SAT® question of the day

Today's five

Covering Geometry and Trigonometry, Information and Ideas, Standard English Conventions, Expression of Ideas, Craft and Structure. Each one carries the worked explanation that its subject page carries, so a miss ends in a method rather than a letter.

Pick an answer before you look. Tapping a choice shows which one was right and opens the worked explanation, and a miss is remembered so Weak Skills can replay that skill. It stays in this browser.

1. 1VolumeStandard

   A cylinder has a radius of 6 and a height of 4. What is its volume, in terms of π?A cylinder has a radius of 6 and a height of 4. What is its volume, in terms of π?

   • A48π48π
   • B144π144π
   • C96π96π
   • D576π576π
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   Answer: 144π144π

   Volume is π r² h = π(36)(4) = 144π. Using r rather than r² gives 24π, and doubling the radius before squaring gives 576π.Volume is π r^2 h = π(36)(4) = 144π. Using r rather than r^2 gives 24π, and doubling the radius before squaring gives 576π.

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2. 2SynthesisStandard

   Notes for an article state that a wetland restoration began in 2019, native plants were added in 2020, and bird surveys recorded 14 more species by 2023. Which sentence most effectively summarizes the notes?Notes for an article state that a wetland restoration began in 2019, native plants were added in 2020, and bird surveys recorded 14 more species by 2023. Which sentence most effectively summarizes the notes?

   • ABird surveys are always more reliable than plant surveys.Bird surveys are always more reliable than plant surveys.
   • BThe wetland had exactly 14 bird species before restoration began.The wetland had exactly 14 bird species before restoration began.
   • CWetlands are difficult to restore because native plants grow slowly.Wetlands are difficult to restore because native plants grow slowly.
   • DA restoration begun in 2019 added native plants the next year and was followed by an increase in recorded bird species by 2023.A restoration begun in 2019 added native plants the next year and was followed by an increase in recorded bird species by 2023.
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   Answer: A restoration begun in 2019 added native plants the next year and was followed by an increase in recorded bird species by 2023.A restoration begun in 2019 added native plants the next year and was followed by an increase in recorded bird species by 2023.

   This choice accurately joins the timing and the reported result without inventing a cause, a comparison of survey methods, or a starting species count.This choice accurately joins the timing and the reported result without inventing a cause, a comparison of survey methods, or a starting species count.

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3. 3Verb tenseStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?By the time the ferry docked, the storm ______ for six hours.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By the time the ferry docked, the storm ______ for six hours.

   • Ahad been blowinghad been blowing
   • Bhas been blowinghas been blowing
   • Cblowsblows
   • Dis blowingis blowing
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   Answer: had been blowinghad been blowing

   The storm was already six hours old when the ferry docked, and the past perfect continuous is what places an ongoing action before a past event. The present perfect would run the storm up to now, which the docking rules out.The storm was already six hours old when the ferry docked, and the past perfect continuous is what places an ongoing action before a past event. The present perfect would run the storm up to now, which the docking rules out.

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4. 4Rhetorical synthesisStandard

   Notes: A community garden began in 2018. It has 40 plots. It runs a seed swap each spring. It is maintained entirely by volunteers. The student wants to introduce the garden to a reader who has not heard of it. Which choice best uses the notes?Notes: A community garden began in 2018. It has 40 plots. It runs a seed swap each spring. It is maintained entirely by volunteers. The student wants to introduce the garden to a reader who has not heard of it. Which choice best uses the notes?

   • AIn 2018, several gardens opened across the region.In 2018, several gardens opened across the region.
   • BCommunity gardens have become common in many towns.Community gardens have become common in many towns.
   • CThe garden runs a seed swap each spring.The garden runs a seed swap each spring.
   • DStarted in 2018 and maintained entirely by volunteers, the community garden has 40 plots.Started in 2018 and maintained entirely by volunteers, the community garden has 40 plots.
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   Answer: Started in 2018 and maintained entirely by volunteers, the community garden has 40 plots.Started in 2018 and maintained entirely by volunteers, the community garden has 40 plots.

   An introduction needs the identifying facts, which this choice takes from the notes. The others narrow to one event or drift to claims the notes do not contain.An introduction needs the identifying facts, which this choice takes from the notes. The others narrow to one event or drift to claims the notes do not contain.

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5. 5Words in contextStandard

   As used in the following sentence, what does "candid" most nearly mean?The evidence for the earlier date is thin, and the author is candid about it.As used in the following sentence, what does "candid" most nearly mean? The evidence for the earlier date is thin, and the author is candid about it.

   • AFrankFrank
   • BKindKind
   • CUncertainUncertain
   • DApologeticApologetic
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   Answer: FrankFrank

   Being candid about weak evidence means saying so plainly. The word describes the author's openness, not the state of the evidence, which the first half of the sentence has already given.Being candid about weak evidence means saying so plainly. The word describes the author's openness, not the state of the evidence, which the first half of the sentence has already given.

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If five is not enough today