SAT閱讀:Reading Comprehension Test7 參考答案

　　1.Correct Answer: A

　　Explanation:

　　Both the first and the last sentence of the excerpt indicate that the author is concerned with the size of mammals and the amount of vegetation. Hence answer A. (Note that strong words like ‘prove’ and ‘completely’ are not usually answers to primary purpose questions. This fact can help you eliminate answer choices.)

　　2.Correct Answer: C

　　Explanation:

　　‘Vitiated’ usually means ‘weakened’. Here the author argues that false ideas have ‘vitiated the reasoning of geologists’. False ideas would harm or ‘impair’ reasoning. Hence, answer C.

　　3.Correct Answer: C

　　Explanation:

　　The ‘prejudice’ talked about here is the same as the false reasoning in sentence 1. This prejudice/false reasoning has led to false ideas on the part of geologists. Answer C.

　　4.Correct Answer: E

　　Explanation:

　　Dr. Smith is mentioned extensively. His experience is quoted on all of the points mentioned in the question. Plant life in lines 49-51, large numbers of animals in lines 38 onwards, and number of carnivores in lines 56-60. Hence, answer E

　　5.Correct Answer: D

　　Explanation:

　　Remember that this is an ‘except’ question. Four choices will give things that the author does suggest as an explanation for the numbers, and one (the right answer) will not. That the food contains a concentrated source of nutrients is given by the phrase ‘much nutriment in small bulk’ (line 67). Rapid regrowth is covered by ‘has a rapid growth' (line 69). Large area by ‘roam over wide tracts’ (line 65). Overestimate of requirements is covered by ‘much exaggerated’ (line 74). This leaves D as the right answer.

　　6.Correct Answer: B

　　Explanation:

　　To be sure of the answer we need to read the sentence before the reference to carnage. The mention of predators such as the lion, panther and hyena, as well as the birds of prey, indicates that the author is thinking of all the animals that must be killed by these predators each day. Hence, answer B.

　　7.Correct Answer: D

　　Explanation:

　　Remember that this is an ‘except’ question. Four choices will give things that the author does suggest as an explanation for the numbers, and one (the right answer) will not. That the food contains a concentrated source of nutrients is given by the phrase ‘much nutriment in small bulk’ (line 67). Rapid regrowth is covered by ‘has a rapid growth' (line 69). Large area by ‘roam over wide tracts’ (line 65). Overestimate of requirements is covered by ‘much exaggerated’ (line 74). This leaves D as the right answer.

　　8.Correct Answer: E

　　Explanation:

　　The author mentions travel books (line 11), illustrations (engravings, line 15), private communication (Dr. Smith informed the author personally, line 19), and he refers to recorded observations in various places (e.g. line 82). But there are no mentions of historical documents (only contemporary ones are mentioned). This makes E the correct answer.

　　9.Correct Answer: A

　　Explanation:

　　Darwin quotes Burchell to show how the latter was struck by the luxuriant vegetation and absence of large mammals in South America. He does this to contradict the belief that large animals are found where there is abundant vegetation (line 75). Since a misconception is a wrong belief, answer A is correct.

　　10.Correct Answer: B

　　Explanation:

　　Darwin places heavy reliance on Dr. Smith’s observations. So we can eliminate D because of the negative words. Reliable in A is a good word, but imaginative is inappropriate for one who records facts. There is no evidence that he is excitable, which leaves us to consider B and E. The discussion of the expedition (lines 18 onwards ) supports the idea that Darwin thinks him intrepid (brave and adventurous), and B is the best choice. (The words in E are really too strong. Incontrovertible means cannot be contradicted, and peerless means without equal).

　　11.Correct Answer: C

　　Explanation:

　　The remarks indicate that there are not enough data, and so an actual comparison cannot be made. The comparison attempted here is, therefore, highly speculative. (Speculative means based on guesswork or supposition.) Answer C.

　　12.Correct Answer: A

　　Explanation:

　　Anterior probability here suggests that the observations contradict what might have been expected, answer A.