Question

name: ____ date: ____
sat prep rw grade 11
unit 3 practice reading

1. one of the most persistent and problematic biases in science involves motivated reasoning—that is, the tendency to interpret observations to fit preconceived notions. according to professor brian nosek, a specialist in human biases and co - founder of the center for open science at the university of virginia, psychologists have demonstrated that \most of our reasoning is in fact rationalization.\ in other words, people begin by making decisions about what to think or do, and their \explanation\ later serves as a means to justify what they believed or how they intended to act in the first place.

1. which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

(a) to describe a widespread phenomenon in scientific research
(b) to suggest that true objectivity in science cannot be achieved
(c) to emphasize the inaccuracy of many scientific conclusions
(d) to call attention to the dangers of motivated reasoning

1. pride and prejudice is an 1813 novel by jane austen. in the novel, the protagonist, elizabeth bennet, rejects a marriage proposal from her suitor mr. darcy; however, she reconsiders after seeing his family estate, pemberley. for elizabeth, a beautifully arranged landscape is a mark of good taste, and austen makes this attitude clear when she writes:______

which quotation from pride and prejudice most effectively illustrates the claim?
(a) \her thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of pemberley house, whichever it might be, where mr. darcy then was!\
(b) \they descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and, while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehensions of meeting its owner returned.\
(c) \every disposition of the ground was good; and she looked on the whole scene—the river, the trees scattered on its banks, and the winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it—with delight.\
(d) \they entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while, ascended some of the higher grounds; whence, in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander,______\

Explanation:

Question 4 (Main Purpose of the Text)

The text starts by introducing "motivated reasoning" as a persistent bias in science, then explains it (people justify pre - made decisions) and cites a psychologist. The main purpose is to call attention to this dangerous bias. Option A is wrong as it's not just describing a phenomenon but highlighting its danger. Option B is incorrect as the text doesn't discuss achieving true objectivity. Option C is wrong as it's about motivated reasoning, not the inaccuracy of scientific conclusions.

The claim is that a beautifully arranged landscape is a mark of good taste for Elizabeth. Option C describes Elizabeth looking at the ground's disposition, river, trees, and valley with delight, showing her appreciation for the well - arranged landscape. Option A is about her thoughts on Darcy's spot, not the landscape's taste. Option B is about her apprehension and visiting the house, not the landscape. Option D is about the woods and grounds but not about the landscape being a mark of good taste.

Answer:

D. To call attention to the dangers of motivated reasoning

Question 5 (Quote Illustrating the Claim)