SAT Question of the Day
2014-09-19 09:00:01
A right circular cylinder has a volume of 72π. If its base has a diameter of 8, what is its height?
The correct answer is 4.5
Explanation: The volume of a circular cylinder is found by multiplying the area of the base by the height. The area of the base is the square of the radius times π. If the base has a diameter of 8, its radius is 4. Thus, the area of the base is (4•4)π, or 16π. Let h be the height and set up an equation: 72π = 16πh. Divide both sides by 16π to get h = 4.5.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-09-22 09:00:05
Theodore Roosevelt is associated with the West in the popular imagination, but (A) (B)
in fact he was born in New York City and lived most of his adult life on Long Island. (C) (D)
No error
(E)
The correct answer is E
Explanation: There is no mistake in this sentence.
Choice (A) is incorrect because the preposition "with" agrees idiomatically with the verb "associated," which itself is appropriate in context.
Choice (B) is incorrect because the coordinating conjunction "but" combines with the comma to correctly link two independent clauses and is the proper linking word in context, as it links two contrasting clauses.
Choice (C) is incorrect because the pronoun "he" agrees in number and case with its antecedent "Theodore Roosevelt" and because it agrees with the singular verb "was" in number. Further, "was" is in the proper past tense.
Choice (D) is correct because the coordinating conjunction "and" correctly links a dependent clause to an independent one and is contextually correct since it links two clauses that have related meaning.
Since there are no mistakes in the sentence, choice E is correct.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-09-24 09:00:47
The first term of a certain sequence of integers is 75. Every term after the first is equal to twice the preceding term if that term is even, or is equal to 1/3 of the preceding term rounded to the nearest integer if that term is odd. What is the fifth term of the sequence?
(A) 8
(B) 9
(C) 25
(D) 32
(E) 64
The correct answer is D
Explanation: Just find the first five terms in the sequence, since it is not that much work.
Term 1: 75 – this is given
Term 2: 25 — 75 was odd, so the next term is 1/3 of the first term rounded to the nearest integer
Term 3: 8 — 25 was odd, so the next term is 1/3 of the first term rounded to the nearest integer, and 1/3 of 25 is 8.
Term 4: 16 — 8 was even, so the next term is twice the preceding term
Term 5: 32 — 16 was even, so the next term is twice the preceding term
This means the fifth term is 32, making D right.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-09-26 09:00:28
The feeders at the zoo noted that the pelicans tended to be more ______ when they were trying to get fish than did the docile penguins who occupied the same habitat.
(A) compliant
(B) nonchalant
(C) demure
(D) gregarious
(E) bellicose
The correct answer is E
Explanation: To find the missing word, try to predict its meaning by using clues in the sentence. Here, the best clue is the use of "than," which sets up a comparison that implies that the pelicans are unlike the penguins. Since the penguins are "docile," the pelicans must be the opposite of "docile." As such, E is correct because "bellicose" means "aggressive and willing to fight."
None of the other choices work, either:
compliant: acquiescent or tending to agree with others
nonchalant: aloof and disinterested
demure: modest and shy
gregarious: sociable
SAT Question of the Day
2014-09-29 09:00:50
x and y are both positive integers such that x < y. If xy ≥ 12 and x + y ≤ 7, what is one possible value of y?
(A) 3
(B) 4
(C) 5
(D) 6
(E) 7
The correct answer is B
Explanation: The fastest way to do this question is to plug in the answer choices, starting with the addition problem first. Since y has to be greater than x, start with the largest suggested value of y, and work down:
If y is 7, then x is 0 at most. This is impossible, because both x and y are supposed to be positive integers.
If y is 6, then x is 1 at most. However, 6 • 1 is 6, which is not greater than or equal to 12.
If y is 5, then x is 2 at most. However, 5 • 2 is 10, which is not greater than or equal to 12.
If y is 4, then x is 3 at most. 4 • 3 is 12, so choice B is correct: x is 3 and y is 4.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-10-01 09:00:21
Full of far too many swimmers, Li decided to leave the pool and instead go for a long run for her daily exercise.
(A) Full of far too many swimmers,
(B) Finding it full of far too many swimmers,
(C) The pool was full of far too many swimmers,
(D) Since it was full of far too many swimmers, this is why
(E) Because the pool was full of far too many swimmers, so
The correct answer is B
Explanation: As the sentence is written, it contains a modifier error. The phrase "full of too far too many swimmers" is an introductory modifier and, as such, needs to be followed by its subject, the thing that is "full of far too many swimmers." As constructed, the sentence implies that Li herself was full of swimmers. Choice B corrects this error by reconstructing the modifier so that it could correctly describe Li as a person who found the pool too full of swimmers.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-10-03 09:00:07
A rectangular tank has a base that is 15 centimeters by 10 centimeters and a height
of 30 centimeters. If the tank is one-third full of water, by how many centimeters will the water level rise if 750 cubic centimeters are poured into the tank?
The correct answer is 5
Explanation: Start by finding the volume of the full tank by multiplying the dimensions together: 15 x 10 x 30 = 4500. If the tank is 1/3 full, then that means it currently includes 1/3 of 4500 cubic centimeters, or 1500 cubic centimeters of water. This would mean the water rises 1/3 of 30 centimeters, meaning the water currently has a height of 10 centimeters. When 750 cubic centimeters of water are added, the tank will be 2250 cubic centimeters full. 2250 is half of 4500, so the tank will be half full. That means the water will rise half the height of the tank, or half of 30 centimeters: 15 centimeters. The question asks for how much the additional water will make the tank rise. Since it rose from 10 centimeters in height to 15, the answer is 5.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-10-06 09:00:54
The coach's post-game tirade was full of ______ attacks on his team's lack of effort and equally acerbic criticisms of its sloppy play.
(A) vitriolic
(B) dowdy
(C) benign
(D) obliging
(E) irrefutable
The correct answer is A
Explanation: To find the missing word, try to predict its meaning by using keywords in the sentence. Here, the best clues are the words "equally acerbic criticisms" and the use of the conjunction "and," which links the "attacks" to the criticisms, implying that the attacks were similar to those criticisms. As such, the missing word must mean something similar to "acerbic criticisms," implying that the "attacks" were harsh. Choice A is correct, then, since "vitriolic" means "filled with bitter criticism or malice."
None of the other choices work, either:
dowdy: unfashionable
benign: harmless
obliging: helpless
irrefutable: undeniabl
SAT Question of the Day
2014-10-08 09:00:50
Two right triangles are similar. One has sides of 10, 24, and 26. Which of the following could be the length of the hypotenuse of the the other triangle?
I. 13
II. 36
III. 65
(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II
(D) I and III
(E) I, II, and III
The correct answer is D
Explanation: If the two triangles are similar, then their sides are proportional. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is its longest side, so the hypotenuse of the other triangle must be proportional to 26, meaning that it must have a common factor with 26. 13 is a common factor of 26, since both numbers are divisible by 13. Option I is correct, then. Similarly, option III works, since 65 and 26 both have 13 as a factor. 36 does not work, though, as 36 is proportional to 24, not 26. Thus, option II does not work. Since I and III do, choice D is correct.
SAT Question of the Day
2014-10-10 09:00:02
The Ryman Auditorium is one of Nashville's most revered venues and (A) (B)
has hosted not only some of the biggest names in country music but (C)
American presidents too. No error (D) (E)
The correct answer is D
Explanation: The error in this sentence occurs at choice D where "too" is used incorrectly. Idiomatically, the use of "not only" necessitates the use of "but also" to complete the phrase. Thus, instead of "American presidents too," this sentence should read "but also American presidents."