{"id":"cb_question_bank:3273611e-e72f-439b-90f4-26966e30cbe4","source_id":"cb_question_bank","source_item_id":"3273611e-e72f-439b-90f4-26966e30cbe4","external_id":"76bf8cd6-f573-4f30-a750-5030c3070924","ibn":null,"question_id":"df46a2ee","program":"SAT","module":"english","domain_code":"CAS","domain":"Craft and Structure","skill_code":"TSP","skill":"Text Structure and Purpose","difficulty":"M","score_band":5,"answer_type":"mcq","answer_source":"key","layout_warning":null,"form_id":null,"module_number":null,"position":null,"stem":"Which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole?","stimulus":"The following text is from Joseph Conrad’s 1907 novel The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale. Mr. Verloc is navigating the London streets on his way to a meeting. Before reaching Knightsbridge, Mr. Verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare, uproarious with the traffic of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift flow of hansoms [horse-drawn carriages]. Under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an Embassy. And Mr. Verloc, steady like a rock— a soft kind of rock —marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described as private.","stimulus_html":"<p>The following text is from Joseph Conrad’s 1907 novel <em>The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale. </em>Mr. Verloc is navigating the London streets on his way to a meeting.</p>\n<p>Before reaching Knightsbridge, Mr. Verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare, uproarious with the traffic of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift flow of hansoms [horse-drawn carriages]. Under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an Embassy. And Mr. Verloc, steady like a rock—<u>a soft kind of rock</u>—marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described as private.</p>","stem_html":"<p>Which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole?</p>","rationale_html":"<p>Choice A is the best answer. The underline phrase qualifies (meaning adds limits or conditions to) the description of Mr. Verloc as “steady like a rock,” adding that he is a “soft” rock. </p><p>Choice B is incorrect. In fact, the passage never mentions Mr. Verloc experiencing any internal struggles. Choice C is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t contrast Mr. Verloc with his surroundings, but is instead modifying the description of him as a rock. Choice D is incorrect. The underlined phrase doesn’t reveal a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds: instead, it further describes his character for the reader. </p>","correct_answer":["A"],"has_media":false,"has_mathml":false,"has_table":false,"source_created_at":"2023-08-02T20:25:59.375000+00:00","source_updated_at":"2023-08-02T20:25:59.375000+00:00","options":[{"label":"A","content_html":"<p>It qualifies an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.</p>","ord":0},{"label":"B","content_html":"<p>It emphasizes an internal struggle Mr. Verloc experiences.&nbsp;</p>","ord":1},{"label":"C","content_html":"<p>It contrasts Mr. Verloc with his surroundings.</p>","ord":2},{"label":"D","content_html":"<p>It reveals a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds.&nbsp;</p>","ord":3}],"attribution":{"source_id":"cb_question_bank","source_name":"College Board digital SAT question bank (community dump)","rights_holder":"College Board","canonical_url":"https://satsuitequestionbank.collegeboard.org/","retrieved_from":"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mdn522/sat-question-bank/main/data/cb-digital-questions.json","attribution":"SAT practice questions © College Board, from the official SAT Suite Question Bank. Retrieved via the community dump at github.com/mdn522/sat-question-bank.","disclaimer":"SAT® and PSAT/NMSQT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, does not sponsor, and does not endorse this project.","license":"College Board copyright; source repository carries no licence. Local use only.","redistributable":false,"item_count":2017}}