SAT Writing and Language Problems - Multiple Choice Flashcards
What word best replaces the underlined word below?
On January 23, 1849, in the town of Geneva, New York, Elizabeth Blackwell stepped onto the altar of the Presbyterian church and received her medical degree from the president of Geneva Medical College. In doing so, she took her place in history. Blackwell had denounced the expectations of most of her teachers and classmates to become the country’s first female doctor.
A. NO CHANGE
B. defied
C. incited
D. encountered
The correct answer is B.
The context of the paragraph makes clear that the expectations of those around her were that she would fail in becoming a doctor, and that Blackwell had ignored or disregarded those expectations. Thus, choice B is the correct answer. Choice A is incorrect because her achievement was not a condemnation or criticism of the expectation that she would fail; it simply flouted it. Choice C is incorrect because “incite” means to encourage or inspire, and the context does not support the idea that she inspired the expectation that she would fail. Choice D is incorrect because the context makes clear that in earning her degree, Blackwell did not meet the expectations of her peers. Rather, she disregarded them.
What is the best way to replace the underlined words?
As a young woman, Blackwell had worked as a school teacher, but she found herself unsatisfied. Once she realized that her dream was to be a doctor, she faced tremendous obstacles. There had never before been a female physician in America. At the time, educating a boy was considered far more important than a girl. Blackwell’s education did not prepare her for the challenges of medical school, and she had to work hard just to catch up. To make up for the gaps in her education, the household of a physician became her home for the next several years. There, she had access to educational resources and received some medical training.
A. NO CHANGE
B. far more important than it was to a girl.
C. far more important than educating a girl.
D. far more important that opportunities for girls.
The correct answer is C.
The comparison here is between educating a boy and educating a girl, thus choice C is the correct answer. Choice A is incorrect because it illogically compares educating a boy to a girl, rather than to educating a girl. Choice B is incorrect because it is illogically compares educating a boy to a girl’s preference for education. Choice D is incorrect because it illogically compares educating a boy to opportunities for girls.
What is the best way to rewrite the underlined sentence?
As a young woman, Blackwell had worked as a school teacher, but she found herself unsatisfied. Once she realized that her dream was to be a doctor, she faced tremendous obstacles. There had never before been a female physician in America. At the time, educating a boy was considered far more important than a girl. Blackwell’s education did not prepare her for the challenges of medical school, and she had to work hard just to catch up. To make up for the gaps in her education, the household of a physician became her home for the next several years. There, she had access to educational resources and received some medical training.
A. NO CHANGE
B. A physician’s household, to make up for the gaps in her education, became her home for the next several years.
C. Her home for the next several years, to make up for the gaps in her education, became a physician’s household.
D. To make up for the gaps in her education, she arranged to live in the household of a physician for the next several years.
The correct answer is D.
The phrase, “To make up for the gaps in her education,” modifies “she,” or Blackwell, and should directly precede a reference to Blackwell to avoid confusion. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer. Choice A is incorrect because the phrase appears to modify household. Choices B and C are incorrect because the phrase appears awkwardly in the middle of the sentence, and it is unclear what it modifies.
