Digital SAT: Function & Purpose 1

1. The following text is adapted from Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859).

Naturalists have long been puzzled by the distribution of species across islands. Some islands contain animals closely resembling those of the nearest mainland, while others host forms found nowhere else. These patterns, though at first glance irregular, become more intelligible when viewed in light of migration and gradual modification.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It presents a counterexample that weakens the claim in the first sentence.

B) It offers an explanation that helps unify the observations described earlier.

C) It introduces a new topic that is unrelated to island species.

D) It questions whether naturalists have correctly identified species.

2. The following text is adapted from Jane Austen’s Persuasion (1817).

Anne listened politely as others spoke, though she seldom contributed more than a quiet remark. Her reserve, however, did not arise from indifference. Rather, it reflected a habit of observing carefully before trusting her own judgment aloud.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It clarifies a possible misconception about Anne’s behavior.

B) It introduces a contrast between Anne and another character.

C) It provides an example of Anne speaking in conversation.

D) It suggests that Anne intends to change her behavior.

3. The following text discusses early photography.

When photography first emerged in the nineteenth century, exposures could take several minutes, making it difficult to capture moving subjects. As a result, early photographs often depict still scenes or carefully posed figures. This limitation, while restrictive, also shaped the aesthetic of early photography.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It argues that early photographers preferred still subjects for artistic reasons alone.

B) It explains a broader consequence of the technical constraint described earlier.

C) It introduces a criticism of modern photography.

D) It provides evidence that exposure times were later reduced.

4. The following text is adapted from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818).

Victor labored for months in secrecy, driven by a single consuming ambition. He scarcely noticed the passing of seasons or the concern of those around him. Such devotion, though admirable in its intensity, carried consequences he had not yet begun to consider.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It foreshadows negative outcomes resulting from Victor’s actions.

B) It explains why Victor abandons his work.

C) It provides a detailed description of Victor’s experiment.

D) It compares Victor’s ambition to that of other scientists.

5. The following text discusses the mathematician Évariste Galois.

Galois developed groundbreaking ideas about the solvability of equations, proposing that the structure of permutations could determine whether an equation could be solved by radicals. His work was not widely recognized during his lifetime. Only later did mathematicians come to appreciate the depth and utility of his insights.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It introduces a criticism of Galois’s methods.

B) It provides a contrast between Galois’s lifetime reception and later recognition.

C) It explains how Galois discovered his theories.

D) It argues that Galois’s work is no longer relevant.

6. The following text is adapted from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden (1854).

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to confront only the essential facts of life. I wanted to see if I could not learn what it had to teach. In doing so, I hoped to avoid discovering, at the end of my life, that I had not truly lived.Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It restates the main idea using more technical language.

B) It provides a personal justification for the decision described earlier.

C) It introduces an opposing viewpoint.

D) It describes the physical conditions of the woods to better understand his circumstance.

7. The following text discusses the development of vaccines.

Early attempts at vaccination were often met with skepticism, as the mechanisms by which they worked were not yet understood. Nevertheless, repeated observations showed that exposure to a weakened form of a disease could provide protection against future infection. These results gradually shifted public opinion, though not without continued resistance.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It emphasizes the immediate and universal acceptance of vaccines.

B) It explains how vaccines are biologically produced.

C) It describes the impact of accumulating evidence on public attitudes.

D) It introduces a new scientific theory unrelated to vaccination.

8. The following text is adapted from a discussion of Shakespeare’s plays.

In many of Shakespeare’s tragedies, characters struggle not only against external forces but also against their own flaws. Ambition, jealousy, and pride often drive the action forward. These internal conflicts make the characters’ downfalls feel both inevitable and deeply personal.Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It summarizes the causes of the characters’ success.

B) It explains the significance of the traits mentioned earlier.

C) It introduces a list of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

D) It argues that external forces are more important than internal ones.

9. The following text discusses urban parks.

City planners often design parks to provide green space, recreational areas, and relief from crowded streets. Studies have shown that access to such spaces can improve both physical and mental health. For this reason, many cities have made park development a central part of their long-term planning strategies.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It offers a cause-and-effect conclusion based on the information presented earlier.

B) It introduces a counterargument to the benefits of parks, including physical and mental health.

C) It describes how parks are physically constructed.

D) It questions the reliability of the studies mentioned.

10. The following text is adapted from Booker T. Washington’s Up from Slavery (1901).

At first, I was allowed to attend school only irregularly, as I was needed for work. Each lesson, however brief, opened a new world to me. What I lacked in time, I tried to make up for in determination.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It introduces a contrast between Washington and his classmates.

B) It provides a detailed account of Washington’s school schedule.

C) It suggests that Washington preferred working to studying.

D) It explains how Washington responded to a limitation described earlier.