Here are the answers to this week’s SAT Challenge on reading comprehension!
And by the way, don’t worry, the answers will be in Multiple Choice format on the SAT, so this should be a lot easier than answering in long winded format like I have here!
1. What is the best meaning of the word “indigent” found in the third paragraph of the passage?
The phrase containing this word says “he has chosen to devote himself professionally to indigent populations – who are homeless or on low incomes or refugees”. Therefore the easiest, comprehensive answer would be those who are homeless, on low incomes or refugees. To take this a step further we could say that the word “indigent” means the underprivileged or the less wealthy and less integrated of society.
2. What theme appears in both of the following passages?
“I find it fascinating that there are so many people on the street in Canada, in such a wealthy country,” the Jamaican-born nurse practitioner comments.
“This is the first and only degree I’ve ever completed that I didn’t end up in financial debt,” he says, an infectious smile turning his voice to sunshine. “Normally, (after studies) I’m in debt up to my neck.”
The theme of rich vs. poor is present in both passages. He first talks about the people on the street in such a wealthy country, making the distinction and the question of why this imbalance is present. In the second passage he then talks of his own finances and how he was in debt before but because of his degree he is not. Therefore the theme of rich vs. poor is both contrasted on a national scale (“wealthy country like Canada”) as well as on a personal scale (in debt vs. not being in debt).
3. How would you describe the author’s tone within the article?
There is a transition between a sad, remorseful tone and a proud, genuinely contented tone that the author highlights. When the author talks about the situation on the street that Anthony goes through, strong words/phrases such as “cracks and chasms”, “acute health problems” and “hard living conditions”. The way this part is written is meant to connect to the soft side of readers and engage their feelings of remorse for the forgotten and lowly. This tone is picked up when the Athabasca University degree is brought up. Words like “successful”, “fortunate”, “accomplish” paint a picture of a bright future and the positive back story of what powerful work he does.
4. If you had to pick out the main point of this article (what is being repeated, the thesis of the article) what would it be?
The main point in this article would be that Anthony’s Athabasca University degree has helped him up to this point and will continue to go with him to create opportunities in the future. We can be sure of this since it seems to be the focus of each paragraph and leads the way between the separate ideas.
5. What tense is this article written in?
This article is written in present tense.
Were you able to pick out these answers? Would you explain these answers differently in your own words? If you answered the questions, which were the ones you struggled with? The ones that were easiest?
