Current Events: Changes in SAT

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Read the two articles provided. Answer the following questions.

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SAT Changes May Not Level Playing Field for Low-Income Students

By Alexandra Pannoni, March 10, 2014

Question 1

Which of the following will be one of the changes to the SAT?

a mandatory essay

an analogy section

a science section

an optional essay

Clear selection

Question 2

Which of the following will be one of the changes to the SAT?

a 2400 point scale

a 2000 point scale

a 1600 point scale

a 1200 point scale

Clear selection

Question 3

The phrase "optional essay" from the article probably means that:

the essay is required

the essay is not required

the essay is multiple choice

the essay must contain your opinion

Clear selection

Question 4

The phrase "wealthier students" from the article probably means:

more intelligent students

less intelligent students

financially advantaged students

financially disadvantaged students

Clear selection

Question 5

Which of the following ideas is supported by the article?

Education experts think the changes will help low-income students.

Education experts think the changes will help high-income students.

Education experts disagree about whether the changes will help.

Education experts will help students divide the exam.

Clear selection

Question 6

What "strong, direct relationship" does Bob Schaeffer point out?

between family and friends

between family income and drug use

between family income and test scores

between friends and test scores

Clear selection

Question 7

The reader can infer that the phrase "achievement gap between low-income and wealthier students" means:

difference in test scores

difference in drug use

difference in clothing brands

difference in opinions

Clear selection

Question 8

The reader can infer that the phrase "leveling the playing field" means:

smoothing out wrinkles

streamlining application forms

stabilizing the foundation

equalizing opportunity

Clear selection

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Read Article 2 (to the left), and answer the five questions below:

Dumbing Down the SAT

By Rich Lowry, March 11, 2014

Question 9

The phrase "classism" from the article probably means:

differential treatment based on manners and customs

differential treatment based on religion

differential treatment based on race or ethnicity

differential treatment based on social class

Clear selection

Question 10

Which of the following phrases contains an opinion?

The College Board is updating its iconic test yet again

The old vocabulary words are out

guessing is no longer punished in the scoring

the test is better than ever

Clear selection

Question 11

The word, 'egalitarian' in the phrase, "has long been attacked for not producing sufficiently egalitarian results," means:

unequal

equal

racist

classist

Clear selection

Question 12

According to the article, why is the SAT called an "instrument of privilege."

The test implies that kids from higher-income families are better candidates for college.

The test implies that kids from lower-income families are better candidates for college.

The test implies that kids from Asian families are better candidates for college.

The test implies that kids from Caucasian families are better candidates for college.

Clear selection

Question 13

The phrase "fallacy" from the article probably means:

something that is proven

something that is false

something that is inconsiderate

something that is unfair

Clear selection

Question 14

According to the second-to-last paragraph, how can students perform better on the SAT?

by being born into a wealthy family

by being born into a non-white family

by using Khan Academy

by reading more and doing more math

Clear selection

Question 15

According to the last paragraph, what do "we" have to do better?

math problems

complain about the SAT