These questions come from the trainer's bank. The correct answer and explanation open on click, exactly as they do after every question in the test.
Reading and Writing
Cross-Text Connections
easy
Text 1
Imagine you and your friend are trying to decide where to eat lunch. When people try to make joint decisions like this, they
often don’t reveal their true preferences. Instead, they say they would be happy with all options because they think this
response will help them appear more easygoing and likable to the other person.
Text 2
Research shows that people who don’t state their preferences when making a decision with others aren’t more likable in the
eyes of others. In fact, stating that you have no preference actually makes the decision more difficult for other people. It can
also cause them to feel less happy with their ultimate decision and with you.
Based on the texts, what response would the author of Text 2 most likely suggest for someone in the situation described in
the underlined sentence in Text 1?
- Cancel the plan to have lunch together.
- Ask where the friend typically likes to eat.
- State a preference about where to eat.
- Change the subject to talk about something else.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Choice C is the best answer because it directly applies the research findings described in Text 2 to the situation underlined in Text 1. The underlined sentence in Text 1 describes a common scenario in which two friends are deciding on a lunch location. Text 1 goes on to explain that people often don’t reveal their true preferences in such situations, instead claiming they’re fine with any option so that they can appear more easygoing and likable. Text 2 presents research that advises against this approach, stating that people who don’t express their preferences aren’t viewed as more likable and that this behavior actually makes decisions more difficult for others. Since Text 2 specifically argues against the strategy of concealing preferences and indicates negative outcomes from doing so, the author of Text 2 would most likely recommend stating a preference about where to eat. Choice A is incorrect because nothing in Text 2 suggests that canceling plans is a good solution. The author of Text 2 is addressing how to make joint decisions effectively (through stating your own preference), not advocating for avoiding such decisions entirely. Choice B is incorrect because asking where the friend typically likes to eat still avoids stating one’s own preference. While this approach might seem considerate, it continues the pattern of not revealing true preferences that Text 2 identifies as problematic. Choice D is incorrect because changing the subject would avoid making any decision altogether,
Math
Nonlinear Functions
medium
A rectangular volleyball court has an area of 162 square meters. If the length of the
court is twice the width, what is the width of the court, in meters?
- 9
- 18
- 27
- 54
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Choice A is correct. It’s given that the volleyball court is rectangular and has an area of 162 square meters. The formula for the area of a rectangle is , where A is the area, is the length, and w is the width of the rectangle. It’s also given that the length of the volleyball court is twice the width, thus . Substituting the given value into the formula for the area of a rectangle and using the relationship between length and width for this rectangle yields . This equation can be rewritten as . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Taking the square root of both sides of this equation yields . Since the width of a rectangle is a positive number, the width of the volleyball court is 9 meters. Choice B is incorrect because this is the length of the rectangle. Choice C is incorrect because this is the result of using 162 as the perimeter rather than the area. Choice D is incorrect because this is the result of calculating w in the equation instead of .
Reading and Writing
Cross-Text Connections
easy
Text 1
Public policy researcher Anthony Fowler studied the history of elections in Australia, a country that requires citizens to vote.
Fowler argues that requiring citizens to vote leads to a significant increase in voters who would otherwise not have the time
or motivation to vote. Thus, election results in countries that require citizens to vote better reflect the preferences of the
country as a whole.
Text 2
Governments in democratic countries function better when more people vote. However, forcing people to vote may have
negative consequences. Shane P. Singh and Jason Roy studied what happens when a country requires its citizens to vote.
They found that when people feel forced to vote, they tend to spend less time looking for information about their choices
when voting. As a result, votes from these voters may not reflect their actual preferences.
Based on the texts, how would Singh and Roy (Text 2) most likely respond to the research discussed in Text 1?
- Only countries of a certain population size should implement mandatory voting.
- People who are forced to vote are likely to become politically engaged in other ways, such as volunteering or running for office.
- Requiring people to vote does not necessarily lead to election outcomes that better represent the preferences of the country as a whole.
