:
The words “hunger and sorrow,” “weary hearts,” and “praying for mercy” show that affliction means suffering, hardship, or great pain caused by misfortune or struggle.
Double Jeopardy
How did Odysseus survive the destruction of the ship?
A. He swam to a nearby island.
B. He clung to a piece of the ship's wreckage.
C. He was rescued by a passing ship.
D. Helios decided to save him from drowning
B-Correct-The passage details how Odysseus lashed the mast and keel together with a bull’s-hide backstay to form a makeshift raft. He survived by holding onto this raft as the storm carried him onward
Identify the error: 'The gods, who are powerful; intervene.'
Semicolon
Ephemeral
Etymology:
From Greek epi “upon” + hemera “day.”
Sentence:
Though their success was celebrated across social media, the team knew the fame would be ephemeral, fading as quickly as it appeared.
Based on the etymology and context, what does ephemeral most nearly mean?
A. Everlasting
B. Temporary
C. Influential
D. Unpredictable
B. Temporary
Explanation: Epi (“upon”) + hemera (“day”) lasting only a short time. Literally “for a day.”
Which statement best describes how the speech from Eurylochus helps develop the universal theme of “actions have consequences”? (R.1.2)
A. by detailing the act, they will commit
B. by foreshadowing the doom, the men will face
C. by revealing that Eurylochus is not loyal to Odysseus
D. by explaining why, the men should not listen to Odysseus
Correct- Eurylochus mentions preferring to die at sea if they anger the gods (lines 24-27) than die by starvation if they don’t eat the cattle.
“When we reached the island sacred to Helios, I warned my men not to touch the golden cattle that grazed upon the plain. Yet hunger clouded their minds, and they dared to desecrate the holy herd. The cries of the dying beasts echoed through the air, and I knew the gods’ wrath would soon follow.”
Based on the context of the excerpt, what does the word “desecrate” most nearly mean?
A. Protect or defend
B. Show respect for something sacred
C. Violate or disrespect something holy
D. Offer a gift in gratitude
C. Violate or disrespect something holy
Explanation:
The clues “sacred to Helios,” “holy herd,” and “the gods’ wrath” show that desecrate means to disrespect or violate something sacred or holy.
How does the imagery used to describe the storm and shipwreck contribute to the overall mood of the passage?
A. It creates a sense of calm and tranquility.
B. It emphasizes the randomness of nature.
C. It highlights the power and anger of the gods.
D. It depicts the beauty of the sea.
C- Correct- The imagery used in the passage - Zeus mounting a thunderhead, the deep sea turning black, killer-squalls, and a lightning bolt striking the ship- serves to underscore the immense power and wrath of the gods. The storm and the destruction of the ship are depicted as direct manifestations of Zeus' anger, emphasizing the theme of divine power and retribution.
PSAT Grammar Practice Question
Question:
Although most people associate honeybees with producing honey, they are also critical pollinators, helping to fertilize plants that make up about one-third of the food humans consume.
Which version of the underlined portion is most effective and grammatically correct?
A. they are also critical pollinators, helping to fertilize plants that make up about one-third of the food humans consume.
B. also critical pollinators, they help fertilize plants that produce about one-third of the food eaten by humans.
C. they are also critical pollinators helping to fertilize plants which produce about one-third of the food eaten by humans.
D. also critical pollinators, helping fertilize plants that produces about one-third of food eaten by humans.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Option B maintains sentence clarity, concision, and proper modifier placement.
“Also critical pollinators, they help fertilize…” introduces a clear, active subject (“they”) and a parallel structure.
Options A and C are wordier and repetitive.
Option D has a subject-verb agreement error (“plants that produces”).
Magnanimous
Etymology:
From Latin magnus “great” + animus “spirit, soul.”
Sentence:
Despite her rival’s insults, the candidate remained magnanimous, choosing to congratulate rather than retaliate.
Based on the etymology, what does magnanimous most likely mean?
A. Showing great generosity of spirit
B. Possessing excessive pride
C. Displaying intellectual arrogance
D. Lacking emotional control
A. Showing great generosity of spirit
Explanation: Magnus + animus literally “great soul,” meaning noble or generous.
Which inference about the actions of the gods is best supported by the excerpt?
A. The gods did whatever was in their power to help Odysseus and his crew return home safely.
B. The gods spared Odysseus because he did not himself disobey orders.
C. The gods only wanted to hurt Eurylochus, whom they determined was at fault.
D. All of the above
B- Correct- It’s possible to infer that Odysseus was spared by the gods for his lack of involvement in the slaughtering of Helios’s cattle.