SAT Question Of The Day

Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.  
They determine the color and flavor of honey by the flowers from which the nectar is taken.

• (A) They determine the color and flavor of honey by the
• (B) Honey’s color and flavor is determined by which
• (C) Honey’s color and flavor determined by those
• (D) The color of honey, and its flavor, determined by the
• (E) The color and flavor of honey are determined by the

SAT Question Of The Day

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. 
Many forests in the southern region of the continent are ------- plant and animal diversity, partly because they never suffered the onslaught of glaciers that wiped out flora and fauna in northern forests long ago.

• (A) rich in
• (B) devoid of
• (C) dependent on
• (D) protected from
• (E) conflicted about

SAT Question Of The Day

The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E. 
Every day, millions of tiny stony bits A falling quietly into the atmosphere, burning briefly B as meteors, and leaving C behind a vaporized residue that filters D slowly to Earth. E No error

• (A)  
• (B)  
• (C)  
• (D)  
• (E)  

SAT Question Of The Day

Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.  

Because it lacks water, this makes the area known as Death Valley a desert, but it is by no means devoid of life.

• (A) Because it lacks water, this
• (B) They lack water, which
• (C) Water, the lack of which
• (D) Lacking water, it
• (E) Lack of water

SAT Question Of The Day

Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.  

Because it lacks water, this makes the area known as Death Valley a desert, but it is by no means devoid of life.

• (A) Because it lacks water, this
• (B) They lack water, which
• (C) Water, the lack of which
• (D) Lacking water, it
• (E) Lack of water

SAT Question Of The Day

Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.  

Because it lacks water, this makes the area known as Death Valley a desert, but it is by no means devoid of life.

• (A) Because it lacks water, this
• (B) They lack water, which
• (C) Water, the lack of which
• (D) Lacking water, it
• (E) Lack of water

SAT Question Of The Day

Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.  

Because it lacks water, this makes the area known as Death Valley a desert, but it is by no means devoid of life.

• (A) Because it lacks water, this
• (B) They lack water, which
• (C) Water, the lack of which
• (D) Lacking water, it
• (E) Lack of water

Strategies for Answering SAT Questions

Building Your Vocabulary

1. Learn words strategically. Most of the Learning Network selections for Word of the Day are frequently used words on the SAT. Learn a few new words a day, and review words that you have already studied. Learn synonyms and antonyms as well.
2. Work with word roots. Knowing the meaning of common prefixes and roots will boost your chances of understanding new words.
3. Trust your instincts. If you think you know the meaning of a word, go with your hunch. Try to recall where you have heard the word used in the past and apply it to this new example.
4. Determine if the word is "positive" or "negative." Some words "sound" as if they are positively or negatively charged. Know the "charge" of common prefixes and roots.
5. Use your knowledge of foreign languages. Many English words come from other languages. Try to apply your knowledge of foreign words to decipher unknown English words.

Tips for Sentence Completion Questions

1. Understand the format. Select the word or words that best complete the sentence.
2. Read the sentence carefully. Think about the sentence before looking at the answer choices. Figure out what it means and what direction it is going.
3. Anticipate the answer. Predict the word that goes in the blanks before looking at the answer choices. Use the sentence's clue words (e.g. despite, although) and structural clues (construction and punctuation) to determine where the sentence is headed. Determine if answer blanks should be filled with positive or negative words. Some people put a plus or minus sign in the blanks as a reminder.
4. Compare your prediction with each answer choice, and pick the best match. Be sure to check all choices.
5. Read the sentence with your answer choice in the blank or blanks.Only one choice will make sense.

SAT Question Of The Day

Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. 

Observing the newspaper’s tradition of ------- attention to accuracy, the reporter ------- every statement made by her informant.

• (A) scrupulous . . verified
• (B) lax . . challenged
• (C) sporadic . . corroborated
• (D) systematic . . bungled
• (E) inordinate . . exaggerated

CIE IGCSE

October/November 2010

0500/21

   

Q.3(a) : A Strange Wedding

 Many Chinese families follow strict traditions from their ancestors. For the guests, three invitations
 are sent including on as a request, other as a gift and one as the normal wedding invitation. The
 expenses of the wedding are taken care of by the groom’s family. On the day before the wedding,
 she is kept away from her best friends as to mourn the loss of her relatives and friends in the past.
 She is also bathed in Pomelo infused water to cleanse her room from evil influences. The date of
 the wedding is chosen using the lunar calendar.

