SAT Reading Practice Test
Please take a moment to complete this quiz.
Read the following passage and answer the question


The following passage is from a discussion of various ways that living creatures have been classified over the years.

 

 

     The world can be classified in different ways,

 

depending on one's interests and principles of clas-

 

sification. The classifications (also known as

Line

taxonomies) in turn determine which comparisons

5

seem natural or unnatural, which literal or analog-

 

ical. For example, it has been common to classify

 

living creatures into three distinct groups—plants,

 

animals, and humans. According to this classifica-

 

tion, human beings are not a special kind of

10

animal, nor animals a special kind of plant. Thus

 

any comparisons between the three groups are

 

strictly analogical. Reasoning from inheritance in

 

garden peas to inheritance in fruit flies, and from

 

these two species to inheritance in human beings,

15

is sheer poetic metaphor.

 

 

     Another mode of classifying living creatures is

 

commonly attributed to Aristotle. Instead of treat-

 

ing plants, animals, and humans as distinct

 

groups, they are nested. All living creatures

20

possess a vegetative soul that enables them to

 

grow and metabolize. Of these, some also have a

 

sensory soul that enables them to sense their envi-

 

ronments and move. One species also has a

 

rational soul that is capable of true understanding.

25

Thus, human beings are a special sort of animal,

 

and animals are a special sort of plant. Given this

 

classification, reasoning from human beings to all

 

other species with respect to the attributes of the

 

vegetative soul is legitimate, reasoning from

30

human beings to other animals with respect to the

 

attributes of the sensory soul is also legitimate,

 

but reasoning from the rational characteristics of

 

the human species to any other species is merely

 

analogical. According to both classifications, the

35

human species is unique. In the first, it has a king-

 

dom all to itself; in the second, it stands at the

 

pinnacle of the taxonomic hierarchy.

 

 

      Homo sapiens is unique. All species are. But

 

this sort of uniqueness is not enough for many

40

(probably most) people, philosophers included. For

 

some reason, it is very important that the species

 

to which we belong be uniquely unique. It is of

 

utmost importance that the human species be

 

insulated from all other species with respect to

45

how we explain certain qualities. Human beings

 

clearly are capable of developing and learning

 

languages. For some reason, it is very important

 

that the waggle dance performed by bees * not

 

count as a genuine language. I have never been

50

able to understand why. I happen to think that the

 

waggle dance differs from human languages to

 

such a degree that little is gained by terming them

 

both "languages," but even if "language" is so

 

defined that the waggle dance slips in, bees still

55

remain bees. It is equally important to some that

 

no other species use tools. No matter how inge-

 

nious other species get in the manipulation of

 

objects in their environment, it is absolutely

 

essential that nothing they do count as "tool use."

60

I, however, fail to see what difference it makes

 

whether any of these devices such as probes and

 

anvils, etc. are really tools. All the species

 

involved remain distinct biological species no

 

matter what decisions are made. Similar observa-

65

tions hold for rationality and anything a computer

 

might do.

According to the author, what is most responsible for influencing our perception of a comparison between species?

1/8


SAT TEST INFORMATION

The SAT Test is a standardized exam that is used by U.S. colleges in their admissions process. The SAT Test serves a similar function to the ACT in that both are used by colleges and universities as a factor in admissions.

The SAT exam was originally called the Scholastic Aptitude Test when it was created in 1926, but is now known simply as the SAT. The College Board, a non-profit, creates and administers the SAT.

Different institutions place varying degrees of importance on standardized tests and use them along with other factors such as GPA, class rank, community service, recommendations and extracurricular activities. Other popular standardized tests used for college admissions include the GRE and GMAT.

The SAT Test is meant to measure a high school student’s readiness for college. The SAT Test consists of multiple choice questions in the areas of: English, mathematics, and reading. There is also an optional essay.

Our free SAT practice tests are an ideal way to prepare for the SAT. For more serious preparation, see our review of best SAT prep courses. Many students who take the SAT also choose to take the ACT. Our ACT practice tests can help improve your scores on the ACT.

SAT Test Overview

The structure of the SAT is detailed below:

SAT Mathematics

The SAT math section is divided into 2 sections: Math (no calculator) and Math (calculator). The total SAT math section is 58 questions and students are given 80 minutes.

SAT Reading

The SAT reading section presents reading passages and multiple choice questions. The passages come from three main areas: science, history, and social studies. There are 52 questions and students are given 65 minutes.

SAT Writing and Language Test

Students are given 35 minutes to answer 44 questions on the writing and language test. All of the questions are based on reading passages with accompanying charts, tables, and graphs.

Sources:

Some questions are from the following sources:

Erik Jacobsen at www.erikthered.com/tutor

From the New York State Education Department. "High School Regents Examinations". Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org

CK-12 Foundation - www.ck12.org

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