PSAT Reading & Writing Practice Set 2

The surrealist movement in art sought to bridge the chasm between dream and reality, creating an ethereal aesthetic that questions the bounds of ______.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

The Global Financial Crisis of 2008, rooted in opaque mortgage securities and excessive risk-taking, sent shockwaves through international economies. Governments worldwide grappled with mounting debts, plummeting asset values, and escalating unemployment rates. Central banks, in an unprecedented move, slashed interest rates and injected massive liquidity into their respective economies, endeavoring to stave off deep recessions. Despite these aggressive measures, the reverberations of the crisis lingered, reshaping the global economic landscape and prompting a revaluation of financial regulation and oversight mechanisms.

Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

Passage A:

In the realm of financial forensics, the term “temporal displacement of capital” refers to the deliberate shifting of assets from one temporal financial horizon to another, often with the ulterior motive of obfuscating true asset value or evading fiduciary obligations. This displacement, while sub rosa, is emblematic of broader systemic issues in the global finance industry, where opaque strategies and intricate financial instruments are frequently employed to navigate around regulatory oversight.

Passage B:

In Renaissance literature, the motif of “time’s deceit” frequently emerges, encapsulating the human angst concerning the transitory nature of life and the elusiveness of tangible assets. Poets like John Donne elucidated on the theme, suggesting that just as time can erode the tangible, it can also distort the intangible, creating a mirage of value where none might exist. Such literary expositions can be juxtaposed against modern financial stratagems, wherein the manipulation of temporal factors can create illusory wealth or mask pecuniary deficits.

Based on the two passages, which of the following can be inferred regarding the relationship between temporal manipulations in finance and its representation in literature?

Passage A:

In the realm of finance, the pertinacious pursuit of knowledge and acumen stands paramount. The mercurial nature of global markets demands not just an astute understanding of quantitative analytics but a deep comprehension of socio-political dynamics. It is often argued that financial wizards, with their prescience, can predict market movements; yet, the truth remains that these shifts are undergirded by an intricate tapestry of human behavior and historical precedence.

Passage B:

Economic theories, while grounded in mathematical models and empirical data, should never lose sight of the human element. The caprices of human desires and decisions, influenced by myriad societal factors, often shape the ebb and flow of economies. Financial models, in isolation, can be reductionist; they risk obfuscating the rich nuances of human interplay that invariably influence economic outcomes.

Based on the perspectives provided in Passage A and Passage B, on which point would the author of Passage A most likely agree with the author of Passage B?

The intricacies of phenomenology, when extrapolated to the existential quandaries within literature, yield a tapestry of allegorical revelations. The conundrum of selfhood in post-modern narrative arcs, underscored by the ephemeral nature of literary paradigms, challenges the status quo of metafictional realms. One cannot simply dismiss the tumultuous journey of the protagonist as mere storytelling; it becomes emblematic of the ontological struggle between existentialism and absurdist perspectives. It’s this dichotomous tension that has given rise to novels of the ilk of Kafkaesque surrealism, and yet, despite their ostensible obscurantism, they resonate profoundly with the discerning reader’s intrinsic search for meaning amidst narrative ambiguity.

What can be inferred about post-modern narrative arcs from the passage?

The epistemological discourse in contemporary sociology interrogates the axiomatic postulates that undergird society’s structural edifices. Traditional paradigms posit that societal norms emerge organically from collective consciousness, yet recent scholars assert the reverse: that societal structures, in their inherent rigidity, engender these very norms. This intricate dance between structure and agency poses a conundrum. While individuals wield the agency to challenge or uphold societal expectations, they often remain ensnared within the very structures they seek to transcend. This dynamic interplay has further complicated our understanding of societal evolution, questioning the role of external influences, like technology or geopolitical shifts, in either reinforcing or disrupting established norms.

Which one of the following statements, if false, would be the most direct extension of the arguments in the passage?

In the nuanced spheres of philosophical thought, the “Heliocentric Predicament” has been a subject of inexhaustible debates among renowned thinkers. This concept, far from representing the well-known astronomical model that places the sun at the center of our solar system, delves into the philosophical quandary surrounding man’s incessant need to perceive himself as the epicenter of existence. Such anthropocentrism, scholars argue, has shaped much of the sociocultural narratives we’ve fostered, often skewing our perception towards a human-centric cosmos. In a universe so vast, the insistence on human primacy can seem both audacious and myopic. However, it raises pertinent questions about our cognitive abilities, self-awareness, and the inevitable desire to find meaning in an otherwise indifferent cosmos.

What does the passage subtly indicate about the nature of the “Heliocentric Predicament”?

In the twilight era of the Renaissance, a burgeoning artistic milieu exemplified by polymaths saw the collision of varied art forms. Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” in its portrayal, ____ with an aura that permeates through the very canvas.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

In the volatile world of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin stands as a pioneering force. Its inception in 2009 by the enigmatic figure, Satoshi Nakamoto, revolutionized digital transactions. As financial experts scrutinize its trajectory, ____ its potential to reshape global financial dynamics.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Amidst the annals of the Byzantine Empire, the reign of Justinian stands out. His architectural feats, ____ the Hagia Sophia, are a testament to his grand vision.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Observing the notes provided, we can discern the following:

• Julianne Harlow is a celebrated American playwright and theater director.
• Her plays have been showcased in the US, Canada, and France.
• She frequently integrates elements of nature into her narratives.
• Her drama “Moonlit Shadows” (2015) integrated the imagery of a serene lakeside and nocturnal birds.
• Her theatrical piece “Whispers of the Wind” (2016) evoked the sensations of a bustling forest and rustling leaves.

A scholar seeks to draw a comparative analysis between the two dramas. Which option most adeptly employs the pertinent information from the notes to accomplish this?

During a scholarly analysis, a researcher compiled the following data:

• Elara Patel, a prodigious Indian mathematician, has persistently explored the boundaries of theoretical mathematics.
• Her revolutionary concepts have been lauded in academic gatherings across Asia, Europe, and North America.
• She is renowned for her work on fractals and the intersectionality of mathematics and art.
• “Patterns of Infinity” (2014), Patel’s research paper, delves deep into the recurring sequences found in natural formations.
• “Art in Equations” (2016) breaks down the mathematical precision underlying renowned artworks.

With the depth and breadth of Patel’s contributions in mind, which option best underscores the common intellectual trajectory in both papers?