The alignment of the moon and stars should be correct. Marriage should always start every half hour as the clock hands more upwards signifying the start of the marriage on a high. [All invitations are sent in red as to signify affection, good luck and happiness.] The couple’s parents are required to provide a bed in which the groom sleeps on and a young nephew jumps on. On the day, the couple serve tea to their guardians presented with jewels in return. The bride wears both a white dress and red dress in the banquet. On the day after, the bride wakes up early to honour and greet her ancestors.

Q.3(b)

 In the wedding, the bride, Cecilia arrived late to the ceremony. There was a steady dripping sound
 maybe due to the heavy rain. The Kougars twins were loud and violent, fighting and playing hide
 and seek. The Vicer had forgotten his speech and so was lost and had to stop halfway through.  
 Fred’s brother, the best man, had forgotten the location of the ring and started feeling anxious. The
 organist played a very inaccurate version of the wedding march which was not recognisable. A
 storm was present and the rain added to the clamminess of the area.

CIE IGCSE

October/November 2010

0500/21

Model Answer By Our Student

Q.2(a) : A Strange Wedding

        

          The writer describes the church as a very scary, haunted place that is most unsuitable for a

          marriage ceremony. He describes the church to have an ‘unpleasant clamminess’ which may

         emphasise the friction between the two families. It shows that they shouldn’t be together as it

          gets too crowded. The differences between them may cause the claustrauphobic feeling.  

          Clamminess may also suggest the feeling of sweat and discomfort which refers to the writers

          use of ‘ unpleasant’. It gives to the clashes and tension felt between the two families.

          The writer describes the root as an ill-fitting jigsaw which may suggest that the two

          families are not well matched. The jigsaw may also refer to the different opinions that the

          family had when they arrived and first met. It may also foreshadow the mismatch of the

          married couple and the disjoined couple that they have become. This also creates a tense,

          anxious atmosphere.

          The writer describes the church as ‘gloomy’ which may refer to the opinion that Mrs. Kougar

          has on Mrs. Ferris-Grebe. They don’t understand each other and the writer emphasizes this by

         showing that they are gloomy and grey. Furthermore, the writer refers to the age of the church

         as it suggests it is very old. Also, using the word gloomy, personifies the church which may

         indicate that it is giving a warning of the ‘gloom’ the couple will feel later on.

         The writer also writes that there is an ‘intermittent dripping’ which may act as an annoyance. It

         also creates tension and a sense of fear due to the steady intervals of dripping water. The fact

         that the beat can be heard emphasizes the quietness of the church . Even though it is a festive

         occasion, no one is talking. The writer uses this to show the awkward silence present in the

         church.

         Lastly, the writer suggests there are ‘eerie corners’ of the church referring to it being hidden,
         like a secret. The ‘eerie’ atmosphere  created seems to compare the church to a haunted
         house. It also emphasizes how ancient the church is and how dark the atmosphere is.

         In summary, the writer creates a very tense atmosphere referring to the friction felt between
         the family and the old haunted house image of the church.

Q.2(b).  

                The writer describes Mr. Kougar’s Clothes to match his happy, cheerful personality creating a

                more light hearted atmosphere. The writer describes him as a ‘ rainbow of a man’ suggests that

                he is wearing very colourful, happy clothes. A rainbow is seen as beautiful and something that

                you are lucky to see. This may suggest that he is a very cheerful man who has an aura of

                happiness that people are lucky to feel. Through his clothes, the writer creates a very colourful

                and vibrant atmosphere.

                The writer describes him to wear ‘ purple trousers’. The colour purple is very regal and royal

                suggesting that he tried hard to dress well and look royal in front of the Grebe’s but the writer

                suggests them as being ‘bright’ which then makes them look more neon and therefore more

                tacky than royal. However, this matches his personality better and they suggest that he creates a

                light hearted atmosphere through this.

               The writer also describes him as he ‘strutted like a peacock’. The fact that he ‘strutted’ suggests

               his confidence and self-belief but also confuses the reader as to why he is exuding confidence at a

               church.The writer uses this to suggest Mr. Kougar's confusion too. The writer also uses the word

               ‘peacock’ in the simile which is a very majestic and magnificient  animal. But, the writer is

               referring to the colourful clothes.

               The writer describes his clothes and colours as ‘hideously mismatched’ which suggests that he is

               wearing a very striking but ugly outfit . The fact that it is mismatched but he doesn’t know and see

               it shows that his fashion sense is not very good. He seems to throw on as many colours as he can

               and this reflects his carefree attitude.

