SAT Reading 5.2 Passage Comparison
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SAT Reading: Passage Comparison Drill 5, Problem 2
| Foreign Language | Arabic Subtitled Chinese Subtitled Korean Subtitled Spanish Subtitled |
| Information and Ideas | Interpreting words and phrases in context |
| Language | English Language |
| Product Type | SAT Reading |
| Reading closely | Interpreting words and phrases in context |
| SAT Reading | Passage Comparison |
Transcript
is being "stubborn" and is "ignoring credible science."
Knowing all this, we can assume that the author thinks the administration's policy is keeping
other Republicans from acting sensibly.
So, we can guess that "hobbled" must have something to do with stopping, or making it
more difficult for Republicans to come around to the author's side.
Now that we know what we're looking for, let's check out our options.
"Intuit" sounds like "intuition," reminding us that it means to figure out something
through feelings or impressions rather than cold, hard facts.
"Intuit" also reminds us of the "Inuits," aka Eskimos, but the two words have nothing
to do with each other. So... please disregard.
It doesn't take intuition to see that "intuit" makes zero sense as a definition for hobbled.
(A) is definitely off the list. "Distinguished" describes somebody who
commands a bunch of respect, a person whose awesomeness at whatever they're awesome
at is legendary.
This author thinks that the administration and the Republicans are off their rockers, though...
So we really doubt that he'd call them distinguished. Choice (B) is officially nixed.
The word "romanticized" describes when somebody exaggerates, or idealizes something.
Sure, sometimes is can be "romantic" in relationships, but it can also describe big, crazy adventures
and stuff like that.
Knowing all this, we're sure that the word doesn't jibe with "hobbled," so we can
eliminate (E).
When we "delegate" something we get somebody else to do it for us--kind of like how we
elect public officials to represent us in Washington.
This word might make sense in the general world of the passage, but it doesn't make
sense as a definition of hobbled. Choice (D) is out.
When something is "obstructed," it's blocked in some way. The author thinks that
the administration is blocking the Republican's path to good sense, so this fits the context
clues. And encourages them to maybe... eat some prunes.
FYI: To hobble can also mean to tie an animal's feet together.
In case you were thinking about it, we don't recommend you try hobbling any polar bears.