Quiz: How would you do on the PSAT?

Question 2

You may use a calculator for this question.

An amusement park is building a scale model of an airplane for a 3D ride. The real airplane measures 220 feet, 6 inches from nose to tail.

The amusement park plans to make the ride 36 feet, 9 inches long. If the wingspan of the real plane is 176.5 feet, how long in inches should the wingspan on the ride be?

(1 foot = 12 inches)
A. 7 feet, 3 inches
B. 29 feet, 5 inches
C. 35 feet, 2 inches
D. 45 feet, 11 inches

Question 3

If a + 2 > 5 and a − 4 < 1, then which of the following could be a value for a ?

A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6

Question 4

Which of the following is the best estimate for the slope of the line that best fits the data shown in the figure? (Assume that the blackbordered area is a square and that the scale of measurement is the same on every side.)

A. -2
B. -1/2
C. 1/2
D. 2

Question 5

The following passage, adapted from an article in an encyclopedia of American culture, addresses some of the influences of the automobile on American life.

Interestingly, it was the process of building cars rather than the cars themselves that first brought a sea change to the American workplace. In 1914, a Ford plant in Highland Park, Michigan, used the first electric conveyor belt, greatly increasing the efficiency of automobile manufacturing. Assembly lines for the production of automobiles were quickly adopted and became highly mechanized, providing a new model for industrial business.

In contrast to European manufacturers, which employed a higher percentage of skilled laborers to produce fewer and costlier cars, American companies focused on turning out a large quantity of affordable cars utilizing less-skilled laborers. Assembly-line production was a mixed blessing, as it enabled higher productivity and more affordable cars but resulted in less-satisfied workers with less-interesting jobs. The value of efficiency was emphasized over personal pride and investment in the work.

The author refers to European and American manufacturing practices (in bold) primarily to:

A. demonstrate the quality difference between European and American cars.
B. argue for a return to a less mechanized but less efficient factory system.
C. highlight the positive and negative effects of the automobile on the American workplace.
D. suggest that greater efficiency and more skilled laborers can improve the American workplace.

Question 6

As cars became more popular, their effect on population distribution was likewise profound. Unlike railroads, which helped concentrate the population in cities, the automobile contributed to urban sprawl and, eventually, to the rise of suburbs. People no longer needed to live near public transportation lines or within walking distance of their jobs, and so were drawn to outlying areas with less congestion and lower property taxes. Business districts became less centralized for similar reasons. Sadly, this movement toward suburbs exacerbated social stratification. Since cars were initially affordable only to wealthier people, the upper and middle classes moved out of cities.

Many businesses followed, attracted by the educated, well-trained workforce. As good jobs also moved out of cities, the people who remained were further disadvantaged and even less able to leave. Though few anticipated it in the heady early days of suburban growth, by the century’s end cars had helped to further entrench social divisions in America by making possible great physical distances between rich and poor.

In the bolded lines above, what distinction does the author draw between the two types of transportation?

A. Railroads are a more efficient mode of transportation than automobiles.
B. Automobiles allow greater flexibility, while railroads operate on a fixed schedule.
C. Railroads promote clustered populations, while automobiles promote dispersed populations.
D. Automobiles replaced railroads as the preferred American mode of transportation.

Question 7

As cars became more popular, their effect on population distribution was likewise profound. Unlike railroads, which helped concentrate the population in cities, the automobile contributed to urban sprawl and, eventually, to the rise of suburbs. People no longer needed to live near public transportation lines or within walking distance of their jobs, and so were drawn to outlying areas with less congestion and lower property taxes. Business districts became less centralized for similar reasons. Sadly, this movement toward suburbs exacerbated social stratification. Since cars were initially affordable only to wealthier people, the upper and middle classes moved out of cities.

Many businesses followed, attracted by the educated, well-trained workforce. As good jobs also moved out of cities, the people who remained were further disadvantaged and even less able to leave. Though few anticipated it in the heady early days of suburban growth, by the century’s end cars had helped to further entrench social divisions in America by making possible great physical distances between rich and poor.

As bolded above, “profound most nearly means” ?

A. absolute
B. unintelligible
C. far-reaching
D. thoughtful

Question 8

In recent years, many parents have expressed concern that the atmosphere of violence (1) propagated by the American entertainment industry may be having a harmful effect on their children. Certainly these parents are correct that (2) violent acts such as murder, have become the pervasive theme of everything from feature films to television cartoons. But is this kind of depravity altogether new to the world of the (3) child. Haven’t parents for centuries been exposing their children to fairy tales that are at least as gory and violent?

How should word (1) be changed?

A. NO CHANGE
B. secreted
C. populated
D. advocated

Question 9

In recent years, many parents have expressed concern that the atmosphere of violence (1) propagated by the American entertainment industry may be having a harmful effect on their children. Certainly these parents are correct that (2) violent acts such as murder, have become the pervasive theme of everything from feature films to television cartoons. But is this kind of depravity altogether new to the world of the (3) child. Haven’t parents for centuries been exposing their children to fairy tales that are at least as gory and violent?

How should #2 be changed?

A. NO CHANGE
B. violent acts; such as murder; have become
C. violent acts, such as murder have become
D. violent acts, such as murder, have become

Question 10

In recent years, many parents have expressed concern that the atmosphere of violence (1) propagated by the American entertainment industry may be having a harmful effect on their children. Certainly these parents are correct that (2) violent acts such as murder, have become the pervasive theme of everything from feature films to television cartoons. But is this kind of depravity altogether new to the world of the (3) child. Haven’t parents for centuries been exposing their children to fairy tales that are at least as gory and violent?

How should #3 be changed?

A. NO CHANGE
B. child?
C. child!
D. child;