               Lastly, the writer describes him to have a ‘ beaming smile’ as he is very cheerful and excited. The

               fact that it is beaming suggests that it is radiating through the church. The writer uses his smile to

               create a more celebratory atmosphere; one that a wedding should have. The reader feels positive

               and excited about the wedding and the writer emphasizes the celebration of the marriage

               through this.

               Overall, the writer creates a more light hearted and positive atmosphere through Mr. Kougar’s

               clothes and smile .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIE IGCSE

October/November 2010

0500/21

Model Answer By Our Student
 

 

Q1 : A Strange Wedding

Mrs. F-G  : Well, I expect you must be very proud of your son, Fred. He sure is a lucky man to find a
                    daughter like mine.

Mrs. K      :(Laughing) Yes, yes. They are a lovely couple, I mean, look at them. Oh. They looked
                   beautiful  together at the alter. Even the priest forgot his words as he was stunned by
                   their beauty.

Mrs. F-G   :No, the priest forgot his words due to your twins. Don’t you remember? Your children
                   broke out into a violent fight that interrupted the ceremony. I am sure you are aware of
                   that.
Mrs. K      :Oh ! Kids will be kids, what can you do ? (Laughing embarrassed)
Mrs. F-G  :Well, to answer your question, control them. Discipline them as in this fine, grand
                   ceremony their unruly comments about my daughter and their constant fidgeting is not
                   appreciated. Disturbing the priest is not something to be proud of. It spoiled the
                   ceremony.
Mrs. K     : Well, I am sorry it affected you so much. I for one loved the ceremony. The colours, the
                   smiles, my son looking so smart and the lovely pair, it was wonderful .
Mrs. F-G : The bride did look good didn’t she. She wore the family wedding dress so she looked
                   especially good.
Mrs. K    :  She chose to wear the dress ? (Surprised)
Mrs. F-G : Well, she didn’t have much of a choice. This dress and this church is a part of the tradition
                   of marriage in our family.
Mrs. K     : Oh; but this church is very ancient. It seems a bit dull and gloomy.
Mrs. F-G : It was used 25 years ago for my wedding ceremony. It is not dull, it is filled with
                  memories. Infact I like it.
Mrs. K     : Who knew that my Fred would marry your Cecilia. They met at University. Did she tell you
                   the story?
Mrs. F-G : Just a little bit. The fact that Fred was doing the exact opposite course to her. He was
                  doing Engineering while Cecilia was in Psychology and Classical Studies.
Mrs. K     : Opposites attract, don’t you think? They make a lovely pair.
Mrs. F-G : Honestly, I am not sure. Initially, I thought they would be most unsuitable. I mean they
                  have nothing in common.
Mrs. K     :But it was love at first sight. Don’t be old fashioned, they are young and in love.
Mrs. F-G :You are not persuading me at all. We shall see now Fred treats my daughter.
Mrs. K     :Don’t you worry! Fred is a charming young boy and we are an easy going family. She will  
                  settle right in.
Mrs. F-G :That is what I am afraid off. My family is about discipline and regiment. I don’t believe  in
                  the care free attitude. I believe in preparing and planning and I hope the discipline I
                  instilled in my daughter remains while living with Fred.
Mrs. K     :Fred is not overpowering. He loves her for who she is, so she won’t change. Calm Down.
Mrs. F-G :Our families are very different. It is so obvious to see I wear grey in honour and respect of
                  this significant ceremony while you adorn loud garish jewellery and multicoloured,
                  rainbow clothes. To me, this is unacceptable.
Mrs. K     :To me, your grey clothes match your stiff, rigid personality. You overpower your daughter,
                  influencing her to a point where her freedom of choice is lost. Our clourful cloths reminds
                  us that this is not only a ceremony but a colourful, fun celebration.
Mrs. F-G : My daughter is an independent lady who has to just follow our discipline and traditions. I
                   see no discipline in your household. I mean, your children played hide and seek. There is
                   no respect for the ceremony.
Mrs. K     : Oh! Please! My kids are having fun, something your family can’t seem to do. And this
                   venue and the organist are terrible, I barely recognize the wedding march.
Mrs. F-G : She is a friend of mine! I hope Fred isn’t like you.
Mrs. K     : Well, if Cecilia is like you then my poor Fred will be suffering.
Mrs. F-G :  We shall see how it goes. I have had enough.
Mrs. K     :  Same; at least we’re not getting married. Anyway, I have to go now. Bye now (Smiling)
Mrs. F-G :  Goodbye. (Stern face)