- Countries that require voting must also make the process of voting easier for their citizens.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Choice C is the best answer. Text 1 claims that mandatory voting results in elections that "better reflect the preferences of the country." Singh and Roy disagree. They claim that more voters doesn’t equal more quality votes—instead, they argue that forced voting may lead to less-informed votes that "may not reflect [voters’] actual preferences." Choice A is incorrect. Neither text mentions the population size of countries that require voting, or how that might affect election outcomes. Choice B is incorrect. Neither text discusses the effects of mandatory voting on other forms of political engagement. Choice D is incorrect. Neither text discusses the ease or difficulty of the voting process in countries that require voting.
Math
Nonlinear Functions
medium
An object’s kinetic energy, in joules, is equal to the product of one-half the object’s
mass, in kilograms, and the square of the object’s speed, in meters per second.
What is the speed, in meters per second, of an object with a mass of 4 kilograms
and kinetic energy of 18 joules?
- 3
- 6
- 9
- 36
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Choice A is correct. It’s given that an object’s kinetic energy, in joules, is equal to the product of one-half the object’s mass, in kilograms, and the square of the object’s speed, in meters per second. This relationship can be represented by the equation , where K is the kinetic energy, m is the mass, and v is the speed. Substituting a mass of 4 kilograms for m and a kinetic energy of 18 joules for K results in the equation , or . Dividing both sides of this equation by 2 yields . Taking the square root of both sides yields and . Since speed can’t be expressed as a negative number, the speed of the object is 3 meters per second. Choice B is incorrect and may result from computation errors. Choice C is incorrect. This is the value of rather than v. Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of rather than v.
Reading and Writing
Cross-Text Connections
easy
Text 1
Dance choreographer Alvin Ailey’s deep admiration for jazz music can most clearly be felt in the rhythms and beats his
works were set to. Ailey collaborated with some of the greatest jazz legends, like Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, and
perhaps his favorite, Duke Ellington. With his choice of music, Ailey helped bring jazz to life for his audiences.
Text 2
Jazz is present throughout Ailey’s work, but it’s most visible in Ailey’s approach to choreography. Ailey often incorporated
improvisation, a signature characteristic of jazz music, in his work. When managing his dance company, Ailey rarely forced
his dancers to an exact set of specific moves. Instead, he encouraged his dancers to let their own skills and experiences
shape their performances, as jazz musicians do.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
- Dancers who worked with Ailey greatly appreciated his supportive approach as a choreographer.
- Ailey’s work was strongly influenced by jazz.
- Audiences were mostly unfamiliar with the jazz music in Ailey’s works.
- Ailey blended multiple genres of music together when choreographing dance pieces.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Choice B is the best answer. Author 1 states that Ailey had a “deep admiration for jazz music” and that he “helped bring jazz to life for his audiences.” Author 2 states that “Jazz is present throughout Ailey’s work.” While the authors name different aspects of Ailey’s work as the most influenced by jazz, they agree that jazz was a strong influence. Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t something that either text claims. Neither text mentions how Ailey’s dancers felt about his approach as a choreographer, so we have no evidence that either author would agree with this. Choice C is incorrect. This isn’t something that either text claims. Neither text mentions how familiar audiences were with any aspect of Ailey’s works, so we have no evidence that either author would agree with this. Choice D is incorrect. This isn’t something that either text claims. Neither text mentions any genre of music other than jazz, so we have no evidence that either author would agree with this.
Math
Linear Functions
easy
Robert rented a truck to transport materials he purchased from a hardware store.
He was charged an initial fee of $20.00 plus an additional $0.70 per mile driven. If
the truck was driven 38 miles, what was the total amount Robert was charged?
- $46.60
- $52.90
- $66.90
- $86.50
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Choice A is correct. It’s given that Robert was charged an initial fee of $20.00 to rent the truck plus an additional $0.70 per mile driven. Let m represent the number of miles the truck was driven. Since the rental charge is $0.70 per mile driven, represents the amount Robert was charged for m miles driven. Let c equal the total amount, in dollars, Robert was charged to rent the truck. The total amount can be represented by the equation . It’s given that the truck was driven 38 miles, thus . Substituting 38 into the equation gives . Multiplying gives . Adding these values gives , so the total amount Robert was charged is $46.60. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect and may result from setting up the equation incorrectly or from making calculation errors.