Digital SAT: Function & Purpose 2

1. The following text is adapted from George Eliot’s Middlemarch (1871–72).

Dorothea was accustomed to thinking of her actions as guided by principles rather than by impulse. Yet in moments of uncertainty, she found herself hesitating, as though those principles required interpretation. What had once seemed firm now demanded reconsideration.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It signals a shift from certainty to doubt in Dorothea’s thinking.

B) It explains why Dorothea abandons her principles entirely.

C) It introduces a contrast between Dorothea and another character.

D) It provides evidence that Dorothea’s principles are incorrect.

Question 1 of 10

2. The following text discusses the development of the printing press.

Before the invention of the printing press, books were copied by hand, a process that was both time-consuming and prone to error. The introduction of movable type allowed texts to be reproduced more quickly and consistently. As a result, written works could circulate more widely than ever before.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It provides a specific example of a book produced using movable type.

B) It explains a key consequence of the technological change described earlier.

C) It questions whether handwritten texts were truly unreliable.

D) It introduces a competing invention from the same period.

Question 2 of 10

3. The following text is adapted from Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick (1851).

Ishmael often reflected on the vastness of the ocean and the smallness of those who traveled upon it. The sea seemed at once indifferent and immense, offering no assurance of safety. Such reflections did not discourage him; rather, they deepened his sense of wonder.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It introduces a contradiction to the earlier description of the sea.

B) It compares Ishmael’s perspective to that of other sailors.

C) It suggests that Ishmael plans to abandon his voyage.

D) It clarifies Ishmael’s emotional response to the thoughts described earlier.

Question 3 of 10

4. The following text discusses the discovery of penicillin.

In 1928, Alexander Fleming observed that a mold contaminating one of his bacterial cultures had killed the surrounding bacteria. Although he recognized the potential importance of this observation, it was not immediately developed into a practical treatment. Only years later did other scientists build upon Fleming’s work to create effective antibiotics.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It provides a chronological continuation that highlights delayed impact.

B) It minimizes Alexander Fleming’s role in the discovery of antibiotics.

C) It explains why Fleming’s initial observation was incorrect.

D) It introduces a competing scientific discovery.

Question 4 of 10

5. The following text is adapted from Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own (1929).

A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction. The absence of these conditions has, in many cases, limited the opportunities available to women writers. It is not a lack of ability that explains the disparity, but a lack of resources.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It restates the main claim in more ambiguous terms.

B) It refines the argument by identifying the underlying cause of a problem.

C) It introduces an example that contradicts the earlier statement made in the text.

D) It shifts the focus from writing to economic theory.

Question 5 of 10

6. Question 6The following text discusses the Wright brothers.

The Wright brothers conducted numerous experiments with gliders before attempting powered flight. They carefully studied air currents and tested different wing designs. This methodical approach distinguished their work from earlier, less systematic efforts.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It explains why gliders were more effective than powered aircraft.

B) It introduces a criticism of the Wright brothers’ methods.

C) It evaluates the significance of the approach described earlier.

D) It provides a detailed description of a specific experiment.

Question 6 of 10

7. The following text is adapted from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876).

Tom considered the task before him with a sigh, imagining the long hours it would require. Yet as he began, he noticed that others watched him with curiosity. Before long, he found a way to make the work appear desirable rather than burdensome.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It explains how Tom transforms the situation to his advantage.

B) It shows that Tom regrets beginning the task.

C) It introduces a new task that Tom must complete.

D) It suggests that the observers are uninterested in Tom’s work.

Question 7 of 10

8. The following text discusses climate patterns.

Scientists have observed that global temperatures have risen steadily over the past century. While short-term fluctuations occur, the overall trend remains upward. These variations, though sometimes cited in isolation, do not undermine the broader pattern.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It introduces a counterargument that the text ultimately supports.

B) It clarifies how a potential misunderstanding of the data should be interpreted.

C) It provides new data that contradicts earlier findings.

D) It shifts the focus from temperature to precipitation.

Question 8 of 10

9. The following text is adapted from Frederick Douglass’s writings.

Learning to read had opened Douglass’s mind to ideas he had never before considered. It also made him more aware of the injustice of his condition. With that awareness came both a sense of possibility and a deeper dissatisfaction.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It presents a balanced outcome of the development described earlier.

B) It argues that reading ultimately harmed Douglass.

C) It introduces a comparison between Douglass and others.

D) It explains how Douglass learned to read.

Question 9 of 10

10. The following text discusses the economist Adam Smith.

Adam Smith argued that individuals pursuing their own interests could unintentionally contribute to the overall good of society. This idea, often summarized as the “invisible hand,” has been widely debated and interpreted in various ways. Some critics, however, have pointed out that such outcomes depend heavily on the conditions in which markets operate.Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It rejects Smith’s theory entirely.

B) It introduces a qualification that limits the scope of the earlier claim.

C) It provides historical context for Smith’s work.

D) It offers an example that supports Smith’s theory.

Question 10 of 10